Hoya peninsularis (Apocynaceae,Asclepiadoideae), a new species from Peninsular Malaysia,and notes on Hoya maingayi and Gongronema wrayi

A new species of Hoya from the western part of Peninsular Malaysia is described and illustrated as H. peninsularis. It has long been confused with Hoya finlaysonii because both have leaves with prominent darker venation, but can be distinguished on the corona lobe size and corolla pubescence. In addition, Hoya maingayi, a species earlier considered ‘doubtful and excluded' is typified and illustrated for the first time, and its distribution is shown to extend to Thailand. Gongronema wrayi is recognised as an earlier name and a new synonym for Hoya omlorii, a species previously considered to occur only in Borneo and Sumatra. The name is typified. An updated checklist of Hoya of Peninsular Malaysia is provided.     

Artabotrys byrsophyllus and A. tipuliferus spp. nov. (Annonaceae) from Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand

Two new species of Artabotrys (Annonaceae) from Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand are described. Conservation assessments for the two new species are made.     

Liparis rubescens sp. nov. (Orchidaceae) from Thailand

In the context of an ongoing revision of the orchid genus Liparis in Thailand, we describe and illustrate a new species under the name L. rubescens Tetsana, H. A. Pedersen & Sridith. Morphologically, it is particularly similar to L. dumaguetensis Ames from the Philippines, but it differs in the shape of the lateral sepals and in several characters of the labellum. Among the Liparis species already known from Thailand, L. atrosanguinea Ridl. bears a certain resemblance to the new species, but not so much as to make misidentifications likely. So far, L. rubescens is only known from Khao Nan National Park in the southern Thai province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, but we suggest that it should also be searched for in other parts of peninsular Thailand, southernmost Myanmar and Peninsular Malaysia.     

Anadromy and heterogenous population of a tropical shad Tenualosa ilisha in Malaysia,as revealed by otolith microchemistry and molecular evidence

Tenualosa ilisha was found recently in the Perak River in western Peninsular Malaysia. Molecular phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses suggest that T. ilisha has two genetically distinct populations/groups: (i) Peninsular Malaysia (Malaysia population), and (ii) Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, India and Bangladesh (Indian Ocean population). The results also suggest that the T ilisha population in Peninsular Malaysia is genetically heterogeneous with a typical anadromous migration pattern.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nepenthes</Emphasis> group <Emphasis Type="Italic">Montanae</Emphasis> (Nepenthaceae) in Indo-China,with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N. thai</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N. bokor</Emphasis> described as new

Summary  A key is presented to the Nepenthes group Montanae in Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia. Nepenthes bokor Cheek is described from Cambodia and Nepenthes thai Cheek from peninsular Thailand. The affinities of both taxa are discussed and their conservation status assessed.     

Differential abundance and core members of the bacterial community associated with wild male Zeugodacus cucurbitae fruit flies (Insecta: Tephritidae) from three geographical regions of Southeast Asia

Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillet) is one of the most significant and widespread tephritid pest species of agricultural crops. This study reports the bacterial communities associated with Z. cucurbitae from three geographical regions in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Sarawak). The bacterial microbiota were investigated by targeted 16S rRNA gene (V3–V4 region) sequencing using the Illumina Mi-Seq platform. At 97% similarity and filtering at 0.001%, there were seven bacterial phyla and unassigned bacteria, comprising 11 classes, 23 orders, 39 families and 67 genera. The bacterial diversity and richness varied within and among the samples from the three geographical regions. Five phyla were detected for the Sarawak sample, and six each for the Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia samples. Four phyla—Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria—were represented in all the fruit fly specimens, forming the core members of the bacterial community. Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum, followed by Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Fifty-three genera were represented in the Thailand sample, 56 in the Peninsular Malaysia sample, and 55 in the Sarawak sample. Forty-two genera were present in all the three geographical regions. The predominant core members were order Enterobacteriales (Proeteobacteria), and family Enterobacteriaceae (Enterobacteriales). Klebsiella (Enterobacteriaceae) was the predominant genus and K. oxytoca the predominant species with all specimens having?>?10% relative abundance. The results indicate the presence of a great diversity as well as core members of the bacterial community associated with different populations of Z. cucurbitae.

     

From stowaways to karst‐aways: unloading the Peninsular Malaysia endemic Polyalthia brunneifolia (Annonaceae)

Detailed examination of specimens collected from limestone outcrops in Peninsular Malaysia and previously included in Polyalthia brunneifolia shows that they do not belong in this species. Three new species are described to accommodate these collections: Polyalthia chinii I.M.Turner & Utteridge from Bukit Serdam, Raub, Pahang; P. guabatuensis I.M.Turner & Utteridge from Batu Caves, Selangor, and P. guamusangensis I.M.Turner & Utteridge from Gua Musang, Kelantan. Conservation assessments are included for the new species and the general threats faced by species confined to limestone hills are discussed. In addition, an updated key to all species of Polyalthia known from Peninsular Malaysia is provided.     

