Zoology

List of books, theses and research papers by the Mammalian Research Group

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Contact Persons;

F. A. K. Anwarali "Faisal" <fanwaral@gmail.com>
M. T. Abdullah "M. T. Abdullah" <tabdulla@frst.unimas.my>
Department of Zoology
Faculty of Resource Science and Technology
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
94300 Kota Samarahan
Sarawak, Malaysia

A.R. Mohd-Ridwan "Ridwan Rahman" <ridwanrahman2@gmail.com>,
Roberta Chaya Tawie Tingga "Berta Chaya" <rchaya84@gmail.com>
Centre For Pre-University Studies
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
94300 Kota Samarahan
Sarawak, Malaysia

Jayaraj Vijaya Kumaran "Jayaraj Vijaya Kumaran" <jayarajvijayakumaran@gmail.com>,
Faculty of Earth Science
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
UMK Jeli Campus
17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia.

Jeffrine Rovie Ryan Japning jeffrine@wildlife.gov.my
Department of Wildlife and National Parks
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Small Mammals from Kuala Atok, Taman Negara Pahang, Malaysia.2012.4

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

A faunal survey aimed to document small mammals was conducted at Nature Study Centre of Kuala Atok, Taman Negara... more A faunal survey aimed to document small mammals was conducted at Nature Study Centre of Kuala Atok, Taman Negara Pahang from 16th to 23rd May 2008. This survey was part of the Biodiversity Inventory Programme that was organised by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP). On average, ten mist nets, two four-bank harp traps, 100 cage traps and 40 Sherman traps were set for six trapping nights. A total of 79 individuals from three orders, seven families and 23 species were caught in this study. Of the 23 species, three were frugivorous bats, 15 were insectivorous bats, four were rodents and one was treeshrew. Our sampling site was bounded by Pahang River and mainly covered with lowland secondary forest. This is evidence by the highest abundance of Long-tailed Giant Rat (Leopoldamys sabanus) for non-volant small mammals, and Fawn Roundleaf Bat (Hipposideros cervinus) for volant small mammals that are adapted to disturbed habitat. The increasing species cumulative curve for Chiropteran indicates that there may be more species yet to be recorded from this study site compared to rodents and treeshrews. Preliminary analysis on the species similarity between our study site to other survey reports in Peninsular Malaysia, positioned Kuala Atok with Krau Wildlife Reserve and Bukit Fraser Forest Reserve that are located adjacent to our study site. This similarity further indicate the importance of future survey in Kuala Atok especially for Chiropterans to properly document the species diversity in this site that may be as rich as other well studied area e.g. Krau Wildlife Reserve.

ESTRUCTURA DE LA COMUNIDAD DEL PHYLUM ECHINODERMATA EN AGUAS SOMERAS DE LA BAHÍA DE TAGANGA, CARIBE COLOMBIANO

by Juan Diego Gaitán-Espitia

Revista U.D.C.A Actualidad & Divulgación Científica, 2008

The Taganga bay supports a strong anthropogenic pressure that threatens the communities and marine ecosystems... more The Taganga bay supports a strong anthropogenic pressure that threatens the communities and marine ecosystems established in this sector, especially organisms sensible to environmental changes and contamination like the echinoderms. In this study, the structure of the Phylum Echinodermata community in shallows waters of Taganga bay was determined, with the purpose of establishing a base line for monitoring the human activities impact on the marine fauna of this tourist sector. For the survey of the main species of this phylum, field trips were organized from January to September of 2006, identifying the existing species of echinoderms in the area by visual census and manual collects. The samplings were taken in the intermareal zone up to a depths of <10m; the 283 specimens collected were identified in the laboratory of CIZEM at the Magdalena University following the corresponding keys for each class and genus. A systematic list is presented for this locality that includes 18 species of echinoderms distributed in five classes and twelve, being the Class Echinoidea and Ophiuroidea the best represented in terms of richness with seven and six species respectively, as well as of relative abundance

Morphological abnormality in the longnose stingray Dasyatis guttata (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) in the Colombian Caribbean

by Juan Diego Gaitán-Espitia

Cybium 2011, 35(1): 79-80.

morphological abnormality in the rostral cartilage of the longnose stingray Dasyatis guttata (Bloch & schneider,... more morphological abnormality in the rostral cartilage of the longnose stingray Dasyatis guttata (Bloch & schneider, 1801) is documented for the first time in a male specimen captured by artisanal fisheries on the North coast of the
colombian caribbean

Population genetics and social organization of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in the Azores inferred by microsatellite analyses.

by Ana Pinela

PINELA, A.C., Quérouil, S., Magalhães, S., Silva, M.A., Prieto, R., Matos, J.A. & Santos, R.S. (2009) Can. J. Zool. 87(9): 802–813

