Dataset of reptiles in fragmented forests at Tasik Kenyir, Hulu Terengganu, Malaysia

Siti Aisyah Komaruddin; Nurul Ain Mohamad; Muhamad Fatihah-Syafiq; Baizul Hafsyam Badli Sham; Mazrul Aswady Mamat; Nurulhuda Zakaria

doi:10.1016/j.dib.2019.104994

Dataset of reptiles in fragmented forests at Tasik Kenyir, Hulu Terengganu, Malaysia

Data Brief. 2019 Dec 12:28:104994. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104994. eCollection 2020 Feb.

Authors

Siti Aisyah Komaruddin¹, Nurul Ain Mohamad¹, Muhamad Fatihah-Syafiq¹, Baizul Hafsyam Badli Sham¹, Mazrul Aswady Mamat¹, Nurulhuda Zakaria¹

Affiliation

¹ Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.

Abstract

This data article is about reptiles (lizard, snake, and skink) captured from fragmented forest within man-made lake of Tasik Kenyir that is situated in Terengganu State, Peninsular Malaysia. Data collection was conducted in January 2019 and sampling methods included drift fenced-pitfall traps and Visual Encounter Survey (VES). All animals were identified, measured snout to vent (SVL) and weighted before their release at the site of capture. The highlights like conservation statuses in the wild, detection type and substrate type are presented with the data to increase its value. A total of 73 individuals from 18 species, 15 generas and seven families of reptiles were recorded. The data comprised of seven reptile family groups Agamidae, Gekkonidae, Scincidae, Colubridae, Elapidae, Viperidae and Homalopsidae. Reptiles like Cyrtodactylus quadrivirgattus (n = 33, 45.2%) and Aphaniotis fusca (n = 7, 9.6%) were most dominant in the checklist and most of the animals were captured using VES. Data of SVL and mass of the animals can be further interpreted by researchers to assess the health condition of animals in the altered habitats.

Keywords: Conservation; Drift-fenced pitfall trap; Herpetofauna; Man-made lake; Visual encounter survey.