All Creatures Great and Small #27
Where was Borneo?
The lack of preserved basement (the rocks under the studied rocks) results in the uncertain placement of many areas in Southeast Asia. The first evidence of the oldest basement was found in Borneo on the northern margin of Gondwana. (The place where all continents were together before they drifted apart.) https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-6724.14956
Carbon and Logging
There is a limited understanding of logged forests and carbon balance. This paper determined the total carbon budget in old-growth, moderately logged and heavily logged forests within Malaysian Borneo. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu22-2537
Aceh and Brunei
This paper states that Sultan Alauddin of Ache (1577-1585) built a strong relationship with Pahang and Brunei. The Spaniards felt greater Brunei would be a Moslem entity while the Philippines would be Christian area. The Spanish Governor-General wrote a letter to Sultan Saiful of Brunei to prevent Muslim Missionaries from entering the Philippines in 1578. War broke out, and Brunei was defeated. In 1579, the Spanish ordered the mosques in Brunei to be burned and the leaders to revert to Christianity. A really interesting history of Brunei during this time period. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu22-2537
Moving Capitols
Ibu Kota Negri will have a major impact on Indonesia for years to come. The problems of other countries who have moved their capitals are studied. DOI 10.2478/ CIRR-2022-0014
Road Cut
This article documents an unconformity(where the rocks do not line up like they are supposed to) exposed in a road cut in Bintulu, Sarawak. DOI 10.2478/ CIRR-2022-0014
Coal Origins
Eight coal seams in Mukuh were studied. The seams were composed in a climate of no oxygen and water-saturated conditions millions of years ago. | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-12668-6
Sun Bear
Half the bears had blood parasites in a study of 46 Sun Bears held captive in Sabah. Diseased mosquitoes carrying malaria were not found in the outer areas of the pens. However, one bear carried the parasite. https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.39.2.003
Local People
This study illustrates how meaningful engagement with local knowledge can improve biodiversity science and promote conservation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.04.062
Marine Medicines
A mini-history of how marine animals are used in medicine.p.9-17/ ISBN: 978-93-5279-062-3
Malaria and Macaques
Infection with the malaria parasite was found in 50% of macaques, with the highest concentration in areas with close contact between monkeys and humans. With the elimination of the human parasite, the risk of acquiring the disease from monkeys is very high. https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2022032
In another study, the current study indicates that macaques infected with the zoonotic malaria parasites P. knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, P. inui and P. coatneyi are widely distributed throughout Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Travellers to Sarawak’s forested areas should be aware of the potential risk of
acquiring zoonotic malaria. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-14560-9
Coral Reefs
Three coral reefs near islands in Indonesia were studied. The data concluded the reefs were in moderate shape, and the information could be used as a baseline for other reefs. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1033/1/012002
Storytelling in an Iban setting
This doctoral dissertation from Harvard University explores the longhouse practice of Randau Ruai (lit. wandering creeper), a traditional form of storytelling. https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN-3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37372134
Pepper
Sarawak pepper is of superior quality in the world market and commands the highest price. A method has been developed to differentiate pepper by using the geo tracing method. This system will tell the difference between Sarawak and other low-quality pepper. 10.1109/ISOEN54820.2022.9789618
Green Sea Turtles
There has been a decreasing trend in turtle landings for egg-laying in Sarawak over the past 67 years. There has been some improvement in enforcement, but the number of eggs must be closely monitored due to climate change. DOI: 10.46300/91011.2022.16.28
Sardines and Anchovy
This study determined the main species of sardines and anchovies and the major spawning months in Sarawak. Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation & Legislation; Cluj-Napoca Vol. 15, Iss. 3, (Jun 2022): 1162-1177
Malaria
The malaria parasite knowlesi has been characterized. Age group 40 to 49 years, males, plantation workers, and Iban communities recorded the highest percentage of cases. Age groups 60+ had the most severe cases. Bidayuh patients were more likely to develop severe knowlesi malaria than Ibans. https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.13788
Wild Cats
Seventeen year’ worth of data on wild cats in Sarawak has been examined by this team. Some of the many results include flat-headed cats, preferred peat swamp forests, bay cats in lowland forests, and marbled cats and clouded leopards that occurred in both lowland and montane forests. Many neat observations in this study. doi:10.1017/S0030605321001484
New Indonesian Capital
President Joko Widodo has pushed ahead to launch his most ambitious project – building a new capital from scratch in remote Kalimantan, Borneo. Can Indonesia find the estimated US$32.5 billion needed for building an innovative and green city in the jungle? https://hdl.handle.net/10356/159427
Ocean Currents and Fish
There are two currents in the southern part of the South China Sea. One current brings cold, salty and a high plankton count while the other is less salty, warmer and has a lesser plankton count. These two currents affect the amount of fish that is caught. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2022.102499
New Pitcher Plant
A newly discovered pitcher plant, Nepenthes pudica, is the first confirmed to use gravity to capture insects and microscopic organisms in the below soil environment. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.201.82872
Tadpoles of Borneo
A guide to the Tadpoles of Borneo, in which our own Indraneil Dass is co-author, is available on Google Play. The price is reasonable.
Tree Extinction
Vatica venulosa is one of the Dipterocarpaceae species still threatened with extinction. It is a mid-canopy tree used for timber. https://www.publish.csiro.au/PC/justaccepted/PC21072
History Writing
In this article, Dr Noor uses three books, including Henry Keppel’s (1809-1904) The Expedition to Borneo of the HMS Dido for the Suppression of Piracy, to demonstrate the bias in colonial writing. Well worth reading. https://doi.org/10.22452/sejarah.vol31no1.2
Sun Bears
A new book is out about the eyes of various animals. Wild and Exotic Opthalmology includes animals from Borneo. The chapter on bears is reasonably priced. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81273-7_12
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