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46 Nor Hazwani, A.R., Shahfiz, M.A., Kaviarasu, M., Faradiana, N.M.F., Alwani, N.Z., Shahrini,
46 Nor Hazwani, A.R., Shahfiz, M.A., Kaviarasu, M., Faradiana, N.M.F., Alwani, N.Z., Shahrini,
N.N.A., Wahab, A.J. & Rusli, T.
N.N.A., Wahab, A.J. & Rusli, T.

Received (28-February-2018); Accepted (10-October-2019); Available online
(25-September-2021).

Citation: Nor Hazwani, A.R., Shahfiz, M.A., Kaviarasu, M., Faradiana, N.M.F.,
Alwani, N.Z., Shahrini, N.N.A., Wahab, A.J., Zaidi, N.J., Ali, G.H.Z. & Rusli,
T. (2021). Checklist of chiroptera at selected Central Forest Spine (CFS)
Ecological Corridors in Peninsular Malaysia. Journal of Wildlife and Parks, 36:
45-58.

Keywords: Bats, Chiroptera, Central Forest Spine, ecological corridors, Tanum-
Sungai Yu Forest Reserves, Pahang and Panti-Ulu Sedili Forest Reserves, Johor.

INTRODUCTION

Habitat loss and fragmentation are severe threats to biodiversity (Haddad et al.,
2015). This led the Federal Government to develop a provisional plan to restore
ecological connectivity between fragmented forests in Peninsular Malaysia via
ecological corridors or habitat linkages known as Central Forest Spine (CFS)
(Department of Town and Country Planning, 2009). Ecological corridors are a
viable and connected conservation area comprising both forest and non-forest
areas to provide forest cover, food, water, protection from any dangers, and
minimal disturbance for the species (Department of Town and Country Planning,
2009).

A total of 37 ecological corridors have been identified under the Central Forest
Spine Master Plan (CFSMP) to connect four major forest complexes in Peninsular
Malaysia (Department of Town and Country Planning, 2009). Of these, CFSI
Primary Linkages (PL) like PL1 Tanum Forest Reserve - Sungai Yu Forest
Reserve, Pahang, and PL3 Panti Forest Reserve - Ulu Sedili Forest Reserve, Johor
are among essential corridors for wildlife movements. These linkages are
threatened by anthropogenic disturbances such as being bisected by roads,
railways, or production forest reserves (Department of Town and Country
Planning, 2009).

Currently, there is only information on bats from the Hipposideridae family that
have been documented from PL1 Tanum - Sungai Yu Forest Reserves (Nor
Hazwani et al., 2021). On the other hand, for PL3 Panti - Ulu Sedili Forest
Reserves, some bats have been recorded only from Panti Forest Reserve (Mariana
et al., 2009; Shahrul Anuar et al., 2009), and there are no bats records from Ulu
Sedili Forest Reserve yet. This information is vital to be gathered as bats are an
important pollinator and seed dispersal agents (Yazid et al., 2019) that can play
a crucial role in the maintenance and regeneration of the forests (Wunderle,