Distribution and abundance of marine wood borers on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Twenty one species of marine wood borers were recorded in this study. There are seventeen species of bivalves of which sixteen are from the family Teredinidae and one from the family Pholadidae. The crustaceans comprised the family Sphaeromatidae with three species and the family Limnoriidae with one species. Seven of the fourteen known genera of the teredinids were recorded. The bivalve wood borers were widely distributed in the local mangroves. Martesia striata was the most abundant wood borer at the Degaussing Range jetty, Lumut. Lyrodus pedicellatus was the most abundant shipworm in wooden panels. Shipworms were abundant on the subtidal panels where the genus Bankia, was most common while M. striata was abundant on the intertidal panels. M. striata numbers were higher on the top surfaces as compared to the under surfaces of wooden panels.     

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.     

Gill monogenea of Rastrelliger spp. (Scombridae)

The following gill monogeneans are described, based on a survey of 240 Rastrelliger kanagurta, 12 R. faughni and 185 R. brachysoma (Scombridae) from many geographical areas: Eyelavera typica from R. kanagurta, R. faughni and R. brachysoma, Indomazocraes jagannath from R. kanagurta and R. faughni, Kuhnia sprostonae from R. kanagurta and R. brachysoma, and Kuhnia scombercolias from R. kanagurta and R. brachysoma. Eyelavera parukhini Lebedev, 1980 is synonymised with E. typica, Scomberocotyle eyela Unnithan, 1964 with Indomazocraes jagannath, Kuhnia microlepidotusi Gupta & Krishna, 1977 and K. kanagurta Mamaev & Parukhin, 1986 with K. sprostonae, K. arabica Mamaev & Parukhin, 1986 with K. scombercolias Nasir & Fuentes Zambrano, 1983. It is emphasized that populations of Monogenea from the same host species or genus in different geographical areas are likely to be conspecific, and should not be described as different species, if they differ only slightly from each other. Monogenea that differ from insufficiently described species in minor detail should not be described as new species unless material of the original species has been examined.     

A new species of Globba (Zingiberaceae) from Peninsular Malaysia

Ibrahim, H. & Larsen, K. 1995. A new species of Globba (Zingiberaceae) from Peninsular Malaysia. - Nod. J. Bot. 15: 157–159. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107–055X.
Globba nawawii from the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia is described, illustrated and compared with its nearest allies, G. corneri and G. unifolia .     

Seasonal variation in abundance of the Indian mackerel,Rastrelliger kanagurta Cuvier (Pisces: Scombridae) along the Zanzibar coast of East Africa

Purse-seine catches of the mackerel, Rastrelliger kanagurta Cuvier along the west coast of Zanzibar revealed seasonal patterns of abundance associated with monsoon winds. Low catches were obtained during the south-east monsoons while the north east monsoons were characterised by high catches. The largest sizes of mackerel were caught between June and August with a mixture of large and smaller ones between September and March. Mackerel in spawning condition were common between June and September with immature ones between September and January. The variations in mackerel abundance, size composition, and maturity of the fish are discussed in relation to seasonal changes, fish migrations, recruitment and food supply.     

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).     

Role of pepsin in modifying the allergenicity of bhetki (Lates calcarifer) and mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) fish

The effect of pepsin digestion on the allergenicity of raw and thermally processed (boiled and fried) fish muscle extracts of two widely consumed fishes bhetki (Lates calcarifer) and mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) was studied. Sere were collected from 110 patients who were hypersensitive to fish, as evidenced by their clinical history, symptoms and positive skin-prick test results. The various extracts after digestion with pepsin at different times of incubation were tested for specific IgE-binding activity by ELISA and immunoblotting with patients' sera. All the extracts of both the fishes retained their allergenicity as evidenced by ELISA and immunoblotting. In bhetki, maximum allergenicity was found in the pepsin-digested fried extract, whereas similar treatment decreased the allergenicity in fried mackerel. Results showed that raw as well as thermally processed allergens of both the fishes maintained strong allergenicity, even after digestion with pepsin for different time periods. The study revealed that the fish proteins played an important role in manifestation of allergy, due to their stable structure, which was retained even after pepsin and heat treatment.     

