Checklist of chiroptera at selected Central Forest Spine (CFS) Ecological Corridors in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

A series of surveys on bats were conducted at two Central Forest Spine (CFS) ecological corridors namely PLl Tanum- Sungai Yu Forest Reserves, Pahang and PL3 Panti - Ulu Sedili Forest Reserves, Johor. This paper aims to elucidate the baseline information on the occurrence of bat species at both corridors. The surveys commenced in May until November 2017. Two harp traps and ten mist nets were deployed in each study site for four sampling-nights. Overall, PLl recorded 95 individuals from 15 species while PL3 recorded 92 individuals from 15 species. The most abundant insectivorous and frugivorous species in PLl are Hipposideros larvatus and Balionycteris seimundi. In contrast, in PL3, the most abundant insectivorous bat is Rhinolophus affinis while frugivorous bat is Cynopterus cf. brachyotis (Forest). Also, PLl recorded one near threatened (NT) species, namely Kerivoula pellucida, while PL3 recorded one vulnerable (VU) species, namely H. ridleyi.