A collection of recent research from Borneo
New Species of Jumping Spider
A new species of jumping spider from the canopies of Borneo has been made known to science. It distinguished from other jumping spiders by the colour variation, the mouthparts and the sex organs. Arthropoda Selecta 30(1): 105–112
Two New Species of Plants
Two new species of Erycibe have been discovered in Borneo. They usually inhabit the dipterocart forest and look like leaves growing out of the soil.
Sadong River Study
Studies in the Sadong river found mainly fine-grained particles. The particles comprised of clay, silt and organic matter. The particles were weathered rock and soil which were deposited by wind and water. Deforestation to extend palm oil plantations has caused some flooding. Trees left on the ground account for the twigs and dried leaves. Indonesian Journal on Geoscience Vol. 8 No. 1 April 2021: 119-130
Chinese Values in Sarawak
A study asked 12 Chinese family founders and their successors to identify their values. The most common value was trustworthiness, hard work and prioritizing personal interest over family values. This suggested a move away from family values. International Journal of Chinese Culture and Management vol. 5, no. 1 2021
Parasites in Primates
A study in the Kinabatangan plain of Sabah stated that most parasites are not limited to a single species, the parasites of night time primates are different from daylight primates and soil parasites are widespread throughout the primate community. The study also suggests there are new parasites found in the southern pig tail macaques, silvered langurs and western tarsiers. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.03.003 International
Journal of Parasitology
Cakar ayam
A study indicates that Cakar ayam (Selaginella intermedia) has shown to be a strong anti-bacteria in humans. Uniquely, the plant has anti-disease aspects in the mouth. Advances in Biological Sciences Research, volume 11
Sting or Shield Bugs
A new genus with two new species of stink bugs have been discovered in Borneo. Zootaxa https://www.mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4958.1.32
Ants
The biological laboratory in Kyoto Japan has provided part two of a list of ants from Lambir Hills in Sarawak. The list includes biological information. Http://hdl.handle.net/2433/262478
Snakes and Frogs
Two snake species (Asthenodipsos jamilinaist) and (Garthius chaseni) were newly recorded in Sarawak and eight reptile species were also recorded from the Mulu area. The collected specimens were deposited in the Kyoto University and the Sarawak Research Collection at the Sarawak Forest Department. Herpetozoa 34; 89-96, 2021 Doi 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e63998
New Species of Beetles
Two new species of beetles, from Borneo, who belong to the genus Thinodromus have been made known to science. They are based on specimens deposited in Russia, Germany and Austria. RUSSIAN ENTOMOLOGICAL JOURNAL, 2021 30(1)
Vampire Crab
A new species of semi-terrestrial crab of the genus Geosesarma (Sesarmidae) is described from a limestone cave in central Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. This is the sixth specimen
from caves. ZooKeys 1031: 133–141 (2021) doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1031.63134 https://zookeys.pensoft.net
Rove Beetles
B.Sarawakensis has achieved the distinction of being the newest Rove Beetle discovered in Sarawak. Glad they named the bug after this beautiful place. Journal of Insect Biodiversity
vol 23, #2
Assassin Bugs who Feed on just Millipedes
A new species, X. attractivus sp. nov., is described based on male and female specimens from northeastern Borneo. The male of Xenorhyncocoris is reported for the first time, revealing the extreme sexual dimorphism present in the genus. The diagnosis of Xenorhyncocoris is extended to make it applicable to the new discovery, and a female-based key to species of the genus is updated. European Journal of Taxonomy vol 746 (2021)
New species from the Magnolia Family
Actinodaphne are a species of trees that occur mainly in Asia. A new species, Actinodaphne (Lauraceae), A. lambirensis from Sarawak, Malaysia has been made known to the world of science. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 72 (1): 43–59 (2021) doi: 10.18942/apg.202005
Foo Chow Language
The study investigated the use of Mandarin and Chinese dialects, and attitudes towards these languages among the Foochow living in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. The most cherished and emotionally expressive language for the parents was Foochow but for their children, it was Mandarin. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/glochi-2021-0001 Global Chinese vol 7, issue 1
Orchid Pollinators
The tropical orchids, Bulbophyllum ecornutum subspecies verrucatum,a large orchid genus that has over 2,000 species, exhibit different scents to attract fruit flies. The ecotype, a species that lives in a local and limited place, Nabawan has a lip on the flower where the fruit fly can land and gives off a raspberry smell. The apin-apin ecotype has a broader lip on the flower and gives off a sweet smell of cooked ginger. The fruit fly and orchard may have evolved together. Arthropod-Plant Interactions (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-021-09821-9
Tree Frog and Pitcher Plants
Philautus are a species‐rich group of Asian tree frogs. The ecology of the new species of Philautus is closely associated with the carnivorous pitcher plant, Nepenthes mollis. The unusually large eggs are laid in the fluid of the pitcher and the tadpoles, characterized by reduced mouthparts, small oral orifice and large intestinal yolk mass, complete their development in this environment. https://doi.org/10.1111/jzs.12465
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