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Title:	Species composition and richness of amphibians and reptiles along an elevational gradient of Gunung Raya, Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
Authors:	Ehwan Ngadi (P67758)
Supervisor:	Norhayati Ahmad, Prof. Dr.
Keywords:	Amphibians Reptilians Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia -- Dissertations
Issue Date:	21-Nov-2017
Description:	Amphibians and reptilians of insular environment, such as Pulau Langkawi are more susceptible to extinction than those of continent populations. Environmental variability, demographic stochasticity and anthropogenic disturbances, make these smaller insular populations more vulnerable to extinction, especially for highland species. Langkawi Archipelago has had evidence of the longest earth history in Malaysia and was declared as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2007 due to the sustainable development and management of the natural resources, mainly for ecotourism, as well as to increase local community socio-economic development. Amphibian and reptilian assemblages along an elevational gradient from 200-700 m a.s.l. of Gunung Raya were studied from February 2014 to January 2015 to identify temporal and spatial patterns of amphibian and reptile species richness and abundance. The effects of environmental variables (temperature, humidity) and microhabitats on species richness and abundance were also examined to explain the variations. Molecular analysis was performed on selected species of amphibians and reptiles to obtain more information on the population distribution along the elevation. A total of 10 species of amphibians and 23 species of reptiles were recorded. Linear regression showed a declining trend in observed amphibian species richness with increasing elevation (y=-0.01x+7.25, r2=0.71), but an ascending trend in observed reptilian species richness with increasing elevation (y=0.06x+15.3, r2=0.41). Correlation analysis of the environmental variables showed that the amphibians were positively correlated with rainfall (r=0.55, p<0.05) and humidity (r=0.71, p<0.05), while the reptilians showed a positive correlation with temperature (r=0.62, p<0.05). Effects of spatial variation produced a separation of amphibian and reptilian assemblages. Cluster analysis showed the formation of two amphibian groups, the lower and upper elevation, while the reptilian assemblage was split into four groups, namely rare species, upper elevation, lower elevation and generalist. The altitude (r=-0.78, p<0.05) and soil temperature (r=0.72, p<0.05) showed significant correlations with species richness, whereas vegetation parameters, namely the number of ferns (r=0.752, p<0.05) was positively correlated with the abundance of amphibians. The altitude (r=0.68, p<0.05), soil water content (r=0.76, p< 0.05) and vegetation parameters (palm: r=0.77, p<0.05; liana: r=-0.83, p<0.05) were significantly correlated with reptilian species richness, whereas the effects of altitude (r=0.69, p< 0.05), liana (r=-0.58, p<0.05) and soil parameters (soil temperature: r=-0.71, p<0.05; soil water content: r=0.61, p<0.05; soil watermark: r=0.81, p<0.05) was significantly correlated to the abundance of reptiles. High endemicity and narrow species distribution patterns for many species of amphibians and reptiles here will help conservation efforts through the proposal to nominate Gunung Raya Forest Reserve as Gunung Raya Granite Geoforest Park in the future, as an addition to the existing three geoforest parks.,Certification of Master's/Doctoral Thesis" is not available
Pages:	196
Publisher:	UKM, Bangi
Appears in Collections:	Faculty of Science and Technology / Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi

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