Bats
The microbes which live in the stomachs of bats depend on what they eat. Bats that eat fruit have microbes that are different from those that eat insects. The research was carried out in Sarawak. 10.1186/s42523-025-00389-w
Punan and Genetics
Recent genetic evidence has shown the Punan to be Austronesian people dating to 7,500 years ago. DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113346
Masting
The phenomenon of different species of trees fruiting at the same time is unique to Southeast Asia and is called masting. Drought or low temperatures are thought to trigger such an event. This study has produced a data set which can be used to study masting and to predict what climate change may have on such events. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.70053
John Crawfurd author and anti-Brooke columnist
John Crawfurd wrote the book “History of the Indian Archipelago” in three volumes in the 1820s. It is a well-known research work for students, including myself, of Borneo and the area. Later, Crawfurd wrote an anonymous column in a London newspaper called the Examiner. It was in this column he attacked James Brook of Sarawak promoting his anti colonialism agenda. John Crawfurd and Anti-Colonialism in Sarawak – New Naratif
Correction
In a section of All Creatures Great and Small #68, I incorrectly stated the catfish was a new species. It should have read it was new to Sabah. Sorry.
Coral Reef
In the Sempora Conservation area off of Sabah, the main threats identified include fish bombing, marine debris, commercial fishing, tourism and single-individual fishing. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.70108
New Book
The Literature of Brunei has a chapter on “The Earliest Malay Letters from Brunei” by Annabel Teh Gallop of the British Library Asian section fame. The cost of the book is a ridiculous 145.00 pounds or 39.95 pounds for an e-copy. I have a copy of her presentation.
Cancer
The three most common cases of cancer in Sarawak males are colorectal 15.4%, nasopharynx 14.8% and trachea, bronchial and lung cancers 14%. In females, the breast is 28%, cervix uterus 11.6% and colorectal 11.9%. The Chinese had the most cancer followed by the Iban and then the Malays. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.70290
New Species
A new species of skink has been found on Borneo Island. This brings to 13 the number of different species found on Borneo. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5609.2.3
New Species
From Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, two new species of non-biting midges, among many other common names, (chironomidae) have been made known to science. 10.26107/RBZ-2025-0003
New Species
Five new species of comb-foot spiders unique to North Borneo have been found.
Strangler Figs
Strangler Figs and the Iban Sungai Utik have a spiritual connection. Strangler Figs host malevolent spirits. The Sungai Utik often farm around them so they may not be disturbed. Contact me at Sa********@***il.com. I have a copy of the paper.
Tropical Forest Fires and Damsel/Dragon Flies
Once believed to be relatively fire-resistant due to their high humidity, tropical rainforests are increasingly experiencing devastating fires. Intense El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, logging and other human activities, which open up the forest, have contributed to the rise in tropical forest fires. Dragon and damsel flies are indicators of water quality and habitat structure. Both larvae and adults rely on water for critical stages of their life cycle. In burned forests, the number of Damsel and Dragons flies has markedly declined. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113382
Health and Haze
A discussion on the relationship between health and haze is expounded in this thoughtful presentation. https://doi.org/10.5822/phanth9678_1 click on health and haze
Violence and Headhunting
An interesting presentation on headhunting around the world. Violence and Warfare in Social Context Archaeological and Historical Studies I have a copy. Just ask. Sa********@***il.com
Orangutan
We conclude that there was a diverse range of Pongo (orangutan) species in the region of northern Vietnam. We recognize two large and two small species during the Late Pleistocene. One of the larger species occupied this region toward the end of the Late Pleistocene. These species became extinct. Orangutan populations further south in Sumatra and Borneo ( then part of Mainland Asia) survived in safe havens of relic rainforests. This essay provides additional evidence for this theory. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.70020
Breast Cancer among Rural Sarawak Women
Doctors have noted advanced breast cancer among rural Sarawak women. When nodules are first discovered women prefer to use oils and herbal medicine to dissolve them. It isn’t until the cancer becomes advanced and painful that they come to a doctor for help. By this time it’s too late. Reasons for the delay are a lack of knowledge about the cancer and fear that diagnosis of cancer means death. DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.3.869
Batu Nabu Rock Formation
Batu Nabu is an Iban prominent rock formation in Engkelili, Sri Aman Sarawak and is believed to be the petrified remains of a giant serpent. This study investigates Batu Nabau’s role in Iban folklore and its contribution to preserving intangible cultural heritage in Iban identity. Geografia-Malaysian Journal of Society and Space 21 issue 1 (132-143) I have a copy. Just ask. Sa********@***il.com
White-fronted Falconet and Black-Headed Gull
The ecology of this small Sabah raptor and the migratory-headed gull are two Borneo birds described in the latest issue. Malaysian Bird Report. Volume 1/2025, March 2025
Iban Kinship
This article exposes the “ancestor-descendant conflict model.” The ancestor-descendant conflict model posits that ancestors influence the behaviour of their descendants, through traditions passed down from generation to generation. Clark, Kyle J. & Walker, Robert S. (forthcoming). Iban Kinship and Cooperation. Human Nature:1-21.
Sarawak Malay Love Pantuns
The love pantuns of the Sarawak River Valley are explained. Malay. /doi.org/10.47252/teniat.v13i1.1375
Snub Nose Sharks
Sharks are currently the most vulnerable to the negative impacts of human activity such as unregulated fishing, uncontrolled trade, habitat destruction, and pollution. A new pet product, dried eviscerated sharks from China, has recently appeared in some Russian online shops. Dried shark meat products are widely available in various markets around the world but pet shark products used both as food and toys have been unknown until now. A new pet product, dried eviscerated sharks from China, has recently appeared in some Russian online shops. Our results show that dried shark products supplied to Russian online shops are represented by undersized individuals who have not yet fully realised their reproductive potential. The predominance of undersized individuals in catches in recent years in Malaysian waters off Borneo declining abundance in Chinese waters and overfishing in Taiwanese waters together with intensive fishing throughout the species’ range, may be pushing the shark to the brink of extinction. Ecologica Montenegrina 83: 120-130 (2025) This journal is available online at: www.biotaxa.org/em https://dx.doi.org/10.37828/em.2025.83.13
Tom McLaughlin for BorneoHistory.net