15 research outputs found

    Logistic Regression to Predict Termite Occurrences with Environmental Variables in Primary Forest and Oil Palm Ecosystem: The Case Study in Sabah, Malaysia

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    AbstractThe aim of this research was to study the relationship between presence of termite and environmental variables in primary forest and adjacent oil palm plantation located in Sabah province, Malaysia. Termite sampling was conducted with manually dug and sorted soil pits (25cm × 25cm × 10cm) at a minimum extent of 64 m and lag of 2 m. Logistic regression technique was used to analyze the collected data. In general, termite species richness and relative abundances are lower in oil palm plantation in comparison with primary forest. The result showed that probability of termite occurrences in primary forest are mainly related to dead woods, trees and non-predatory ants. Likewise, probability of termite occurrences in oil palm plantation was affected with the appearance of dead woods, pruned stacked fronds, non- predatory ants and earthworms. This result indicated that pruned stacked fronds and dead woods play an important role of recovery of termite assemblages in oil palm plantation

    Vector compositions change across forested to deforested ecotones in emerging areas of zoonotic malaria transmission in Malaysia

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    In lowland areas of Malaysia, Plasmodium knowlesi infection is associated with land use change and high proportions of the vector Anopheles balabacensis. We conducted a 15-month study in two Malaysian villages to determine the effect of habitat on vector populations in understudied high-altitude, high-incidence districts. Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled in human settlements, plantations and forest edges, and screened for Plasmodium species by PCR. We report the first An. donaldi positive for P. knowlesi. This potential vector was associated with habitat fragmentation measured as disturbed forest edge:area ratio, while An. balabacensis was not, indicating fragmented land use could favour An. donaldi. Anopheline species richness and diversity decreased from forest edge, to plantation, to human settlement. Greater numbers of An. balabacensis and An. donaldi were found in forest edges compared to human settlements, suggesting exposure to vectors and associated zoonoses may be greater for people entering this habitat

    New records of Odonata from the Crocker Range National Park, Sabah, Malaysia

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    We report here the results from two field trips to collect Odonata in the Crocker Range National Park in western Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. Thirtysix species were collected. Telosticta fugispinosa had not been described at the time of collection, nor had the two Devadatta species. There was no published record of Protosticta species cf kinabaluensis before the 2012 expedition, nor of Drepanosticta species cf crenitis

    Termite fauna of Sungai Kangkawat, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA), Sabah

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    Termites are important inhabitants of the tropical rain forest, and they are commonly found in tropical soils. They have great importance in tropical terrestrial ecosystems especially in the decomposition process, mediate ecosystem processes and facilitate to improve the structure and quality of the soil. This study was conducted to identify the termite fauna of Sungai Kangkawat, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA). Termites were collected using a standardized 100mx2m line transect at South Rim Trail and also through casual collection around the study site. A total of 31 termite species were recorded in this study. The termite assemblage comprises two families namely, Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae. Family Termitidae dominated the termite assemblage with 87.1% (27 species). The collected termite species in this study comprises 30% of recorded termite species of Sabah. Seven subfamilies that are commonly recorded in the tropical forest were identified in this study. Subfamily Termitinae and Nasutitermitinae from family Termitidae dominated the termite assemblage of Sungai Kangkawat with 12 species and ten species respectively. The previous study conducted at ICCA recorded 29 species which have 43.9% similarity with the current study. A total of 12 species were identified as new records for ICCA through this study. Hence, the total number of termite species of ICCA is 41. This study has provided the checklist of termite fauna in Sungai Kangkawat and updated the termite checklist of ICCA

    Density-body mass relationships: Inconsistent intercontinental patterns among termite feeding-groups

