Morphological Variation in the Dusky Fruit Bat, Penthetor lucasi, in Sarawak, Malaysia

Morphological analysis of 70 adult individuals of the dusky fruit bat, Penthetor lucasi, was performed using 15 external characters and 18 craniodental characters. Multiple regression and discriminant function analysis (DFA) were applied to test the effects of sex, location and interaction between individuals in the study, and to determine and identify characters which are efficient in differentiating individuals among populations, respectively. Most characters were significantly affected by sex, locality and their interactions. Thus, separate analyses were done for both sexes. The fourth digit metacarpal length (D4MCL) and bulla length (BL) of males, and the hind foot (HF) and dental length (DL) of females, were suggested as the best predictors for the external and craniodental characters, respectively, in differentiating P. lucasi from different localities. These findings establish the morphological morphological variation between three geographically separate populations of P. lucasi within Sarawak. It is suggested that different ecological forces between populations, such as breeding, foraging behaviour, crowding effects and resource availability, could have been the moulding factors behind the observed morphological variations in the different P. lucasi populations

Preliminary investigation on taxonomic status of sympatric Tylonycteris species in Malaysia

Tylonycteris or flat-headed bat is known for its taxonomic complex within this genus. This study attempts to investigate the complexity within Tylonycteris using morphometric approach. The result from 34 morphological characters of hierarchical tree constructed two major groups splitting each respective Tylonycteris species into Malaysia Peninsular and Borneo populations. It is suggested to revise the species name according to type specimen, as proposed by recent previous study. Conservation and taxonomic status of Tylonycteris requires immediate reassessment due to the cryptic nature of these specie

Mammals recorded during a one-day visit to Bako National Park, Sarawak, Borneo

A total of four species of mammal comprising two primates, one rodent and one artiodactyl were recorded around Bako National Park headquarters (HQ). These mammals have previously been documented within the park as follows: Nasalis larvatus , Macaca fascicularis and Callosciurus sp. and Sus barbatus

Population census and age category character of Stump tailed macaque, Macaca arctoides, in Northern Peninsular Malaysia

Macaca arctoides is reported to be distributed only in the northern part of Malay Peninsula. Intensive scientific observations have never been carried out before on this neglected macaque in the northern range. Thus, in this article, an estimation of population data on the Malaysian stump-tailed macaques that were found in Wang Kelian forest areas in Perlis State Park, Malaysia is presented. Intensive field observations were conducted from Sept 2018 to January 2019 with scanning sampling. The study revealed a total of 171-176 stump-tailed macaques, consisting of 44 (25%) adult males, 28 (16%) adult females, 19-22 (11%) sub-adult males, 16-19 (10%) sub-adult females, 43 (25%) juveniles, and 21-23 (13%) infants. Two main groups were observed, which were the Nomad and the Batat groups. Their ranging areas appear to sometimes overlap each other, while some Nomad members were observed in the Batat group. The age structure can be differentiated through body size and pelage coloration. The stump-tailed macaque populations in Wang Kelian are sensitive to human presence, while their habitat area is threatened by human illegal poaching activities. More conservation efforts are needed to conserve this neglected macaque from local extinction

Assessing primate’s pelage colour using RGB method in Malayan Pale-thighed Surili (Presbytis siamensis siamensis)

The Red, Green and Blue (RGB) colour model has been used to investigate relationships between primates' physiological and colour data. This study uses the RGB method to determine various pelage hues in white-thighed surili at different latitudes in Peninsular Malaysia. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) represents the lowland while Genting Highlands and Fraser’s Hill represent the highland area. Results indicated that no significant values were found based on the sample t-test on every section of the samples except on the nose (Green). Our findings can be utilised further for systematic and population genetic studies of Presbytis siamensis siamensis in Peninsular Malaysia

Preliminary investigation on taxonomic status of sympatric Tylonycteris species in Malaysia

Tylonycteris or flat-headed bat is known for its taxonomic complex within this genus. This study attempts to investigate the complexity within Tylonycteris using morphometric approach. The result from 34 morphological characters of hierarchical tree constructed two major groups splitting each respective Tylonycteris species into Malaysia Peninsular and Borneo populations. It is suggested to revise the species name according to type specimen, as proposed by recent previous study. Conservation and taxonomic status of Tylonycteris requires immediate reassessment due to the cryptic nature of these species

Western Tarsier Cephalopachus bancanus at Matang Wildlife Centre, Sarawak

The huge, forward-facing eyes, large ears and small body size immediately identify this animal as a tarsier. The Western Tarsier Cephalopachus bancanus is the only species currently recognized on the island of Borneo: it mainly inhabits lowland areas, but there are montane records up to 1200 metres elevation

Partial mtDNA sequencing data of vulnerable Cephalopachus bancanus from the Malaysian Borneo

Tarsier is an endangered nocturnal primate in the family Tarsiidae and is an endemic to Sundaic islands of Philippine (Carlito syrichta), Sulawesi (Tarsius tarsier-complex) and Borneo (Cephalopachus bancanus). Recent records indicated that most molecular studies were done on the Eastern Tarsier and little information for the other group of tarsiers. Here, we present a partial cytochrome b data set of C. bancanus in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Standard mist nets were deployed at strategic locations in various habitat types. A total of 18 individuals were caught, measured and weighed. Approximately, 2 × 2 mm of tissue samples were taken and preserved in molecular grade alcohol. Out of 18, only 11 samples were screened with partial mtDNA (cytochrome b) and the DNA sequences were registered in the GenBank (accession numbers: KY794797-KY794807). Phylogenetic trees were constructed with 20 additional mtDNA sequences downloaded from GenBank. The data are valuable for the management authorities to regulate the type of management units for the metapopulation to sustain population genetics integrity of tarsiers in the range countries across the Sunda Shelf