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Displaying publications 41 - 49 of 49 in total

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Blowfly-derived mammal DNA as mammal diversity assessment tool: Determination of dispersal activity and flight range of tropical blowflies

Lee PS, Dong MH, Yan XL, He TY, Yu SF, Wee SL, et al.

Biodivers Data J, 2023;11:e108438.
PMID: 37736305 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.11.e108438

Mammalian DNA extracted from the invertebrates, especially blowfly-derived DNA, has been suggested as a useful tool to complement traditional field methods for terrestrial mammal monitoring. However, the accuracy of the estimated location of the target mammal detected from blowfly-derived DNA is largely dependent on the knowledge of blowflies' dispersal range. Presently, published data on adult blowfly dispersal capabilities remain scarce and mostly limited to temperate and subtropical regions, with no published report on the adult blowfly dispersal range in the Tropics. We seek to determine the blowfly flight range and dispersal activity in a tropical plantation in Malaysia by mark-release-recapture of approximately 3000 wild blowflies by use of rotten fish-baited traps for nine consecutive days. Out of the 3000 marked Chrysomya spp., only 1.5% (43) were recaptured during the 9-day sampling period. The majority of the blowflies (79%) were recaptured 1 km from the release point, while 20.9% were caught about 2-3 km from the release point. One individual blowfly travelled as far as 3 km and before being recaptured, which was the maximum dispersal distance recorded in this study. This result suggests that the estimated locations of the mammals detected from blowfly-derived iDNA is likely to be within 1-2 km radius from the origin of the blowfly sampling location. However, a more accurate estimated distance between the target mammal and the blowfly sampling location requires further investigation due to various factors, such as blowfly species, wind speed and direction that may potentially affect the blowfly dispersal activities. This study contributes further understanding on the development of a blowfly-derived DNA method as a mammalian monitoring tool in the tropical forests.
First documentation on herpetofauna diversity in Gunung Belumut Amenity Forest, Peninsular Malaysia: Implications for conservation in an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA)

Ramli FF, Munian K, Mahyudin NAA, Othman N, Haris H, Abdullah-Fauzi NAF, et al.

Biodivers Data J, 2024;12:e108476.
PMID: 38235165 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e108476

Malaysia is blessed with lush tropical rainforests that harbour an exceptional diversity of amphibians and reptiles. However, compared to other animal groups, amphibians and reptiles have received limited attention in research, despite their ecological significance. With amphibians and reptile species having been declining rapidly due to anthropogenic activities, there is a pressing need to conserve these species and their habitats. Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are designated regions that are beneficial due to their critical role in providing essential ecosystem services and serving as repositories of biodiversity. Nonetheless, the classification of ESAs in Malaysia lacks biological elements and only focuses on physical attributes. To enhance the current ESA classification framework by integrating biological components, there is an urgent need to obtain information on diversity and habitat in Malaysia. Therefore, the objectives of this study were twofold: to determine the diversity of amphibians and reptiles in Gunung Belumut Amenity Forest and to conduct a comparative analysis between the herpetofauna assemblages in Gunung Belumut with other forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia. The survey was carried out between March and June 2022, with additional sampling conducted in February 2023. The Visual Encounter Survey (VES) and pitfall trap methods were employed to survey the herpetofauna species, focusing on both aquatic and terrestrial habitats within the study area. A total of 210 individuals representing 38 species of herpetofauna were recorded, comprising 18 amphibian and 20 reptile species. Amongst the observed species, Limnonectesblythii was the most frequently encountered amphibian, with 59 individuals observed, while the dominant reptile species was Cyrtodactylusconsobrinus, represented by eight individuals. This pioneering study serves as a vital baseline documentation of the amphibian and reptile assemblages in Gunung Belumut Amenity Forest. It provides valuable information for identifying extant herpetofauna species, including those of potential conservation concern or rarity. These findings contribute to ongoing conservation efforts dedicated to the preservation of herpetofauna within the region. By understanding the diversity and distribution patterns of amphibians and reptiles in Gunung Belumut, effective conservation strategies can be developed to protect these species and their habitats.
Description of a new Asian Leaf Litter Toad of the genus Leptobrachella Smith, 1925 (Anura, Megophryidae) from southern Guizhou Province, China

