Amirrudin Ahmad | Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (original) (raw)
Papers by Amirrudin Ahmad
Zootaxa, 2016
An integrative taxonomic analysis based on additional specimens and color photographs of Lipinia ... more An integrative taxonomic analysis based on additional specimens and color photographs of Lipinia sekayuensis and additional color photographs of L. surda from Pulau Tioman and the Gunung Panti Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia confirm the previous hypotheses that L. sekayuensis is a valid species and is the sister species of L. surda. The two species share a 12.8% sequence divergence between them.
BioInvasions Records, 2016
A new insular species Cnemaspis bidongensis sp. nov. (Squamata: Gekkonidae), is described from Pu... more A new insular species Cnemaspis bidongensis sp. nov. (Squamata: Gekkonidae), is described from Pulau Bidong, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia and bears a unique suite of morphological and color pattern characters that differentiate it from all other congeners. Cnemaspis bidongensis sp. nov. is the sister species to C. kendallii (Gray) and represents the fifth insular endemic species of Cnemaspis on archipelagos along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This species survived massive deforestation of the small island of Bidong (260 ha) from the mid 1970s to the early 1990s when the island served as a Vietnamese refugee camp and harbored as many as 40,000 people at one time. We hypothesize that this species' generalized lifestyle contributed to its survival, allowing it to seek refuge in rocky microhabitats.
Changing Global Perspectives on Horseshoe Crab Biology, Conservation and Management, 2015
Changing Global Perspectives on Horseshoe Crab Biology, Conservation and Management, 2015
Malayan Nature Journal
Forty-one fish species are presently known from the inland drainages of the Langkawi Islands, in ... more Forty-one fish species are presently known from the inland drainages of the Langkawi Islands, in particular, Pulau Langkawi and Pulau Dayang Bunting. Twenty-four species are primary division freshwater fish. Thirty species were recorded for the first time from the Langkawi Islands, of which two species (Oreochormis mossambicus and Trichogaster pectoralis) were introduced. Anguilla marmorata, Acanthocobitis zonalternans and Dermogenys sumatrana were recorded for the first time from Peninsular Malaysia.
Horseshoe crabs (HSC), especially the larger size Tachypleus tridentatus are consumed by human in... more Horseshoe crabs (HSC), especially the larger size Tachypleus tridentatus are consumed by human in some part of Sabah, Malaysia. The gravid females are more preferred for the eggs. This study has been carried out to determine the size of the spawning pairs of HSC in Jambongan Island, Sabah, Malaysia that would represent the general size of adult spawning HSC. A total of 21 pairs of T. tridentatus harvested by local fishermen were measured for their morphometric i.e: (PW), prosomal width; (CL), carapace length; (TEL), telson length; (TL), Total length; and (IO), intraocular distance during a series of beach patrol along with the fishermen in April to June 2014. The size of the spawning females are between 34.5 to 40.0 cm, with the majority within 36.0 to 37.9 cm. Whereas, for the males are between 28.0 and 34.5 cm with the majority being 30.0 to 31.9 cm. Pairing was not affected by size, as even the smallest male could be found clinging to the largest female as referred to the PW. The...
A series of observations were carried out between April and June 2013 in the beaches of Cherating... more A series of observations were carried out between April and June 2013 in the beaches of Cherating and Balok, Pahang, to record the nesting activity of the horseshoe crab, Tachypleus gigas. The information on the nesting biology of this species in Malaysia is very scarce. Visual search technique was conducted by patrolling the beach during every high tide of full moon phases, 1 hour before and after the highest tide. The observation began when the female dug into the sand. Each nest was marked with flagged aluminium pole and revisited during low tides to count the eggs in the nests. A total of 13 amplexus-pairs were spotted and observed (five pairs in Cherating and eight pairs in Balok). A single female made between 1–12 nests, laid up to 2,575 eggs on a single nesting event laying up to 446 eggs per nest. The pairs spent up to 2.5 hours for the whole nesting process before returning to the deeper water in amplexus pairs. The nests were distributed mostly in the intertidal regions, r...
