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Nov 03 2018

Night Spotting Project – Priscillia Miard

Night Spotting Project is a research and conservation outreach initiative led by Priscillia Miard who has been studying nocturnal mammals for the past six years, a journey that has taken her from her native France, to the jungles of Brunei and Sabah. She is now based in Penang and has been documenting the distribution of nocturnal species in the forests of Penang and other locations in the Peninsula and on the island of Langkawi. This work will be used towards her PhD at the School of Biological Sciences at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Priscillia’s research is making an important contribution by providing important data on the distribution and density of populations of nocturnal mammals including species that are considered to be vulnerable and endangered such as the Sunda slow loris (Nycticebus coucang) and the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica).  Many nocturnal species play important ecological roles as seed dispersers and assisting in pollination. This work will enhance our understanding of the challenges facing these species and help guide effective strategies to ensure their conservation and their continued role in maintaining healthy forest habitats.

In order to conduct this research, aside from assuming a nocturnal lifestyle herself, Priscillia has also armed herself with new wildlife sensing technology which includes a thermal camera and ultrasound recorders. To view these creatures more closely, she used red light torches that do not bother nocturnal mammals and enable her to study their behaviour as they move around naturally.

During the Penang Hill BioBlitz 2017, Priscillia made an interesting observation when teamed up with bat researchers from USM – she found that the Sunda colugo uses ultrasound to communicate, a behaviour that has not previously been documented. This finding has been published in the academic journal Bioacoustics and featured in the online magazine Mongabay and the September 2018 issue of Penang Monthly.

Night Spotting Project is also committed to enhancing awareness and appreciation of these species among schoolchildren and the general public. She encourages people to accompany her on her night surveys to experience forest habitats at night. You can find out more about these nocturnal species by clicking on the images below. For more information, click on i.

