Ernywati Badaruddin, Andri Tuhumury, Victor L. N. Kewilaa
Saparua Island, one of the small islands in the Lease archipelago (Central Maluku Regency), possesses unique biological natural resources and ecosystems characteristic of small islands within the tropical rainforest ecosystem cluster situated between the Sahul Shelf and the Wallace Line. This study aimed to identify the mammal species present on Saparua Island and determine their distribution. Data collection involved conducting an inventory in areas likely to harbor mammal species. The results indicate that eight mammal species utilize Saparua Island as their habitat: namely the Timor deer (Rusa timorensis moluccensis), spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus), siha cuscus (Phalanger dendrolagus), palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaproditus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), marsegu (Pteropus ocularis), flying fox (Pteropus argentatus), and wild cattle (Bos sondaicus).These mammal species are distributed relatively evenly across Saparua Island, although species richness is lowest on the southeastern peninsula. Despite being classified as a small island, Saparua Island supports several mammal species that are distributed throughout the entire island.