Diversity of Beetles (Order: Coleoptera) at R.E.A.C.H Biodiversity Centre Forest, Cameron Highland.

R.E.A.C.H Biodiversity Centre Forest, Cameron Highland is a 16 years old
rehabilitated forest that was cleared for agricultural activities. This forest is managed
by Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highland (R.E.A.C.H). This study
was conducted at R.E.A.C.H Biodiversity Centre Forest, Cameron Highland from
July 2016 until August 2016. Coleopterans were sampled using four methods which
are sheet light trap, yellow pan trap, pitfall trap and manual collection. A total of 34
specimens of Coleopterans comprising 16 species from eight families were
assembled in this study. Light trap was the most efficient method in collecting all the
sampled specimens. The diversity of Coleopterans at R.E.A.C.H Biodiversity Centre
Forest, Cameron Highland was high with H‟=2.51 (Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index)
and the species richness recorded also high with DMg=4.25 (Margalef‟s Index). The
most diverse beetles collected was the scarab beetles (family Scarabaeidae) followed
by family Carabidae. Only one species of Coleopteran is diurnal which is
Thaumastopeus pugnator, known as green flower beetle. Pictorial identification key
was constructed to differentiate the family and genera of Order Coleoptera.
Coleopterans diversity and species richness at R.E.A.C.H Biodiversity Centre Forest,
Cameron Highland are influenced by habitat changes, forest modification and
fragmentations. As a conclusion, the diversity and species richness of Coleopterans
species were high for a new rehabilitated forest such as R.E.A.C.H Biodiversity
Centre Forest, Cameron Highland. Future scientific studies are strongly encouraged
to study the diversity of ecosystem at R.E.A.C.H Biodiversity Centre Forest,
Cameron Highland.