Identifying potential dispersal corridors for Malayan tapirs (Tapirus indicus) in southern Thailand

Abstract

The Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, causing populations to become small and isolated. An assessment of dispersal corridor patterns is crucial for the survival of the species because it potentially facilitates species movement and gene flow. Our goal was to identify habitat patches and dispersal corridors for the Malayan tapir in southern Thailand. We first identified suitable habitat for tapirs as an evergreen forest patch with an area greater than 13 km² based on average home range size for tapirs. We then used electronic circuit theory analysis to assess potential dispersal corridors. We identified 78 suitable habitat forest patches and 18 potential dispersal corridors for tapirs across southern Thailand. Chumphon forest complex had the highest number of potential dispersal corridors. In addition, we found four potential dispersal corridors between Khlong Saeng-Khao Sok and Chumphon forest complexes. Our study highlights important potential suitable forest patches and dispersal corridors for the Malayan tapir within and between forest complexes. We suggest that dispersal corridor assessment can assist conservation efforts for the Malayan tapirs and other endangered mammals in the region.