Scaphochlamys krauensis and S. pusilla spp. nov. (Zingiberaceae) from Krau Wildlife Reserve,Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia

Two new species of Scaphochlamys, S. krauensis Y. Y. Sam and S. pusilla Y. Y. Sam, from the Krau Wildlife Reserve, Pahang are described and illustrated. Another two Scaphochlamys species, S. pennipicta and S. oculata are also reported from Krau Wildlife Reserve, considerably extending their known distribution. An identification key for all four Scaphochlamys species found in the Krau Wildlife Reserve is provided.     

Three new species of Bychowskyella Achmerow, 1952 (Monogenea) from Peninsular Malaysia

Three new and one previously described species of Bychowskyella Achmerow, 1952 were collected from the gills of four species of freshwater catfish in Peninsular Malaysia. They are Bychowskyella teysmanni n. sp. from Clarias teysmanni (Bleeker, 1857) (Clariidae), Bychowskyella sisoris n. sp. from Glyptothorax major (Boulenger, 1894) (Sisoridae), Bychowskyella baueri n. sp. from Silurichthys hasselti (Bleeker, 1858) (Siluridae), and Bychowskyella tchangi Gussev, 1976 from Clarias macrocephalus Gunther, 1864 (Clariidae). B. teysmanni n. sp. differs from B. tchangi in having two pairs of large marginal hooks. B. sisoris n. sp. is unique in possessing two onchia, while B. baueri n. sp. differs from previously described Bychowskyella species in the structure of the dorsal onchium. C. macrocephalus is a new host record for B. tchangi in Peninsular Malaysia.     

Morphological and Genetic Variations of the Freshwater Leech,Hirudinaria spp., in Peninsular Malaysia

In this study the genetic diversity of local freshwater leeches (Hirudinaria spp.) was inferred using mtDNA COI gene analysis and compared with the gross external variations of 26 freshwater leech specimens obtained from the wild and leech farms. Based on a neighbor-joining tree generated from 516 COI base sequences, four distinct clades of Hirudinaria were seen with interspecific genetic divergence in the range of 7.6–14.5%. The external morphological variations based on the presence of stripes, location of gonopores, and anus separated the samples into four morphologically distinct groups matching the four clades obtained from the molecular data. Two black stripes at the ventral region were observed only in specimens found clustered with clades that contained the GenBank-reported H. manillensis, whereas the brown or dark green coloration without stripes on the ventral region was seen in samples that clustered with H. javanica and H. bpling clades.     

Two new species ofPhyllagathis related toP. tuberculata (Melastomataceae) from Peninsular Malaysia

Phyllagathis tuberculata King and two closely allied new species,P. magnifica A. Weber andP. stonei A. Weber, are described and illustrated. Within the genus, these species form a distinct and isolated group which is restricted to Peninsular Malaysia.P. tuberculata occurs in Perak (probably confined to G. Bujang Melaka),P. magnifica andP. stonei are found in the mountains on the Pahang/Selangor border (Genting Highlands, Gombak valley). The distinctive characters of the three species are listed and some general information relating to inflorescence morphology, tubercle anatomy, fruit structure and seed dispersal is provided.     

Allozyme variation in the stingless bee Trigona fuscobalteata (hymenoptera,apidae) from Peninsular Malaysia

• 1.1. A population of Trigona fuscobalteata from Peninsular Malaysia was analysed for genetic variation at 9 gene-enzyme systems comprising 13 loci.
• 2.2. Two gene-enzyme systems (phosphoglucomutase and isocitrate dehydrogenase) were polymorphic in the 20 colonies studied.
• 3.3. Isocitrate dehydrogenase was represented by duplicate genes.
• 4.4. The number of loci for several enzyme systems appeared to be different from that reported for the Australian stingless bees.

