Annotated Checklist of Small Terrestrial Vertebrates at CFSII SL7 Ecological Corridor: Angsi Forest Reserve-Berembun Forest Reserve in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

Abstract

Surveys of small terrestrial vertebrates were conducted at identified Central Forest Spine (CFS) ecological corridor named CFSII SL7 (Secondary Linkage-7) involving Angsi Forest Reserve and Berembun Forest Reserve in Negeri Sembilan. The surveys were conducted in February, April, and September 2018. The main objective of these surveys is to update the checklist of small vertebrate species recorded in the corridor. Three plots were established, two located in Berembun FR, referred to as Berembun FR I and Berembun FR II, while one located at Angsi FR. A total of 100 collapsible cage traps, three harp traps, 10 mist nets, and 25 pitfall traps were deployed at each site. These traps were set for five consecutive nights per session, with two sampling sessions per site. In addition, direct observations and active searches were also conducted for arboreal species and herpetofauna respectively. A total of 326 individuals comprising 26 species of small mammals (eight families), 43 species of avifauna (19 families), and 22 species of herpetofauna (10 families) were recorded during the surveys. Berembun FR I harbor the highest number of small vertebrates (50 species), followed by Angsi FR and Berembun FR II with 43 and 39 species, respectively. In addition, 39 of the overall documented species are additionally recorded as small vertebrates compared to a compilation of previously listed species at both forest reserves. Through these results, it is hoped that the significance of these fragmented forests under CFSII SL7 as crucial habitats for small vertebrates can be further highlighted, and appropriate conservation measures must be taken to safeguard the small vertebrate population in these areas.