Gopalasamy Reuben Clements

Sunway University · Department of Biological Sciences

Habitat destruction and overhunting are two major drivers of mammal population declines and extinctions in tropical forests. The construction of roads can be a catalyst for these two threats. In Southeast Asia, the impacts of roads on mammals have not been well-documented at a regional scale. Before evidence-based conservation strategies can be dev...

The overexploitation of the world's biomes for natural products calls for the prioritization of biologically important ecosystems for conservation. Here we show that limestone karsts are “arks” of biodiversity and often contain high levels of endemism. Humans have exploited karsts for a variety of products and services, but unsustainable practices...

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List is arguably the most popular measure of relative species threat, but its threat categories can be ambiguous (eg "Endangered" versus "Vulnerable") and subjective, have weak quantification, and do not convey the threat status of species in relation to a minimum viable population targe...

The manner in which a gastropod shell coils has long intrigued laypersons and scientists alike. In evolutionary biology, gastropod shells are among the best-studied palaeontological and neontological objects. A gastropod shell generally exhibits logarithmic spiral growth, right-handedness and coils tightly around a single axis. Atypical shell-coili...

THIS BOOK IS OPEN ACCESS. DOWNLOAD AT: http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14907846.v5 This is Part I of the final report on the Conservation of Limestone Ecosystems of Malaysia project funded by the National Conservation Trust Fund for Natural Resources under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Malaysia. The Malaysian government rec...

THIS BOOK IS OPEN ACCESS. DOWNLOAD AT: http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14907876.v5 This is Part IV of the final report on the Conservation of Limestone Ecosystems of Malaysia project funded by the National Conservation Trust Fund for Natural Resources under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Malaysia. The Malaysian government re...

THIS BOOK IS OPEN ACCESS. DOWNLOAD AT: http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14907888.v5 This is Part VII of the final report on the Conservation of Limestone Ecosystems of Malaysia project funded by the National Conservation Trust Fund for Natural Resources under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Malaysia. The Malaysian government r...

THIS BOOK IS OPEN ACCESS. DOWNLOAD AT: http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14907867.v5 This is Part II of the final report on the Conservation of Limestone Ecosystems of Malaysia project funded by the National Conservation Trust Fund for Natural Resources under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Malaysia. The Malaysian government re...

THIS BOOK IS OPEN ACCESS. DOWNLOAD AT: http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14907873.v5 This is Part III of the final report on the Conservation of Limestone Ecosystems of Malaysia project funded by the National Conservation Trust Fund for Natural Resources under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Malaysia. The Malaysian government r...

THIS BOOK IS OPEN ACCESS. DOWNLOAD AT: http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14907882.v5 This is Part V of the final report on the Conservation of Limestone Ecosystems of Malaysia project funded by the National Conservation Trust Fund for Natural Resources under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Malaysia. The Malaysian government rec...

THIS BOOK IS OPEN ACCESS. DOWNLOAD AT: http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14907885.v5 This is Part VI of the final report on the Conservation of Limestone Ecosystems of Malaysia project funded by the National Conservation Trust Fund for Natural Resources under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Malaysia. The Malaysian government re...

Clements GR, Rostro-García S, Kamler JF, Liang SH, Hashim AKBA. 2021. Conservation status of large mammals in protected and logged forests of the greater Taman Negara Landscape, Peninsular Malaysia. Biodiversitas 22: 272-277. Peninsular Malaysia contains a large community of IUCN Threatened mammal species, although recent records in some protected...

Rates of biodiversity loss in Southeast Asia are among the highest in the world, and the Indo-Burma and South-Central China Biodiversity Hotspots rank among the world’s most threatened. Developing robust multi-species conservation models is critical for stemming biodiversity loss both here and globally. We used a large and geographically extensive...

Raptors are one of the known predators of flying foxes (Pteropus spp.), but this predator-prey relationship is poorly understood. Here, we report an opportunistic observation of a pair of white-bellied sea-eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster) employing an undocumented predation technique on an island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) individual from Tio...

This Conservation Roadmap was produced by Rimba’s flying fox research and conservation initiative, Project Pteropus, to provide preliminary guidelines detailing the necessary actions for the effective conservation and recovery of Peninsular Malaysia’s flying fox (Pteropus spp.) populations. It is adapted from the National Recovery Plan for the Spec...

The indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia, the Orang Asli, remain a largely marginalized and impoverished minority group to this day. One could attribute this to the legacy effects of a policy instituted by the British during its administration in Malaya. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the fundamental needs of the Orang Asli a...

In a world of limited resources and so many species and habitats in need of protection, informed prioritization is essential. However, we cannot prioritize effectively if historical and current information regarding a particular habitat or species remains scattered. Several good platforms have been created to help users find, use and create biodive...

Only two species of flying fox (Pteropus spp.) are found in peninsular Malaysia: P. hypomelanus and P. vampyrus. Both are in severe decline, with hunting pressure and habitat destruction thought to be the main drivers. Both species are accordingly classified as ‘Endangered’ on the Red List of Mammals for Peninsular Malaysia. In order to formulate a...

Limestone karsts have high levels of species endemism and are considered a priority ecosystem for conservation in Malaysia’s National Policy on Biodiversity (NPBD). However, limestone biodiversity in Malaysia is threatened by quarrying and deforestation. Limestone conservation planning is further challenged by the paucity of baseline biogeophysical...

Aim Deforestation is rapidly altering Southeast Asian landscapes, resulting in some of the highest rates of habitat loss worldwide. Among the many species facing declines in this region, clouded leopards rank notably for their ambassadorial potential and capacity to act as powerful levers for broader forest conservation programmes. Thus, identifyin...

Southeast (SE) Asia holds high regional biodiversity and endemism levels but is also one of the world's most threatened regions. Local, regional and global threats could have severe consequences for the future survival of many species and the provision of ecosystem services. In the face of myriad pressing environmental problems, we carried out a r...

While the conservation role of remaining natural habitats in anthropogenic landscapes is clear, the degree to which agricultural matrices impose limitations to animal use is not well understood, but vital to assess species’ resilience to land use change. Using an occupancy framework, we evaluated how oil palm plantations affect the occurrence and h...

One of tropical Asia’s most poorly known pheasants, the spectacular Crested Argus Rheinardia ocellata, is known to occur in two disjunct populations—in Vietnam and Laos (nominate subspecies ocellata), and the east-central part of Peninsular Malaysia (subspecies nigrescens). The little-studied Malaysian population, which is almost entirely restricte...

The future of endemic limestone karst biodiversity in Malaysia is jeopardised by human activities such as quarrying and deforestation. Nowhere is this situation more marked than in central Perak, Peninsular Malaysia, where almost 60% of Malaysia’s limestone quarries are situated. Until recently, scientists found it difficult to engage with the key...

Carbon emissions from drained peatlands converted to agriculture in Southeast Asia (i.e. Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo) are globally significant and increasing. Here, we map the growth of Southeast Asian peatland agriculture and estimate CO2 emissions due to peat drainage in relation to official land‐use plans with a focus on the Reducing...

Terrestrial mammal species detected by camera trapping surveys (Aug. 2014 ‒ Dec. 2015) in oil palm plantations and riparian forests in Llanos, Colombia. (DOCX)

Multispecies generalized linear models examining the relationship between the abundance of medium and large terrestrial mammal species and selected landscape covariates in the Llanos region, Colombia. (DOCX)

Model selection output comparing all possible combinations for the effect of variables on mammalian species richness at the landscape level. (DOCX)

Model selection output comparing all possible combinations for the effect of variables on mammalian species richness within oil palm plantation level. (DOCX)

Model selection output comparing all possible combinations for the effect of variables on mammalian species richness within riparian forest level. (DOCX)

Images of the study area in the Llanos region of Colombia (Meta Department). a) Aerial photographs (August 2014) of the landscape highlighting riparian forest and oil palm plantations structure. b) Differences in management schemes of understory vegetation in oil palm plantations in Llanos, Colombia. Photo credit: L.E.Pardo. (PDF)

The relationship between mammal species abundance and selected landscape variables in the Llanos region Colombia. Coefficients are from the saturated model using the multispecies generalized linear modelling prior to shrinkage with Lasso penalty (R package mvabund). SE is the standard error of the coefficient. For scientific names and details of th...

