Molecular systematics and biogeography of the fanged frogs of Southeast Asia

Our analysis of parts of the mitochondrial ribosomal 12S and 16S genes from 39 populations of Southeast Asian ranid frogs confirms that the fanged frogs are a monophyletic clade. This group, properly called Limnonectes, appears to have arisen in the early Tertiary at a time when free faunal exchange was possible among Southeast Asia, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and, probably, Sulawesi. Four species groups are tentatively identified within the clade. Part of group 1 includes species related to L. kuhlii that occur in Borneo. Another part of group 1 includes species from Malay Peninsula and Thailand that are related to L. pileata. Species group 2, L. leporina, occurs only in Borneo. Species group 3 is restricted to species distributed in Sulawesi and the Philippines. Species group 4 includes L. blythii and relatives. There is a lack of compatibility between phylogenetic hypotheses generated from molecular and morphological data sets. These differences are related, in large part, to whether some species of Limnonectes have secondarily lost fangs or whether lack of fangs represents the primitive condition.     

Bats of Borneo: diversity,distributions and representation in protected areas

Protected areas are valuable in conserving tropical biodiversity, but an insufficient understanding of species diversity and distributions makes it difficult to evaluate their effectiveness. This is especially true on Borneo, a species rich island shared by three countries, and is particularly concerning for bats, a poorly known component of mammal diversity that may be highly susceptible to landscape changes. We reviewed the diversity, distributions and conservation status of 54 bat species to determine the representation of these taxa in Borneo’s protected areas, and whether these reserves complement each other in terms of bat diversity. Lower and upper bound estimates of bat species composition were characterised in 23 protected areas and the proposed boundaries of the Heart of Borneo conservation area. We used lower and upper bound estimates of species composition. By using actual inventories, species representation was highly irregular, and even if some reserves were included in the Heart of Borneo, the protected area network would still exhibit low complementarity. By inferring species presence from distributions, composition between most reserves was similar, and complementarity was much higher. Predicting species richness using abundance information suggested that bat species representation in reserves may lie between these two extremes. We recommend that researchers better sample biodiversity over the island and address the conservation threats faced in Borneo both within and outside protected areas. While the Heart of Borneo Initiative is commendable, it should not divert attention from other conservation areas.     

Phylogeny and biogeography of water skinks of the genus Tropidophorus (Reptilia: Scincidae): a molecular approach

Phylogenetic relationships of the Oriental semiaquatic lygosomine skinks of the genus Tropidophorus were inferred from 1219 base positions of mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA genes. Results of the phylogenetic analyses incorporating data for representatives of other lygosomine genera indicated that the basal phylogenetic split within Tropidophorus separated a clade of continental Indochinese species exclusive of T. cocincinensis and T. microlepis from one comprising T. cocincinensis , T. microlepis and species from Borneo, Sulawesi and the Philippines. Of the latter group, the two continental species form the sister taxon to a clade comprising the island species. Diversification among species in Indochina and among Borneo, the Philippines and Sulawesi was likely concentrated in the Miocene, with no apparent dispersal among these regions during the Pleistocene. The body depression recognized in several Indochinese species is likely to have occurred twice in parallel as an adaptation to saxicolous habitats.     

Whence useful plants? A direct relationship between biodiversity and useful plants among the Dusun of Mt. Kinabalu