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    Allometric relationships are useful for estimating and understanding resource distribution in assemblages with species of different masses. Damuth's law states that body mass scales with population density as M-0.75, where M is body mass and-0.75 is the slope. In this study we used Damuth's law (M-0.75) as a null hypothesis to examine the relationship between body mass and population density for termite feeding-groups in three different countries and regions (Cameroon, West Africa; Peru South America; and Malaysia SE Asia). We found that none of the feeding-groups had a relationship where M-0.75 while the data suggested that population density-body mass relationships for true soil-feeding termites in Cameroon (M2.7) and wood-feeding termites in Peru (M1.5) were significantly different from the expected values given by Damuth's law. The dominance of large-bodied true soil-feeding termites in Cameroon and the absence of fungus-growing termites from Peru suggest that these allometric patterns are due to heterogeneities in termite biogeographical evolution. Additionally, as these feeding-groups have higher population density than expected by their body masses it may be suggested that they also have a higher energy throughput than expected. The results presented here may be used to gain further understanding of resource distribution among termite feeding-groups across regions and an insight into the importance of evolutionary history and biogeography on allometric patterns. Further understanding of population density-body mass relationships in termite feeding-groups may also improve understanding of the role these feeding-groups play in ecosystem processes in different regions

    Documenting Butterflies Diversity (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera: Nymphalidae) as Potential Nature Tourism Products at Sukau Rainforest Lodge and Sukau Ecotourism Research Centre, Kinabatangan, Sabah

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    Sukau Rainforest Lodge (SRL) and Sukau Ecotourism Research Centre (SERC) have been recognized as two ecotourism sites in Sabah. However, there were no butterfly tourism products carried out at both sites. As a result, a 5-day survey of butterfly diversity was conducted using fruit-baited traps. Butterfly diversity, richness, and abundance were evaluated using Shannon-Weiner Diversity for both sites. SWOT analysis was also carried out at both sites throughout a 3-week observation. The results showed there were 20 species from 6 subfamilies of Nymphalidae butterflies. A total of 96 individuals of each species were also tabulated, with SRL revealing a higher diversity index compared to SERC due to its large surrounding area. The butterfly specimens were collected for educational purposes as nature tourism products. Lack of research, no butterfly signage, forest fragmentation, and mass tourism activities were identified as weaknesses and threats with their strengths and opportunities as proper guidelines based on SWOT analysis. Hence, it shows that both sites are valuable for nature tourism based on their unique butterfly fauna as butterfly tourism products. This study could also provide baseline data on butterfly diversity and its potential as butterfly tourism products at both sites. Butterfly diversity data and SWOT analysis are compulsory for the creation of butterfly tourism products. Such valuable fauna can be integrated as nature tourism products in conjunction with appropriate decision-making strategies

    First comparison of quantitative estimates of termite biomass and abundance reveals strong intercontinental differences

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    Termite species and functional groups differ among regions globally (the functional-diversity anomaly). Here we investigate whether similar differences in biomass and abundance of termites occur among continents. Biomass and abundance data were collecte

    Factors of tourists’ perspective and awareness of insects based on demographics distribution in the tropical ecosystem

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    Entomological ecotourism has developed into a modern-day definition. The promotion of entomological ecotourism makes people gaining a better understanding of insects when they participated such activity. Depending on the eco-tour context, one may learn about a particular insects’ role in the ecosystem, insects’ connections with other wildlife, or the plants they depend on. Several studies reported the general preference of insects. However, there is still a lack of research for understanding the reason for similarities and differences in insects’ perceptions as a tourism product from a cultural aspect. This research aimed to study the key factors that affect tourists’ awareness and perception of insects based on their demographic profiles. The researcher used questionnaires, surveys, and interviews for data collection. The outcomes are illustrated in the form of conceptual map, quadrant report, spider-web configuration as well as tables. This cross-cultural study shows that there is little difference in perception and awareness between Malaysian and Non-Malaysian respondents. Respondents also show three main factors, such as ‘Knowledge’, ‘Experience’ and ‘Appearance’ that may cause different perceptions of insects other than their cultural background. Even though there are no significant differences between the respondents’ perceptions of insects, there are still some items among the respondents’ perceptions need to be considered. These items include the respondents’ perspective on diversity, behaviors, life cycle, and insects' appearance. Therefore, getting people to participate in entomological ecotourism, insects that fit tourists’ requirements such as beautiful, rare, and attractive, needs to be focused on. Hence, the findings are significant to share to ensure proper management of insects through entomological ecotourism or entotourism
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