This study investigated the current distribution of otters (Lutrinae) in all states of Peninsular Malaysia. Four species of otters have been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia in the past based on field survey methodology, namely the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus), smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana), and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). This study aims to determine the current number of otter species and their distribution in Peninsular Malaysia through molecular approaches using D-loop and Cyt b loci of mitochondrial DNA sequences. Our findings indicate that 337 samples were identified as three species of otter that are currently distributed in Peninsular Malaysia: A. cinereus (112 samples), L. perspicillata (218 samples), and L. sumatrana (7 samples). All three species can be found in Perak, Kelantan, Pahang, Selangor, and Johor while other states only contained two species (A. cinereus and L. perspicillata). Seven sympatric locations were recorded between two or three species: Tumpat and Kg. Padang Salim (Kelantan), Penarik and Sg. Kemaman (Terengganu), Taman Negara (Pahang), Tg. Piai (Johor), and Kuala Gula (Perak). The discovery of L. sumatrana in this study has confirmed that this species is still present in Peninsular Malaysia. However, L. lutra was not observed in this study. Our findings successfully highlight the diversity and distribution of Peninsular Malaysian otters that suggest the importance of continuous assessment and population status of otters to ensure their ongoing survival in Peninsular Malaysia.

中文翻译：

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基于分子DNA的空间作图技术，使用无创粪便样本预测马来西亚半岛水獭（Lutrinae）的多样性和分布

这项研究调查了马来西亚半岛所有州的水獭（Lutrinae）的当前分布。过去根据实地调查方法，在马来西亚半岛记录了四种水獭，即亚洲小爪水獭（Aonyx cinereus），光面水獭（Lutrogale perspicillata），毛鼻水獭（Lutra sumatrana）和欧亚水獭（Lutra lutra）。这项研究旨在通过使用D- loop和Cyt b的分子方法来确定马来西亚半岛水獭的当前数量及其分布线粒体DNA序列的基因座。我们的发现表明，目前已在马来西亚半岛发现了3种水獭，共337个样品：灰曲霉（112个样品），百日草（218个样品）和苏门答腊（7个样品）。这三个物种都可以在霹雳州，吉兰丹州，彭亨州，雪兰莪州和柔佛州找到，而其他州仅包含两个物种（灰曲霉和perspicillata）。记录在两个或三个物种之间的七个同胞位置：Tumpat和Kg。巴东萨利姆（Kelantan），佩纳里克和Sg。凯马曼（登嘉楼），塔曼·纳加拉（彭亨），Tg。Piai（柔佛州）和Kuala Kula（霹雳州）。苏门答腊的发现在这项研究中证实，该物种仍存在于马来西亚半岛。然而，在这项研究中未观察到L. lutra。我们的发现成功地突出了马来西亚半岛水獭的多样性和分布，这表明持续评估水獭的数量和种群状况对于确保其在马来西亚半岛的持续生存至关重要。