Traditionally the Dusun indigenous people of Borneo consider Mt. Kinabalu the home of spirits and ancestors, and they are loath to climb the summit without good cause and plentiful propitiation. In apparent accordance with these beliefs, Projek Etnobotani Kinabalu has recorded few useful plants at high elevations on Mt. Kinabalu. We ask the question: is this an ecological relationship with fewer useful plants being collected at high elevations, or is it an ethnological product of belief with fewer plants collected where people fear to tread? With an indigenous Dusun plant expert (second author) well versed with all areas of Mt. Kinabalu, data on the number and kinds of useful plants were collected for dominant and indicator plant species (168 spp.) among all ecologically identified vegetation types. Results indicate that there are more useful plant species at lower elevations – but there are also more unused species. Once the data are corrected for change in the number of plant species with elevation (useful spp./total spp.), the proportion of useful species are not significantly different over elevation. Thus, useful species are a function of overall biodiversity (i.e., number of useful spp. are correlated with number of plant species, a secondary ecological factor) and not a direct ecological correlate with elevation. The number or kinds of uses also correlates with total number of plant species. In support of direct ecological causation, there is evidence that edaphic conditions (i.e., ultramafic and other poor soils) are associated with reduced proportions of useful species. Ultimately, both ethnological and ecological factors contribute to patterns of people's use of plants with many implications for conservation and biodiversity.     

Mammals of Borneo – small size on a large island

Aim Island mammals have featured prominently in models of the evolution of body size. Most of these models examine size evolution across a wide range of islands in order to test which island characteristics influence evolutionary pathways. Here, we examine the mammalian fauna of a single island, Borneo, where previous work has detected that some mammal species have evolved a relatively small size. We test whether Borneo is characterized by smaller mammals than adjacent areas, and examine possible causes for the different trajectories of size evolution between different Bornean species. Location Sundaland: Borneo, Sumatra, Java and the Malay/Thai Peninsula. Methods We compared the mammalian body size frequency distributions in the four areas to examine whether the large mammal fauna of Borneo is more depauperate than elsewhere. We measured specimens belonging to 54 mammal species that are shared between Borneo and any of the other areas in order to determine whether there is an intraspecific tendency for Bornean mammals to evolve small body size. Using data on diet, body size and geographical ranges we examine factors that are thought to influence body size. Results Borneo has fewer large mammals than the other areas, but this is not statistically significant. Large Bornean mammals are significantly smaller than their conspecifics in the other regions, while there are no differences between the body sizes of mammals on Sumatra, Java and the Malay/Thai Peninsula. The finding that large mammals show the greatest size difference between Borneo and elsewhere contrasts with some models of size evolution on islands of different areas. Diet does not correlate with the degree of size reduction. Sunda region endemics show a weaker tendency to be small on Borneo than do widespread species. Main conclusions We suggest that soil quality may drive size evolution by affecting primary productivity. On Borneo, where soils are generally poor in nutrients, this may both limit biomass and cause mammals to be reduced in body size. We hypothesize that widespread species respond to low resource abundance by reducing in size, while endemic elements of the fauna have had longer to adjust to local conditions by altering their behaviour, physiology and/or ecology, and are thus similar in size across the region.     

A molecular test of Huxley's line: Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) in Borneo and the Philippines

A biogeographic and phylogenetic study of Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) in the Sundaland region (Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia) and the Philippines using nuclear ribosomal (ITS) DNA sequence data reveals a major division between the Cyrtandra floras of Sundaland and the Philippines. Palawan, the most westerly of the Philippine islands, emerges as an area of mixing between these two. The Bornean element in the Cyrtandra flora of Palawan (two species in our sample) appears to result from recent (i.e. Pleistocene) dispersal from Borneo. The remaining seven species sampled from Palawan are most closely related to those from elsewhere in the Philippines. However, the Palawan clade is sister to the other Philippine taxa, suggesting an ancient (possibly Pliocene) vicariance event. Huxley's line–a zoogeographic boundary placing Palawan and Borneo together–receives some support from this study as there is evidence of recent dispersal of Bornean flora into Palawan. However, in terms of more ancient biogeographic patterning of the region, Palawan has stronger links with the other Philippine islands.     

