Small Mammals Diversity in Pasoh Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

This paper presents results of historical data (1968–1974) of small mammals trapping, mist netting of bats, and direct observations in the Pasoh Forest Reserve (Pasoh FR). Eighty-five mammalian species belonging to 8 orders from 24 families has been catalogued. Of these, 8 species of fruit bats and 21 species of insectivorous bats were netted. Among the insectivorous bats, four species are of significant findings. These are Myotis ridleyi, Pipistrellus stenopterus, Murina cylotes and Phoniscus atrox, which are new localities records for Pasoh FR. The remaining 56 species comprised small mammals (insectivores, tree shrews, rodents, primate, carnivores and herbivores). Among the mammals, two species, Pithecheir parvus and Ptilocercus lowii are also new locality records for Pasoh FR. An additional of 27 species were recorded in later studies by Kemper (1988) and Francis (1990) that were not recorded in our study made up a total of 112 species altogether, thus far recorded for Pasoh FR. This represents 56% of the total mammalian fauna in Peninsular Malaysia. There is a marked difference in the species diversity between primary forest (PF) and regenerating forest (RF). Of the 85 species recorded in Pasoh, 46 species were found in RF compared to 78 in PF. The higher number of species diversity reported in PF was reflected by more efforts made in PF as opposed to RF. This study is far from conclusive, nevertheless results revealed sign of mammalian fauna recovering in the regenerating forest if left alone without further disturbance.