     

Chauhanellus Bychowsky & Nagibina, 1969 (Monogenea) from ariid fishes (Siluriformes) of Peninsular Malaysia

Twelve new species of Chauhanellus Bychowsky & Nagibina, 1969 have been found on six species of ariid from Peninsular Malaysia: Chauhanellus trifidus n. sp., C. digitalis n. sp., C. malayanus n. sp., C. forcipis n. sp. and C. intermedius n. sp. from Arius sagor; C. aspinous n. sp. from Arius venosus; C. caelatus n. sp. from Arius caelatus; C. auriculatum n. sp., C. poculus n. sp. and C. pulutanus n. sp. from Arius maculatus; C. duriensis n. sp. from Arius thalassinus; and C. osteogeneiosi n. sp. from Osteogeneiosus militaris. Some of these Chauhanellus species possess characteristics that are not commonly observed in the genus. C. aspinous n. sp., C. intermedius n. sp. and C. digitalis n. sp. exhibit features found in both Chauhanellus and Hamatopeduncularia: these include absence of spines on the mainpart of the dorsal anchors in C. aspinous n. sp. and C. intermedius n. sp. and presence of haptoral digitation in C. digitalis n. sp. Other features are the five transverse rows of peduncular spines in C. duriensis n. sp., ear-like projections on the anchors in C. auriculatum n. sp., and thin sclerotised plates that partly envelope the ventral anchors in C. forcipis n. sp. Mid-dorsal appendices occur on the dorsal bars of seven of the present species.     

Vocal individuality of large-tailed nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus) in Peninsular Malaysia

All four nightjar species resident in Peninsular Malaysia are vocally distinct, yet they remain little studied. Conventional field methods based on visual cues to study diurnal species may be impractical for nightjars. Alternatively, aural survey can potentially be applied on nightjars provided that individuality in their vocalisations can be proven. Our study aimed to determine the vocal individuality of the common, large-tailed nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus) in oil palm smallholdings and an isolated forest patch located in Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia. From the call recordings obtained from 22 individuals, results of the Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed significant differences in all the nine vocal parameters (call length, interquartile range bandwidth, low, high, average, centre and peak frequencies as well as first and third quartile frequencies) measured among individual nightjars (p < 0.001) regardless of study sites. Discriminant Function Analysis showed that more than 94.5% of original grouped cases were correctly classified. This implied that the majority of vocalizations can be assigned to individual birds based on the parameters measured. This study demonstrated the occurrence of vocal individuality in the large-tailed nightjar and such a finding pertaining to distinct vocalisations at the individual level will compensate for the limited access to visual cues in field surveys, as with the case for all nocturnal birds.     

Two new species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera, Simuliidae) from Peninsular Malaysia, with keys to Peninsular Malaysian members of the Simulium ceylonicum species-group

Two new species of black flies, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) roslihashimisp. n. and Simulium (Gomphostilbia) lurauensesp. n., are described on the basis of reared adult, pupal and larval specimens collected from Peninsular Malaysia. These two new species are placed in the ceylonicum species-group within the subgenus Gomphostilbia. Simulium (Gomphostilbia) roslihashimisp. n. is most distinctive with the male having almost entirely yellow antennae, and Simulium (Gomphostilbia) lurauensesp. n. is characterized in the female by having the elongate sensory vesicle and the yellowish-white hairs on the base of the costal vein and on the stem vein, in the male by the greater number of large upper-eye facets and the spindle-shaped hind basitarsi which are much narrower than the hind tibiae and femora and in the pupa by the small terminal hooks. Keys to species of the ceylonicum species-group reported from Peninsular Malaysia are provided for females, males, pupae and mature larvae.     

