Life History Patterns of the Baleh Water Skink, Tropidophorus sebi (Reptilia: Scincidae: Tropidophorus): Thermoregulation, Movement and Microhabitat Selection

• المؤلف الرئيسي: Awang Khairul Ikhwan, bin Awang Abdul Rahim
• التنسيق: أطروحة
• اللغة: الإنجليزية; الإنجليزية; الإنجليزية
• منشور في: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak 2024
• الموضوعات: QH Natural history; QL Zoology
• الوصول للمادة أونلاين: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/45172/

The Baleh Water Skink (Tropidophorus sebi) is the focal species of this study, aimed at understanding its life history by investigating its thermal biology and spatial ecology within the logged forests of Upper Baleh. With rapid habitat changes posing a challenge to its long-term survival, understanding species adaptation is crucial for conservation and management. Temperature-sensitive radio transmitters were utilized to monitor seven adults of the species, consisting of four females and three males. The mean body temperature (Tb) of females and males was 25.47°C (SE ± 0.54) and 26.09°C (SE ± 0.45), respectively. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the mean Tb and ambient temperature, as well as substrate temperature. Through telemetry techniques, this study demonstrates that skinks are capable of regulating body temperature through thigmothermy, effectively reducing body temperature compared to ambient conditions. Using the 100% Minimum Convex Polygons (MCP) method, home range size was estimated to range from 28.69 to 212.32 m². Notably, the study documented the smallest home range size among tracked individuals for a gravid individual, providing novel insights into this aspect of the species' ecology. Microhabitat occupancy data reveals that the skinks are primarily found near streams (33.1%) and under vegetation debris (31.2%), followed by on banks and under bank debris (29.3%). A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was utilized to identify influential factors driving microhabitat selection, with distance from the water body (1.748) and canopy cover (1.186) emerging as the most significant components. Finally, it is hoped that the results from this study serve as a tool for developing conservation measures. By comprehending the species' ecology, this research can aid in ensuring the long-term survival and conservation of Tropidophorus sebi and other tropical ectothermic species inhabiting similar environments.