MORPHOMETRIC OF Batagur affinis AT BOTA KANAN PERAK, PENINSULA MALAYSIA

MOHD HAIRUL BIN HAJI MOHD SALLEH
Institute of Biodiversity, Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Biological Sciences
May, 2014
 

Abstract
Morphometric information about Southern River Terrapin (Batagur affinis) is important to determine the gender differences and the growth rate to facilitate the understanding of these species in order to protect this endangered species. The study was conducted at the Centre of Wildlife Conservation (River Terrapin) Bota Kanan, Perak. All the samples have been measured and analysed includes morphometric terrapin and eggs, sex ratios and the growth rate of the terrapins. Six morphometric parameters were measured on the terrapins and two parameters on the eggs. Four morphometric parameters were analysed via t-test. While size and weight of eggs were analysed via correlation analysis. All morphometric hypotheses were indicated significant differences as a result. There is no correlation between egg size and egg weight. Females are in double proportions than males. The adult female terrapin was larger in size than males. Male terrapin had longer tails than females. The growth rates of hatching to show that the third to fifth weeks was optimum. Records of the Department showed the number of nests and eggs were declining, affected by the activities along Sungai Perak.