All Creatures Great and Small #34
Sun Bear
The Sun Bear distribution outside protected areas in Sabah decreased by only 4%. Sun Bears seem to be resilient to forest degradation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-022-02503-9
Brooke and English Law
When British subjects made land tenure arrangements with native authorities beyond Britain, they were understood to be entering into a feudal relationship with a foreign sovereign, a potentially treasonous action. Charles Brooke got away with it in regards to the Brunei treaty of 1855 because Brooke’s deal did not threaten British interests. https://doi.org/10.1080/1031461X.2022.2138480
Snails
The freshwater snails in two Sarawak streams, the Betong and Saratok, were studied. There were only four species collected but they were well mixed together at each of the sampling stations. contact : hadihamli@upm.edu.my for a copy.
Bacteria
Endopytic bacteria and fungi live between the cells of plants. The tree, Uncaria borneensis,is spread throughout Southeast Asia and is thought to have many beneficial properties. Bacteria taken from the roots was isolated and attached to newly emerged seedlings. These bacteria have the ability to enhance plant growth. contact ab_fauziah@upm.edu.my for a copy of the research
Betta Fish
There are seven species of Betta from Sarawak. The survey was conducted from March 31st 2022 until July 24th 2022 within Sarawak, namely Matang, Lundu, Sematan and Serian. The water where they live was studied. contact: jefferymahmud97@gmail.com.my for a copy of the paper.
Bamboo
Two species of bamboo from Sarawak were studied to see which of the two produced the best charcoal. Aur Kuning bamboo was the best. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15282/jceib.v8i2.8771
Midin
The sale of 200 kg of midin (a crunchy succulent fern known only to Borneo) to Singapore was sold out in 18 hours. However, the fern turns black after a day. Drying can expand the shelf life of the plant. contact rajmahmr@sarawak.gov.my for a copy
Jumping Spiders
Five new species of jumping spiders, two from Sarawak, have been noticed in Eurasia. https://doi.org/10.5683/SP3/CLCTPU, Borealis, V1
Mahseer
A review of Mahseer farming is discussed here. Bioscience Research, 2022 volume 19(SI-1): 349-359
Premarital sex
Sabah and Sarawak have the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Malaysia. This study tells of risky behaviours in teenage girls. | https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1866326
Dowry
The dowry in Sarawak is RM120 for virgins and widows.(That’s what I paid several years ago. Tom) https://doi.org/10.35719/ijlil.v4i2.226
Click Beetle
The first record in Singapore of the giant click beetle has been noted. DOI: 10.26107/NIS-2022-0136
Indon Borneo Growth rate
The island with the highest economic growth rate is Sulawesi Island, while Borneo Island has the lowest economic growth rate among the six islands in Indonesia. DOI https://doi.org/10.33146/2307-9878-2022-2(96)-143-151
Begonia
Borneo has 269 species of Begonia which are endemic to the island. They live in all habitats except for peat swamp, heath, karangas or beach forests. They have over 15 different leaf shapes. Diversity of Begonia in Sarawak.
Orchids
This paper proves the orchid genus spathoglotis are from the same ancestor. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13122079
Weather
Borneo vortices are storms that come with the winter Northeast monsoon season. They are very destructive. This paper predicts the vortices will be less destructive driven by the weakening of the Northeast monsoon flow due to climate warming. https//centaur.reading.ac.uk/109186/
Grasshoppers
This study aims to redescribe the genus Discotettix, the spikey pygmy devil grasshoppers. They also have three new species from Borneo. They are called that because of spikes that protrude from their body. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5217.1.1
Pepper
Sarawak produces 95% of the pepper exported, mainly to Japan, from Malaysia. However, phytophthora has caused farmers to lose all their crop and previously plantings in Lebu Kulit Fusarium wilt and root knot neamatode were prevalent in most farms. Farmers should be encouraged to apply fertilizer and pesticids to the crop. ICFIC2022 (upm.edu.my)
Poisonous Mushroom
Podostroma cornu-damae is considered one of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world. The mushroom was rediscovered in 2020 after a long absence from researchers.
New Book
“Linkages: A Brief Description of the Kingdoms of the Malay Archipelago and the Kingdoms of Southeast Asia” by Devinder Raj is available as an e-book for only RM19.24 from Google Play.
Crocodiles
The crocodiles(c.porosus) in the Sarawak river basin come from a common ancestor, genetic research has shown. The tomistomas are an outgroup. The outgroup is a group that diverged from the same ancestor. Doi: 10.18331/SFS2023.101.1.8
Clams
The molecular approach was able to determine three different types of clams. One is the ancestor of the other two. DOI: 10.11598/btb.2022.29.3.1583
Rungkus Language
This study is a preliminary survey of the Rungus language spoken by the Rungus community in Kampung Kandang Pintas, Sabah. Borneo International Journal eISSN 2636-9826; Vol. 5 (3); 2022; 8-13
Longhorn Beetles
New data for the longhorn beetles is presented. It includes a list of 16 species known from the Southeast Asian region. Acta Biol. Univ. Daugavp. 22 (1) 2022
Brooke and Islamic Rule
This article aims to explain at a glance the administration and implementation of Islamic law during the period of Brooke’s reign in Sarawak. https://doi.org/10.22452/JAT.vol17no2.5
Mammals Threatened
The building of secondary roads leading to the new Indonesian capital in Borneo will affect the mammals living the area. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161075
Rice Pest in Sabah
The first report of c. lunata, a fungus that attacks rice crops, has been reported in Sabah.
Minute Land Snails
Six new species of minute land snails have been made known to science. They were found in the Niah National Park, along the Baram River, the Upper Tatau river and the lower Tatau areas in Sarawak. Basteria 86 (1): 48–54. Published 11 July 2022
Black Shrew
The Black Shrew has been transferred to a new genus because of advances in genetic research. New specimens are more widespread in Borneo. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1137.94217
Ginger
Sarawak has 141 species of ginger. This study documents the traditional knowledge of ginger used by Bidayuh community in Jagoi and Singai Bau District in Sarawak. International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Review  ISSN : 2582-0176
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