Using Y-Chromosome to elucidate the evolution and dispersal pattern of the long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Southeast Asia

We employed a combined segment of the testis-specific protein (TSPY) and the sex determining region (SRY) of the Y-chromosome gene to elucidate the evolutionary pattern of the long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Southeast Asia. A maximum-likelihood (ML) tree and a phylogenetic network were constructed using 147 sequences of M. fascicularis from the Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak including sequences from the other regions of the species range taken from the other previous studies. Measurements of standard genetic diversity indices were calculated. Our findings revealed that the M. fascicularis are separated into two major groups of the continental and the insular lineages. Furthermore, the continental lineage is separated into two faunal regions demarcated at the Isthmus of Kra. The Y-chromosome dataset revealed a dominant haplotype emerging at around 0.25 (±0.1) million years ago (mya) which was shared by 82 samples from the southern region of the Isthmus of Kra which ranges from Songkhla, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula and downwards to Sumatra, Indonesia. The insular lineage emerged at around 0.61 (±0.4) mya which occupied the island of Borneo and the Philippines. We also confirmed that the introgression of the M. mulatta Ychromosome into the Indochinese M. fascicularis (Vietnam and Cambodia) are absent in the M. fascicularis haplotypes from the southern region of the Isthmus of Kra. Keywords: Macaca fascicularis, Y-chromosome, phylogenetic tree and network, dispersal route, time estimates

Bats of Bako National Park, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Two separate assessments on bats diversity were conducted in Bako National Park for about 12 trapping-nights. Our first assessment was conducted from 8th to 12th February 2005 followed by the second assessment on the 28th August to 3rd September 2005. A total of 295 individuals from 22 species of bats were captured using mist-nets and harp traps during the survey, which accumulated to 226 trapping-nights. Hipposideros cervinus was recorded as the most abundance species with 30.85% of total captures. Total of eight new geographic records have been added to this park: Emballonura monticola, Rhinolophus luctus, Hipposideros ater, Hipposideros bicolor, Myotis muricola, Myotis ater, Pipistrellus vondermanni and Kerivoula pellucida. With this additional record, now there are at least 34 species of bats known to occur in Bako National Park. A complete and long term study covering other areas not included in this study would definitely increase bat diversity found in these park

Phylogenetic relationships of fruit bats (Family: Pteropodidae) in Malaysia inferred from partial mtDNA cytochrome b gene

The taxonomic relationships of the Old World fruit bat family, Pteropodinae, by Anderson (1912) using morphological characters have been challenged by several authors. Previous studies using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) found major disagreement between morphology and molecular data in inferring the phylogeny of the fruit bats. Fifty-eight samples from 14 species of the Malaysian fruit bats (Family: Pteropodidae) was used in this study to examine on the phylogenogenetic relationship between species of fruit bats using 395 base pairs of partial mtDNA cytochrome b (cyt b) gene. Our phylogenetic analysis using neighbour-joining and maximum parsimony methods failed to support the monophyly of both the rousettine and cynopterine groups of the Subfamily Pteropodinae

Molecular Phylogeny Of The Old World Porcupines (Family Hystricidae) Using Mitochondrial Cytochrome B Gene

The Old World porcupines (Family Hystricidae) are generally large terrestrial rodents. The major threats to their survival includes over-hunting primarily due to high demand for their meat that is thought to be of high medicinal value. This threat is further impacted by mass habitat destruction where forest is converted into agricultural land or human settlements. Despite their large and unique appearance, little is known with regards to their intrafamilial phylogenetic relationships. This is hampered by the limited DNA sequences that are available on public databases for species identification and comparison. In this study, the phylogenetic relationships among eight out of eleven extant species of Hystricidae were examined using a partial cytochrome b gene of the mitochondrial DNA. The first reference record of DNA sequence for all four species of porcupines in Malaysia (Atherurus macrourus, Hystrix brachyura, Thecurus crassispinis, and Trichys fasciculata) were made available in GenBank database. These reference sequences are crucial for species identification in a forensic case framework. The phylogeny supported the monophyly of the family Hystricidae. Except for Thecurus, the genera within Hystricidae: Atherurus, Hystrix, and Trichys formed distinct groups supporting their genus status with Trichys forming the basal group. Based on the positioning of Thecurus crassispinis within the Hystrix species group in the phylogeny tree, we suggested that Thecurus crassispinis to be systematically classified as Hystrix crassispinis. Within the genus Hystrix, further studies are needed to elucidate the relationships by including the remaining three species within the genus (Hystrix javanica, Hystrix pumila, and Hystrix sumatrae). Furthermore within Hystrix brachyura, additional studies are needed to investigate the regional populations structuring within their range countries in Southeast Asia to assist in the sustainable management and conservation of the species