REVIEW OF SMALL MAMMAL DIVERSITY IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

National Forestry Policy urges the need for scientific information to be gathered, especially at forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia. With this aim, numerous scientific expeditions were organised by the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia at respective forest reserves to document biodiversity, including small mammals. This paper presents information on small mammals gathered from 36 proceedings covering 11 states from 2000 to 2014. A total of 121 species of mammals from 25 families were recorded. For bats, Rhinoloȵhus affinis (974 individuals) was most captured, followed by Hipposideros bicolor (919 individuals) and Cynopterus brachyotis (538 individuals). For non-volant small mammals, Tupaia glis (261 individuals) was captured the most, followed by two Muridae species, namely, Maxomys rajah (135 individuals) and M. surifer (113 individuals). Of these, 12 threatened species were documented, including Manis javanica, Nycticebus coucang and Hipposideros ridleyi. Most proceedings were published, focusing on the diversity of small mammals (non-volant and bats). Due to changes in forest landscapes, reassessment and long-term monitoring are necessary to understand the dynamics of small mammal communities, especially at sites threatened by anthropogenic activities.

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MOHD SHAFIZ BIN AZMAN

Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)

Mr. Mohammad Shahfiz Azman is a research officer at FRIM and currently serves as the Head of the ñoology Branch. He has been with FRIM since 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Animal Resource Science and Management from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and a Master’s degree in Biological Conservation from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). His research interests focus on vertebrates, particularly mammals and avifauna, within the field of ecology. Throughout his service, he has published approximately more than 50 works in various formats. His main interests are small vertebrates and landscape ecology. At present, much of his research focuses on several key initiatives, namely Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA), the Central Forest Spine (CFS), and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA). Mr. Shahfiz’s involvement in research focused on the ecology of small vertebrates makes the studies conducted by him and his team highly relevant and significant for ensuring the long-term survival of vertebrate communities. He is also responsible for ensuring that forest ecosystems across the country remain connected and function effectively.