ASSESSMENT OF FIREFLY ABUNDANCE AT A NEW ECOTOURISM SITE OF THE BERNAM RIVER, SELANGOR, PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

This study provides important baseline information for conservation of the synchronizing firefly ( Pteroptyx spp.) and its natural habitat along the Bernam River, a new ecotourism site in Selangor, which has never been reported before. Distribution and abundance (Percentage Cover Estimation, PCE) of the firefly colonies were surveyed nightly along the river during two full-moon and two new-moon phases (February to April 2015). Vegetation assemblages at 40 display stations where adult fireflies congregated to mate were also recorded. Firefly abundance showed no significant differences between the full-moon and new-moon phases (p>0.05), indicating that tourists can always view them at any night-time throughout the year. Male to female ratio is 3:1, indicating that the firefly population is unstable and prone to decline because lack of females would lead to decreasing fecundity and fertility rates. The fireflies congregated mainly on two host species, Berembang ( Sonneratia caseolaris ) and Ficus sp. There are no significant correlations (p>0.05) between the PCE of fireflies and some abiotic parameters (i.e. temperature, relative humidity, wind, salinity, total dissolved solids and conductivity). Efforts to develop a new ecotourism site along this river include controlling riverbank degradation and replanting of degraded Berembang trees to increase the firefly population.