Mammalian carnivores play a vital role in ecosystem functioning. However, they are prone to extinction because of low population densities and growth rates, and high levels of persecution or exploitation. In tropical biodiversity hotspots such as Peninsular Malaysia, rapid conversion of natural habitats threatens the persistence of this vulnerable...

Records of Carnivora by species, locations, and year. (XLSX)

Distribution of vulnerable species in Peninsular Malaysia. Solid icons represent recent (1991–2014) records and unfilled icons represent older (1948–1990) records. Boundary layer: U.S. State Department, Humanitarian Information Unit (modified from Global Large Scale International Boundary Polygons). Inset map: U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (The...

Model selection results to identify landscape variables associated with spatial clustering of carnivore records based on weighted ranking of IUCN red list categories. (PDF)

Search terms and sources for carnivore records and habitats in Peninsular Malaysia. (PDF)

Geo-referenced TIFF files for spatial data layers used in landscape analysis. (ZIP)

Recent (1991–2014) and older (1948–1990) records of species within the family Viverridae in Peninsular Malaysia. Boundary layer: U.S. State Department, Humanitarian Information Unit (modified from Global Large Scale International Boundary Polygons). Inset map: U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (The World Factbook). (DOCX)

Carnivora species reported in Peninsular Malaysia and associated habitats, 1948–2014. (PDF)

Recent (1991–2014) and older (1948–1990) records of species within the families Prionodontidae (banded linsang), Ursidae (sun bear), and Canidae (dhole) in Peninsular Malaysia. Boundary layer: U.S. State Department, Humanitarian Information Unit (modified from Global Large Scale International Boundary Polygons). Inset map: U.S. Central Intelligence...

Distribution of endangered species in Peninsular Malaysia. Solid icons represent recent (1991–2014) records and unfilled icons represent older (1948–1990) records. Boundary layer: U.S. State Department, Humanitarian Information Unit (modified from Global Large Scale International Boundary Polygons). Inset map: U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (The...

Distribution of near-threatened species in Peninsular Malaysia. Solid icons represent recent (1991–2014) records and unfilled icons represent older (1948–1990) records. Boundary layer: U.S. State Department, Humanitarian Information Unit (modified from Global Large Scale International Boundary Polygons). Inset map: U.S. Central Intelligence Agency...

Recent (1991–2014) and older (1948–1990) records within the family Felidae in Peninsular Malaysia. Boundary layer: U.S. State Department, Humanitarian Information Unit (modified from Global Large Scale International Boundary Polygons). Inset map: U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (The World Factbook). (DOCX)

Recent (1991–2014) and older (1948–1990) records of species within the families Mustelidae and Herpestidae in Peninsular Malaysia. Boundary layer: U.S. State Department, Humanitarian Information Unit (modified from Global Large Scale International Boundary Polygons). Inset map: U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (The World Factbook). (DOCX)

Land snails are often neglected in discussions about Peninsular Malaysia’s biodiversity. Yet, they are an integral part of tropical ecosystems and biodiversity in Peninsular Malaysia. Here, we present an overview of land snail diversity and endemism patterns in Peninsular Malaysia. We highlight our recent research findings on land snail diversity a...

Land snails are often neglected in discussions about Peninsular Malaysia’s biodiversity. Yet, they are an integral part of tropical ecosystems and biodiversity in Peninsular Malaysia. Here, we present an overview of land snail diversity and endemism patterns in Peninsular Malaysia. We highlight our recent research findings on land snail diversity a...

Video S1: Island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) feeding on durian nectar.

Video S4: Aggressive feeding interactions between two P. hypomelanus individuals.

Video S5: Territorial wing‐clapping behaviour by P. hypomelanus in response to E spelaea.

Video S2: Cave nectar bats (Eonycteris spelaea) feeding on durian nectar.

Video S3: P. hypomelanus defending durian flowers from E. spelaea.

Fruit bats provide valuable pollination services to humans through a unique coevolutionary relationship with chiropterophilous plants. However, chiropterophily in the Old World and the pollination roles of large bats, such as flying foxes (Pteropus spp., Acerodon spp., Desmalopex spp.), are still poorly understood and require further elucidation. E...

