Luhur Septiadi, Muhammad Fathoni, Muhammad Asyraf Rijalullah, Miftah Farid Assiddiqy, Agus Nurrofik, Abdul Mutholib Shahroni, Afthoni Nur Fuadi, Berry Fakhry Hanifa, Muhammad Asmuni Hasyim, Mahmuddin Rahmadana, Hendro Widjanarko, Nia Kurniawan
The East Java province is among the most vulnerable regions of Java and still possesses overlooked biodiversity. There are very few remaining areas of pristine forest, including the upper montane forests that are home to a wide variety of poorly known and endemic herpetofauna. From August 2022 to May 2023, a survey was carried out in the upper montane forest of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (BTSNP) to examine the herpetofauna’s diversity and community along the elevational gradient. Out of 20 surveyed sites, we identified 47 herpetofauna species, comprising 20 amphibian and 27 reptile species, including three species of conservation importance, ie Nyctixalus margaritifer, Sphenomorphus sanctus tenggeranus, and Tetralepis fruhstorferi. We found that amphibian and reptile diversity decreased linearly with increasing altitude, with generalist species more abundant at relatively moderate and wide altitude ranges (750–1500 m) and specialist species (even endemics, eg T. fruhstorferi) found at higher and narrower altitudes (>1500 m). This study highlights hotspots for amphibian and reptile diversity where conservation efforts may require different approaches (sites with high species richness but many common species vs. sites with low species richness but including some endemic species). Expanding systematic surveys into currently underexplored areas will also help refine conservation priorities by uncovering hidden diversity and informing more effective, evidence-based management plans. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Bromo Tengger Semeru Herpetofauna Conservation (BTSHC), Malang, Indonesia; Wildlife Conservation Society–Indonesia Program, Bogor, Indonesia; Manusela National Park, Masohi, Indonesia; Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia; Kupunesia, Malang, Indonesia; Yayasan Badak Indonesia (YABI), Bogor, Indonesia; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Data Analytics, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, Indonesia; Biology Study Program, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim, Malang, Indonesia; Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Malang, Indonesia
