First photographic evidence of flat-headed cats (Prionailurus Planiceps) in Pasoh forest reserve, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

The flat-headed cat Prionailurus planiceps is the smallest wild felid in Southeast Asia. Currently it is thought to be patchily distributed throughout Sumatra, Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, and Thailand. Conclusive information on the species distribution, populations, and ecology is largely missing due to the lack of species detection. Here we report the first photographic evidence of flat-headed cats in Pasoh Forest Reserve, and second ever in Peninsular Malaysia. Two individuals moving together during daytime in lowland dipterocarp forest far from water bodies and near an oil palm plantation were photographed. The capture took place in June 2013 with a camera trap located at a height of 10 cm above the ground. Besides adding important information on the species' potential distribution and ecological ranges, we speculate that flat-headed cat ecology and the height of camera traps could be important factors why the species escapes detection. © Jamie Wadey, Christine Fletcher and Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz.