Journal of Wildlife and Parks (2014) 27 : 53-56 53

SPECIES DIVERSITY, RICHNESS AND ABUNDANCE OF SMALL IN SUNGAI DUSUN WILDLIFE RESERVE, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

Mohd Hanif Ridzuan Mat Daud, Madinah Adrus, Nur Aida Md Tamrin, Zahirunisa Abd Rahim, Wan Nurainie Wan Ismail, Huzal Irwan Husin & M.T. Abdullah*

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

A survey of small mammals was conducted at Sungai Dusun Wildlife Reserve on the 26th untill 31st of October 2009. 10 mist nets, two harp traps, 20 Sherman traps and 100 cage traps were deployed throughout the sampling period. A total of 18 individuals representing nine from six families of small mammals were recorded. Ground-level trapping using 100 cage traps yielded three species of small mammals which are Maxomys rajah, Lariscus insignis and Tupaia glis. Six species of bats from the Order Chiroptera were trapped, and the most common species is the Rhinolophus trifoliatus.

Keyword: Biodiversity, Bats, Chiroptera, Rodentia

INTRODUCTION

Sungai Dusun Wildlife Reserve was gazetted to provide a protected by the law for the last remaining population of Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhimus sumatraensis) since 1985. However, now it becomes a conservation centre for Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus). It is located about 120 km from Kuala Lumpur with latitude 3° 35’ to 3° 40’ North and longitude 101° 23’ to 101° 27’ East (Muda and Suib, 1989). The reserve is about 10,400 acre in size comprising of peat swamp and lowland dipterocarp forest (Mohamad and Romo, 2002). The reserve is drained by Sg Bernam (geographical boundry between Selangor and Perak State) in the North and Sg Tengi in the South. It is also bordered by the Felda Scheme on the Northern and Eastern side, and by peat swamp forest on the western and southern part. The objective of this inventory is to document an updated data of small mammals in Sungai Dusun Wildlife Reserve.

METHODOLOGY

Trapping

Ten mist-nets and two harp traps were deployed along the trail from 1830 to 0630 for the purpose of capturing fruit bats and insect bats respectively. Both traps were checked every two hours from 1830 to 2230. One hundred cage traps and 20 Sherman traps were deployed along the trail used to capture the terrestrial small mammals from the orders Rodentia, Scandentia and Insectivora, with approximately 10 meters trap interval and baited with oil palm fruit, bananas and salted fish for cage trap; and peanut butter for the Sherman trap. Cage and Sherman traps were checked twice at 1000 and 1700 hours. 54 Mohd Hanif Ridzuan, M.D., Madinah, A., Nur Aida, M.T., Zahirunisa, A.R., Wan Nurainie, W.I., Huzal, I.H. & Abdullah, M.T. Captured were put into cloth bag, then identified, measured, tagged and released. Identification of the species followed Payne et al. (2005), Kingston et al. (2006) and Francis (2008).

Collecting sample

For the purpose of collecting sample, targeted species were euthanized using chloroform and preserve as skin or wet voucher specimens. Muscle tissues and liver preserved in 95% ethanol. Any ectoparasites found on the specimen were preserved in 70% ethanol.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 18 individuals of small mammals were recorded at Sungai Dusun, Selangor consist of six species of bats and three species of (Table 1). The most abundant species of bats is Rhinolophus trifoliatus with four individuals while the most abundant species of is Tupaia glis also with four individuals. Mist nets, cage traps and harp traps were relocated after two days of sampling to cover more area.

Only one species of rat captured which is Maxomys rajah with one individual. The M. rajah is expected to be caught due to its wide distribution throughout South-east Asia and also known as a common species of forest rat. Although the baits were varied (salted fish, oil palm fruit and bananas for cage traps; peanut butter for Sherman trap) not many species of rodents were recorded. These probably due to the weather condition which is raining almost every day.

Table 1. List of small mammals recorded in Sungai Dusun, Selangor.

Relative Abundance Family Individual Method Species (%) Pteropodidae Chironax melanocephala 1 5.3 M Balionycteris maculata 3 15.8 M Dyacopterus spadiceus 1 5.3 M Vespertilionidae Kerivoula papillosa 1 5.3 H Rhinolophidae Rhinolophus trifoliatus 4 21.1 H Rhinolophus luctus 1 5.3 H Squiridae Lariscus insignis 1 5.3 C Tupaiidae Tupaia glis 4 21.1 C Muridae Maxomys rajah 2 10.5 C Total individual 18 Number of species 9 Number of Family 6 Relative Abundance (%) 100 *M=Mist net C=Cage Trap H=Harp Trap Species Diversity, Richness and Abundance of Small Mammals in 55 Sungai Dusun Wildlife Reserve, Selangor, Malaysia

CONCLUSION

We would expect more species captured if we could overcome the factors such as bait preference, weather condition and human disturbance. More samples could be obtained if we moved farther into the forest and expand the survey area by including the peat swamp forest area.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to thank Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Faculty of Resource Science and Technology for financial supports and also for the permission granted to join the inventory. We also would like to convey our sincere gratitude to Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) for their permission to examine and collect voucher samples as well as providing a conducive environment during this study. Furthermore, we greatly appreciate the trust and guidance provided by Prof Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah during samples collection. Our sincere thanks also expanded to the staffs of DWNP who have been willingly lending hands during the inventory. Thank you for all your advices and guidance.

REFERENCES

Francis, C.M. (2008). Field guide to the mammals of South-east Asia. Princeton Press. London: New Holand.

Kingston, T., Lim, B.L. & Zubaid, A. (2006). Bats of Krau Wildlife Reserve. Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Bangi: Selangor.

Mohamad, A. & Romo, S. (2002). Sumatran Rhinoceros captive management in Sg. Dusun Rhino Centre, Selangor. Zoos’ Print, 16(17):17-19.

Muda, H. & Suib, I. (1989). Inventory of fauna in Sungai Dusun Wildlife Reserve, Selangor. Journal of Wildlife and Parks, 9: 82-93.

Payne, J. & Francis, C.M. (2005). A field guide to the mammals of . The Sabah Society. Kota Kinabalu.