Habitat Preferences of The Bornean Horned Frog, Megophrys nasuta (SCHLEGEL, 1858) (ANURA: MEGOPHRYIDAE) In Sarawak

Elvy Quatrin, Deka and Ramlah, Zainudin and Aida Shafreena, Ahmad Puad (2019) Habitat Preferences of The Bornean Horned Frog, Megophrys nasuta (SCHLEGEL, 1858) (ANURA: MEGOPHRYIDAE) In Sarawak. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management, 14 (4). pp. 38-50. ISSN 2672-7226

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Abstract

Habitat clearance changes the ecological conditions in adjacent remnants and reduces the range of frog dispersal. Movement between remnants is possible for widely distributed Megophrys nasuta, thus this species could be a habitat generalist and able to disperse throughout fragmented areas. This study aims to determine habitat utilization of Sarawak M. nasuta as well asinvestigating correlation between species’habitat preferences with ambient temperature and humidity. A total of 15 vegetation types, 20 horizontal positions, 16 vertical positions and 9 substrates were sampled from 2015-2017throughout Sarawak. Chi-square and NMDS analyses showed that this species a habitat generalist yet specialized in its horizontal and vertical positions. The results supported the hypothesis of its wide dispersal throughout fragmented areas and implied that horizontal position plays an important role at determining their breeding site in an area. Megophrys nasuta showed a positive correlation to ambient temperature and vegetation type, indicating species’ high tolerances with temperature at various forest types. The findings suggested that M. nasuta is a habitat generalist and a microhabitat specialist, reflecting its response towards habitat fragmentation. Thus, this study allows early identification of the species vulnerability towards extinction and targeting for species sustainability in near future..

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