Sains Malaysiana 47(8)(2018): 1635–1644

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2018-4708-02

Species Richness and Distributional Pattern of Amphibians along an Elevational Gradient

at Gunung Raya, Pulau Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia

(Kekayaan Spesies dan Corak Taburan Amfibia Sepanjang Kecerunan di Gunung Raya,

Pulau Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia)

EHWAN, N¹., NUR JOHANA, J¹., SHUKOR, M.N¹., YAAKOP, S¹., GRISMER, L.L.²

& NORHAYATI, A.^1*

¹Pusat Pengajian Sains Sekitaran dan Sumber Alam, Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

²Herpetology Laboratory, Department of Biology, La Sierra University, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside California, 92515, USA

Received: 15 September 2017/Accepted: 16 March 2018

ABSTRACT

A study on amphibian community at Gunung Raya, Pulau Langkawi was conducted in order to identify amphibian species richness and species distribution pattern along an elevation gradient. Species richness and distribution pattern of amphibians along an elevational gradient could explain factors that determine ecological processes in a particular highland. Passive sampling method by using two types of traps namely Drift- fenced pitfall trap and PVC pipe trap were used from February 2014 until January 2015. 100 individual comprise of 10 species amphibian were recorded. Leptobrachium smithii were the most abundant (n=37) followed by Megophrys aceras (n=28). Rank abundance curve for amphibian community show a Broken Stick pattern (χ2=12.67, p=0.12). Species accumulation curve does not level off to an asymptote, indicating insufficient sample size despite intensive sampling effort. Estimation analysis by using Chao 1 predictor produces 12 amphibian species based on 100 pooled individuals. A weak positive exponential function fits the distribution pattern of amphibian abundance (y=0.0028x+13.39), reflecting species domination towards the peak. A negative exponential function fits distribution pattern of amphibian species number across the elevation gradient (y=-0.0091x+7.247), due to the lack of permanent water resource at the upper elevation. These results indicated that by understanding the upland ecology of amphibians, important decisions may be critical for designing conservation efforts and planning land use.

Keywords: Altitude; diversity; Herpetofauna

ABSTRAK

Suatu kajian telah dijalankan ke atas komuniti amfibia di Gunung Raya, Pulau Langkawi bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti kekayaan spesies dan corak taburan spesies amfibia sepanjang kecerunan ketinggian. Kekayaan spesies dan corak taburan Amfibia sepanjang kecerunan ketinggian dapat menjelaskan faktor yang menentukan proses ekologi di dataran tinggi tertentu. Kaedah persampelan pasif menggunakan dua jenis perangkap, iaitu perangkap lubang berpagar dan perangkap paip PVC dari Februari 2014 hingga Januari 2015. Sebanyak 100 individu amfibia yang terdiri daripada 10 spesies telah direkodkan.Leptobrachium smithii adalah spesies yang paling melimpah (n=37) diikuti Megophrys aceras (n=28). Lengkuk kelimpahan berpangkat bagi komuniti amfibia menunjukkan corak `broken stick' (χ2=12.67, p=0.12). Lengkuk akumulasi spesies pula tidak mencapai asimptot, menunjukkan bahawa saiz sampel tidak mencukupi, walaupun usaha persampelan adalah intensif. Analisis penganggaran menggunakan Chao1 menghasilkan sebanyak 12 spesies amfibia berdasarkan 100 individu terkumpul. Fungsi eksponen positif yang lemah dipadankan dengan pola taburan kelimpahan Amfibia (y=0.0028x + 13.39), mencerminkan penguasaan beberapa spesies ke arah puncak. Fungsi eksponen negatif pula dipadankan dengan corak taburan bilangan spesies Amfibia di sepanjang kecerunan ketinggian (y = -0.0091x + 7.247) disebabkan oleh kekurangan sumber air kekal di paras atas. Keputusan kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa memahami ekologi Amfibia di kawasan tanah tinggi adalah penting untuk mereka bentuk usaha pemuliharaan dan merancang penggunaan tanah.

Kata kunci: Altitud; Herpetofauna; kepelbagaian

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*Corresponding author; email: norhayatiahmad@ukm.edu.my