Species Checklist and Diversity of the Herpetofauna of Tun Razak Agricultural Research Center, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia

Fashrul Idzry Aieziq Nazri; Farah Ayuni Farinordin; Nur Aina Afiqah Alias; Norzaizatul Najwa Musrizal; Nurul ‘Ain Najwa Zahar Azuar; Mohd Hairul Mohd Salleh; Irham Razak; Dzulhelmi Muhammad Nasir; Yusdayati Rashid; Nur Amalina Mohd Izam

doi:10.11113/mjfas.v20n5.3585

Authors

Fashrul Idzry Aieziq Nazri Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang Branch, Jengka Campus, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia
Farah Ayuni Farinordin Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang Branch, Jengka Campus, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia
Nur Aina Afiqah Alias Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang Branch, Jengka Campus, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia
Norzaizatul Najwa Musrizal Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang Branch, Jengka Campus, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia
Nurul ‘Ain Najwa Zahar Azuar Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang Branch, Jengka Campus, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia
Mohd Hairul Mohd Salleh Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Ministry of Finance Complex No.3, Persiaran Perdana, Presint 2, 62596, Putrajaya, Malaysia
Irham Razak Biology and Ecology Research (BERes), Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
Dzulhelmi Muhammad Nasir FGV R&D Sdn Bhd, Tun Razak Agricultural Research Centre, 27000 Jerantut, Pahang, Malaysia
Yusdayati Rashid FGV R&D Sdn Bhd, Tun Razak Agricultural Research Centre, 27000 Jerantut, Pahang, Malaysia
Nur Amalina Mohd Izam Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang Branch, Jengka Campus, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/mjfas.v20n5.3585

Keywords:

Amphibian, diversity, forest, oil palm, pond, reptile.

Abstract

Herpetofauna represents a significant portion of global biodiversity. Understanding their distribution, ecology, and behavior is essential for conservation efforts. Many reptile and amphibian species are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and disease. A study was conducted to explore the herpetofauna in Tun Razak Agricultural Research Centre from 22 February 2023 to 17 March 2023 through Visual Encounter Survey (VES), covering four types of habitats; ponds, forest, oil palm and residential. A total of 23 species of herpetofauna were recorded, representing 14 amphibians and nine reptiles. Hylarana erythraea emerged as the most dominant species, followed by Fejervarya limnocharis. These species were found abundantly in ponds due to its suitability for breeding and ample food sources. The presence of these species indicates that the ecosystem has various habitat niches. Most of the species found were globally classified as Least Concern. However, the survey also recorded Ophiophagus Hannah and Cuora amboinensis, listed as Vulnerable and Endangered respectively. The study highlighted the importance of clean water in ponds for frog breeding, as it ensures proper oxygenation and minimizes exposure to harmful substances. Furthermore, the study demonstrated the potential of herpetofauna as a bioindicator, with changes in their populations reflecting environmental changes or disturbances. The species rank abundance curves showed that the oil palm habitat exhibited the highest species evenness, suggesting a balanced distribution of species within the ecosystem. However, further surveys are needed in the area to determine the full extent of herpetofauna composition. Overall, the findings emphasise the necessity of preserving various habitats to support herpetofauna populations while also maintaining ecosystem health and balance for human-animal coexistence.

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