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Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2001 | Volume: 1 | Issue: 11 | Page No.: 1081-1084
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Research Article

Elevational Diversity Pattern of Non-volant Small Mammals on Mount Nuang, Hulu Langat, Selangor

Shukor Md. Nor, Zainab Batin and Zubaid Akbar

ABSTRACT

The distribution and species diversity of non-volant small mammals was studied at four elevational sites on the south face of Mount Nuang, Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia. Twenty-seven species of non-volant small mammals were recorded on this mountain: 15 species were recorded at 500 m, 14 at 800 m, 14 at 1100 m and 9 at 1350 m. Although, the total number of species captured at each site was not significantly different, the total number of species decreased gradually with increasing elevation. This linear decrease in diversity from the lower to higher elevation was shown by the LOWESS analysis. Although the LOWESS analysis indicated that the general pattern was linear, regression analysis showed a non-significant (R2=0.801, df=3, p=0.105) result. The explanation for the linear diversity pattern may be associated with the gradual change of habitat characteristics, which influenced by the change in physical environments such as humidity and temperature, across elevations. This suggestion is based on a strong linear relationship of small mammal species with humidity (R2=0.902, df=3, p=0.05) and temperature (R2=0.916, df=3, p=0.043) across elevations of this mountain.
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