Is wildlife research useful for wildlife conservation in the tropics? A review for Borneo with global implications

The urgency of the tropical biodiversity crisis continues to be a major justification for wildlife research and its funding. To examine the benefits of this research for on-the-ground conservation, we focused on Borneo, where conservation has a long history and we have direct experience. We compiled, categorized and evaluated 284 publications from a broad variety of sources, 153 from peer-reviewed journals. We found that few studies address threats to species and fewer still provide input for or guidance to effective management. We consider various reasons for these shortcomings. Research is seldom judged on its relevance to pragmatic problem solving. Furthermore, many research programs lack the necessary long-term vision and organizational structure for useful applied research. We consulted conservation leaders about our conclusions and all responses suggest that our concerns are not unique to Borneo but reflect wider problems. We conclude that conservation research across most of the tropics is failing to address conservation needs. We make a number of recommendations based on our findings. Conservation biologists should place a higher priority on addressing practical conservation needs and goals.     

Borneo Illipe,a fat product from differentShorea spp. (Dipterocarpaceae)

Fat extracted from kernels of Shorea spp. (Dipterocarpaceae) in the tropical rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra are traded under the name Borneo Illipe. The fat is used in chocolate formulations. The majority of kernels collected are fromShorea species in the sectionPachycarpae. Fat characteristics ofShorea species in this section show differences in fat quality in relation to its use as exotic sources in Cocoa Butter Equivalent (CBE) formulations. In order to comment on the future potential of the naturally occurring tree populations distribution maps of fiveShorea spp. involved in Borneo Illipe utilization are presented.     

Phylogeny and systematics of the Pachychilidae of mainland South‐East Asia – novel insights from morphology and mitochondrial DNA (Mollusca,Caenogastropoda, Cerithioidea)

Pachychilid gastropods are a conspicuous element of the freshwater macro‐invertebrate fauna of South‐East Asia. In this region, three spatially separated groups of pachychilids can be differentiated mostly by means of their brooding strategy. The largest group comprises about 100 described species and displays an extended Sundaland distribution that ranges from north‐east India in the west to southern China in the east and Borneo in the south‐east. The most conspicuous synapomorphy shared by females is a subhaemocoelic brood pouch in which developing embryos are retained. Mitochondrial phylogenies based on partial sequences of the genes cytochrome oxidase C subunit I (COI) and 16S rRNA (16S) support the monophyly of this group of subhaemocoelic brooders. Amongst them, the two genera Brotia and Paracrostoma form a sister pair of clades both together forming the sister taxon of a third clade. This third clade itself is split into three subclades, which occupy separate ranges except for the overlap of two of them in Borneo. The subclades comprise species from (A) Thailand, Cambodia, and northern Borneo; (B) Java and south‐western Borneo; and (C) Vietnam and southern China. In contrast with their spatial structuring, all species share a widely corresponding anatomy. Characteristic key features are a pallial oviduct with a seminal receptacle and an embryonic shell with a smooth, dome‐like inflated apex. Differences in the histology of the pallial oviduct are not congruent with phylogenetic patterns as suggested by the mitochondrial trees. Given the lack of obvious distinguishing morphological characteristics, all species of the subclades A to C are assigned to a single genus, Sulcospira, with Adamietta as a junior synonym.     

秩——丰盛度分布是热带蛾类集合判别的有用工具吗?

制图并分析秩——丰盛度分布(RADs)是描述物种集合特征的有效方法。研究一直认为,来自不同生境的RADs秩——丰盛度分布倾向于符合不同的模型,如对数序列分布或对数正态分布。我们用从婆罗洲北部收集的63套尺蠖蛾样本数据,给这个想法一个严格的检验。通过对数序列分布和对数正态分布间的二项分布比较及外加另外三个生态位-空间分隔分布的模型间多项分布比较,发现生境干扰或海拔均无法显著地预测最适合的RAD模型。另一方面,样本多样性和在较小程度上的样本大小(个体数)与RAD模型显著相关。我们的结论是,尽管RAD模型拟合有许多其它的有趣应用,但在根据生境类型来判别物种集合方面是无效的。     

Diversity of locally useful tropical forest wild-plants as a function of species richness and informant culture