Protected areas need to be continuously monitored for their flora and fauna for the ecosystem man... more Protected areas need to be continuously monitored for their flora and fauna for the ecosystem management and conservation purposes. Odonata is a good bio-indicator for habitat monitoring; they are ecologically conspicuous and sensitive to environmental changes. A two-day survey was done at Sungkai Wildlife Reserve (SWR), Perak in June 2014 to record the odonate diversity of the areas. Twenty-one species from seven families were collected, namely Libellulidae with seven species, Protoneuridae and Chlorocyphidae (four species each), Calopterygidae and Euphaeidae (two species each), and Platycnemididae and Coenagrionidae with a single species respectively. Despite the short collection period, this area showed a rich odonate fauna but further survey is needed to obtain a complete picture. The results formed the first checklist of odonate fauna here and may serve as baseline information for future research towards habitat monitoring, conservation and management of SWR.
Horseshoe crabs are unique animal looking very much similar to their extinct trilobite species. R... more Horseshoe crabs are unique animal looking very much similar to their extinct trilobite species. Recently, they are gaining popularity as new exotic delicacies in Malaysia and Thailand, with females being freely exported in bulk. This study was carried out to identify the population and their behavior in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia as an attempt to determine the effect of this newly emerging business on the existing population. A study was carried out from December 2011 to May 2014 in Pahang in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The horseshoe crabs ‘travelling distance’ was determined by placing a white button tag that bears the phone number of the researcher on the latero-posterior edge of the prosoma of a horseshoe crab. More than 120 individuals were tagged in three beaches i.e. Chendor, Cherating and Balok. The populations from the three beaches were found to be interchangeable as the tagged animals from Chendor were recaptured in Cherating and vice versa, thus conf...
The diversity of fishes recorded from several small streams within Sungkai Wildlife Reserve (SWR)... more The diversity of fishes recorded from several small streams within Sungkai Wildlife Reserve (SWR), Perak is presented here. A total of 26 species from 12 families were recorded during the 3-day survey. Fishes from family Cyprinidae were the most common with 11 species, followed by Channidae with four and Osphronemidae two species. We added seven species to the checklist of fishes of SWR, bring the total number of fishes known to this area to at least 41 species. Here, we update the name of previously reported fish species found at SWR by comparing the checklist to the recently published materials. However, the taxonomic status of four species mentioned in the previous publication was doubtful and we cannot assign them to any valid taxa known to us. Nonetheless, the fish fauna inhabiting the small streams here is diverse and requires further research to obtain more data to validate the checklist that is useful for conservation and planning future management program.
The Raffles bulletin of zoology
Abstract. Exotic species—especially predators—are a potential threat to native species communitie... more Abstract. Exotic species—especially predators—are a potential threat to native species communities and ecosystems worldwide. Introduced exotic species may cause changes in anti-predator behaviour of prey species, thus affecting prey individuals’ time allocations for other crucial behaviours such as feeding and locating mates. To test this hypothesis, we investigated shoaling behaviour of the pygmy halfbeak, Dermogenys collettei, comparing populations with different degrees of exposure to an exotic predator (Cichla orinocensis). Contrary to predictions, halfbeaks exhibited shoaling behaviour in a low predation, forest stream habitat but not in a high predation, more open stream habitat. We argue that behavioural differences are likely driven by competition for resources leading to reduced shoaling, highlighting how costs and benefits of group-living affect population-level shoaling tendencies. Dermogenys collettei also did not increase shoaling behaviour when exposed to C. orinocensi...
Recreational forests under the management of Forestry Department are of great interest and an att... more Recreational forests under the management of Forestry Department are of great interest and an attraction to local public as well as tourists for recreational and aesthetical purposes. However, threats to their natural ecosystem in relation to an increasing number of visitors such as littering, vandalisms, solid waste dumping and water pollution are alarming and deserves more attention from the authority. The reinforcement of recreational forest roles in today's society could be achieved through environmental education and dissemination of scientific findings from local research on biodiversity and abiotic conditions. Measures to inculcate awareness in visitors are discussed based on the biodiversity data collected from various recreational forests, with special emphasis to Terengganu recreational forests.