In the northeast Atlantic Ocean, the archipelago of the Azores is frequented by female–offspring groups of sperm... more In the northeast Atlantic Ocean, the archipelago of the Azores is frequented by female–offspring groups of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus L., 1758), as well as large males. The Azores apparently constitute both a feeding ground and a reproduction site. Little is known about the population and group structure of sperm whales in the area. We analysed 151 sloughed skin and biopsy samples collected from 2002 to 2004. Molecular analyses involved genetic tagging using 11 microsatellite loci and molecular sexing. Our objectives were to determine the population genetic structure, compare relatedness within and between social groups, infer kinship, and estimate the age of males at dispersal. Results suggest that individuals visiting the archipelago of the Azores belong to a single population. High genetic diversity and absence of inbreeding suggest that the population is recovering from whaling. Individuals sampled in close association are highly related, as well as those observed in the same area on the same day, suggesting that secondary social groups (i.e., the union of primary social units) are largely but not exclusively composed of relatives. Probable mother–offspring and full-sibling pairs were identified. Age of males at dispersal was estimated at 16.6 years, which was well above previous estimates for this species.

Distribution and status of the Sumatran rhinoceros in Endau Rompin, Malaysia. 1983. Malayan Nature Journal

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Large mammal status in Peninsula Malaysia. 1991

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Cervical vertebrae of Sumatran rhinoceros in Malaysia

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Phylogenetics of Pteropodinae. 2006

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Phylogenetics of Macroglossinae

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Phylogenetics of Pteropodidae

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Genetics and morphology of bats. 2008

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Sumatran rhinoceros distribution in Endau Rompin. 1983

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Sumatran rhinocerso distribution in Malaysia. 1984

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Restraining of Sumatran rhinoceros. 1989

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Large mammals of Bario, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. 1999

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Wild Elephant capture in Singapore.1992

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Diversity of bats in two protected limestone areas, Sarawak, Borneo. 2010b. Ridwan_et_al_SMJ

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

This paper updates that of Hall et al 2004. Found new records. This paper updates that of Hall et al 2004. Found new records.

Observations on Bats in Three National Parks,Thailand. 2007.

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

pp5-20

Of the 263 species of mammals recorded from Thailand, Lekagul and McNeely (1977) list 35% from the order chiroptera,... more Of the 263 species of mammals recorded from Thailand, Lekagul and McNeely (1977) list 35% from the order chiroptera, 26% rodentia and 13 % carnivora. Biogeographically, Thailand lies in both the Sundaic and Indochinese subregions. The region south of the Isthmus of Kra (latitude 11o40’N) and peninsular Malaysia is considered as the Malayan faunal division, while the northern
part is within the Indochinese subregion (Corbet and Hill, 1992). This report presents the results of bat surveys conducted in protected areas in Thailand and also provides additional knowledge on the status of bats in certain areas. During the present survey, ecological observations were recorded for 57% of the individuals netted (comprising nine bat species) regarding their breeding status and development. About 28% of the total number of bats from seven species were at various stages of reproduction.

Key words: Bat biogeography, sympatric species, phenology.

Biodiversity assessment of Niah National Park. 2008

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

A transect survey was conducted from 2  6 December 2004 in Niah National Park to estimate species diversity and... more A transect survey was conducted from 2  6 December 2004 in Niah National Park to estimate species diversity and relative abundance of birds and mammals. This study was conducted in four forest line transects: Madu Trail (TR1), Sungai Tangap (TR2), Niah Great Cave (TR3), Bukit Kasut (TR4), and one river transect along the Niah River (RT). A total of 521 birds representing 59 species from 23 families were recorded. The Black-Nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus) and the Mossy-Nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus salanganus) were the most common species in the park. The family Timaliidae (babblers), with nine species, was recorded as the most diverse family, whereas Strigidae (owls) and Hirundinidae (swallows) were the least diverse families with one species in each. A total of 29 mammalian individuals representing seven species from four families were recorded. The family Sciuridae (squirrels) with three species was recorded as the most diverse family, whereas Cynocephalidae (flying lemurs) and Muridae (rodents) were the least diverse families with one species and one individual each. TR1 was recorded with the highest Shannon-Weiner index (diversity index) of H = 4.75 and H = 2.20 for birds and mammals respectively. The lowest bird H = 3.73 was recorded for TR2, whereas the lowest mammal H = 0 was recorded for TR2 and RT. Although this study does not identify factors that contribute to different species diversity at each transect line, field observations suggest that vegetation and human activities were the major elements that contributed to the observations found at each transect in this study. Studies on the vegetation types and potential disturbances that influence the faunal diversity will provide useful insights in conservation and management planning of this park.