Molecular DNA-based spatial mapping technique predicting diversity and distribution of otters (Lutrinae) in Peninsular M
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Molecular DNA-based spatial mapping technique predicting diversity and distribution of otters (Lutrinae) in Peninsular Malaysia using non-invasive fecal samples Pazil Abdul-Patah 1,2 & Hiroshi Sasaki 3 & Takeshi Sekiguchi 4 & Md Nor Shukor 1 & Nur Syafika Mohd-Yusof 1 & Muhammad Abu Bakar Abdul-Latiff 5 & Badrul Munir Md-Zain 1 Received: 2 March 2020 / Accepted: 20 August 2020 # Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża, Poland 2020
Abstract This study investigated the current distribution of otters (Lutrinae) in all states of Peninsular Malaysia. Four species of otters have been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia in the past based on field survey methodology, namely the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus), smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana), and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). This study aims to determine the current number of otter species and their distribution in Peninsular Malaysia through molecular approaches using D-loop and Cyt b loci of mitochondrial DNA sequences. Our findings indicate that 337 samples were identified as three species of otter that are currently distributed in Peninsular Malaysia: A. cinereus (112 samples), L. perspicillata (218 samples), and L. sumatrana (7 samples). All three species can be found in Perak, Kelantan, Pahang, Selangor, and Johor while other states only contained two species (A. cinereus and L. perspicillata). Seven sympatric locations were recorded between two or three species: Tumpat and Kg. Padang Salim (Kelantan), Penarik and Sg. Kemaman (Terengganu), Taman Negara (Pahang), Tg. Piai (Johor), and Kuala Gula (Perak). The discovery of L. sumatrana in this study has confirmed that this species is still present in Peninsular Malaysia. However, L. lutra was not observed in this study. Our findings successfully highlight the diversity and distribution of Peninsular Malaysian otters that suggest the importance of continuous assessment and population status of otters to ensure their ongoing survival in Peninsular Malaysia. Keywords Otter . Lutrinae . Mitochondrial DNA . Distribution . Peninsular Malaysia
Introduction Communicated by: Cino Pertoldi * Badrul Munir Md-Zain [email protected] 1
Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
2
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), Peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3
Chikushi Jogakuen University Junior College, Dazaifu, Japan
4
Department of Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
5
Centre of Research for Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600 Muar, Johor, Malaysia
In Peninsular Malaysia, the status of small carnivores, which includes otters, is not well known (Low 2011). Many species of otter tend to be nocturnal and
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