A comparative study of the aedeagal structure in the Ceratophyllidae (Siphonaptera)

The aedeagi of forty-four species belonging to twenty-six genera in the Ceratophyllidae were studied. A description of the aedeagus of each of these species is provided with illustrations of their anatomy. Based on the comparative study of the aedeagal structure, a classification of the Ceratophyllidae is proposed. This family is here considered to contain four subfamilies. Genera with aedeagal characters of uncertain resemblances, with the remainder of the ceratophyllids, are grouped as insertae sedis. These include Smitipylla, Paraceras, Aenigmopsylla, Amphalius, Glaciopsyllus and Macrostylophora. The Tarsopsyllinae includes Tarsopsylla, Myoxopsylla, Orchopeas and Opisodasys. They are grouped based on the short, simple median dorsal lobe which is angled apically. The second subfamily, the Orbpsyllinae contains two Nearctic genera, Oropsylla and Thrassis. These genera are characterized by the distinctive shape and position of the crochets, each with a tongue-like projection pointing posteriorly. Closest to the Oropsyllinae is the Dactylopsyllinae, which is represented by Foxella, Dactylopsylla, and Spicata. The aedeagi of these genera resemble that of the Oropsyllinae in the shape of the crochets and the absence of the fistula. However, they are distinct in having a dorsally expanded endchamber. The Ceratophyllinae can be characterized by aedeagal characters which are also characteristics of the family, From this subfamily, two tribes can be separated based on the structure of the median dorsal lobe. The Ceratophyllini has a bifid median dorsal lobe. Citellophilus, Callopsylla, Malaraeus, Amalaraeus, Amaradix, Dasypsyllus, Ceratophyllus, Aetheca and Jellisonia belong to this group. The Nosopsyllini consists of Eumolpianus, Megabothris, Plusaetis and Nosopsyllus, all with a non-bifid median dorsal lobe. Among the Ceratophyllidae, Nosopsyllus is considered as the most advanced genus

New distributional record of Mymar taprobanicum Ward, 1875 (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from Malaysian Borneo

Knowledge of the microhymenopteran fauna of the Chalcidoid family, Mymaridae of Malaysia is very limited. This report provides a new distributional record of Mymar taprobanicum Ward, 1875, from Sarawak, East Malaysian Borneo. Four male specimens were collected through yellow pan traps in a residential area in Kuching in December 2016. Although widely known as an important parasitoid of rice pests, this species has never been reported from East Malaysian Borneo prior to this report

First record and occurrence of Acraea terpsicore (linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Malaysian Borneo

The Tawny Coster, Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is recorded from Malaysian Borneo for the first time based on three specimens collected in Samarahan, southwestern Sarawak on 15th March 2013. Originally distributed in India and Sri Lanka, A. terpsicore is now known to have expanded its geographical range southwards to Southeast Asia and Australia over the last three decades. However, prior to 2013, there was no record of its occurrence on Borneo. Preliminary results of our field tracking and observations of the species in Malaysian Borneo within the last three years indicated that this species has recently become established in western Borneo and expanded its area of distribution from Samarahan 200 km northwards to Sri Aman. Field observations of this butterfly and distribution map of the species on Borneo based on field visits from 2013-2016 are presented. This common Oriental butterfly species may expand its range of distribution further northwards to North Borneo

Taxonomic Diversity of the Fruit-feeding Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Southwest Borneo

The diversity of nymphalid assemblages in primary, secondary and heath forests and forest edges in Kubah National Park, Kuching, was assessed by employing both conventional and taxonomic biodiversity indices. The lower variation in the taxonomic distinctness index (Λ+ ) in the primary forest indicated a distantly related array of nymphalids at a low taxonomic level, which is likely to be sustained by the numerous microhabitats. However, despite that the primary forest contained 74% of the total nymphalid species sampled in this study, the forest edge had the highest Λ+ , specifying speciose genera that were abundantly sampled in this habitat. Closer values of Λ+ between the secondary and heath forests and forest edges showed a resemblance in the taxonomic properties for these three assemblages, as having similar habitat requirements and ecological adaptations in their respective habitat. The utilization of taxonomic-based biodiversity indices inclusively leads to more meaningful findings and assists in diversity studies

