Life History Patterns of the Baleh Water Skink, Tropidophorus sebi (Reptilia: Scincidae: Tropidophorus): Thermoregulation, Movement and Microhabitat Selection
The Baleh Water Skink (Tropidophorus sebi) is the focal species of this study, aimed at understanding its life history by investigating its thermal biology and spatial ecology within the logged forests of Upper Baleh. With rapid habitat changes posing a challenge to its long-term survival, understan...
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my-unimas-ir.451722024-07-11T06:56:24Z Life History Patterns of the Baleh Water Skink, Tropidophorus sebi (Reptilia: Scincidae: Tropidophorus): Thermoregulation, Movement and Microhabitat Selection 2024-07-04 Awang Khairul Ikhwan, bin Awang Abdul Rahim QH Natural history QL Zoology The Baleh Water Skink (Tropidophorus sebi) is the focal species of this study, aimed at understanding its life history by investigating its thermal biology and spatial ecology within the logged forests of Upper Baleh. With rapid habitat changes posing a challenge to its long-term survival, understanding species adaptation is crucial for conservation and management. Temperature-sensitive radio transmitters were utilized to monitor seven adults of the species, consisting of four females and three males. The mean body temperature (Tb) of females and males was 25.47°C (SE ± 0.54) and 26.09°C (SE ± 0.45), respectively. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the mean Tb and ambient temperature, as well as substrate temperature. Through telemetry techniques, this study demonstrates that skinks are capable of regulating body temperature through thigmothermy, effectively reducing body temperature compared to ambient conditions. Using the 100% Minimum Convex Polygons (MCP) method, home range size was estimated to range from 28.69 to 212.32 m². Notably, the study documented the smallest home range size among tracked individuals for a gravid individual, providing novel insights into this aspect of the species' ecology. Microhabitat occupancy data reveals that the skinks are primarily found near streams (33.1%) and under vegetation debris (31.2%), followed by on banks and under bank debris (29.3%). A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was utilized to identify influential factors driving microhabitat selection, with distance from the water body (1.748) and canopy cover (1.186) emerging as the most significant components. Finally, it is hoped that the results from this study serve as a tool for developing conservation measures. By comprehending the species' ecology, this research can aid in ensuring the long-term survival and conservation of Tropidophorus sebi and other tropical ectothermic species inhabiting similar environments. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak 2024-07 Thesis http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/45172/ http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/45172/3/DSVA%20Awang.pdf text en staffonly http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/45172/4/Thesis%20Awang.pdf text en validuser masters Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia. |
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QH Natural history QL Zoology Awang Khairul Ikhwan, bin Awang Abdul Rahim Life History Patterns of the Baleh Water Skink, Tropidophorus sebi (Reptilia: Scincidae: Tropidophorus): Thermoregulation, Movement and Microhabitat Selection |
description |
The Baleh Water Skink (Tropidophorus sebi) is the focal species of this study, aimed at understanding its life history by investigating its thermal biology and spatial ecology within the logged forests of Upper Baleh. With rapid habitat changes posing a challenge to its long-term survival, understanding species adaptation is crucial for conservation and management. Temperature-sensitive radio transmitters were utilized to monitor seven adults of the
species, consisting of four females and three males. The mean body temperature (Tb) of females and males was 25.47°C (SE ± 0.54) and 26.09°C (SE ± 0.45), respectively.
Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the mean Tb and ambient temperature, as well as substrate temperature. Through telemetry techniques, this study demonstrates that skinks are capable of regulating body temperature through thigmothermy,
effectively reducing body temperature compared to ambient conditions. Using the 100% Minimum Convex Polygons (MCP) method, home range size was estimated to range from
28.69 to 212.32 m². Notably, the study documented the smallest home range size among tracked individuals for a gravid individual, providing novel insights into this aspect of the species' ecology. Microhabitat occupancy data reveals that the skinks are primarily found near streams (33.1%) and under vegetation debris (31.2%), followed by on banks and under bank debris (29.3%). A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was utilized to identify influential factors driving microhabitat selection, with distance from the water body (1.748) and canopy cover (1.186) emerging as the most significant components. Finally, it is hoped that the results from this study serve as a tool for developing conservation measures. By comprehending the species' ecology, this research can aid in ensuring the long-term survival and conservation of Tropidophorus sebi and other tropical ectothermic species inhabiting
similar environments. |
format |
Thesis |
qualification_level |
Master's degree |
author |
Awang Khairul Ikhwan, bin Awang Abdul Rahim |
author_facet |
Awang Khairul Ikhwan, bin Awang Abdul Rahim |
author_sort |
Awang Khairul Ikhwan, bin Awang Abdul Rahim |
title |
Life History Patterns of the Baleh Water Skink, Tropidophorus sebi (Reptilia: Scincidae: Tropidophorus): Thermoregulation, Movement and Microhabitat Selection |
title_short |
Life History Patterns of the Baleh Water Skink, Tropidophorus sebi (Reptilia: Scincidae: Tropidophorus): Thermoregulation, Movement and Microhabitat Selection |
title_full |
Life History Patterns of the Baleh Water Skink, Tropidophorus sebi (Reptilia: Scincidae: Tropidophorus): Thermoregulation, Movement and Microhabitat Selection |
title_fullStr |
Life History Patterns of the Baleh Water Skink, Tropidophorus sebi (Reptilia: Scincidae: Tropidophorus): Thermoregulation, Movement and Microhabitat Selection |
title_full_unstemmed |
Life History Patterns of the Baleh Water Skink, Tropidophorus sebi (Reptilia: Scincidae: Tropidophorus): Thermoregulation, Movement and Microhabitat Selection |
title_sort |
life history patterns of the baleh water skink, tropidophorus sebi (reptilia: scincidae: tropidophorus): thermoregulation, movement and microhabitat selection |
granting_institution |
Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation |
granting_department |
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia. |
publishDate |
2024 |
url |
http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/45172/3/DSVA%20Awang.pdf http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/45172/4/Thesis%20Awang.pdf |
_version_ |
1804888440631721984 |