Night Spotting Project
The Night Spotting Project, led by Priscillia Miard, from Universiti Sains Malaysia, is making a difference by providing insights into the ecology of nocturnal mammals using new wildlife sensing technology such as thermal cameras and ultrasound.
Sunda slow loris (Nycticebus coucang)The Sunda slow loris is a rare and endangered animal in Malaysia. However, a small number of them do live on Penang Island. They are the only venomous primate in the world. One bite can cause a person to go into anaphylactic shock which can be fatal. However, slow lorises are peaceful and gentle animals and will never attack unless in self-defense. They generally want to be left alone to feed on the sap of trees, insects, and nectar. Their name comes from the fact that they move really slowly, but they can actually move away really fast when they are scared.
Sunda Colugo (Galeopterus variegatus)This picture is one of our favourites! Colugos are really misunderstood but beautiful animals. Most of the time people do not see them because they look just like the trees that they are clinging to. In this picture, you can really see the baby looking around. Usually the baby will hide inside the pouch the mother makes by curling up her tail. We do not know if the baby only stays with its mum or whether it is sometimes the father that is the caregiver. This is something we need to study more! Colugos are pretty shy but they often stay still long enough for you to observe them without making noise. Did you know that you can see colugos in Penang Botanic Gardens?
A colugo feeding on durian flowers
Common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus)While you are sleeping, the common palm civet is probably one of our most common nighttime visitors to your gardens! Sometimes you may hear them running on your rooftop or playing chasing games in your ceiling. Civets have been able to adapt to living in agricultural areas and in housing estates. You can tell a common palm civet by the three lines along the length of its body. They feed on wild fruit, the sap of flowers, lizards, snakes, frogs, eggs, and insects.
Pangolin (Manis javanica)There are eight species of pangolin and the one in Malaysia is called the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica). Pangolins are the world’s most hunted animal. They are sought after for their meat and scales which are used in traditional medicine. The Sunda pangolin is Critically Endangered. It is a totally protected species so it is illegal to kill them, keep them, or even disturb them. They only eat insects.
Horsfield’s Flying squirrel (Lomys horsfieldii)This small species of flying squirrel is a nightmare to capture on camera! They move so fast and are really hard to see. Most of the time we can hear them but cannot see them. In this picture, we were lucky to see two individuals just hanging out on a branch without moving too much.
Another view of the Horsfield's flying squirrel. Unlike what their name says, these squirrels don’t really fly, they glide from tree to tree.
Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis)The leopard cat is one of the most successful hunters of the Malaysian rainforest! It is just a little bigger than a domestic cat and weighs between 3 and 7 kilos. Admired for their striking markings and fur, these small cats are efficient at catching their favourite prey of rodents, lizards, and birds both on land and in the trees. In fact, unlike most cats, leopard cats are also good swimmers and have slightly webbed paws to assist them in the water!
Lesser mousedeer (Tragulus kanchil)An iconic species of the Malaysian rainforest, the mousedeer is also the world’s smallest known hoofed mammal. A full-grown mousedeer weighs only 2 kilos and is only about 45 cm long. In Malaysian folklore the mousedeer makes up for its diminutive size with its great intellect which allows it to outsmart predators wanting to make a meal of it. The reality is that today the mousedeer is vulnerable to predation by animals like feral dogs living at the edge of human settlements.
Red giant flying squirrel (Petaurista petaurista)The red giant flying is a striking dark red colour and has a membrane of skin between its legs and arms that gives it the ability to glide between trees, sometimes distances of over 70 metres! Females nest in holes high above the ground. They need really good forest with big tree and cannot survive in highly disturbed areas. They generally only emerge after sundown to feed on conifer cones, leaves and branches, and fruit and nuts.
Fruit bat (Cynopterus spp.)Fruit bats like their name suggests eat fruits! The one in this picture is eating a sea almond or ketapang (Terminalia catappa). Fruit bats have good eyesight unlike the smaller bats that use echolocation to hunt insects. These bats are important seed dispersers for a number of species of fruiting trees. They are easy to spot at night as they have red eyeshine like many nocturnal mammals.
Buffy fishing owl (Ketupa ketupu)With its distinctive yellow eyes and its alarmed expression, this owl is probably the biggest you will see on Penang Island. It is mainly seen near beaches, rivers and mangroves. Buffy fish owls mainly feed on fish, crabs and reptiles but they also prey on rats, large insects and bats.
Collared scops owl (Otus lettia)This adorable owl is really tiny! It makes a particular sound which is easy to recognize at night as a single hoot “buuo”. They are not easy to see as they are really small and well camouflaged in the forest. They feed on beetles, grasshoppers and sometimes lizards.

If you would like to learn more about Night Spotting Project and participate in their activities, do follow them on Facebook or visit their website.

Priscilla Miard and Night Spotting Project received a 2018 Habitat Foundation Research Grant to continue this important research and outreach work. 