ABSTRACT Rice fields are traditional landscape in Malaysia that sustains various species of birds... more ABSTRACT Rice fields are traditional landscape in Malaysia that sustains various species of birds. Waterbirds, raptors, Passeriformes and Columbiformes were observed and counted using point count method at rice fields in Bandar Baharu, Kedah from March 2009 to February 2010. The current status of birds in the rice fields of Malaysia has not been widely researched. The objective of this study was to document the bird species richness and diversity and temporal bird distribution during the annual rice growing cycle. There were 5120 birds representing 67 species belonging to 29 families being recorded. The diversity index (Shannon-Wiener) varied monthly between 2.154 and 3.321. The most abundant bird family observed was Ardeidae (29.09%), followed by Sturnidae (10.15%) and Hirundinidae (7.86%). Rice growing seasons involve three main stages; direct seedling/transplanting, growing and harvesting. Each stage attracts different bird species to exist in the rice field and surrounding areas. Statistical analysis showed the alternative hypothesis that states abundance of bird species is different monthly was accepted (F 11, 24 = 3.033, p< 0.05). Farming activities and rice growing seasons regularly influenced birds' presence in the rice fields and attracted different bird species. Reclamation and urban development on the rice fields is a major concern. Conservation efforts and strict regulation of pesticide use should be implemented to develop sustainable agriculture practices that are beneficial to human and wildlife communities. ABSTRAK Sawah padi merupakan landskap tradisi di Malaysia yang menampung pelbagai spesies burung. Burung air, burung pemangsa, Passerines dan Columbiformes telah diperhatikan dan dikira dengan menggunakan kaedah bilang titik di sawah padi, Bandar Baharu, Kedah dari Mac 2009 hingga Februari 2010. Status terkini burung di sawah padi Malaysia masih tidak meluas dikaji. Objektif kajian ini ialah untuk mendokumentasi kekayaan dan kepelbagaian spesies burung dan taburan temporal burung semasa kitaran pertumbuhan padi tahunan. Terdapat 5120 individu mewakili 67 spesies dan 29 famili telah direkodkan. Indeks kepelbagaian (Shannon-Weiner) berubah pada setiap bulan antara 2.154 hingga 3.321. Kelimpahan famili burung tertinggi yang diperhatikan adalah Ardeidae (29.09%), diikuti oleh Sturnidae (10.15%) dan Hirundinidae (7.86%). Musim pertumbuhan padi melibatkan tiga peringkat utama; tabur terus/pemindahan anak benih, tumbesaran dan menuai. Setiap peringkat menarik spesies burung berlainan di sawah padi dan kawasan-kawasan sekitarnya. Analisis statistik menunjukkan hipotesis alternatif yang menyatakan kelimpahan spesies burung berbeza mengikut bulan diterima (F 11, 24 = 3.033,
Zootaxa, 2014
A new species of scincid lizard, Lipinia sekayuensis sp. nov. from Hutan Lipur Sekayu, Terengganu... more A new species of scincid lizard, Lipinia sekayuensis sp. nov. from Hutan Lipur Sekayu, Terengganu State in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia is most similar to L. surda (Boulenger) but differentiated from it and all other species of Lipinia by having the combination of an adult SVL of 42.3 mm; six supralabials; five infralabials; four supraoculars; prefrontals widely separated; two loreals; fused frontoparietals; lower eyelids bearing a large, transparent disc; 21 midbody scale rows; 56 paravertertebral scale rows; 65 ventral scale rows; enlarged, precloacal scales; 10 subdigital lamellae on the third finger; 11, 15, and seven lamellae on the third, fourth, and fifth toes, respectively; distal subdigital lamellae keeled; a median row of slightly enlarged, subcaudal scales present; a generally unicolor, dark-brown dorsum bearing nine very faint, diffuse, darker stripes; and an external ear opening replaced by a scaly, auditory depression.
