Umilaela

Frogs diversity for ecological monitoring in Karimata Island, Indonesia

The island of Karimata was photographed from the ocean Gunung Cabang

LocationCountryCategoriesDate
Karimata islandIndonesiaAsia, Community, Conflict, Habitat, People20 Dec 2007

Karimata Island, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, is home to several endemics animal and plant species, in certainty for two endemic primate subspecies, the maroon leaf monkey, Presbytis rubicunda carimatae, and long-tailed macaque, Macaca fascicularis carimatensis. Unfortunately, there is little current information on the status, distribution, natural biology, and conservation of those subspecies. The most recent study by Yanuar et al. (1993) stated that habitat disruption caused by human activities in Karimata has had little effect on the primates to date. However, the continuing pressures on the land pose a threat to primate habitat.

According to those reasons, it is badly needed to conduct environmental assessment in this island. Frog study is such way for environmental assessment as its function as a bio-indicator for environmental health is now considered as one of the most sensitive organism, but information about herpetofauna of this relatively big island is virtually lacking. Methods for frogs’ collection will be obtained using standard methods (Simmons, 1987; Heyer et al., 1994). Sampling sites of this study will be focused most habitats found in this island. The diversity of frogs in these habitats will be used to measure its environmental health. Furthermore, we expect to obtain firsthand knowledge on other group of organism such as reptiles, crustaceans and fishes that inhabit the freshwater ecosystem.

For more information contact alealimu@students.itb.ac.id

Project Update: June 2008

One of habitat type that was surveyed Snake hunt

We have conducted field work in Karimata for about 6 weeks, from 27 January 2008 to 7 March 2008. Unfortunately, only two of our team members that could join the field work. Other team members which are generally lecturer at the university could not go to the field because of their responsibility to teach some classes this semester. We made this field work possible with the help from four local students of Tanjungpura University in Pontianak and one person from BKSDA Ketapang (Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam). Beside that, we also hire some local people in Karimata to be field guide and porter.

We were conduct survey from lowland (near the ocean) to the top of Gunung Cabang, the highest mountain in Karimata to cover all types of habitat in Karimata. VES (Visual Encounter Sampling) along the stream and or forest trail were used as a standard method for amphibian and reptile survey.
Some ecological notes and water quality were measured. About 300 specimens were collected during field work (including fish and crustaceans). Those specimens were brought to ITB in order to re-identify by the expert (Prof.
Djoko T. Iskandar).

Project Update: August 2008

Philautus

8 species of frogs from four different families were collected during the field work in Karimata island which was dominated by Dicroglossidae (4 species). We classified 4 classes of altitudinal gradient to distinguish frogs’ diversity: 0-100m asl, 101-200m asl, 201-300m asl, 301-1030m asl. Frogs diversity was not really different significantly at each altitude.Six species found at 0-100 m asl, and recorded 5 species at either 101-200 m asl or 201-300 m asl. At higher altitude (>302 m asl) we only got 3 species that dominated by Philautus sp. We found that frogs’ diversity in Karimata was interesting. Although there was only few number of species in Karimata, some species shows interesting pattern of their distribution. Limnonectes malesianus tend to have bigger SVL (snout vent length) at higher altitude. We found L. malesianus in each altitude, except at 101-200 m asl even if we consider that this species also live in that altitude. Our specimens of L. malesianus from higher altitude tend to have bigger size
compared to L. malesianus from lower altitude. Another interesting pattern of distribution also shown by Philautus sp. We were collect Philautus sp since 101 m asl up to the top of mountain Cabang with several morphological variation. It was interesting because Philautus usually common at high altitude. In Karimata, this species was recorded from lowland to highland.


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