Taxonomic notes on Macromitrium densum (Bryopsida) with a new synonym,M. brevissimum

Macromitrium densum Mitt. (from Nepal) is well differentiated from other Asian congeners by its lingulate and strongly rugose leaves having cucullate, obtuse to retuse apices with a mucro, distinctly bulging upper and median leaf cells, and tuberculate lower and basal cells. Comparisons of the type and other specimens of M. brevissimum Dixon from Thailand with those of M. densum show that they belong to a single species, and hence, that the names are synonyms. By including M. brevissimum, the geographic range of M. densum is considerably expanded to cover Nepal, Thailand to north Peninsular Malaysia and Vietnam. The phenetic relationship between M. densum and other species of Macromitrium is also discussed.     

To lump,to split or to maintain? Molecular taxonomy of the spotted barb Barbodes binotatus (Cyprinidae) and closely related species in Peninsular Malaysia

The taxonomic status of the Southeast Asian spotted barb, Barbodes binotatus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), has puzzled researchers because of large but inconsistent geographic variation of its body melanin marking pattern. In this study, the authors appraise the differentiation of B. binotatus and two closely related species, Barbodes rhombeus and saddle barb, Barbodes banksi, in Peninsular Malaysia using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. The results of this study reveal that the Peninsular Malaysia populations of each of the three species form largely reciprocal monophyletic lineages that differ from each other by a minimum of 2.3% p-genetic distance using COI gene. Nonetheless, specimens of B. binotatus in Peninsular Malaysia are only distantly related to specimens of B. binotatus in Java (type locality). The monophyly of B. banksi is not refuted although specimens of Peninsular Malaysia are genetically distinct from those of Sarawak (type locality). The authors discuss alternative hypotheses whether each of these three valid species is a single species or each of the main five genetic lineages revealed in this study represents a distinct species. Preliminary investigations reveal a mito-nuclear discordance at one locality in Peninsular Malaysia where B. binotatus and B. banksi co-occur. Further studies should inform on the extent of reproductive porousness between these two lineages and others.     

First Record of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infecting Four Frog Families from Peninsular Malaysia

The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) infects amphibians on every continent where they occur and is linked to the decline of over 200 amphibian species worldwide. At present, only three published Bd surveys exist for mainland Asia, and Bd has been detected in South Korea alone. In this article, we report the first survey for Bd in Peninsular Malaysia. We swabbed 127 individuals from the six amphibian families that occur on Peninsular Malaysia, including two orders, 27 genera, and 47 species. We detected Bd on 10 out of 127 individuals from four of five states and five of 11 localities, placing the 95% confidence interval for overall prevalence at 4–14%. We detected no variation in Bd prevalence among regions, elevations, or taxonomic groups. The infection intensity ranged from 1 to 157,000 genome equivalents. The presence of Bd infections in native species without clinical signs of disease suggests that Bd may be endemic to the region. Alternately, Bd may have been introduced from non-native amphibians because of the substantial amphibian food trade in Peninsular Malaysia. Under both scenarios, management efforts should be implemented to limit the spread of non-native Bd and protect the tremendous amphibian diversity in Peninsular Malaysia.     

The systematics and ecology of snakeheads (Pisces: Channidae) in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore

Seven species of snakeheads (Channidae) are known from Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, viz. Channa bankanensis, C. gachua, C. lucius, C. marulioides, C. melasoma, C. micropeltes and C. striata. Up-to-date distribution maps of each species are presented, including new records. Their systematics is reviewed and partially revised. The taxonomic status of C. marulioides and C. melanoptera is clarified. Specimens from Peninsular Malaysia identified as C. melanoptera sensu Weber & de Beaufort, 1922, proved to be the adult form of C. marulioides s.str. The real C. melanoptera appears to be restricted to Borneo and possibly Sumatra. The life history of a blackwater species C. bankanensis is also documented, with regards to the morphological and colour-pattern changes associated with growth. An updated key to the seven species based on morphometric measurements and meristic counts is presented.     

Theloderma licin McLeod and Ahmad, 2007 （Lissamphibia： Anura： Rhacophoridae）, a New Frog Record for Borneo

A new record of the rhacophorid frog, Theloderma licin is reported from Gunung Serambu, in the Bau region of western Sarawak, East Malaysia, which comprises the first published record of the species from the Sundaic island of Borneo. The species was previously known from the Malay Peninsula （southern Peninsular Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia）. Species of Theloderma are widespread in mainland and insular Southeast Asia, their arboreal habits perhaps contributing to our perception of rarity.     