Marine Ecology, 2014
In this paper, we emphasize the importance of understanding the nesting ecology and nesting behav... more In this paper, we emphasize the importance of understanding the nesting ecology and nesting behaviour of green marine turtles (Chelonia mydas). Data were collected from 2007 until 2012 from nesting beaches at Setiu Terengganu, Malaysia. We focused on one of the beaches, Telaga Papan, based on data collected in 2012. We recorded the distribution of nesting areas, the emergence hour and the correlation between successful nesting attempts and false crawls. Telaga Papan had a significantly higher distribution of green marine turtle nesting compared with the other five beaches (ANOVA, F 5,42 = 8.874, P < 0.01, mean = 36.750 AE 3.727). The highest number of successful nesting attempts was recorded in 2012 (mean = 28.714). A majority of the species landed between 22:00 and 23:59 h (25%). There was a strong correlation between successful nesting attempts and false crawls (r s = 0.883, P = 0.02). Based on these findings on the nesting ecology and nesting behaviour of green marine turtles, we suggest that scientific research, strict monitoring, awareness programs and policy implementation should be carried out proactively. Such activities are necessary to reduce the anthropogenic pressures at the nesting beaches as well as to ensure more successful nesting attempts of green marine turtles in Setiu.
Zootaxa, 2014
A new insular species Cnemaspis bidongensis sp. nov. (Squamata: Gekkonidae), is described from Pu... more A new insular species Cnemaspis bidongensis sp. nov. (Squamata: Gekkonidae), is described from Pulau Bidong, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia and bears a unique suite of morphological and color pattern characters that differentiate it from all other congeners. Cnemaspis bidongensis sp. nov. is the sister species to C. kendallii (Gray) and represents the fifth insular endemic species of Cnemaspis on archipelagos along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This species survived massive deforestation of the small island of Bidong (260 ha) from the mid 1970s to the early 1990s when the island served as a Vietnamese refugee camp and harbored as many as 40,000 people at one time. We hypothesize that this species&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; generalized lifestyle contributed to its survival, allowing it to seek refuge in rocky microhabitats.
A rich collection of 593 individuals belonging to 44 species from 11 families of Odonata were suc... more A rich collection of 593 individuals belonging to 44 species from 11 families of Odonata
were successfully identified at Sekayu Recreational Forest, Terengganu from September until
December 2005. Zygopterans (393 individuals) were found to be more abundant than anisopterans
(200 individuals). However, Libellulidae (suborder Anisoptera) made up the most dominant family
collected with 31.9% of total individuals recorded. Euphaea ochracea and Rhinocypha limbata
were found to be the most abundant species recorded in this study. More individuals were collected
from middle stream (MS) of Sungai Sekayu followed by lower stream (LS) and upper stream (US).
However, ANOVA does not show significant difference among the individuals represented at each
study sites as all the study areas consist of similar microhabitats.
An ecological survey was carried out to investigate the benthos community structure based on dens... more An ecological survey was carried out to investigate the benthos community structure based on density and diversity of the meiobenthos and macrobenthos communities inhabiting the seagrass bed and to investigate their relationship with environmental factors at Sungai Pulai estuary, Johor. A PVC hand corer was used to collect sediment samples from the 3 rd to the 5 th of December 2006 during the lowest tide. Three stations were chosen; Sungai Duku (S1) (07º24.137'N, 103º22.476' E), Tanjung Adang (S2) (01º19.762'N, 103º33.894' E) and Merambong (S3) (01º20.094'N 103º35.982'E). The highest density of meiobenthos was found at S2 followed by S3 and S1. The macrobenthos density was found to be greatest at S3 followed by S2 and S1. S2 had the highest diversity index with a value of 1.69 and 2.06 for meiobenthos and macrobenthos respectively. The statistical analysis demonstrated a significant difference existed between the benthic assemblages of the three stations. The differences in environmental parameters might be responsible for the assemblages of benthic community between stations.
