Notes on small mammals diversity at Perlis State Parks, Wang Kelian, Perlis, Malaysia

Abstract

Three surveys were conducted to document diversity on small mammals at Perlis State Park, Wang Kelian, Perlis, Malaysia from 2019 until 2020. For each survey, a total of 50 cage traps, 10 mist-nets and two four-bank harp traps were set up for three-trapping nights along a 500 m transect line to sample small mammals. The opportunistic observation was also applying to record the incidence of small mammals. In total, 17 species of small mammals were documented during these surveys. Of these, seven species are volant small mammals, and ten species are non-volant small mammals. The family with the most diverse species was Pteropodidae with five species and Cynopterus brachyotis being the most dominant species (n = 46). Interestingly, these surveys report new distributional records for three small mammal species in Perlis State Park, though several studies have been conducted previously. This information demonstrates that there may be more species yet to be recorded from this study site. Comparing the species similarity between our study site and several state parks in Peninsular Malaysia shows that Perlis State Parks also holds a relatively high diversity of small mammals. Therefore, adequate conservation measures such as recognizing this state park as an important conservation area are needed to ensure valuable small mammals’ sustainability.