An updated mammal inventory of Langkawi Island, Malaysia using camera traps and transect surveys.

Mammal communities on tropical islands remain understudied, often lacking basic information on species composition and distribution, which are crucial for conservation planning. Camera traps and transect surveys are usually compared in terms of efficiency, but combining both enhances research output as their efficiency in detecting different species may vary. The Langkawi archipelago in Malaysia exemplifies this, as it lacks a recent assessment of its medium to large-sized mammal community. A camera trap survey was conducted in the forests of Langkawi Island in 2021, complemented by nocturnal mammal transect walks, to establish an updated mammal inventory of the island. Species diversity and occupancy were assessed for a subset of abundant species. Thirteen mammal species were recorded, including the Asiatic brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus macrourus), which was documented in Langkawi for the first time. Three detected species are classified as "Endangered" and one as "Critically Endangered" by the IUCN, underscoring the urgent need for targeted conservation measures. These findings provide essential baseline data to guide local conservation strategies, habitat management, and future monitoring efforts for threatened mammals in Langkawi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]