PETALING JAYA: A six-day scientific expedition into the Bukit Perangin Forest Reserve has uncovered 18 new biodiversity records for Kedah, including a rare freshwater fish species.
The Scientific Forest Biodiversity Expedition, jointly organised by the Forestry Department and the Kedah State Forestry Department, concluded on Friday (July 31).
It brought together 104 researchers from universities, government agencies, private sectors, and independent organisations.
The initiative aimed to explore, document, and assess the reserve’s natural resources, spanning flora, fauna, geology, ecotourism potential, and local socio-economics.
Among the notable finds was Paracanthocobitis phuketensis (Phuket Zipper Loach), an endemic loach species recorded in Kedah.
Researchers also recorded 18 species as new records for the state, including two dragonflies, Tetrathemis platyptera (Pigmy Skimmer) and Mortonagrion aborense (Blue Midget); six ginger species; a new orchid species (Didymoplexiella sp.); five tree species; and four fungi species.
Gazetted in 1953, the 13,296-hectare Bukit Perangin Forest Reserve primarily comprises hill dipterocarp forest rich in wildlife.
“The reserve serves a vital function as a wildlife habitat, water catchment area, and ecotourism destination,” the Forestry Department said in a statement. “These findings will strengthen our scientific database and support the sustainable management, conservation, and development of the reserve.”
Researchers are now analysing the collected specimens and plan to present their comprehensive findings at the Scientific Forest Biodiversity Expedition Seminar next year.
