Current Research about Borneo #14
Malaysia Anti Malaria Certification Endangered
The continued preponderance of the P. knowlesi mosquito in Sabah may threaten Malaysia’s quest to become a malaria-free state. The vector seems to be prevalent in areas disturbed for agriculture and land clearing operations. Scientific Reports article# 11810 (2021) In a related case, a major outbreak of Malaria was reported in the logging camp in North Sabah. https//doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009450/
Pottery Dispersal
A study about pottery dispersal seems to confirm the migration of people from Taiwan and then in different directions from the Philippines and West Borneo. The radiocarbon analysis of 20 different sites is the most accurate to date. https//doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251407
New Species of Ardisia
A new species of Ardisia found in Sarawak has been made known to the outside world. The plant is known in the west as the Christmas berry and is popular indoors. The new species is called Ardisis pyrotechnia primulaceae myrsindoidea
New Orchids
Six new species of orchids have been made known to science. The species are all members of the same family and bring the total number to 34 of which 17 are from Borneo. Gardens Bulletin Singapore 7 3(1): 179-202 2021
Odoardo Beccasi Wanderings
This gentleman from Italy wandered through Sarawak and collected many plants, already known to the locals, and shipped them off for classification. New maps have been constructed to retrace his journeys. From briefly surveying them, I found they are of no interest to those of us who are familiar with the geography of the area. Go to https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/17445647.2021.1937727 and then click on supplementary materials
 Moths
Six new species of moths have been added to the only member of this moth family. One is from Borneo while five are from Mindano Island. DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.4985.1.3
New Mosquito Species
A new mosquito species from Mount Murud, in the Kelabit Highlands Sarawak has been described. During a field trip in 2013, several species were and raised from eggs to the adult stage. One individual stood out as being unique from all the others. Topomyia (Topomyia) murudensis Miyagi, Toma and Okazawa were added to the group of mosquitoes. DOI: 10.7601/mez.72.59
Peatland Forest Diversity
In a study, there were 82 species of plants in the peat forest. The depth of the peat could determine which species of plants lived there. Some species could live in peat depths of between 0.5 to 10 meters (perepat Combretocarpus rotundatus, mentibu, Dactyloctadus stenotacytus and bintangur, Catophyllum rigidum. Some species were found solely on shallow peat while others only when the peat was at great depth. DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d220704
Copepods
Copepods are very small animals (1-2 mm) that live in most water environments. They are the food source for many fish larvae. A study was performed on the Kakap river to determine the composition and structure of four research stations set up along the river. The diversity of the species was moderate and was mainly occupied by one genus. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33059/jbs.v3i1.3245
South China Sea Origin
I would like to bring attention to an article published in the Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, vol 6, 1 December 2021 about the origin of the South China Sea. It is a long piece with many diagrams and I do not feel qualified to attempt to summarize it. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaesx.2021.100065
Bird Study
A bird study in the Teluk Sumbang Karst forest was aimed at determining the variety and number of birds. They compared the number of birds along the coast and in the uplands. Thirty-three species were found in the coastal area while sixty-seven were discovered in the hill karst area. Teluk Sumbang was home to many threatened birds and deserved conservation. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/20210114070106
Earless Monitor Lizard
The Earless Monitor lizard (see articles in Borneohistory.net) has been protected by the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia. However, a lively, illegal trade in the animal has grown up with exports to Germany, Austria and the USA in the high-end pet market. This article reports on and lists the zoo’s that have acquired the species, probably illegally. Nature Conservation 44: 69–79 (2021) doi: 10.3897/natureconservation.44.65124
Plant Ant Association
Myrmecophtic means the study of plants and their association with ants. This association is beneficial to both the plant and the ant. In this study, in the Borneo rainforest, the ants attack the leaf chewing insects and halt leaf destruction. DOI: 10.20362/am.014003  ASIAN MYRMECOLOGY — Volume 14, e014003, 2021
Bidayuh People Ritual and Ceremonies
This study analyzes the rituals and ceremonies through songs, stories and legends. Among the findings of this paper is the importance of their beliefs in preserving the paddy field, preserving the harvests and the management of the community.
http://rupkatha.com/V13/n2/v13n226.pdf
Rabies
Since 2017, the number of rabies cases in Sarawak has skyrocketed. Nearly half the dogs in Sibu have the rabies virus. This paper summarizes the number of cases at Sibu Hospital from 2020-2021 and tells how the people died. doi: 10.4997/JRCPE.2021.207
Nasopharyngeal (NPC) Cancer in Sabah
NPC is quite prevalent among the cancers in Sabah however, this is the first paper published about the disease in north Borneo. The data suggests Dusun males and Chinese (both males and females) have the highest numbers. https://doi.org/10.1159/000516597
Probosci’s Monkeys
Probosci’s monkey (Nasalis larvatus) habitats throughout its range are becoming increasingly fragmented and degraded. We assessed population trends over 10 years in the Klias Peninsula of western Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Our findings revealed that population size and distribution remained generally stable between 2004 and 2014, and little further habitat loss occurred over this interval. However, significant areas nearby or contiguous with this forest reserve have since been converted to oil palm. Such development not only causes outright habitat loss but also risks disrupting the connectivity of proboscis monkey habitat, especially along rivers. This, in turn, poses a threat not only to the long-term viability of the local proboscis monkey population but also to another vital aspect of the economy of the Klias region that depends on the draw of proboscis monkey-viewing for wildlife-based tourism. DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2021-0015
Large Tree Shrew
Fosters Law, which states that a species living on an isolated island will grow larger than anywhere else, has been disproven in regards to the Large Tree Shrew. The authors also suggest the Sumatra and Borneo Large Tree shrews should have their own subspecies classification. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyab059
Aquaculture off of Sabah? Scientists say No
Upwelling from the northeast monsoon off the west coast of Sabah causes temperatures to rapidly decline. The low temperatures are not suitable for Asian Sea Bass and Tropical Spiny Lobsters. There are possibilities for Cocia, Grouper and Snapper but they will likely be stressed, becoming smaller. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105781