Study of the small mammals in Taman Negara with special reference to the rat lung-worm

Lim, Boo Liat and Ratnam, Louis and Anan, Saharudin (1989) Study of the small mammals in Taman Negara with special reference to the rat lung-worm. [Journal / Magazine]

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Abstract

A study on the collection of small mammals from 3 collecting sites in Taman Negara revealed 53 species which include members of the Insectivora, Chiropten, primitive primates, Rodentia and small Carnivora. Eighteen species were identified visually, 14 of which were not collected, resulting in total of 67 species being identified as occurring in Taman Negara. These constitute 34.8% of the total small mammal species (192) recorded in Peninsular Malaysia. One of the species collected, the smokey flying squirrel is a rare find and constitutes a significant locality record for this species. Ectoparasites, such as fleas, lice, gamasoid ticks and Trombiculid mites (chiggers) were also collected from infested hosts. Arboreal mammals were found to be less infected with these parasites than the terrestrial forms. Endoparasite studies were confined to the rat lung-worm, Aagiostroagylus malaysiensis, and only the commensal rat species were found to be affected by this helminth. Certain aspects of the host-habitat association were discussed and the significance of ecto and endoparasitism relation to the distribution and behaviour of the host was also touched upon.

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