Zootaxa, 2016
An integrative taxonomic analysis based on additional specimens and color photographs of Lipinia ... more An integrative taxonomic analysis based on additional specimens and color photographs of Lipinia sekayuensis and additional color photographs of L. surda from Pulau Tioman and the Gunung Panti Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia confirm the previous hypotheses that L. sekayuensis is a valid species and is the sister species of L. surda. The two species share a 12.8% sequence divergence between them.
BioInvasions Records, 2016
A new insular species Cnemaspis bidongensis sp. nov. (Squamata: Gekkonidae), is described from Pu... more A new insular species Cnemaspis bidongensis sp. nov. (Squamata: Gekkonidae), is described from Pulau Bidong, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia and bears a unique suite of morphological and color pattern characters that differentiate it from all other congeners. Cnemaspis bidongensis sp. nov. is the sister species to C. kendallii (Gray) and represents the fifth insular endemic species of Cnemaspis on archipelagos along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This species survived massive deforestation of the small island of Bidong (260 ha) from the mid 1970s to the early 1990s when the island served as a Vietnamese refugee camp and harbored as many as 40,000 people at one time. We hypothesize that this species' generalized lifestyle contributed to its survival, allowing it to seek refuge in rocky microhabitats.
Changing Global Perspectives on Horseshoe Crab Biology, Conservation and Management, 2015
Changing Global Perspectives on Horseshoe Crab Biology, Conservation and Management, 2015
Malayan Nature Journal
Forty-one fish species are presently known from the inland drainages of the Langkawi Islands, in ... more Forty-one fish species are presently known from the inland drainages of the Langkawi Islands, in particular, Pulau Langkawi and Pulau Dayang Bunting. Twenty-four species are primary division freshwater fish. Thirty species were recorded for the first time from the Langkawi Islands, of which two species (Oreochormis mossambicus and Trichogaster pectoralis) were introduced. Anguilla marmorata, Acanthocobitis zonalternans and Dermogenys sumatrana were recorded for the first time from Peninsular Malaysia.
Horseshoe crabs (HSC), especially the larger size Tachypleus tridentatus are consumed by human in... more Horseshoe crabs (HSC), especially the larger size Tachypleus tridentatus are consumed by human in some part of Sabah, Malaysia. The gravid females are more preferred for the eggs. This study has been carried out to determine the size of the spawning pairs of HSC in Jambongan Island, Sabah, Malaysia that would represent the general size of adult spawning HSC. A total of 21 pairs of T. tridentatus harvested by local fishermen were measured for their morphometric i.e: (PW), prosomal width; (CL), carapace length; (TEL), telson length; (TL), Total length; and (IO), intraocular distance during a series of beach patrol along with the fishermen in April to June 2014. The size of the spawning females are between 34.5 to 40.0 cm, with the majority within 36.0 to 37.9 cm. Whereas, for the males are between 28.0 and 34.5 cm with the majority being 30.0 to 31.9 cm. Pairing was not affected by size, as even the smallest male could be found clinging to the largest female as referred to the PW. The...
A series of observations were carried out between April and June 2013 in the beaches of Cherating... more A series of observations were carried out between April and June 2013 in the beaches of Cherating and Balok, Pahang, to record the nesting activity of the horseshoe crab, Tachypleus gigas. The information on the nesting biology of this species in Malaysia is very scarce. Visual search technique was conducted by patrolling the beach during every high tide of full moon phases, 1 hour before and after the highest tide. The observation began when the female dug into the sand. Each nest was marked with flagged aluminium pole and revisited during low tides to count the eggs in the nests. A total of 13 amplexus-pairs were spotted and observed (five pairs in Cherating and eight pairs in Balok). A single female made between 1–12 nests, laid up to 2,575 eggs on a single nesting event laying up to 446 eggs per nest. The pairs spent up to 2.5 hours for the whole nesting process before returning to the deeper water in amplexus pairs. The nests were distributed mostly in the intertidal regions, r...
