This and That # 8
Recent research about Borneo.
Fungus in Caves
The limestone caves of Borneo are one of the least studied habitats. Fifty five pure cultures of fungi were obtained from a cave from the Madai cave in northeast Borneo from guano and cave water. Penicillum dominated the group at 47.1 % while common bread mold was next on the list. https://doi.org/10.1080/2150 1203.2021.1877204
Borneo Orangutan Distribution
The use of drones in assessing orangutan presence in fragmented rain forests of Sabah has shown that those areas with natural forest cover have a higher nest count regardless of the species of trees. The drones spotted straggler fig trees and those with high carbon output data. (a measure of forest quality) This study shows that even for highly degraded forests the habitat may be suitable for orangutan as long as there are straggler fig trees present. https://abdn.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/drivers-of-bornean-orangutan-distribution-across-a-multiple-use-t
Virus Attacks Endangered Green Turtles
A virus, characterized by tumours in green turtles, has been spotted in North Sabah. The research group stated they observed three green turtles with the disease and six healthy turtles were identified as carriers. The affected sea turtles become thin and weak as the tumours spread from the flippers to internal organs. Green Sea Turtles are listed as endangered. :https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.25.428031
Magpie Robin Study
The Oriental Magpie Robin (Copyscus saularis) was the subject of a study by students at the University of Malaysia Sarawak. During the breeding season, males tend to sing strongly usually a half an hour before sunrise until 9 or 10 a.m. Of the 2198 songs collected, 112 different songs were identified. The purpose of the singing was to secure and maintain territories. The females song seem to initiate the male response. Kuklia 23, 2020
Dung Beetle
The voyage log of E. Belcher, who captained the HMS Samarang from 1843 to 1846 suggests that the Dung Beetle (P.singularis) type specimen collected from Sarawak, Borneo was mislabeled as a specimen from Korea. Therefore, the actual type locality of P. singularis is Sarawak in Borneo while the Dung Beetle (gymnoplerus mopsus) is actually from Korea. Entomological News 129(4):435-442(2021) doi.org/10.3157/026.129.0414
A New Frog
A new fork tongued frog has been made known to science. It was found in east Sarawak by a Japanese team of researchers. The species is small, 16-18 mm in males and 18-19 mm in females. Zootaxa vol 4926 #4 Matsui
A New Moss
The discovery of a new species of moss extends the class from New Guinea to Maluku Islands and now Sabah. c.vrieseanum was found in one of the last pristine rainforests in Sabah. Check List the Journal of Biodiversity Data https://doi.org/10.15560/17.1.227
Colonial Malaya Study
A group of researchers from University of Gothenberg, Sweden have said the Malayan colony was a cash cow to British companies but it had more to do with in the high world market prices for rubber and tin than for the exploitation of workers. The study covers British companies from 1889-1969. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11698-021-00223-8. If you cannot get that way, e-mail me and I will send you a copy.
Snake eats lizard with radio transmitter
A lizard (Gonocepalus liogaster) fitted with a radio transmitter was attacked and eaten by a Keeled Rat Snake (Ptyas carinata). The snake then defecated the still working radio transmitter. The lizard, measuring 110mm from snout to tail, weighed approximately 50g. The transmitter was found using radio waves in faeces left by the snake. The report was filed by the Universti Malaysia Sarawak. Herpetology Notes, volume 14: 349-351 (2021) (published online on 14 February 2021)
Were the Dusun Chinese ?
An independent study by Shireen Ali and published by the Komuhakan Movement discusses five premises for the idea that the Dusun of Sabah are indeed a lost tribe of China. The five include 1. Ong Sum Ping was thought to be the Chinese Rajah of Kinabatangan 2. The names Kinabalu (Chinese widow) and Kinabatangan (Chinese River) were thought to suggest a prominent Chinese influence 3.Kublai Kahn was believed to have invaded and occupied north Borneo in 1292. 4. The Dusuns themselves claim to have a Chinese ancestry 5. Certain impressions of Chinese culture live among the Dusun. Each point is discussed in detail. The Theory of the Dusuns Chinese Origins researchgate.net
New Riffle Spider
A new Riffle Spider has been made known to science. Ancyronyx lianlabangorum sp. nov. (Coleoptera, Elmidae) was found in the Kelabit Highlands of Sarawak. https://archium.ateneo.edu/biology-faculty-pubs/65/
Bornean Great Argus Pheasants Calling
- Great Argus pheasants, from Sabah Malaysia, are known for their impressive mating display but little is known about their ecology. This paper presents an analysis of the vocalizations of this bird using data collected from 11 recorders. They found an increase in bird calls during the new moon which was thought to be due to less light and, hence, less predation. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246564
Fish Kill Study at Kuching Lake
A fish kill at a lake in Kuching was attributed to an algae bloom by the green algal species Botryococcus braunii Kützing. said a group from the Universiti of Malaysia Sarawak and University Malaysia Kuantan. The slow growing algae grows worldwide in fresh water and produces an oil sheen on the top of the water. The algae blooms are caused by an increase in phosphates in fertilizers. The fish, oreochromis placidus, a Black Talipa found in Africa, is suspected of being introduced into the lake by fish farmers. The number of fish killed was about 8,000. How the algae kills the fish is unknown. Plankton and Benthos Research 16(1)59-68, 2021
Bunga Raya Flower Good for Fever
A recent study published in the Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal 2021 ( 14) 1 indicates the Bunga Raya flower (Hibiscus rosa sinensis) is a fever reducer. Long advocated by local medicine men and Chinese medicine shops, this scientific study found the flowers reduced fevers in rats.