Different conservation values and perspectives can lead to divergent conservation objectives. Understanding such differences is crucial to developing more comprehensive and inclusive conservation approaches. Using plots, we assessed how numbers of useful species as reported by indigenous forest-dwelling people relate to plant species richness. We used 173 plots recording both trees and herbaceous vegetation and the knowledge of both Merap- and Punan-dominated communities in Malinau, Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). We used general linear models (GLMs) to characterise the relationships. Useful species increase with species richness in all cases. The relationship varied across culture and community and was not always linear. The proportion of tree species reported as useful by Merap (primarily agriculturalist) informants was not constant but declined significantly as plot diversity increased; this was not the case for Punan (primarily hunter-gatherer) informants. There was no decline for the reported proportion of useful herbs as richness increases, as assessed by either ethnic group. Communities with less wealth and less schooling generally reported a higher proportion of the useful species. We interpret these results in terms of how landscape patterns of plant diversity are experienced. Understanding of these relationships can help us develop a more explicit approach to weighing and reconciling different conservation values and management objectives in changing forest landscapes.     

Notes on the Genus Stachyphrynium K. Schumann (Marantaceae)

The present paper reports the first record of the eGnus Stachyphrynium, Marantaceae, in China. It is characterized by solitary spikes, elongated and erect with impricated bracts. The inflorescence arises from a short stem on the rhizome. In this genus there are 14 species in total. They are distributed from Sri Lanke to Java and Borneo, through Indo-China Peninsula, Malay Pennisula. Its distribution center is in Indo-China Penninsula and Malay Penninsula. The north limit lies in southern Yunnan of China. Most species of the genus have a stenochorie area, for example, S. zeylanicum is endemic to Sri Lanka; S. latifolium occurs in Java only and so on. A New species, S. Sinense H. Li, to China, is illustrated and described in Latin.     

Population structure and demographic history of a tropical lowland rainforest tree species Shorea parvifolia (Dipterocarpaceae) from Southeastern Asia

Distribution of tropical rainforests in Southeastern Asia has changed over geo-logical time scale, due to movement of tectonic plates and/or global climatic changes. Shorea parvifolia is one of the most common tropical lowland rainforest tree species in Southeastern Asia. To infer population structure and demographic history of S. parvifolia, as indicators of temporal changes in the distribution and extent of tropical rainforest in this region, we studied levels and patterns of nucleotide polymorphism in the following five nuclear gene regions: GapC, GBSSI, PgiC, SBE2, and SODH. Seven populations from peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and eastern Borneo were included in the analyses. STRUCTURE analysis revealed that the investigated populations are divided into two groups: Sumatra-Malay and Borneo. Furthermore, each group contained one admixed population. Under isolation with migration model, divergence of the two groups was estimated to occur between late Pliocene (2.6 MYA) and middle Pleistocene (0.7 MYA). The log-likelihood ratio tests of several demographic models strongly supported model with population expansion and low level of migration after divergence of the Sumatra-Malay and Borneo groups. The inferred demographic history of S. parvifolia suggested the presence of a scarcely forested land bridge on the Sunda Shelf during glacial periods in the Pleistocene and predominance of tropical lowland rainforest at least in Sumatra and eastern Borneo.     

Studies on Schismatoglottideae (Araceae) of Borneo LV: Schismatoglottis saafiei and Schismatoglottis zainuddinii spp. nov. from Tawau Hills,Sabah

Schismatoglottis saafiei Kartini, P. C. Boyce & S. Y. Wong and Schismatoglottis zainuddinii Kartini, P. C. Boyce & S. Y. Wong are described and illustrated as new species from Tawau Hills N.P., Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Schismatoglottis zainuddinii is the first record of the Schismatoglottis Asperata clade for Sabah. Schismatoglottis saafiei belongs to a complex of species centred on S. trifasciata Hallier.f.     

