Bat Species Diversity in the Merapoh Rich Limestone-rich Area within Lipis National Geopark, Malaysia.

Abstract

Merapoh, Pahang, is an area rich with limestone karst located within the Lipis National Geopark and home to the Sungai Relau gate of Taman Negara Pahang, a totally protected rainforest in Malaysia. Much of the research conducted here is mainly inside the National Park, with few published faunal records for the Merapoh caves. This study compiled the data on the bat species diversity of eight Merapoh caves (March 2020 to March 2022) using mist nets and harp traps. Our results indicate that Chiroptera diversity at Merapoh caves is rich, with a total of 32 species recorded from 865 individuals and four new locality records for the State of Pahang, namely Rousettusleschenaultii, Lyrodermalyra, Rhinolophuscoelophyllus and Hipposiderospomona. Gua Gunting has the highest diversity of bats recorded in this study (19 species). Significant Merapoh caves with bat colony roosts in Merapoh include Gua Jinjang Pelamin (Eonycterisspelaea & Rousettusleschenaultii), Gua Tahi Bintang (Hipposideroslarvatus) and Gua Pasir Besar (Miniopterusmedius). Rhinolophusconvexus, previously recorded only in upper montane rainforests, was also recorded in Merapoh caves indicating that this species can also be found in lower elevations than previously thought. Based on the findings of the current study and additional records from two previous studies, the Merapoh bat species diversity checklist totalled up to 38 species. On the whole, the rich bat diversity in Merapoh is reflective of its immense limestone karst landscape, which highlights the reason Lipis National Geopark has been recently gazetted. Future bat research should continue here and in other karsts within Lipis Geopark to sustainably conserve biological diversity, manage geological structures and raise awareness amongst the locals to appreciate their national heritage.