Chiropteran Diversity in Teluk Bahang Forest Eco Park: Additional Bat Species Records and Conservation Status

Abstract

Bats, which serve as crucial biological seed dispersers and pest controllers, have largely lost their main habitat due to human development and deforestation. Rapid population growth has resulted in increasing demand for human settlements and it has become particularly critical for small states, such as Penang. Hence, a study was conducted to update bat species records in Teluk Bahang Forest Eco Park, Penang. A total of 45 individuals were caught, consisting of two families and six species of bats. Compared to previous study, two additional bats species were recorded during this expedition; Hipposideros armiger and Rhinolophus pusillus. Rhinolophus affinis is the highest captured species in this study compared to others. In terms of conservation status, there are differences between global and national categorizations. Rhinolophus pusillus is listed as Least Concern on IUCN Red List however it is classified as Data Deficient (DD) at national level. Meanwhile, Rhinolophus refulgens is listed as Not Evaluated (NE) on the IUCN Red List and listed as Data Deficient (DD) nationally. Additionally, Hipposideros kunzi is categorized as Not Evaluated (NE) on IUCN Red List and Data Deficient (DD) at national level. The increased number of bat species at new localities demonstrates the need to conserve various habitat types in Penang.