Population density, geographical distribution and habitat of Talaud bear cuscus (Ailurops melanotis Thomas, 1898)

Abstract

Abstract. Repi T, Masy’ud B, Mustari AH, Prasetyo LB. 2020. Population density, geographical distribution and habitat of Talaud bear cuscus (Ailurops melanotis Thomas, 1898). Biodiversitas 21: 5621-5631. The Talaud bear cuscus (Ailurops melanotis) has been reported from Sangihe (the largest island in the Sangihe Island group) and Salibabu (within the Talaud Islands). As an endemic species of Indonesia, this species is rare and there is no certainty regarding its precise geographic distribution or population size. This research aimed to estimate population density and provide the first preliminary data on its geographical distribution, as well as general description of its habitat. Our research shows that A. melanotis occurs on three islands: Salibabu Island, Nusa Island, and Bukide Island, and probably also exists in the Sahandaruman mountain on Sangihe Island. Our population surveys estimate, population density on each island as: Salibabu: 3.69 ± 2.54 ind/km2, with an estimated total population of 28.95 individuals, Nusa Island: was 12.31 ± 2.58 ind/km2, with an estimated population of 19.08 individuals, and Bukide Island: 7.17 ± 1.79/km2, with an estimated population of 10.40 individuals. Information regarding population is a key guiding factor in conservation efforts, where population size is related to extinction risk (threat status) and its geographical distribution, this can help to determine conservation priorities for species or habitats.

On the edge: habitat restoration priorities for three critically endangered bird species on Sangihe, Indonesia

“…Conserving and expanding habitat for the three birds is therefore expected to benefit these, and likely further species of mammals and species from other poorly studied taxonomic groups on Sangihe, by them acting as a "multi-species umbrella" (Lambeck 1997;Roberge & Angelstam 2004;Breckheimer et al 2014). While the bear cuscus may intuitively seem like a Restoration Ecology good "umbrella" species as the largest mammal present, it occurs in only part of the intact forest, is difficult to detect and information on the species from the island is so limited that even its occurrence on Sangihe is considered unproven by some authors (Flannery & Helgen 2016;Repi et al 2020). It does represent a suitable "flagship" species for wider public engagement with conservation at the site (Smith et al 2012).…”

“…Primary forest at Sahendaruman also holds a very rarely recorded population of the critically endangered Talaud bear cuscus Ailurops melanotis (Riley 2002b; R.W. Martin 2015, personal observation; Flannery & Helgen 2016;Repi et al 2020) and, while widespread on Sangihe, both endemic mammal species (the Endangered Sangihe tarsier Tarsius sangirensis [Shekelle & Salim 2009;Shekelle 2020] and least concern Sanghir squirrel Prosciurillus rosenbergi [Chiozza 2016]) occur at their highest densities in primary forest in the crater (Riley 2002b).…”