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Journal of Wildlife and Parks, 36: 59-74 (2021)
Journal of Wildlife and Parks, 36: 59-74 (2021)

THE COLLECTIONS OF THE TWO NATIVE, NEAR
THREATENED PTEROPID SPECIES IN PENINSULAR
MALAYSIA BY THE INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH,
MALAYSIA: THE LARGE FLYING FOX (Pteropus vampyrus)
AND ISLAND FLYING FOX (Pteropus hypomelanus)

1
1
Heng Pei Pei , Lim Kuang Hock , Cheong Yoon Ling , Noraini
1
Osman , Noraina Majid , Tan Poai Ean , Shyamini Ann Samson , Ali
1
2
1
1
Aman Marine , Mohd Hazilas Mat Hashim , Mohd Yahya Izral
1
1
1
1
Umpong , Balvinder Singh Gill & Lim Boo Liat
2

1 Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of
Health, Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2 Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia, Km 10,
Jalan Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

*Corresponding author’s email: hengpeipei@moh.gov.my

ABSTRACT

The large flying fox, Pteropus vampyrus and island flying fox, Pteropus
hypomelanus are two native bat species in Malaysia with ecological importance,
which are classified as “Endangered” in the REDLIST of Mammals for Peninsular
Malaysia 2017 in view of the population decline following deforestation,
overhunting and habitat destruction. This study described the morphology and
habitat distribution of all voucher specimens of P. vampyrus (n=17) and P.
hypomelanus (n=12) collected in Institute for Medical Research (IMR) employing
descriptive analysis; and evaluated the comparison of anthropometric
measurements between the male and female flying fox utilizing independent t-
test. The information generated in the present study will therefore provide
references to the future ecological and zoological researches in the country to
compare if any changes have occurred to the morphology and distribution of the
species following ecosystem disturbance. The finding will enable the formulation
of measures/approaches to the conservation of both species in the country.

Keywords: Near Threatened, Peninsular Malaysia, Institute for Medical
Research, large flying fox, Pteropus vampyrus, island flying fox, Pteropus
hypomelanus