Li S, Li W, Cheng Y, Liu J, Wei G, Wang B

Biodivers Data J, 2024;12:e113427.
PMID: 38235166 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e113427

BACKGROUND: The Asian leaf litter toads of the genus Leptobrachella Smith, 1925 (Anura, Megophryidae) inhabit the forest floor and rocky streams in hilly evergreen forests and are widely distributed from southern China, west to north-eastern India and Myanmar, through mainland Indochina to Peninsular Malaysia and the Island of Borneo.
NEW INFORMATION: A new species of the Asian leaf litter toad genus Leptobrachella from Guizhou Province, China is described. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI genes and nuclear RAG1 gene sequences indicated that the new species is genetically divergent from its congeners. The new species could be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) body of medium size in males (SVL 31.9 - 32.9 mm); (2) distinct black spots present on flanks; (3) toes rudimentarily webbed, with wide lateral fringes; (4) skin on dorsum shagreened with fine tiny granules and short ridges; (5) heels overlapped when thighs are positioned at right angles to the body; (6) tibia-tarsal articulation reaching interior corner of the eye.A new species of the Asian leaf litter toad genus Leptobrachella from Guizhou Province, China is described. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI genes and nuclear RAG1 gene sequences indicated that the new species is genetically divergent from its congeners. The new species could be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) body of medium size in males (SVL 31.9 - 32.9 mm); (2) distinct black spots present on flanks; (3) toes rudimentarily webbed, with wide lateral fringes; (4) skin on dorsum shagreened with fine tiny granules and short ridges; (5) heels overlapped when thighs are positioned at right angles to the body; (6) tibia-tarsal articulation reaching interior corner of the eye.
Fulltext First record of Caligusdussumieri Rangnekar, 1957 (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Caligidae) from Malaysia, with notes on caligids found from Malaysia and on host-specificity of caligids on lutjanid fishes

Ismail N, Nishida Y, Ohtsuka S, Boxshall G, Bernot JP

Biodivers Data J, 2024;12:e116598.
PMID: 38420188 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e116598

BACKGROUND: In total, 14 species of Caligus have been reported from Malaysia. Amongst them, four species are reported from lutjanid fishes.
NEW INFORMATION: Caligusdussumieri Rangnekar, 1957 is reported from Malabar snapper, Lutjanusmalabaricus, purchased from a local wet market in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. This is the first record of this species in Malaysia and it is only the second species assigned to the bonito-group of the genus Caligus to be reported from Malaysia. A key to species of the bonito-group is presented herein. The list of caligids infecting lutjanid fishes and the geographical distributions plus the known hosts of members of the bonito-group of Caligus are discussed.
Fulltext The land snail fauna of Batu Kudik, isolated limestone outcrop near Simunjan, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo (Mollusca, Gastropoda)

Lee JY, Nasir NS, Marzuki ME, Vermeulen JJ, Khalik MZ

Biodivers Data J, 2024;12:e115556.
PMID: 38405381 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e115556

BACKGROUND: The present study provides a checklist of land snails collected from Batu Kudik, a small and isolated limestone outcrop in Simunjan, Sarawak. A total of 24 species of land snails, representing 18 genera and 14 families were recorded, including one newly-described subspecies. The most species-rich of the families in Batu Kudik are Diplommatinidae (17%) and Chronidae (17%) with four recorded species from each of the families. Based on our analysis, Plectostomawallaceikudikense subsp. nov., Opisthostomajavanica and Georissapyrrhoderma were identified as the most abundant land snails at this isolated outcrop, whereas Diplommatinaonyx and Everettiaminuta were recorded as the least abundant. All of the land snails at Batu Kudik were exclusively found sheltered between limestone boulders, underscoring the critical role of this outcrop as their refuge for survival. Consequently, conserving this biodiversity-rich limestone area becomes paramount to prevent the local extinction of these land snail species and possibly other organisms that depend on the unique attributes of the limestone for their survival. We also provide detailed descriptions of Plectostomawallaceikudikense, a new subspecies of the genus Plectostoma which is endemic to Batu Kudik.
NEW INFORMATION: A description of a new subspecies Plectostomawallaceikudikense subsp. nov.
Fulltext Freshwater fishes (Actinopterygii) of Kenyir Reservoir, Peninsular Malaysia: Updated checklist, taxonomic concerns and alien species

