Flycatcher Plumage Resolved
The plumage of the female and sub-adult Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Narcissus Flycatcher, Green-backed Flycatcher (F. elisae) and Ryukyu Flycatcher (F. owstoni) has been resolved. Three species winter in Borneo while there is no information about the Ryukyu Flycatcher. BirdingASIA 36 (2021): 22–34
Leptospirosis
This disease is on the increase in Sarawak. The current rapid test for leptospirosis did not work very well. The study concludes a critical need for more sensitive, inexpensive and easy to use tests for the disease. Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines volume 7, Article number: 32 (2021)
Sadong Jaya Sarawak
This study shows how climate change has affected the fishers of the area. Flooding has become more unpredictable and uncontrollable. Road construction and land clearing seem to be the cause of the floods. Droughts have become more unpredictable in recent years. Illegal fishers or fishermen who use illegal gear are blamed for decreasing fish. Fishermen have had to adapt by farming or seeking employment elsewhere. © Te Author(s) 2022 205 S. Flood et al. (eds.), Creating Resilient Futures, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80791-7_10
Atomic Physics Simplified
A senior lecturer, Prashobh Karunakaran, at UCTS Sarawak has written a paper that simplifies atomic theory. If you have no idea about strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force, electromagnetic forces and gravity and want to give these simple explanations a try, this paper is for you. DOI : 10.47310/iarjet.2021.v02i05.004
Sarawak- Borneo
There is an interesting article in the Brunei Museum Journal 2021 about Brunei-Sarawak relations in the 1800s and 1900s. It gives the perspective of the “voices of the people” through poems, letters, legal documents and other records.
Three New Species of Begonia
Three new species of Begonia have been made known to science from Kalimatan. One species is a new record for the area. Phytotaxa vol 533 #4 February 2022 https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.533.4
Heat Waves in Southeast Asia
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent longer-lasting and affect more land areas. The minimum temperatures at night are higher than previously recorded.
https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL097151
Grasshoppers ( I think)
Two species of grasshoppers from Borneo Uvarovia longipennis Bolívar and Uvarovia gracilipes Bolívar, 1931 have been further described. Before, there was only one female species. DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5000.5.3
Large Flying Fox
The Large Flying Fox has been reduced and is rarely sighted in Sarawak. The Flying Fox has been shot because they are viewed as pests or consumed as food. However, over 60% of the respondents felt that the Large Flying Fox could be used as a tourist attractions in their area. There is strong support for Large Flying Fox conservation in the local areas. They occur around the western tip of Borneo and the interior parts of western Sarawak. Journal of Threatened Taxa vol 14 #1 2022
Testate Amoeba
These very small soil animals were found all the way up Mount Kinabalu. The authors charted their numbers until the tree line. Their data contributed to the discussion. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejop.2022.125868
Proboscis Monkeys
The daily activities of rescued and caged Proboscis Monkeys were observed. Researchers found two male Proboscis Monkeys spent their daily time for “resting, locomotion, grooming, eating, antagonistic, and playing with each percentage were 42.50%; 26.04%; 17.15%; 9.29%; 0.86%; and 0.13%, consecutively.” doi:10.1088/1755-1315/976/1/012013
The Iban of Melilas Brunei
These Iban migrated from Sarawak into Brunei in 1944 before settling into their present location, Mukim Melilas, in the Belait district in 1946. The area is inhabited by one longhouse. This case study of the Iban of Melilas documents how one particular community has successfully negotiated and managed their acceptance as full citizens of Brunei while retaining their Iban identity.
West Malaysian Indians
The St. Andrews Historical Journal vol 10 issue 1 has an interesting article on the migration of South Indians into Malaya.
Rediscovery of the Black Browed Babbler
One of the biggest enigmas of Indonesian ornithology has been rediscovered. Hidden from view since 1843-48, it’s only specimen was in Leiden. The bird has been seen in the limestone hill forests of south Kalimatan. Journal of Asian Ornithology 37 (2021): 1–5
Tua Pek Kong in Sarawak
There is a fascinating article about the deity which has Muslim characteristics in Sarawak. His image is often found in standalone altars at construction sites, behind restaurants and in timber camps. Contact
monica.janowski@gmail.com and request a copy.
Overweight Malaysian Students
This study compiles data and looks at overweight university students. https://doi.org/10.1080/14635240.2022.2040380
Whiteheads Spider Hunters
This informative article describes the nesting habits of the bird. BirdingASIA 36 (2021): 103–105
Asian Elephants
Because of experimental error, the Asian Elephant of Sabah has a much smaller population than initially thought. doi: 10.1002/wlb3.01024
Rainfall Records
The rainfall records of Borneo from the late Pleiocene to the Holocene have been contradictory. Analyzing 20,000-year-old stalagmites from a cave in Sarawak, the researchers found a correlation between the “Atlantic Ocean overturning” and the amount of oxygen embedded in the stalagmite. This study shows a decrease in rainfall, indicating a drier time after the ice age. s doi: 10.1029/2021GL096937.
Mosquitos
The mosquito, Ades Albopictus, has had its genetics studied. It bears a close relationship with other mosquitoes from Southeast Asia and Oceania. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.12983