The freshwater calanoida (crustacea : copepoda) of Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia

The systematics and geographical distribution of Malaysian and Singapore freshwater calanoid copepods are discussed in details. Neodiaptomus handeli Brehm, N. laii Kiefer, N. blachei (Brehm), N. botulifer Kiefer, N. mephistopheles Brehm, Pseudodiaptomus (Schmackeria) dauglishi Sewell, P. (S.) tollingerae Sewell and Tropodiaptomus spp. Kiefer are all present in the northwestern part of the Peninsula. There are only 4 species, namely, N. handeli, N. botulifer, N. meggitti Kiefer and Tropodiaptomus sp. in the southern half of the Peninsula. The whole of the east coast also has 4 species, i.e. N. handeli, N. malaindosinensis (n.n.), P. (S.) tollingerae and one species of Tropodiaptomus. The only species that cut across a wide range of geographical barriers are N. handeli and Tropodiaptomus.     

Diplectanids (Monogenea) on the archerfish Toxotes jaculatrix (Pallas) (Toxotidae) off Peninsular Malaysia

Two new and two previously described species of diplectanid monogeneans (Heteroplectanum flabelliforme n. sp., Diplectanum sumpit n. sp., D. jaculator Mizelle & Kritsky, 1969 and D. toxotes Mizelle & Kritsky, 1969) were collected from archerfish Toxotes jaculatrix off the Island of Langkawi, Kedah and off Perak, Malaysia. The reproductive systems and squamodiscs of D. jaculator and D. toxotes are described for the first time. D. sumpit n. sp. differs from D. toxotes and D. jaculator in a having a small curved copulatory tube with a distinct accessory piece, compared to the long, tubular copulatory tube of D. jaculator and the slender tube of D. toxotes. D. sumpit n. sp. also differs from D. toxotes in having a larger ventral bar and larger squamodiscs. H. flabelliforme n. sp. differs from all known Heteroplectanum species in the shape and size of the squamodiscs, the arrangement of the sclerites in the squamodiscs, the extremely large ventral bar and the short, curved, non-spinous copulatory tube.     

Conservation of some rare and endangered plants from Peninsular Malaysia

Malaysia has approximately 15,000 species of vascular plants. Its flora is distributed between two major geographical regions; Peninsular Malaysia on mainland Asia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Peninsular Malaysia has over 8,300 plant species and Sabah and Sarawak in a recent estimate have about 12,000 species. Total species endemism for Peninsular Malaysia is about 30%; its tree endemism is 26.3%. For Sabah and Sarawak, the endemism level is higher, recently revised figures gave a tree species endemism of 42.1%. Malaysia has recently published its national strategy for plant conservation, which now forms the basis of conservation activities for the country. Since 2004, we have been running a project entitled “Conservation Monitoring of Rare and Threatened Plants of Peninsular Malaysia”, in which conservation status assessment is scored for a number of families. Results of the assessment of 458 taxa included 46.1% in some threat category. Detailed conservation studies are in progress for 33 species of threatened plants. Initial work on these species include spatial distribution studies at regional level based on herbarium records, and at a more local level, population studies to determine demography of populations. Regular phenological observations were also made for many of the species.     

Description of whistles of Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) from the waters of Matang,Peninsular Malaysia

The whistles of Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) from the waters of Matang, western Peninsular Malaysia are described. Duration, frequency and frequency modulation variables were measured from 163 whistles recorded using a broadband towed hydrophone. Irrawaddy dolphins produced whistles with a mean duration of 0.366 s (S.D. ± 0.217 s). The fundamental frequency of whistles extended from 3040 to 17,123 Hz with low levels of frequency modulation. These dolphins produced whistles that were comparable to those of conspecifics recorded from the waters of Kalimantan, but were generally different from the related Australian snubfin dolphin (O. heinsohni). They also differed from the whistles of the sympatric Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis). Characteristics of Irrawaddy dolphin whistles may be useful in future passive acoustic monitoring studies to investigate differences in sympatric species and their habitat.