Two New Distributional Records of Gliding Squirrels in Merapoh Forest Complex, Pahang

Abstract

A preliminary survey on the diversity of gliding squirrels was conducted from September 2019 until February 2020 in several locations within Merapoh, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia using standard line transect method. The survey areas include a pristine forest, logged-over forest and agro-forested plantations. Gliding squirrels were spotted using a headlamp, binoculars (8x30 magnification) and a Digital SLR affixed with a telephoto lens (Nikon D500 + Nikkor 200-500 F5.6 VR) as they are mainly nocturnal. The highlight of this short survey was two new distributional records of flying squirrels for Merapoh Forest Complex. These two species were Spotted giant gliding squirrel (Petaurista elegans) and Temminck's gliding squirrel (Petinomys setosus). Other gliding squirrels recorded in this survey include the Red Giant gliding squirrel (Petaurista petaurista), Horsfield's gliding squirrel (Iomys horsfieldii) and Red-cheeked gliding squirrel (Hylopetes spadiceus). Apart from gliding squirrel, a total of eleven (11) species of other squirrels were also recorded within this survey. Continuous and systematic diversity surveys on gliding squirrels are needed as it is still understudied in Malaysia especially Merapoh.