Diversity of Bats in Contrasting Habitats of Hulu Terengganu Dipterocarp Forest and Setiu Wetland BRIS Forest with a Note on Preliminary Study of Vertical Stratification of Pteropodid Bats
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Abstract
A study of the bat diversity was conducted in Hulu Terengganu dipterocarp forest and Setiu Wetland Beach Ridges Interspersed with Swales (BRIS) forest in Terengganu, to study the species diversity, composition and stratification of fruit bats from the understorey to the forest canopy. Mist nets were set up at the understorey, sub-canopy and canopy layer while harp traps were set up at the understorey layer. We recorded 170 individuals from six families’ compromised 21 species from Hulu Terengganu dipterocarp forests and four species from Setiu Wetland BRIS forests throughout the sampling period. Megaerops ecaudatus and Cynopterus brachyotis were the most dominant species in Hulu Terengganu dipterocarp forest and Setiu Wetland BRIS forests. Our study also recorded two species with new distributional records for the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, namely, Rhinolophus chiewkweeae and Chaerephon johorensis in Hulu Terengganu dipterocarp forests. Potential factors that might influence the results were in terms of the canopy covers, the structural complexity of canopy, food availability and spatial characteristics. This study was able to increase the knowledge on the species diversity and composition of bats in Hulu Terengganu dipterocarp forest and Setiu Wetland BRIS forest, thus, further aid in the effort of bat conservation in both areas.
Satu kajian kepelbagaian kelawar telah dijalankan di hutan dipterokarp Hulu Terengganu dan hutan Beach Ridges Interspersed with Swales (BRIS) tanah lembap Setiu di Terengganu untuk mengkaji kepelbagaian spesies, komposisi dan stratifikasi kelawar dari bawah hingga ke kanopi hutan. Jaring kelawar telah di pasang di bawah kanopi, sub-kanopi dan kanopi, manakala perangkap harp telah diletak pada lapisan bawah kanopi. Kami merekodkan 170 individu daripada enam keluarga dan 21 spesies dari hutan dipterocarp Hulu Terengganu dan lima spesies dari hutan BRIS tanah lembap Setiu sepanjang tempoh pensampelan. Megaerops ecaudatus dan Cynopterus brachyotis adalah spesies yang paling dominan dalam hutan dipterocarp Hulu Terengganu dan hutan BRIS tanah lembap Setiu. Kajian kami juga telah mencatatkan dua spesies yang mempunyai rekod penyebaran baru di pantai timur Malaysia, iaitu Rhinolophus chiewkweeae dan Chaerephon johorensis daripada hutan dipterokarp Hulu Terengganu. Faktor-faktor yang berpotensi mempengaruhi keputusan adalah dari segi litupan kanopi, kepelbagaian struktur kanopi, ketersediaan makanan dan ciri-ciri ruang. Kajian ini dapat meningkatkan pengetahuan mengenai kepelbagaian spesies dan komposisi kelawar di hutan dipterokarp Hulu Terengganu dan hutan BRIS tanah lembap Setiu. Dengan itu, kajian lanjut diperlukan dalam usaha pemuliharaan kelawar di kedua-dua kawasan tersebut.
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