Herpetofauna in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park – underestimated diversity in East Java’s upper montane forest

Septiadi, Luhur, Fathoni, Muhammad, Rijalullah, Muhammad Asyraf, Assiddiqy, Miftah Farid, Nurrofik, Agus, Shahroni, Abdul Mutholib, Fuadi, Afthoni Nur, Hanifa, Berry Fakhry ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1847-6261, Hasyim, Muhammad Asmuni ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9681-6033, Rahmadana, Mahmuddin, Widjanarko, Hendro and Kurniawan, Nia (2025) Herpetofauna in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park – underestimated diversity in East Java’s upper montane forest. Journal of Natural History. ISSN 0022-2933

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Abstract

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 herpe
tofauna’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.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	Amphibian; community; conservation; highland forest; new record; reptile
Subjects:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060207 Population Ecology 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0608 Zoology > 060809 Vertebrate Biology 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0608 Zoology
Divisions:	Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences > Department of Biology
Depositing User:	muhammad asmuni hasyim
Date Deposited:	10 Jul 2026 15:13

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