Aqmal-Naser M, Ali NA, Azmi NU, Fahmi-Ahmad M, Rizal SA, Ahmad AB

Biodivers Data J, 2023;11:e100337.
PMID: 38327369 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.11.e100337

BACKGROUND: A total of 87 freshwater fish species from 30 families were recorded from the Kenyir Reservoir, Peninsular Malaysia, where 75 are native and 12 are introduced species. Few species still have unstable taxonomy identities which urge further studies. Most of the species were categorised as Least Concern (LC) and two were threatened species; Endangered and Critically Endangered (EN and CR). One introduced species, Gambusiaaffinis is widespread in the human-associated area, while other introduced fish species can be considered low in numbers.
NEW INFORMATION: Twenty five fish species are recorded for the first time in the Kenyir Reservoir.
Fulltext Note on the genus Serendib Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001, with the description of a new species (Araneae, Corinnidae, Castianeirinae)

Zhang L, Zhang F

Biodivers Data J, 2023;11:e99980.
PMID: 38327341 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.11.e99980

BACKGROUND: Prior to this study, the genus Serendib Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 has been discovered in Indonesia, Thailand and Laos and comprises three species: S.muadai Jäger, Nophaseud & Praxaysombath, 2012, S.suthepica Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 and S.volans Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001.
NEW INFORMATION: The genus Serendib Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 is reviewed. A new species, S.hispida sp. n. (male and female), representing the first record of genus Serendib from Malaysia, is described. Descriptions and illustrations of the females of S.volans (Malaysia) and S.suthepica (China) are also provided. The latter represents the first record of the genus in China.
Fulltext Understorey bird assemblages in selected environmentally sensitive areas (ESA) of Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia

Munian K, Mahyudin NAA, Azman SM

Biodivers Data J, 2023;11:e95670.
PMID: 38327332 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.11.e95670

Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) refer to areas that are of critical importance in terms of ecosystem services such as goods, services and life-support systems, such as water purification, pest control and erosion regulation. In addition, they also refer to areas that harbour the wealth of the nation's biodiversity. However, the classification of ESA in Malaysia is incomprehensible and lacks weightage on biological elements as the current classification is more centred on physical attributes. In order to enhance the existing classification of ESA by introducing biological elements, biological data are urgently required, especially for forest reserves and protected habitat. Hence, we conducted understorey birds surveys in three ESA rank II permanent forest reserves, located in northern Selangor as baseline information to strengthen the ESA classification. The surveys were carried out using mist-netting in three 400 m × 200 m plots. Alpha diversity indices were calculated and showed a significant difference in terms of diversity, composition and biomass of understorey birds between investigated sites. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) showed that bird assemblages from forest reserves designated as ESA rank II in Selangor, based on disturbances levels, have weakly diverged and SIMPER analysis has identified six species that contributed to 60% of the differences amongst the bird assemblages. The finding provides the first insight into understorey birds of the study sites and the importance of conserving and preserving ESA of permanent forest reserves, especially the small and fragmented forests.
Fulltext World Checklist of Opiliones species (Arachnida). Part 2: Laniatores - Samooidea, Zalmoxoidea and Grassatoresincertae sedis

Kury AB, Souza DR, Pérez-González A

Biodivers Data J, 2015.
PMID: 26752965 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.3.e6482

Including more than 6500 species, Opiliones is the third most diverse order of Arachnida, after the megadiverse Acari and Araneae. This database is part 2 of 12 of a project containing an intended worldwide checklist of species and subspecies of Opiliones, and it includes the members of the suborder Laniatores, infraorder Grassatores of the superfamilies Samooidea and Zalmoxoidea plus the genera currently not allocated to any family (i.e. Grassatores incertae sedis). In this Part 2, a total of 556 species and subspecies are listed.