Research
    • Microplastic Loads in Fish and Invertebrates in Malaysian RiversMicroplastic Loads in Fish and Invertebrates in Malaysian Rivers
      January 19, 2021This research grant will support researchers from University of Nottingham, Malaysia to evaluate the presence and impact of microplastics in our river ecosystems. The lead researcher is Dr Christopher Gibbins, a Professor of Hydro-ecology and sustainable river management at the School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia. His work focusses on understanding the links between physical habitat conditions and biota in freshwater ecosystems. The study will be implemented with colleagues from Nottingham as well as undergraduate students and one PhD student. The School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences at Nottingham University has been conducting ongoing sampling of water quality and sediment-levels of the Langat River. This study examines the impact of microplastics on living creatures, ecosystems and human health. Despite concerns about the impact of microplastics, to date there are hardly any studies on this topic from Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The findings of this studies would increase our understanding of the dangers posed by microplastics in our rivers. The research will involve the collection of mussels, invertebrates and fish from sites along Sungai Langat that are known to have a range of contamination levels. Students will conduct gut flushing and acid digestion of sample organisms to isolate microplastic particles. They will then assess microplastic loads in organisms. These findings will be contrasted with those in published literature to assess risk to ecosystems, species, and public health.... Read more...
    • Ecosystem Services Provided by Bats in RicefieldsEcosystem Services Provided by Bats in Ricefields
      January 19, 2021The study to be undertaken Dr Nurul ‘Ain of the School of Biological Sciences, USM focusses on the insectivorous bats of the Gunung Keriang area of Kedah. It aims to ascertain whether the insectivorous bats which roost in the nearby limestones caves are consuming species that are known to be pests in rice fields. The research methodology involves documenting seasonal insect abundance and pest availability at different phases of paddy growth. Faecal samples of bats will be analysed to understand resource partitioning among the bats of Gunung Keriang. Equipment for measuring the seasonal insect abundance in the paddy fields. The view of Gunung Keriang changes with the different stages of paddy growth. The research is expected to provide conclusive scientific evidence that bats do provide essential ecosystem services in Malaysian rice agriculture. Consequently, maintaining bat roosts would demonstrate an ecologically-friendly method for controlling pests that helps increase crop production by lowering the impact of pests. The findings would also be economically important. Reducing the use of chemical pesticides in ricefields can slow down pesticide resistance among pests and helps MADA and other relevant authorities from spending money for pest control.  This would also reduce the harmful impacts of pesticides on the environment. In addition, the study also has a social component. It will document the awareness level of the local farming community on bats. The findings of this study will provide information to indicate the need for future educational programmes in this area. Dr Nurul ‘Ain plans to undertake this research with her students over a period of 1.5 years. This study fits the Habitat’s theme of understanding the ecosystem services provided by wildlife wherein the presence of the bats will help to reduce the amount of pest in the rice field without using any chemical pesticides. This study could also lead to the reduction of harmful chemical pesticides in the environment. Different species of insectivorous bats that are known to roost in Gunung Keriang... Read more...
    • Macaca Nemestrina ProjectMacaca Nemestrina Project
      March 2, 2020THF Research Grant Photo by Peter Ong #projectmonyet Macaca Nemestrina Project is a long-term behavioural and ecological study of Southern pig-tailed macaques which has been conducted near the Segari Melintang Forest Reserve (SMFR), Perak, Peninsular Malaysia since 2013. Here, two groups of habituated macaques, numbering approximately 80 individuals move between the forest reserve and the oil palm plantations bordering its South-Western edge. Researchers supervised by Dr Nadine Ruppert of the School of Biological Sciences at Universiti Sains Malaysia are presently engaged in a 3-year research project entitled “Enhancing oil palm sustainability through primate conservation and stakeholder engagement”. The aim of the project is to improve sustainable practices in Malaysian oil palm plantations by protecting the forest habitat of plantations through forest corridors and stakeholder engagement. Rats form a significant proportion of the diet of the macaques in the Segari area. Photo by Macaca Nestrina Project. Recent findings that the macaques of this area prey upon rats, which are pests in adjacent oil palm plantations, has helped to nurture receptivity and interest in retaining forest patches and corridors for the ecosystem services they provide. Further research and stakeholder engagement with the agricultural sector in conjunction with