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26
Journal of Science and Technology in the Tropics (2010) 6: 23-30
Perhentian [2-4]. This is due to the isolation from
the mainland where emigration and immigration are
marginal and also limited sizes of the landmass. In
the case of arboreal species (bats and birds), they
are very mobile and if it is within their flight range,
the island would serve as part of their transit shelters
for resident and migrant animals, as well as for food
resources.
Among the six study sites, higher species richness,
ranging from 21–38 species were recorded at CT,
PT, DT, and SSV. The higher number of species is
associated with the diversity of habitats (scrub,
secondary and primary forests) found in each of these
study sites. The markedly lower species richness
recorded at MBW (8 species) and SQ (12 species)
was probably due to the less diverse habitat of the
coastal mangrove forest as compared to the other
sites (Appendix 1).
Non-volant mammals
All the 18 mammal species recorded in the island
(Appendix 1: No. 1-18) are common species, except
the Smooth otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), which is a
new record for Langkawi. Most abundant among the
18 species were the tree-shrew, long-tailed macaque,
plantain squirrel, three species of field and forest rats,
wild boar and mouse-deer (Appendix 1: Nos. 4, 5,
7, 9-11, 17, and 18). The least encountered was the
White-toothed ground shrew (Crocidura fuliginosa)
(Appendix 1: No 1). This species is a tiny, burrowing
animal. Pit fall traps have been proven to be the most
suitable trapping technique to obtain this species [5].
Previous study [1] recorded 15 species of nonvolant
mammals on Pulau Singa Besar, of which, four
species were additional records for the island: the Slow
loris (Nycticebus coucang), Black giant tree squirrel
(Ratufa bicolor), Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) and the
Three-striped palm civet (Arctogalidia trivirgata).
With these, the non-volant mammals increased to 22
species on Pulau Singa Besar. Of these, 20 species
were recorded on the main Langkawi island [6],
except Niviventer cremoriventer and Lutrogale
perspicillata. However, all the 22 species recorded
from Pulau Singa Besar are common in the mainland
of Peninsular Malaysia, except the Eurasian otter.
Volant mammals
The 29 species of bats recorded on the island comprised
seven species of fruit bats (Pteropodidae) and 22
species of insectivorous bats from seven families:
Emballonuridae, Nycteridae, Megadermatidae,
Rhinolophidae, Hipposiderosidae, Vespertilionidae
and Molossidae (Appendix 1: No. 19–47).
Fruit bats
All the seven species of fruit bats are common on the
island; the Lesser Dog-faced fruit bat (Cynopterus
brachyotis) and the Cave fruit bat (Cynopterus
Eonycteris spelaea) (Appendix 1; No. 20, 22) were
more common than the rest (Appendix 1: No. 19,
21, 23-25). Both these species were netted in all the
six study sites with greater frequency of captures
(27, 17 individuals respectively) compared to the
others which were netted between 2-4 study sites and
with less frequency of captures, ranging from 4–12
individuals.
Mustaffa Babjee [1] recorded four species of fruit
bats on the island. One of them, the Island Flying fox
(Pteropus hypomelanus) was a new locality record
for Langkawi, which increased the fruit bat fauna to
eight species from the island to date, compared to five
species in the main Langkawi island [6]. However,
all the eight species recorded on the island are also
common in lowland and hill forests in mainland
Peninsula Malaysia.
Insectivorous bats
The species richness of this group was reflected by the
troglodytic habits where the roosting environments
are available on the island. At least 12 species
(Appendix 1: No. 29-33, 36-40,42, 45) were cave
dwellers [7-9]. Among the 22 species, three species,
the Intermdiate Horseshose bat (Rhinolophus affinis),
Bicolored Roundleaf bat (Hipposideros bicolor) and
Common Roundleaf bat (Hipposideros galeritus),
were common with high frequency of captures (44,
38, and 27, respectively). Of particular interest was a
species with a single specimen netted, the Indian False
vampire (Megaderma lyra), which is uncommon.
This species is carnivorous in habit [6].
Fourteen of the 22 species on the island were also
recorded on the main Langkawi island [6]. On the
mainland of Peninsular Malaysia, all the 22 species
are common in lowland and hill forests.
Reproductive status
The examination of pregnant females was based
on visible observation of advance pregnancy of
the animals. This method was used to conserve the
species from being sacrificed for detail examination
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