Fish

A wild betta (Betta burdigala) is only known from Bangka Island, while a wild (Betta uberis) resides in Kalimantan Tengah and Kalimantan Barat in Indonesia. Both species share numerous physical characteristics, particularly in body color and specific habitat. According to the genetic tree, these species are descended from a single, closely related ancestor on the same branch. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1267/1/012066

More Fish

Betta foerschi is a betta fish  which is only known from Central and West Borneo Island, Indonesia. This species is classified as an endangered by the IUCN Red List, where the population has recently moderately decreased. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1289/1/012010

And more Fish

The bronze featherback (Notopterus notopterus) is a species of freshwater fish commonly found in Southeast Asia. The origin of the featherback is traced back to the Early Cretaceous when the African (Papyrocranus and Xenomystus) and Asian (Notopterus, Chitala) clades (group with the same ancestor) split. These three haplotypes( a series of genes inherited from the same ancestor) had distinct geographic distributions with one haplotype observed in Java, Sumatra and Borneo, another haplotype restricted to South Sumatra and a third haplotype only found in Northern Sumatra.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02786

New Fungus

This study provides an overview of recent literature on taxonomic updates, distribution and sequence data of Laetiporus in Malaysia. During the period March – June 2020, two Laetiporus specimens were collected in Maliau Basin Conservation Area and Sipitang. These two specimens were identified as L. versisporus based on morphological characteristics and molecular methods. https://doi.org/10.33736/bjrst.5822.2023

Origin of the name “Sabah”

This article, written in Malay, discusses the origins of the name Sabah. Asian Journal of the Environment, History and Heritage vol 7 No.2

Frogs

A recent study has revealed that the poison gland in Hoses Frog (Odorrana hosii) skin acts as a defensive mechanism and can help in wound healing.   https://doi.org/10.33736/bjrst.5524.2023

New Species

A new species of lobster, (Panulirus homarus homarus) has been made known to the western world from Sabah waters.  Vol 13 No 2 (2023): Borneo Journal of Resource Science and Technology

Polluted Rivers in Bintulu

Heavily polluted waters in rivers in Bintulu show many antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These include coliform bacteria, bacteria that have passed through the human body.  https://doi.org/10.33736/bjrst.5450.2023

Dung Beetles

This study aims to provide recent information on the distributions of dung beetles from the genus Onthophagus in Sarawak. Vol 13 No 2 (2023): Borneo Journal of Resource Science and Technology

Swiftlets

This study aimed at identifying types of insects that are important for a successful swiftlet farmhouse. The highest population of insect types in most nesting areas, where flies and mosquitos were prominent. Vol 13 No 2 (2023): Borneo Journal of Resource Science and Technology

African Catfish

African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is a popular non-native fish for aquaculture in Sarawak. It shows that Clarias gariepinus was categorised as “very high risk” for escaping into the environment and threatening local species. Vol 13 No 2 (2023): Borneo Journal of Resource Science and Technology

Tattoo

This research, written in the Malay language, explains the origin and purpose of traditional tattooing in the culture of the Iban community in Sarawak. The tradition of tattooing is part of the culture of the Iban community and is considered sacred because it is believed to connect the soul of the Iban community to their petara (god).  https://doi.org/10.37052/jm.17(1)no2

New Species

A new species of cricket has been made known to the Western world. Here, two additional new species of crickets from the genus Pendleburyella are described from the highlands of Sabah, Borneo. DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5397.2.7

New Species

A new species of freshwater crab genus, Lepidothelphusa Colosi,. The genus is now reported from Indonesian Borneo for the first time, from specimens recently collected from Gunung Kelam in Sintang Regency, Kalimantan Barat Province. DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5397.2.3

New Paper

A new paper by Dr Michael Bishku of August University in Georgia USA about Brunei and its relations with the Middle East has been recently published in the Journal of South Asian and Middle East Studies, vol 47 winter 2024.I have a copy.

Birds

Two new bird species have been made known to science from the Meratus Mountains in Kalimatan.They are a jungle flycatcher and the Meratus white eye. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-021-01937-2 see also BirdingASIA 40 (2023): 18–26

Bidayuh Zither

The musical instrument, pratuokng, consists of seven strings and one drum. The purpose of this paper is to examine the tone and how this zither differs from other bamboo instruments. A very difficult read.DOI:10.15376/biores.19.1.1305-1315

Sarawak Multimedia Authority

This agency regulates the regional communication(radio and TV) and multimedia(internet) of the Sarawak Government. Its purpose is to transform Sarawak into a digital economy powerhouse. This paper compares the Sarawak with the Malaysian version. DOI 10.35631/IJLGC.834003

Turtles

On the shell of a tortoise or turtle are individual sections called scutes. Every turtle has 13 large scutes surrounded by 28 smaller ones. This paper advocates the use of a computer program which identifies the unique patterns on the backs of green turtles. International Journal of Computing and Digital Systems ISSN (2210-142X) Int. J. Com. Dig. Sys. #, No.# (Mon-20..)

Sa’ban

The article compares the similarities and differences between the Sa’ban living on the Malaysian and Indonesian sides of the border.

Pig Virus

African swine fever has decimated the bearded pig (sus barbatus) population of Borneo. The number of pigs has been reduced by 90-100% in some areas. The disease has caused the animal to probably be added to the critically endangered list. DOI: 10.1126/science.adn3857

Brunei Colonial  Education

The study found that the transition of Brunei’s Malay society to modern education occurred slowly compared to other ethnic groups. This happened because the colonists were selective in their efforts to provide early education opportunities to the locals, making education accessible only to aristocrats who had influence and were interested in serving the colonists. 10.17576/jebat.2023.5004.01

Lundayeh Ethnic Group

In Malay. This article discusses the research of past scholars on the Lundayeh ethnic group. Jurnal Borneo Akhailogia (Warisan, Arkeologi & Sejarah), Disember 2023, Vol.8 (1), hlm. 137-154

Rentap

In Malay. Rentap, the renegade leader of the Iban against the Brookes, fought the colonizers because of interference with their way of life. Jurnal Borneo Akhailogia (Warisan, Arkeologi & Sejarah), Disember 2023, Vol.8 (1), hlm. 233-252 e-ISSN: 2600-8726© Awang Norben Bin Ben https://jurcon.ums.edu.my/ojums/index.php/JBA/

Treatment of Wastewater

This research aims to transform agricultural waste abundantly available in Sarawak into activated carbon as a sustainable water treatment source. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wmb.2023.12.008

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