Protected areas need to be continuously monitored for their flora and fauna for the ecosystem man... more Protected areas need to be continuously monitored for their flora and fauna for the ecosystem management and conservation purposes. Odonata is a good bio-indicator for habitat monitoring; they are ecologically conspicuous and sensitive to environmental changes. A two-day survey was done at Sungkai Wildlife Reserve (SWR), Perak in June 2014 to record the odonate diversity of the areas. Twenty-one species from seven families were collected, namely Libellulidae with seven species, Protoneuridae and Chlorocyphidae (four species each), Calopterygidae and Euphaeidae (two species each), and Platycnemididae and Coenagrionidae with a single species respectively. Despite the short collection period, this area showed a rich odonate fauna but further survey is needed to obtain a complete picture. The results formed the first checklist of odonate fauna here and may serve as baseline information for future research towards habitat monitoring, conservation and management of SWR.
Horseshoe crabs are unique animal looking very much similar to their extinct trilobite species. R... more Horseshoe crabs are unique animal looking very much similar to their extinct trilobite species. Recently, they are gaining popularity as new exotic delicacies in Malaysia and Thailand, with females being freely exported in bulk. This study was carried out to identify the population and their behavior in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia as an attempt to determine the effect of this newly emerging business on the existing population. A study was carried out from December 2011 to May 2014 in Pahang in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The horseshoe crabs ‘travelling distance’ was determined by placing a white button tag that bears the phone number of the researcher on the latero-posterior edge of the prosoma of a horseshoe crab. More than 120 individuals were tagged in three beaches i.e. Chendor, Cherating and Balok. The populations from the three beaches were found to be interchangeable as the tagged animals from Chendor were recaptured in Cherating and vice versa, thus conf...
The diversity of fishes recorded from several small streams within Sungkai Wildlife Reserve (SWR)... more The diversity of fishes recorded from several small streams within Sungkai Wildlife Reserve (SWR), Perak is presented here. A total of 26 species from 12 families were recorded during the 3-day survey. Fishes from family Cyprinidae were the most common with 11 species, followed by Channidae with four and Osphronemidae two species. We added seven species to the checklist of fishes of SWR, bring the total number of fishes known to this area to at least 41 species. Here, we update the name of previously reported fish species found at SWR by comparing the checklist to the recently published materials. However, the taxonomic status of four species mentioned in the previous publication was doubtful and we cannot assign them to any valid taxa known to us. Nonetheless, the fish fauna inhabiting the small streams here is diverse and requires further research to obtain more data to validate the checklist that is useful for conservation and planning future management program.
The Raffles bulletin of zoology
Abstract. Exotic species—especially predators—are a potential threat to native species communitie... more Abstract. Exotic species—especially predators—are a potential threat to native species communities and ecosystems worldwide. Introduced exotic species may cause changes in anti-predator behaviour of prey species, thus affecting prey individuals’ time allocations for other crucial behaviours such as feeding and locating mates. To test this hypothesis, we investigated shoaling behaviour of the pygmy halfbeak, Dermogenys collettei, comparing populations with different degrees of exposure to an exotic predator (Cichla orinocensis). Contrary to predictions, halfbeaks exhibited shoaling behaviour in a low predation, forest stream habitat but not in a high predation, more open stream habitat. We argue that behavioural differences are likely driven by competition for resources leading to reduced shoaling, highlighting how costs and benefits of group-living affect population-level shoaling tendencies. Dermogenys collettei also did not increase shoaling behaviour when exposed to C. orinocensi...
Recreational forests under the management of Forestry Department are of great interest and an att... more Recreational forests under the management of Forestry Department are of great interest and an attraction to local public as well as tourists for recreational and aesthetical purposes. However, threats to their natural ecosystem in relation to an increasing number of visitors such as littering, vandalisms, solid waste dumping and water pollution are alarming and deserves more attention from the authority. The reinforcement of recreational forest roles in today's society could be achieved through environmental education and dissemination of scientific findings from local research on biodiversity and abiotic conditions. Measures to inculcate awareness in visitors are discussed based on the biodiversity data collected from various recreational forests, with special emphasis to Terengganu recreational forests.
