Karakteristik Habitat dan Populasi Tarsius (Tarsius fuscus Fischer 1804) di Resort Balocci Taman Nasional Bantimurung Bulusaraung Sulawesi Selatan

Abstract

Tarsier (Tarsius fuscus Fischer 1804) is one of endemic primates of South Sulawesi, which has been protected by Government Regulation No. 7 of 1999. This species is categorized as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The objective of this study were (1) to identify habitat characteristics including physical condition, composition and structure of vegetation and food (insects) availability, (2) to examine the distribution and population of tarsier. This study was conducted in Resort Balocci, Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park from May to July 2011. The data collected consisting composition and structure of vegetations, the number and diversity of insects, distribution and population size of tarsier. Characteristic of vegetations data was collected using a single swath method. Collection of insects as potential food of tarsier was taken by light trap method and identified in Laboratory of Insect Taxonomy, Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University. Population size was determined using concentration count method around the nesting trees of tarsier. The observations were started at 05.00-07.00 and 16.30-18.00. This study showed that tarsier inhabited secondary forest, plantations and vegetation near the settlement (yard). Nesting trees of tarsier could be observed in the crevices of the rocks, in the cracks of ficus trees (Ficus spp.), sugar palm tree (Arenga pinnata) and bamboos (Bambusa spp.). In addition to the nesting trees, there are Macaranga hispida and Artocarpus altilis. The secondary forest has more insects than plantations and vegetation near the settlement. A total of 112, 89 and 80 individuals of insects recorded in the secondary forest, vegetation near the settlement and plantation respectively. A total of 13 groups consisting of 44 individuals of tarsiers recorded in the study area. There were 31 individuals in secondary forest, 9 individuals in plantation and 4 individuals in vegetation near the settlement. Population densities of tarsier were 151 individuals/km2 in the secondary forest, 36 individuals/km2 in the plantation and 23 individuals/km2 in the vegetation near the settlement.