All Creatures #79
Sea Snails
These sea snails live in the water along the coast of Sarawak, from the coastal areas to the deep oceans. They occur in large quantities and serve as food for commercial fish, seabirds, and whales. The piece is a comprehensive essay on the snail species that inhabit the area. Molecular Ecology, 2025; 0:e70179 https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.70179
Giant Squirrels
The study utilizes DNA to demonstrate how changes in ancient forests influenced the evolution and geographic distribution of giant tree squirrels. It shows how the ice ages, sea levels, the rise and fall of mountains, and weather changes affected the evolution of the Giant squirrel. Molecular Ecology, 2025; 0:e70179 https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.70179
Nasopharyngeal Cancer
Notably, the two states located on the island of Borneo, Sarawak and Sabah, recorded the highest Nasopharyngeal Cancer among all 13 Malaysian states. The populations of Sarawak and Sabah comprise a multitude of ethnic groups, with indigenous peoples accounting for approximately 60%–70% of the total population. The Bidayuh, a native group in Sarawak, exhibited the highest Naspharynx globally, reaching 31.5 in males and 11.8 in females. The elevated incidence among the Bidayuh has persisted over time. https://doi.org/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15902
New Species
A new species of black fly has been made known to science from Sarawak. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5729.3.6
Ophir and the Nusantara: Tracing Solomon’s Maritime Trade in Southeast Asia
This essay examines the biblical passages mentioning the city of Ophir and Solomon’s maritime expeditions. It also talks about specific Hebrew terms and how they relate to Southeast Asian languages, animals such as orangutans and peacocks, Phoenician trade routes, and ship types. The article also evaluates the feasibility of long-distance trade between the Red Sea region and the Indonesian archipelago. It also shows indirect archaeological evidence from Sumatra, Borneo, and related regions. https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/19382
Frogs
This study examines the vocalizations of seven species of frogs from Sarawak. The results revealed one species, one vocalization. https://doi.org/10.47253/jtrss.v13i2.1952
Pollution and the Batang Layer River system
During the rainy season, human and animal bacteria were found at very unsafe levels. At its worst, the bacteria level was much higher than what Malaysian environmental standards consider safe. There is a clear difference between upland and downstream areas. Upland areas are usually clean, while downriver waters are rancid. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07981-4
Past 6,000 years in Borneo
This essay traces the past 6,000 years in Borneo in regards to where the people lived and the environment. As for the environment, the weather shifted from year around rain, to rain and drought, and then to the two seasons we have today. In response to these changes, people lived in the forests at low elevations, then shifted near the coasts and river networks. As for soil types, people preferred lower clay and higher sand. This provided better soil for crops. Biotropica, 2026; 58:e70146 1 of 17 https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70146
Malaria
The number of human infections with Plasmodium knowlesi, a malaria parasite typically found in long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques, have increased and P. knowlesi has become the sole cause of human cases of malaria at Kapit hospital in Sarawak. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-32529-2
New Species
Three new species of Riffle Bugs from Sarawak have been made known to science. Riffle Bugs are found in fast-flowing freshwater habitats on Borneo Island. Zeitschrift der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Österreichischer Entomologen 77: 165–180 Wien, Dezember 2025 ISSN 0375–5223
New Species
Ten new species of soldier beetle have been identified from Sabah. They are found only in Southeast and east Asia. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5737.1.3
Beads
The result of an analysis of glass beads found on Borneo but housed in the British Museum inform they were made in workshops found in Venice and were constructed in the 19th century. https://doi.org/10.5399/
Geology
The rocks near Tatau show that sediment kept piling up and heating continuously, so the “gaps” in the rock record were caused by fast, local changes. DOI: 10.51835/bsed.2024.51.2.514
Moss
Eleven new species of Moss have been made known to science from the Crocker Range Park Sabah.
DOI: 10.55981/reinwardtia.2025.621
Bajau History
In 1881, North Borneo came under British colonial rule through the British North Borneo Chartered Company (BNBCC). This colonization sparked a sense of nationalism, leading to open resistance among the Bajau community in North Borneo. This article discusses the nationalist movement of the Bajau community during the colonial era in North Borneo from 1881 to 1945.
https://doi.org/10.22452/sejarah.vol34no2.2
Housing Prices
53% of the people surveyed demand housing at RM300,000. However, the average house prices recorded in Sarawak for Q4 2024 are RM415,936, with Sibu recording the highest house prices, followed by Miri and Kuching, respectively.
Consequently, houses sold in Sarawak are categorized as severely unaffordable. Interestingly, in Sarawak, whenever there is a requirement to supply material and equipment from another state, that will increase the hard costs. Notably, some specifications require contractors in Kuching to purchase materials or equipment from Peninsular Malaysia, which increases the costs as high as additional 30% and contribute to the project delay. Moreover, certain Sarawak government regulations require the construction of certain infrastructure for development, like a substation and a stormwater detention pond, further adding up the construction works and costs.DOI: https://doi.org/10.11113/intrest.v19n2.458
New Species
Two new species of Pyrostria (Rubiaceae), woody shrubs or trees from the coffee and gardinia families have been made known to science from Borneo. SANDAKANIA 27 (2025): 89–99
Origin of the name Sabah
This article investigates the origin and evolution of the name “Sabah” with a focus on the differences between the east and west coasts. l https://jurcon.ums.edu.my/ojums/index.php/JBA/
Rivers and the Penan
This essay describes the general Borneo setting and the particular situation of the Kapit-and-Baleh region as the meeting point of five of Borneo’s major river basins. https://doi.org/10.33736/jbk.9420.2025
Sarawak Malay Drums
This research investigates the factors contributing to the decline in popularity, which has brought this art form to the brink of extinction, particularly due to the dwindling involvement of younger generations. IJACA | Vol.8| Issue 2| December 2025| Pages 204-220
Tattoo Motifs
The research seeks to identify tattoo motifs incorporating traditional into contemporary craftwork. IJACA | Vol.2 | Issue 2| December 2025| Pages 23-40
Differences between Flanged and Unflanged Orangutans
Body weight is greater in flanged males than in unflanged males in both captive and wild environments. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.70173
Compiled by Tom McLaughlin for BorneoHistory.net
Sarawaktom@gmail.com