Herpetofauna in southern part of Pulau Tioman, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Pulau Tioman is the largest island in the outer arc in Seribuat Archipelago with Gunung Kajang is the highest peak at 1,035 m. Previous herpetofaunal surveys were conducted from 15-20 April 2016 at two areas on the southern part of Pulau Tioman, which were Kg. Asah and Kg. Mukut. Two main methods were implemented, namely visual encounter survey (VES), and cages trapping. A total of eight species of anuran amphibians and 22 species of reptiles was recorded from this area. The diversity of herpetofaunal reported in Kg. Asah was higher than Kg. Mukut due to higher habitat heterogeneity and sampling efforts. The additional fieldworks are needed to assess and obtain a better picture of the true diversity of herpetofaunal in southern parts of Pulau Tioman for conservation purposes.