The biodiversity of a peat swamp forest in Sarawak

Peat swamps hold a special fascination for me. When I first embarked on studying the aquatic animals of peat swamp forests of the region over a decade ago, the general consensus was that these “extreme” habitats were species-poor and not very interesting for scholars of biodiversity. A forest of dense low vegetation, constantly waterlogged, with a substrate which is very unstable and oftentimes, impossible to walk, and worse of all, overflowing with disgusting water that looks black under reflected light, surely cannot house anything of value. Imagine having to live in such a world … where the ground is nothing more than loose decaying vegetation, the water is tea-coloured and the pH can reach as low as 4 (highly acidic due to the sulphuric acid)! But you can never tell a book by its cover. Within the dreary forest and in the putrid-looking waters, in fact, lives an amazing community of plants and animals with fantastic adaptations. In our studies in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak in the early 1990s, so many new and rare species of fish, crustaceans and other animals were discovered that we were literally “overwhelmed”. How could it be that peat swamps still had such a substantial “undiscovered” biodiversity? The reason is simple – most previous workers simply had not “really gone into the swamps”, merely believing what books had previously stated that the swamps were species-poor and giving them a miss. Over the last decade or so, an increasing number of workers; “crazy scientists” who were prepared to brave this harsh habitat and enter its realm to sample and study its denizens, have shown that peat swamps are an amazing ecosystem, teeming with species

Diversity and abundance of the fruit-feeding butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Southwest Borneo

Species diversity and abundance of the fruit-feeding butterflies in Kubah National Park are varied in different dimensions, which indicated a specific species composition according to the environment. The 84- days of butterfly sampling had resulted in 665 individuals representing 49 species of this guild, and Satyrinae was recorded as the most diverse subfamily (H’: 2.347). However, 42% of the total abundance was dominated by Nymphalinae nymphalids, and Bassarona dunya was listed as the most abundant species. Significant preference of these butterflies was observed between monthly replicates and forest strata, yet none in contrasting forest habitats. Temporal variations were evident for the satyrines, as there was rainfall fluctuations associated during the survey, which had affected the host-plants quality. Meanwhile, the presence of rotting fruits on the ground has most probably attracted these frugivorous butterflies except for Morphinae, and thus abundantly sampled in this stratum. However, the homogeneous assemblages across all forest habitats is hypothesised to be due to the mobility of the butterflies which also aided by the strong wind due to the rugged terrains in the study area. Widespread nymphalids were recorded to be abundant, as assisted with dispersal ability. We concluded that by conducting a butterfly survey with a simultaneous approach on all possible dimensions was meaningful, yet detailed observations on the vegetations is also essential for habitat stud

Overall Diversity Of Fruit-Feeding Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) Along Vertical Gradient In A Peat Swamp Forest, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak

A study which aims to investigate the vertical distribution pattern of nymphalids had been conducted in a peat swamp forest of Kota Samarahan, Sarawak. This 60-day sampling period which utilised baited traps as the main sampling method, had resulted to 104 individuals from both ground and canopy levels. The lower stratum revealed a higher diversity index (H’= 1.17466) in comparison with the canopy stratum. Nymhalinae represents the most diverse subfamily at both levels, dominating almost half of the total individuals respectively. In general, species richness and abundance decrease with the increasing strata height, and was observed in all subfamilies. Analyses on the relationship between forewing length and strata revealed significant result for both male and female of Satyrinae, while for body design, it was only significant for male Nymphalinae and female Satyrinae. Overall, the study on strata preference of the nymphalids had led to a better understanding on their dependence on microclimatic conditions, as well as the status of their habitat

Temporal Diversity of the Nymphalids in Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia

Unique microhabitats caused temporal-space separation which also indicates that animals are constrained in their flexibility to adapt to the environment. Arthropods was recorded to be temporally patchy within seasons, and in the tropical region, rainfall fluctuations are somewhat varied although only in a considerable range. These minute variations are still however observed to provide unique microhabitats to the insects and thus knowledge on the effects of the rainfall is still much required. To determine any distribution patterns of the nymphalid butterflies, bait-trapping was conducted from May to November 2009 in Kubah National Park, Sarawak. Even though there was a linear relationship between the total rainfall and numbers of nymphalids, there was no significant correlation between the nymphalids and rainfall distribution (p-value > 0.05). Rainfall in the preceded month could increase the overall nymphalids abundance which coincides with the leaf-flushing peak, suitably for the larval stages. In contrast, heavy rainfall during the data collection could also lead to larval mortality. Rainfall parameter and possibly many more environmental variables are important, as the distribution pattern of the nymphalids are strongly related to the environment