All Creatures #77
New Species
Two new species of Mealy bugs have been discovered feeding on forest trees in Kalimatan. 89 species have been described worldwide and several are considered agricultural pests. 10.3897/zookeys.1249.159569
Book Chapter
A chapter in the book The Making of Singapore as an Asian Regional Corridor entitled Singapore in the History of British North Borneo has been recently been published.
Fungus
This study aimed to investigate the previously unexplored large fungus diversity in three different rainforest locations around Sambas. A total of 94 macrofungal species from 30 families across Ascomycota (lichens and molds) and Basidiomycota(mushrooms) were recorded. DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d260906
Colonial Attempts in Sabah
From the 1770s to the 1870s,colonialism in Sabah centred around the search for a suitable port. Over these hundred years, there were eight attempts to establish a foothold on the northern coasts of Borneo that could function as an entrepôt, way station or gateway into the island’s interior. Tracking the histories of these eight abortive settlements over a century, this article explores why they struggled to survive in their coastal environments. doi:10.1017/S0963926825100266
Kuching and Rivers
This essay describes the growth of the city along the Sarawak River. It tells of the historical background of Kuching and its ports, the development of the Kuching waterfront, the zoning of the river for shipping and industrial purposes, the environmental impact of the river on Kuching and the communities and the unstable future. doi:10.1111/sjtg.70039
The Pun Ranyai Ritual of the Iban
The Pun Ranyai ceremony is a pillar of the Iban community. It recalls the history against the ruler James Brooke and the tragic Beting Marau war. The Beting Marau war was the 1849 battle where James Brooke forces attacked the Iban stronghold of Beting Marau fought against the Iban Skrang and Saribas Iban. In Limbang, where this ceremony was held, a young oil palm tree was selected and cut down. The tree was brought inside the longhouse. When the trunk was secured the decorating began. Fruits, foods and small objects were attached to the tree. Coconuts, symbolizing heads, were placed around the base of the tree. The tree is finally wrapped in a pua kumbu, the traditional Iban woven cloth. The Lemambang then recites the history which may also include the names of past leaders. doi.org/10.48048/ajac.2026.12
Tomistoma Crocodiles
The Tomistoma are critically endangered long snout crocodiles found in Borneo.
Two important clusters of genes were identified to facilitate future breeding programs. One cluster was from Peninsular Malaysia and the other from Borneo. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-17481-5
Asian Elephants
There are four recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant: Indian, Sri Lankan, Sumatran and Borneo. This review aims to compile and summarize the relevant literature on the genetic data of Asian elephants, specifically focusing on their evolutionary relationships, historical ecology, and looking how elephants spread out over time. The essay will also emphasize the need for acquiring genetic data. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03889
Sabah Education History
This article is divided Sabah into three historical sections: the British Chartered Company 1881-1941; the Japanese Occupation 1942-1945; and the British Colonial Period 1945-1963. The missive describes each period and how the educational policy evolved (or didn’t). DOI:10.6007/IJARPED/v13-i3/22162
Smuggling between Borneo and Sulu
Smuggling in the southern Philippines between the 1950s and the 1960s was not simply the exchange of goods between the Sulu Archipelago and Borneo. Patterns of government interdiction show a far more extensive network that linked Japan, Hong Kong, North Borneo, Sulu, and the various parts of the Philippines. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13185/2244-1638.5150
Strangler Figs
In this study, we explore the beliefs around strangler figs within an Iban community in Indonesian Borneo. Many considered large strangler figs to host various supernatural entities that may be dangerous if disturbed. The community protects these trees from damage wherever they occur. Our study demonstrates the value of integrating cultural and ecological data. Biotropica, 2025; 57:e70089 https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70089
New Book
Minerals to Resources: Establishment of the Geological Survey Department and its Contribution to Sarawak’s Economy 1949-1968 by Jaithish John published by Partridge Printing Singapore is now available.
Water Inundation
When Sumatra, Malaya, Java and Borneo were land connected, water levels began to rise forming the Straits of Malacca, Java Sea, and the South China Sea corridor among others. This essay discusses the rate and magnitude of the freshwater coming into the area. On AI type in Deglacial Rapid Inundation and Land Loss of Sundaland article
Flying Fox
This study examines cultural and utilitarian practices, hunting,fruit-raiding conflicts, and trade across three of Sabah’s five administrative divisions.
New Species
Four new species of parasitic wasps from Borneo have been reported from material residing in the Natural History Museum, London. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0332071
Freshwater Snails
This study documented seven freshwater snail species at two locations in Malaysian Borneo. The snails reveal specific habitat preferences, water quality requirements, and restricted dispersal abilities associated with the mother housing the babies inside her body during development. https://doi.org/10.69517/aier.2025.02.01.0005
Weather
The change in weather due to deforestation cannot be predicted because it’s still unclear how tropical deforestation changes clouds and rainfall, since the connections between the land and the atmosphere are complicated and happen on many different scales. “Deforestation Impacts on Clouds and Precipitation Over Borneo Vary Across the Diurnal Cycle” I have a copy.
Irrawaddy Dolphin
The diet of Irrawaddy Dolphin in Malaysian waters is composed of Queen fish and Big Eye Barracuda according to this study on the Malaysian side of Brunei Bay. Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences Article volume 41 article number 209 October 2025 I have a copy.
New Species
A new species of Homalomena sungaikeliensis, a keladi has been found growing a greenhouse in Borgor, West Kalimantan. Rheedea vol 35 (3) 2025
Native Officers and the First Leader of Sarawak
The native officers acted as an intermediary between the native population and the Brooke government. They were responsible for tax collection, advisors on customary law and other matters. This study proposes another perspective on the debate between the key personalities at the forefront of the debate about the nomination for the first Head of State for Sarawak, which took place from January to September 1963. They were Chief Minister Stephen Kalong Ningkan, Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman al-Haj, and the last British Governor of Sarawak, Sir Alexander Waddell. The Native Officers worked behind the scenes and were the unsung heroes working for the cause of federation. Kajian Malaysia 43(2): xx-xx. https:// doi.org/10.21315/km2025.43.2.16
Bats
Five new species of bats have been recorded in Niah National Park Sarawak. https://doi.org/10.15560/21.5.1059
Wasps
A new species of parasitic wasps have been described from Sabah.ZooBank: https://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A3C9DCB5-A9BD-4BDB-A045-01B06C9A4F3E
Compiled by Tom McLaughlin for BorneoHistory.net