these findings could provide the basis for natural habitat conservation within large private landholdings, with positive impact on flora and fauna occurring within these forest patches. This research is supported for its potential to change industry norms and practices to be more tolerant of wildlife ranging from forest patches into plantations. This THF Research Grant will enable Macaca Nemestrina Project to complete the fieldwork for the final component of six research components of the project. This component will gather data to test the effects of conventional pesticide use (i.e. herbicides and insecticides) in plantations on the health of macaques who frequently feed in plantations. It will also support the continuous engagement of stakeholders of the oil palm sector to design management strategies for pig-tailed macaques around their estates through forest corridors and training of workers to handle macaque conflicts. This study is expected to show how conventional pesticide use in oil palm plantations affects the health of macaques that are now known to be beneficial biological pest control agents. This project will contribute data to generate willingness among oil palm planters to apply more environmentally-friendly practices, including the tolerance of macaques in plantations and ultimately the preservation of forest patches/corridors and permission for wildlife to move about the plantations. In the long-run, this study may generate new information and fresh perspectives that can influence best practices among the oil palm sector with benefits for both farmers and wildlife. Adult pig-tailed macaques from one of the family groups grooming a juvenile macaque. This research has previously received grants from USM, the Malaysian Ministry of Education, University Leipzig, The Rufford Foundation, and a Disney Conservation Grant.... Read more...
    • Ethnomycological study of local wild edible and medicinal fungiEthnomycological study of local wild edible and medicinal fungi
      February 25, 2020THF Research Grant A research team from the School of Biological Sciences at USM, led by Dr Rosnida Tajuddin, has been awarded a THF Research Grant to document the historical uses and sociological value of local wild edible and medicinal fungi. They will also analyse the mycotoxin potentially present in wild fungi growing in association with the roots of dipterocarp trees, to help determine whether it is safe for human consumption. This study will enhance our understanding of the conservation status of mushrooms in Malaysia and the significance of the biological relationships of fungi within the surrounding forest. A tangible expression of the collaboration between The Habitat Foundation and USM, support for research on Penang Hill will certainly further demonstrate synergies between our access to pristine rainforest on Penang Island and the sophisticated research facilities and top-notch faculty at USM. THF is excited to continue to develop further rainforest research and training on Penang Hill in conjunction with the nomination of the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man & the Biosphere Reserve. Watch her video here:... Read more...
    • Diversity and ecological characteristics of terrestrial freshwater crabs on Penang HillDiversity and ecological characteristics of terrestrial freshwater crabs on Penang Hill
      February 24, 2020THF Research Grant The endemic vampire crab of Penang Hill is about the size of your thumbnail. Little is known about this species and its conservation needs. This research will answer questions about its population and ecology. For her Master’s degree in Ecology at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Siti Khadijah is conducting a 12-month study on the diversity, ecological characteristics and habitat selection of freshwater crabs that are endemic to Penang Hill. She is being supervised by a leading authority on crustaceans in Malaysia. The field research is being funded by The Habitat Foundation and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. Siti Khadijah with Prof Madya Dr Amiruddin bin Ahmad of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu who is supervising the research On designated sampling days, she heads out after dark to establish 1m x 1m plots at the bromeliad garden in The Habitat, to study the Penang Hill Vampire Crab (Geosesarma faustum). She also conducts supplementary sampling using pitfall traps set at strategic locations to identify other crab species on Penang Hill. Only discovered and scientifically described in 2016, little remains known about the Penang Hill Vampire Crab. This research will add new understanding, providing insights into their potential threats and conservation needs. Observation of another endemic species, Stoliczia stoliczkana, may also generate interesting findings since this species has not been studied either. There is also a high possibility of discovering other new species of freshwater crab. Watch her interview here:... Read more...
    • Clemens’ research gets off the groundClemens’ research gets off the ground
