Habitat Distribution, Habitat Characteristics And Behaviour Of The Black Giant Squirrel (Ratufa Bicolor Penangensis) In Penang Island

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dc.contributor.authorKasim, Najwa
dc.date.accessioned2019-06-26T00:45:02Z
dc.date.available2019-06-26T00:45:02Z
dc.date.issued2012-06
dc.description.abstractThe Black Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor penangensis) is listed as a totally protected species under the Malaysian Wildlife Conservation of Act (2010) and classified as protected species under the international law such as IUCN by the loss of its habitat. A study on the Black Giant Squirrel’s distribution, habitat selection, daily movement and behaviour was conducted in Penang Island, from January 2008 to October 2009, to obtain baseline information for the species. Surveys on habitat distribution and habitat characteristics such as latitude, longitude, elevation, tree height, and Girth at Breast Height (GBH) were measured and recorded. Land use map was generated to analyse the squirrel’s habitat locations by using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS). Based on elevation, this species was found to be relatively common in two habitat types; hill land and lowland areas. Within both habitat types, this squirrel is distributed in several locations such as in lowland forest, hill forest, coastal forest and recreation areas. Habitat characteristics data such as the distances of the nests to food, to road, and to building were calculated by using GIS and evaluated with Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Data on movement pattern and behaviour were collected using direct sampling. The movement patterns of the Black Giant Squirrel were recorded using GPS track recorder from the moment they start their activities until the end of their activity every day for seven continuous days. PCA analysis showed that, habitat selection is influenced by several major factors such as height of nesting trees, distance from food supply (feeding tree) and distance from building. Other factors that influenced habitat selection are distance from road or forest trail and GBH of nesting tree. Movement pattern analysis at four different locations indicated that, total active period range between 11.87 to 12.12 hours per day, while total distance traveled recorded was within the range of 493.20 to 1158.67 meters per day. Daily, this squirrel spent most of their time resting (44%) and feeding (41%), followed by ranging (7%). Less time is spent for foraging and social and self-directed behaviour (4% each) from their total active period.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/8382
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUniversiti Sains Malaysiaen_US
dc.subjectBlack Giant Squirrel’s distribution, habitat selection, daily movementen_US
dc.subjectand behaviour was conducted in Penang Islanden_US
dc.titleHabitat Distribution, Habitat Characteristics And Behaviour Of The Black Giant Squirrel (Ratufa Bicolor Penangensis) In Penang Islanden_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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