ABSTRACT Rice fields are traditional landscape in Malaysia that sustains various species of birds... more ABSTRACT Rice fields are traditional landscape in Malaysia that sustains various species of birds. Waterbirds, raptors, Passeriformes and Columbiformes were observed and counted using point count method at rice fields in Bandar Baharu, Kedah from March 2009 to February 2010. The current status of birds in the rice fields of Malaysia has not been widely researched. The objective of this study was to document the bird species richness and diversity and temporal bird distribution during the annual rice growing cycle. There were 5120 birds representing 67 species belonging to 29 families being recorded. The diversity index (Shannon-Wiener) varied monthly between 2.154 and 3.321. The most abundant bird family observed was Ardeidae (29.09%), followed by Sturnidae (10.15%) and Hirundinidae (7.86%). Rice growing seasons involve three main stages; direct seedling/transplanting, growing and harvesting. Each stage attracts different bird species to exist in the rice field and surrounding areas. Statistical analysis showed the alternative hypothesis that states abundance of bird species is different monthly was accepted (F 11, 24 = 3.033, p< 0.05). Farming activities and rice growing seasons regularly influenced birds' presence in the rice fields and attracted different bird species. Reclamation and urban development on the rice fields is a major concern. Conservation efforts and strict regulation of pesticide use should be implemented to develop sustainable agriculture practices that are beneficial to human and wildlife communities. ABSTRAK Sawah padi merupakan landskap tradisi di Malaysia yang menampung pelbagai spesies burung. Burung air, burung pemangsa, Passerines dan Columbiformes telah diperhatikan dan dikira dengan menggunakan kaedah bilang titik di sawah padi, Bandar Baharu, Kedah dari Mac 2009 hingga Februari 2010. Status terkini burung di sawah padi Malaysia masih tidak meluas dikaji. Objektif kajian ini ialah untuk mendokumentasi kekayaan dan kepelbagaian spesies burung dan taburan temporal burung semasa kitaran pertumbuhan padi tahunan. Terdapat 5120 individu mewakili 67 spesies dan 29 famili telah direkodkan. Indeks kepelbagaian (Shannon-Weiner) berubah pada setiap bulan antara 2.154 hingga 3.321. Kelimpahan famili burung tertinggi yang diperhatikan adalah Ardeidae (29.09%), diikuti oleh Sturnidae (10.15%) dan Hirundinidae (7.86%). Musim pertumbuhan padi melibatkan tiga peringkat utama; tabur terus/pemindahan anak benih, tumbesaran dan menuai. Setiap peringkat menarik spesies burung berlainan di sawah padi dan kawasan-kawasan sekitarnya. Analisis statistik menunjukkan hipotesis alternatif yang menyatakan kelimpahan spesies burung berbeza mengikut bulan diterima (F 11, 24 = 3.033,
Zootaxa, 2014
A new species of scincid lizard, Lipinia sekayuensis sp. nov. from Hutan Lipur Sekayu, Terengganu... more A new species of scincid lizard, Lipinia sekayuensis sp. nov. from Hutan Lipur Sekayu, Terengganu State in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia is most similar to L. surda (Boulenger) but differentiated from it and all other species of Lipinia by having the combination of an adult SVL of 42.3 mm; six supralabials; five infralabials; four supraoculars; prefrontals widely separated; two loreals; fused frontoparietals; lower eyelids bearing a large, transparent disc; 21 midbody scale rows; 56 paravertertebral scale rows; 65 ventral scale rows; enlarged, precloacal scales; 10 subdigital lamellae on the third finger; 11, 15, and seven lamellae on the third, fourth, and fifth toes, respectively; distal subdigital lamellae keeled; a median row of slightly enlarged, subcaudal scales present; a generally unicolor, dark-brown dorsum bearing nine very faint, diffuse, darker stripes; and an external ear opening replaced by a scaly, auditory depression.