      November 17, 2019Clemens Fischer, who hails from Eberwalde, Germany is a researcher that spent some time at The Habitat Penang Hill doing what he loves best, exploring the forest canopy. Our location alongside the beautiful Bukit Kerajaan Virgin Jungle Reserve provides abundant opportunitites for students of tropical forest ecology to do research. Clemens carried out an internship with us for a few months at the end of 2019 attempting to understand the inner-workings of the forest canopy. He is a student at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development in Germany where he is pursuing his Bachelor of Science in International Forest Ecosystem Management. As a recipient of a Penang Hill Research Grant, his study will help us to better understand the diversity of plant and animal life in this rainforest, aspects of their ecological characteristics, and how the different layers are used.  Despite being a seasoned arborist, Clemens found that working in the Malaysian forest canopy brings with it special challenges. For one, accessibility is difficult. Since the understory is relatively crowded, it is harder to cast ropes into trees. Even when this is achieved, there are many spiky plants, like rattan, to watch out for, as well as poisonous and venomous animals! The rewards are well worth the effort, however. The canopy vantage point allows him to better observe the differences between tree structures and closely observe the epiphytes and any animals present. Getting into the tropical canopy requires special care to avoid thorns and creatures that might sting or bite. With the use of The Habitat’s camera traps, it has been possible to capture footage of the species of the canopy. The cameras, which are moved every two weeks, have provided many charming clips of the animals that are mainly active at night. He also looks for signs of the presence of wildlife such as holes, hollow trunks, vertical structures acting as pathways, markings and missing bark. This provides information on the diversity of the rainforest, where species live, and how often they access the canopy. The data gathered will contribute to a global survey to describe the herbivorous behaviour of insects on leaves. Now that he has returned to his native Germany, Clemens will begin processing some of the 360-degree images of the forest canopy. By creating a captivating virtual tour of the Malaysian rainforest, he hopes to engage people to explore the canopy remotely and raise conversation of conservation. Empowering the next generation of community leaders Microplastic Loads in Fish and Invertebrates in Malaysian Rivers Ecosystem Services Provided by Bats in Ricefields Congratulations to the recipients of our 2021 Young Professional Internships Habitalk: How to be a Successful Hornbill... Read more...
    • Project Pteropus – Dr Sheema Abdul Aziz of RimbaProject Pteropus – Dr Sheema Abdul Aziz of Rimba
      November 22, 2018Project Pteropus is a research initiative by Rimba Research to fill the gaps in our understanding of old world fruit bats such as flying foxes (Pteropus spp., Acerodon spp.) which are known to be important ecosystem service providers, pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds over long distances. Once a common sight in certain parts of Malaysia, these remarkable flying mammals are a rare sight as numbers have declined with hunting and persecution. Project Pteropus aims is seeking a deeper understanding of bat ecosystem services and conflict situations with humans as an important first step to developing effective conservation solutions.   Dr Sheema Abdul Aziz of the NGO Rimba is the lead researcher of Project Pteropus and the recipient of a 2018 Habitat Foundation research grant. She has been studying the ecology of fruit-visiting bats since 2013. In seeking insights into the ecosystem services they provide, she hopes to develop an effective conservation strategy to advocate for these misunderstood animals. We’ll be traversing the length and breadth of Peninsular Malaysia looking for Pteropus roosts and caves frequented by cave nectar bats (Eonycteris spelaea), and also talking to local people and orchard owners. This will allow us to assess the status of these pollinating fruit bats across the landscape, understand local people’s experiences and perceptions of fruit bats, and also identify potential sites for future studies on durian pollination and farmer-bat conflict. We hope to start engaging fruit farmers constructively as equal partners to explore collaborative solutions. – Rimba Conservation challenges confronting fruitbats Long reviled as pests, numbers of fruitbats or flying foxes, have declined steadily in recent years. They are hunted or chased off by farmers seeking to protect their crop of mangoes and durians. However, findings from research into the ecology of fruitbats has provided some fascinating information. The main food of fruit bats is the fruit of wild fig trees and they play an important ecological role as dispersers of seeds. Camera trap footage reveals that fruitbats do not actually eat durian flowers. They only feed on their nectar without damaging them. Flying foxes also play a central role in durian pollination. These observations have the potential to change the way farmers and local people view them and could provide a strategy to mitigate conflict and ensure the conservation of this species (and ensure the future supply of delicious durians!) Building a common understanding to map a way forward Rimba’s Project Pteropus will focus on the following actions:- establishing contact with fruit farmers collected baseline data on bat roosts and populations identifying suitable sites in Peninsular Malaysia for further research collecting social data on orchard management practices and farmers’ experiences with wildlife conducting outreach and awareness-raising activities The team will collect data on flying fox movement ecology and durian pollination networks. Findings on the economic evaluation of bat pollination of durian in Peninsular Malaysia will also be shared with industry, policymakers, and the general public. Visit Rimba’s facebook page and website for more information on this study. You can also read about Rimba’s research in an article published in The Guardian in February 2018. “World’s most controversial fruit may depend on giant bats for pollination.“      ... Read more...