The first description of population density and habitat use of the mainland clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa within a logged-primary forest in South East Asia

The mainland clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is classified as vulnerable under the IUCN Red List, meaning that it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild. However, hardly any ecological research has been published on this species apart from several radiotelemetry studies in Thailand and Nepal, and one camera-trapping study in India. Here we present findings on the clouded leopard from a camera-trapping study conducted in Temengor forest reserve (a logged-over forest) and Royal Belum State Park (a primary forest) within Peninsular Malaysia. Using the spatially-explicit capture-recapture method, the density from Temengor forest reserve and Royal Belum State Park was estimated at 3.46 ± SE 1.00 and 1.83 ± SE 0.61, respectively. Clouded leopard habitat use was found to be highly influenced by the availability of small and medium prey species and therefore intrinsically highlights the potential conservation importance of species such as pig-tailed macaques, porcupine, mouse deer and small carnivores. These findings provide the first estimates of density and habitat use of this species in a logged-primary forest from both Peninsular Malaysia and South East Asia. Our study provides important baseline information on clouded leopards and contributes to filling up the knowledge gap that exists in understanding the population ecology of this species, not only within Peninsular Malaysia, but also on a regional level.     

Microchirita ruthiae sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from Peninsular Malaysia

A new species Microchirita ruthiae Rafidah (Gesneriaceae) from limestone in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia, is described and illustrated. This new species is characterized by having a branched stem, inflorescences with 1–4 flowers, the flowers with a white corolla (rarely faintly tinged with pale purple), glistening pale brown glandular hairs inside the throat, free anthers, and hairy capsules. Its conservation status following IUCN categories and criteria is assessed as ‘Endangered’ (EN).     

Sundapolystoma chalconotae n. g., n. sp. (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) from Rana chalconota (Schlegel) of Peninsular Malaysia

Sundapolystoma chalconotae. n. g., n. sp. (Polystomatidae, Polystomatinae) is proposed for a new polystomatid from the urinary bladder of Rana chalconota (Schlegel) in Peninsular Malaysia. This is the first species of polystomatid to be described from the amphibians of Peninsular Malaysia and the second for the Southeast Asian region. This new genus, as exemplified by S. chalconotae, differs from other polystomatids, and in particular Parapolystoma Ozaki, 1935 (P. bulliense (Johnston, 1912) Ozaki, 1935 and P. johnstoni Pichelin, 1995), in having a tubular uterus and a single diffuse testis. P. crooki Vande Vusse, 1976 is similar to S. chalconotae in having a similar type of uterus and testis, and is re-assigned as Sundapolystoma crooki (Vande Vusse, 1976) n. comb. S. chalconotae differs from S. crooki in having anchors with a longer outer root rather than a longer inner root and 7-8 genital spines compared to 9-13 in S. crooki.     

Diversity and conservation of blackwater fishes in Peninsular Malaysia,particularly in the North Selangor peat swamp forest

One of the most extreme freshwater habitats in Peninsular Malaysia is the peat swamp forest, with dark-coloured and highly acidic waters. Surprisingly, little is known about blackwater fishes in Peninsular Malaysia. Until 1968, only 26 fish species were known from blackwaters throughout Peninsular Malaysia, of which only one can be regarded as stenotopic. A recent intensive survey of part of the North Selangor peat swamp forest yielded 47 species, of which 14 are probably stenotopic taxa. These include four undescribed species and several new records for western Peninsular Malaysia. These discoveries are significant in that they include the family Chaudhuriidae which until 1985, was not reported from Sundaic Southeast Asia, and the rare genus Encheloclarias which had not been encountered for over 50 years. The rapid rate of destruction of the peat swamp forest owing to development, forestry and agricultural activities must be halted or slowed significantly to enable the proper zoological surveys and studies to be conducted. Conservation plans and environmental impact assessments based on inadequate sampling and knowledge of species present is acutely dangerous. There are no longer substantial undisturbed blackwater peat swamp forests left in most of Peninsular Malaysia. Conservation of the remaining blackwater biotopes is critically important if extinction of many species, here regarded as economically valuable renewable resources, is to be prevented.     

Notes on freshwater red algae from West Malaysia

This paper deals with a collection of freshwater red algae from Peninsular Malaysia. Five species and one variety of them,Ballia pinnulata, Batrachospermum beraense, B. cylindrocellulare, B. tortuosum, Caloglossa ogasawaraensis var.latifolia andTuomeya gibberosa are described here as new taxa and the other three species,Batrachospermum vagum, Hildenbrandia rivularis andSirodotia delicatula are recorded here for the first time from Malaysia. This is a part of the studies of Lake Bera in the IBP Joint Programme between Malaysia and Japan, supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.