Marine Ecology, 2014
In this paper, we emphasize the importance of understanding the nesting ecology and nesting behav... more In this paper, we emphasize the importance of understanding the nesting ecology and nesting behaviour of green marine turtles (Chelonia mydas). Data were collected from 2007 until 2012 from nesting beaches at Setiu Terengganu, Malaysia. We focused on one of the beaches, Telaga Papan, based on data collected in 2012. We recorded the distribution of nesting areas, the emergence hour and the correlation between successful nesting attempts and false crawls. Telaga Papan had a significantly higher distribution of green marine turtle nesting compared with the other five beaches (ANOVA, F 5,42 = 8.874, P < 0.01, mean = 36.750 AE 3.727). The highest number of successful nesting attempts was recorded in 2012 (mean = 28.714). A majority of the species landed between 22:00 and 23:59 h (25%). There was a strong correlation between successful nesting attempts and false crawls (r s = 0.883, P = 0.02). Based on these findings on the nesting ecology and nesting behaviour of green marine turtles, we suggest that scientific research, strict monitoring, awareness programs and policy implementation should be carried out proactively. Such activities are necessary to reduce the anthropogenic pressures at the nesting beaches as well as to ensure more successful nesting attempts of green marine turtles in Setiu.
Zootaxa, 2014
A new insular species Cnemaspis bidongensis sp. nov. (Squamata: Gekkonidae), is described from Pu... more A new insular species Cnemaspis bidongensis sp. nov. (Squamata: Gekkonidae), is described from Pulau Bidong, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia and bears a unique suite of morphological and color pattern characters that differentiate it from all other congeners. Cnemaspis bidongensis sp. nov. is the sister species to C. kendallii (Gray) and represents the fifth insular endemic species of Cnemaspis on archipelagos along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This species survived massive deforestation of the small island of Bidong (260 ha) from the mid 1970s to the early 1990s when the island served as a Vietnamese refugee camp and harbored as many as 40,000 people at one time. We hypothesize that this species&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; generalized lifestyle contributed to its survival, allowing it to seek refuge in rocky microhabitats.
A rich collection of 593 individuals belonging to 44 species from 11 families of Odonata were suc... more A rich collection of 593 individuals belonging to 44 species from 11 families of Odonata
were successfully identified at Sekayu Recreational Forest, Terengganu from September until
December 2005. Zygopterans (393 individuals) were found to be more abundant than anisopterans
(200 individuals). However, Libellulidae (suborder Anisoptera) made up the most dominant family
collected with 31.9% of total individuals recorded. Euphaea ochracea and Rhinocypha limbata
were found to be the most abundant species recorded in this study. More individuals were collected
from middle stream (MS) of Sungai Sekayu followed by lower stream (LS) and upper stream (US).
However, ANOVA does not show significant difference among the individuals represented at each
study sites as all the study areas consist of similar microhabitats.
An ecological survey was carried out to investigate the benthos community structure based on dens... more An ecological survey was carried out to investigate the benthos community structure based on density and diversity of the meiobenthos and macrobenthos communities inhabiting the seagrass bed and to investigate their relationship with environmental factors at Sungai Pulai estuary, Johor. A PVC hand corer was used to collect sediment samples from the 3 rd to the 5 th of December 2006 during the lowest tide. Three stations were chosen; Sungai Duku (S1) (07º24.137'N, 103º22.476' E), Tanjung Adang (S2) (01º19.762'N, 103º33.894' E) and Merambong (S3) (01º20.094'N 103º35.982'E). The highest density of meiobenthos was found at S2 followed by S3 and S1. The macrobenthos density was found to be greatest at S3 followed by S2 and S1. S2 had the highest diversity index with a value of 1.69 and 2.06 for meiobenthos and macrobenthos respectively. The statistical analysis demonstrated a significant difference existed between the benthic assemblages of the three stations. The differences in environmental parameters might be responsible for the assemblages of benthic community between stations.