Limestone hills in Southeast Asia are gaining global conservation attention due to their high levels of species endemism (including land snails) and the threats they face from habitat loss and degradation. In central Perak, Peninsular Malaysia, limestone hills face anthropogenic threats such as quarrying, deforestation, fires and invasive species....

Limestone hills are now gaining global conservation attention as hotspots for short-range endemic species. Levels of land snail endemism can be high at limestone hills, especially at hill clusters that are geographically isolated. In the State of Perak, Peninsular Malaysia, limestone hills have been opportunistically surveyed for land snails in the...

Sample completeness curve for all the seven limestone hills sampled in our study.

Location of sampling plots for each of the seven hills sampled in our study.

Data matrix for absence/presence of 122 land snail species at 12 limestone hills.

Camera traps set to monitor target species generate large amounts of bycatch data of non-target species, which are secondary to the study’s objectives. Bycatch data pooled from multiple studies can answer additional questions that were not the objective of the primary studies. Variation in field and data management techniques creates logistical and...

As tropical landscapes become increasingly human-dominated, conflicts between people and wildlife threaten ecological processes. Old World fruit bats such as flying foxes are especially susceptible to extinction risk because there is low interest in their conservation, particularly when they are considered pests. In order to arrest fruit bat declin...

As tropical landscapes become increasingly human-dominated, conflicts between people and wildlife threaten ecological processes. Old World fruit bats such as flying foxes are especially susceptible to extinction risk because there is low interest in their conservation, particularly when they are considered pests. In order to arrest fruit bat declin...

There is an urgent need to identify and understand the ecosystem services provided by threatened animal species such as flying foxes. The first step towards this is to obtain comprehensive data on their diet. However, the volant and nocturnal nature of flying foxes presents a challenging situation, and conventional microhistological approaches to s...

Sequence alignment of partial rbcL genes for plants collected from Tioman Island Residues that are divergent across all sequences are highlighted in green (>90% similarity) and yellow (<90% similarity).

Spatio-temporal trends in consumption of OTU 7 (Moraceae) by flying foxes, suggesting possible inter-roost variation at Juara and Tekek villages between March and October 2016 on Tioman Island

Number of droppings per roost sampled from Juara (1406 droppings) and Tekek (1,336 droppings) over 8 months on Tioman Island

Monthly roost counts of flying foxes in Tekek and Juara villages Monthly roost counts of flying foxes in Tekek and Juara villages between Mar and Oct 2015, Tioman Island. Due to the accessibility of the roosts, these counts were found to be more accurate than exit/emergence/fly-out counts. Exit counts were found to be impractical, as the bats did n...

Overview of our newly designed primers for this study and expected construct consisting of the complete Illumina adapter, dual index barcode and partial rbcL gene.

Maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree Maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree depicting the evolutionary relationship among rbcL sequences obtained from individually collected leaf samples (red-coloured tips) of potential flying fox food plants and rbcL sequences from online reference databases. PTMN codes refer to barcodes generated in this study and...

Primers used in this study for the amplification of rbcL gene fragment from flying fox droppings

Fasta files

Summary information of 19 potential flying fox food plant reference specimens Summary information of 19 potential flying fox food plant reference specimens obtained from Tioman Island, Peninsular Malaysia: identification of plant specimen based on morphology, genus match(tick)/non-match(cross) based on rbcL sequences (Fig. 3), approximate GPS coord...

The first International Peat Congress (IPC) held in the tropics - in Kuching (Malaysia) - brought together over 1000 international peatland scientists and industrial partners from across the world (“International Peat Congress with over 1000 participants!,” 2016). The congress covered all aspects of peatland ecosystems and their management, with a...

Poaching is considered a major driver for the population drop of key species such as tigers, elephants, and rhinos, which can be detrimental to whole ecosystems. While conducting foot patrols is the most commonly used approach in many countries to prevent poaching, such patrols often do not make the best use of the limited patrolling resources.

Ongoing deforestation in Southeast Asia is leading to increased fragmentation and reduction of habitat for the mainland clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). Using the largest detection/non-detection camera trap survey dataset known for the species throughout its range, we investigated factors affecting clouded leopard habitat use across Peninsular...

Video summary of the paper entitled 'Habitat Use of Clouded Leopards in Peninsular Malaysia'