The population ecology of non-volant small mammals with particular reference to the common treeshrew (tupaia glis) in Gunung Jerai, Kedah

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dc.contributor.authorDarmaraj, Mark Rayan
dc.date.accessioned2014-11-18T07:46:59Z
dc.date.available2014-11-18T07:46:59Z
dc.date.issued2006
dc.descriptionMasteren_US
dc.description.abstractA two-phase study on small mammals with particular reference to the Common Treeshrew (Tupaia glis), was conducted at two different floristic zones (Site A; Hill/Upper Dipterocarp Forest and Site B; Montane Myrtaceous Forest) on Gunung Jerai, an isolated mountain in Kedah. Phase one consisted of a monthly Mark-Recapture study using 100 cage wire traps, spaced 10m apart in a 0.81ha trapping grid on each site. Trapping was carried out from October 2002 till June 2003. A total of 10 species of small mammals were recorded at both sites. Capture success at Site A and B were 6.00% and 6.81% respectively. Tupaia glis and Maxomys rajah were the two dominant species at Site A, whilst at Site B these were, T. glis and M. whiteheadi. Site B proved to be more rich and diverse in small mammal composition than Site A due to the considerable degree of species overlap taking place at Site B. Distribution of individuals among species was more even at Site A compared to Site B probably due to increased microhabitat and food resource availability at Site A. For T. glis, breeding occurred throughout the year with a peak between April and August, without any marked differences between both sites. Density for T. glis at both sites were similar (4±1/ha at Site A and 5±1/ha at Site B). Phase two of this study consisted of a radio-telemetry study on T. glis which was carried out from December 2003 till March 2004. Five individuals were radio-collared at each site. Individuals at both sites conformed to a bimodal activity pattern. Total length of daily active periods, total daily distances moved and daily rate of movements by adult individuals at Site B were found to be significantly longer and higher compared to individuals at Site A (Mann-Whitney U-Test). Adult individuals at Site B had significantly larger home range size and core area size than individuals at Site A (Mann-Whitney U-Test). Habitat quality in terms of food availability, which varied altitudinally is highly likely the prime influential factor for these differences. Overall home range sizes were 0.80-1.18ha (MCP95%), whilst core areas were 0.34-0.57ha (HM50%). At Site A, almost 88% of nests were found to be in fallen logs and tree holes whilst, at Site B, almost 89% of nests were found in dug burrows at the base of the roots of trees. Individuals at both sites were found to preferentially nest in core areas. The static interaction index revealed a monogamous social organisation for both populations of T. glis.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/572
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subjectScienceen_US
dc.subjectpopulation ecologyen_US
dc.subjectnon-volant small mammalsen_US
dc.subjecttupaia glisen_US
dc.titleThe population ecology of non-volant small mammals with particular reference to the common treeshrew (tupaia glis) in Gunung Jerai, Kedahen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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