The mitogenome of a plantain squirrel, Callosciurus notatus, collected from Bukit Tarek Forest Reserve (Extension), Selangor, Malaysia was sequenced using BGISEQ-500RS technology. The 16,582 bp mitogenome consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 1 control region. A phylogenetic and BLASTn analysis against other available datasets showed that the mitogenome matched with 99.49% similarity to a previously published C. notatus mitogenome from Peninsular Malaysia. However, it also diverged by nearly 8% (92.24% match) from a second previously published mitogenome for the same species, sampled in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. This suggests a difference in landscape features between both localities might affect its genetic connectivity.

Environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) is vital for seeking the balance between biodiversity conservation and land use planning based on the concept of sustainable development. However, the classification of ESA in Malaysia grounded on physical attributes and the biological elements neglected. Therefore, the aim of the study is to propose a new approach of ESA for permanent forest reserve classification by integrating biological parameters based on small vertebrates with the existing physical attribute of ESA classification. Three forest reserves in northern Selangor selected and four taxa of small vertebrate e.g. small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles assessed to develop the biological parameters. Forty potential biological parameters were listed which were thoroughly screened and examined before final ten parameters were finalised. These parameters were composed of four categories including species diversity, trophic composition, origin of species and conservation status. An initial threshold values for each biological parameter were determined. The finding indicates the parameters are promising and the research need to further fine-tuned by conducting verification tests in various landscapes or regions before being integrated with physical attributes to enhance the existing classification of ESA in Malaysia.

Two mitogenomes of long-tailed giant rat, Leopoldamys sabanus (Thomas, 1887), which belongs to the family Muridae were sequenced and assembled in this study. Both mitogenomes have a length of 15,973 bp and encode 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and one control region. The circular molecule of L. sabanus has a typical vertebrate gene arrangement. Phylogenetic and BLASTn analysis using 10 Leopoldamys species mitogenomes revealed sequence variation occurred within species from different time zones. Along with the taxonomic issues, this suggests a landscape change might influence genetic connectivity.

Three surveys were conducted to document diversity on small mammals at Perlis State Park, Wang Kelian, Perlis, Malaysia from 2019 until 2020. For each survey, a total of 50 cage traps, 10 mist-nets and two four-bank harp traps were set up for three-trapping nights along a 500 m transect line to sample small mammals. The opportunistic observation was also applying to record the incidence of small mammals. In total, 17 species of small mammals were documented during these surveys. Of these, seven species are volant small mammals, and ten species are non-volant small mammals. The family with the most diverse species was Pteropodidae with five species and Cynopterus brachyotis being the most dominant species (n = 46). Interestingly, these surveys report new distributional records for three small mammal species in Perlis State Park, though several studies have been conducted previously. This information demonstrates that there may be more species yet to be recorded from this study site. Comparing the species similarity between our study site and several state parks in Peninsular Malaysia shows that Perlis State Parks also holds a relatively high diversity of small mammals. Therefore, adequate conservation measures such as recognizing this state park as an important conservation area are needed to ensure valuable small mammals’ sustainability.

Target 9 in the National Policy on Biological Diversity elaborates on the prevention of known threatened species extinction, and their conservation status needs to be improved by 2025. Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) is a comprehensive approach to conserving globally threatened species, including herpetofauna and their habitats. A site must meet the thresholds for at least one criterion to qualify as Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). This paper aims to demonstrate threatened herpetofauna information in Perak based on published literature according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification. A total of 34 papers were accessed starting from 1977 until 2022. Of these, 14 threatened herpetofauna species were identified: Nanohyla annectens, Cyrtodactylus guakanthanensis, Cyrtodactylus jarakensis, Heosemys grandis, Batagur affinis, Manouria emys, Manouria impressa, Pelochelys cantorii, Cuora amboinensis, Heosemys spinosa, Siebenrockiella crassicollis, Amyda cartilaginea, Pseudocalotes larutensis, and Larutia larutensis. There was only 1.9% (1sp), and 11.4% (13spp) of the total number (166spp) of amphibians (52spp) and reptiles (114spp) were published, respectively. However, coordinates of the exact locations must be gathered to ensure spatial and temporal information can be developed to locate the habitat of threatened species. In short, studies on herpetofauna in Perak is still in need. At least, from this assessment, another step towards identifying KBA in Perak has been initiated and must be continued.