TY - JOUR
T1 - Molecular DNA-based spatial mapping technique predicting diversity and distribution of otters (Lutrinae) in Peninsular Malaysia using non-invasive fecal samples
AU - Abdul-Patah, Pazil
AU - Sasaki, Hiroshi
AU - Sekiguchi, Takeshi
AU - Shukor, Md Nor
AU - Mohd-Yusof, Nur Syafika
AU - Abdul-Latiff, Muhammad Abu Bakar
AU - Md-Zain, Badrul Munir
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was made possible under Grants UKM-GUP-2011-183, DLP-2013-006, AP-2015-004.This survey was also partly supported by Chikushi Jogakuen Special Research Grant. Acknowledgments
Funding Information:
The authors are deeply indebted to several institutions that provided them necessary facilities and assistance for fecal and tissue samples collection, including the Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Peninsular Malaysia), and Chikushi Jogakuen University Junior College (Japan).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020, Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża, Poland.
PY - 2020/10/1
Y1 - 2020/10/1
N2 - This study investigated the current distribution of otters (Lutrinae) in all states of Peninsular Malaysia. Four species of otters have been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia in the past based on field survey methodology, namely the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus), smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana), and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). This study aims to determine the current number of otter species and their distribution in Peninsular Malaysia through molecular approaches using D-loop and Cyt b loci of mitochondrial DNA sequences. Our findings indicate that 337 samples were identified as three species of otter that are currently distributed in Peninsular Malaysia: A. cinereus (112 samples), L. perspicillata (218 samples), and L. sumatrana (7 samples). All three species can be found in Perak, Kelantan, Pahang, Selangor, and Johor while other states only contained two species (A. cinereus and L. perspicillata). Seven sympatric locations were recorded between two or three species: Tumpat and Kg. Padang Salim (Kelantan), Penarik and Sg. Kemaman (Terengganu), Taman Negara (Pahang), Tg. Piai (Johor), and Kuala Gula (Perak). The discovery of L. sumatrana in this study has confirmed that this species is still present in Peninsular Malaysia. However, L. lutra was not observed in this study. Our findings successfully highlight the diversity and distribution of Peninsular Malaysian otters that suggest the importance of continuous assessment and population status of otters to ensure their ongoing survival in Peninsular Malaysia.
AB - This study investigated the current distribution of otters (Lutrinae) in all states of Peninsular Malaysia. Four species of otters have been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia in the past based on field survey methodology, namely the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus), smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana), and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). This study aims to determine the current number of otter species and their distribution in Peninsular Malaysia through molecular approaches using D-loop and Cyt b loci of mitochondrial DNA sequences. Our findings indicate that 337 samples were identified as three species of otter that are currently distributed in Peninsular Malaysia: A. cinereus (112 samples), L. perspicillata (218 samples), and L. sumatrana (7 samples). All three species can be found in Perak, Kelantan, Pahang, Selangor, and Johor while other states only contained two species (A. cinereus and L. perspicillata). Seven sympatric locations were recorded between two or three species: Tumpat and Kg. Padang Salim (Kelantan), Penarik and Sg. Kemaman (Terengganu), Taman Negara (Pahang), Tg. Piai (Johor), and Kuala Gula (Perak). The discovery of L. sumatrana in this study has confirmed that this species is still present in Peninsular Malaysia. However, L. lutra was not observed in this study. Our findings successfully highlight the diversity and distribution of Peninsular Malaysian otters that suggest the importance of continuous assessment and population status of otters to ensure their ongoing survival in Peninsular Malaysia.
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U2 - 10.1007/s13364-020-00532-9
DO - 10.1007/s13364-020-00532-9
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85089979308
VL - 65
SP - 691
EP - 700
JO - Mammal Research
JF - Mammal Research
SN - 2199-2401
IS - 4
ER -