东洋界肘角广口蝇属分类研究及一新种记述（双翅目：广口蝇科）

检视和研究了东洋界肘角广口蝇属Loxoneura Macquart(双翅目：广口蝇科)的全部种类,确认目前该属共知12种。详细记述了其中的一新种：西藏肘角广口蝇L.tibetana sp. Nov.。记载了下列5种的地理分布新记录： 大斑肘角广口蝇L. fascialis Kertesz、三带肘角广口蝇L. livida Hendel和花翅肘角广口蝇L. pictipennis (Walker) 为中国新记录种;艳丽肘角广口蝇L. decora (Fabr icius) 为马来西亚和婆罗洲的新记录种;台湾肘角广口蝇L. formosae Kertesz为印度新记录种。讨论了肘角广口蝇属的属征,并提供全部已知种类（除老挝肘角广口蝇 L. vitalisiana Frey外）的鉴别特征、分种检索表及其有关特征图。     

The flea genus Sigmactenus (Siphonaptera: Leptopsyllidae): three new taxa from Sulawesi, updated identification key, and distribution map for all known species and subspecies

One new species and two new subspecies of fleas are described. These are S. sulawesiensis n. sp. from North and Central Sulawesi, S. alticola pilosus n. ssp. from Central Sulawesi, and S. alticola crassinavis n. ssp. from North Sulawesi. All three of these new taxa are ectoparasites of native, endemic murine rodents. Two of the new taxa, S. sulawesiensis and S. alticola crassinavis, coexist on the same mountain, Gunung Moajat, in North Sulawesi. The related S. alticola alticola, which becomes the nominate subspecies, parasitises the murine rodent Maxomys alticola in northern Borneo (Sabah) and it is hypothesized that Sigmactenus first colonized Sulawesi as an ectoparasite of ancestral Maxomys, or perhaps Rattus, as these murines dispersed from southeast Asia to Sulawesi; 15 endemic murine rodent species belonging to these two genera are known to currently inhabit Sulawesi. An identification key and distribution map are included for all known species and subspecies of Sigmactenus. In addition to the three new taxa and S. a. alticola, these include: S. celebensis from South Sulawesi, S. timorensis from Timor, S. toxopeusi from New Guinea, and S. werneri from the Philippines (Mindanao and Negros).     

Empruthotrema stenophallus n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the nasal tissue of Dasyatis kuhlii (Dasyatidae) from Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

Empruthotrema stenophallus n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) is described from specimens from the nasal tissue of the blue-spotted maskray Dasyatis kuhlii (Muller and Henle, 1841) collected in shallow waters off Pulau Banggi and Pulau Mabul, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. This is the first monogenean species to be described from an elasmobranch collected from Sabah. E. stenophallus can be distinguished from the other 6 members of the genus by the morphology of the sclerotized male copulatory organ, which is narrow, short, and distally tapered. E. dasyatidis Whittington and Kearn, 1992, previously documented from the nasal tissue of several of elasmobranch species from Australia, is recorded from 8 host species distributed around Malaysian Borneo. These represent new host and locality records for this monocotylid. The difficulties in identifying species of Empruthotrema and the apparent lack of host specificity by some members of the genus are discussed.     

Scleroderma stellatum versus Scleroderma bermudense: the status of Scleroderma echinatum and the first record of Veligaster nitidum from the Virgin Islands

The type of Scleroderma stellatum from Brazil exhibits a sharp echinulate, dark brown peridium, and the type of S. bermudense from Bermuda has a peridium that is loosely woven and fibrillose, whitish to pale brownish. These characters indicate two independent species. This information is contrary to that of Guzmán in 1970, who interpreted S. bermudense to be a synonym of S. stellatum based on the similar spores. Scleroderma echinatum from Borneo and Panama, as recently discussed by Guzmán and Ovrebo, also has an echinulate, dark brown peridium and is a synonym of S. stellatum. All these fungi have a stellate dehiscence. New records of S. bermudense from the Greater Antilles and Mexico's Pacific Coast, and Veligaster nitidum from Virgin Islands also are discussed.