    • Night Spotting Project – Priscillia MiardNight Spotting Project – Priscillia Miard
      November 3, 2018Night Spotting Project is a research and conservation outreach initiative led by Priscillia Miard who has been studying nocturnal mammals for the past six years, a journey that has taken her from her native France, to the jungles of Brunei and Sabah. She is now based in Penang and has been documenting the distribution of nocturnal species in the forests of Penang and other locations in the Peninsula and on the island of Langkawi. This work will be used towards her PhD at the School of Biological Sciences at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Priscillia’s research is making an important contribution by providing important data on the distribution and density of populations of nocturnal mammals including species that are considered to be vulnerable and endangered such as the Sunda slow loris (Nycticebus coucang) and the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica).  Many nocturnal species play important ecological roles as seed dispersers and assisting in pollination. This work will enhance our understanding of the challenges facing these species and help guide effective strategies to ensure their conservation and their continued role in maintaining healthy forest habitats. In order to conduct this research, aside from assuming a nocturnal lifestyle herself, Priscillia has also armed herself with new wildlife sensing technology which includes a thermal camera and ultrasound recorders. To view these creatures more closely, she used red light torches that do not bother nocturnal mammals and enable her to study their behaviour as they move around naturally. During the Penang Hill BioBlitz 2017, Priscillia made an interesting observation when teamed up with bat researchers from USM – she found that the Sunda colugo uses ultrasound to communicate, a behaviour that has not previously been documented. This finding has been published in the academic journal Bioacoustics and featured in the online magazine Mongabay and the September 2018 issue of Penang Monthly. Night Spotting Project is also committed to enhancing awareness and appreciation of these species among schoolchildren and the general public. She encourages people to accompany her on her night surveys to experience forest habitats at night. You can find out more about these nocturnal species by clicking on the images below. For more information, click on i. If you would like to learn more about Night Spotting Project and participate in their activities, do follow them on Facebook or visit their website. Priscilla Miard and Night Spotting Project received a 2018 Habitat Foundation Research Grant to continue this important research and outreach work.   ... Read more...
    • Langur Project Penang – Jo Leen YapLangur Project Penang – Jo Leen Yap
      November 3, 2018Langur Project Penang is an innovative citizen science project led by Jo Leen Yap, a promising young primatologist from Penang. The project is helping to educate the public to understand the challenges facing Penang’s captivating dusky langurs. Langur Project Penang has been studying the ecology and behaviour of dusky langurs in Penang since 2016. Dusky langurs spend most of their time feeding and sheltering on tall trees but they need to cross the road from the forest to the coast to forage for plants that are important to their diet. Langurs mainly cross by leaping from tree to tree (63%). However, if there is no tree connectivity, they will move along cable wires (34%) or run across the road (2.6%). Langur casualties occur when they accidentally fall when crossing on cable wires or get hit by fast-moving vehicles. Bridging the gap In order to help langurs adapt to living in human-impacted landscapes, LPP is spearheading a project to install canopy bridges in strategic locations to enable arboreal wildlife to cross safely. This pilot project will provide valuable information to advocate for sustainable road development not just in Penang but elsewhere in Malaysia. Living together The education and awareness campaign supported by The Habitat Foundation is a way to help the public understand the challenges faced by wildlife in urban settings and promote empathy and support for these species. In 2018, Jo Leen was recognised as one of the world’s 30 Under 30 by the North American Association for Environmental Education for her contributions. Visit Langur Project Penang’s facebook page for more information on their activities and programmes.   Other 2018 Grant Recipients    ... Read more...

 

Written by justine · Categorized: 2018 THF Grant Recipients, Research

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