Temporal variation in fruit-feeding forest butterfly communities in Sabah, Borneo.

This study investigated temporal variation in fruit-feeding butterfly communities in Sabah, Borneo. Fruit-baited traps were used to sample butterflies in primary forest and forest that had been selectively logged 11-12 years previously in 1988 and 1989. Traps were hung 1-2m from the ground along four transects in primary and logged forest (8 km in total). Traps were operated for 12 days each month for a year (October 1999 to September 2000). This study focused on Nymphalid species whose adults feed on rotting fruit. A total of 3996 individuals from 63 species were recorded during the study. Rates of species accumulation were slightly higher in logged forest than in primary forest, but there was no difference between habitats in species diversity over the whole year. However, whereas diversity was generally higher in primary forest during March-July, it was higher in logged forest during August-February, resulting in a significant habitat by time-of-year interaction for two separate diversity indices. β diversity (species turnover) also showed opposite differences between habitats at different times of year. These results have important implications for the reliability of short-term studies that do not sample over the course of an entire year. Effects of three environmental factors (sunshine, rainfall and fruit availability) on butterfly diversity were investigated. Rainfall had a significant positive effect on species evenness (Simpson's index) and abundance of P. franck. Rainfall may have acted via its effects on adult survival as well as via indirect effects on larval host plant quality

Butterfly Diversity at the Different Elevations along Crocker Range Park, in Malaysian Borneo

The butterfly diversity and assemblages at five substations located at the different elevations along the Crocker Range Park, ranging from 396m to 1,891m a.s.l were documented in this study. The butterfly samplings were conducted from April to December 2019, involving 10 sampling sessions. The butterflies were sampled by using 20 baited traps and an aerial net at 20 sampling stations. A total of 727 individuals were sampled comprising 187 species. Nymphalidae was the dominant family at the five substations, which accounted for approximately 53% of the total species and 71% of the total individuals recorded, while Ypthima pandocus was the dominant species. The highest number of species was recorded at Keningau substation (965-1,062 m a.s.l) but the highest number of individuals was recorded at Mahua substation (1060-1,249 m a.s.l). Mount Alab substation recorded the least number of butterfly species and individuals. The overall pattern indicated that the butterfly species and abundance were relatively high at an elevation range of about 960-1,250 m a.s.l. Keningau substation was the most diverse area as shown by Shannon-Wiener Index (H’=2.885), followed by Inobong, Mahua and Ulu Kimanis substations. Ten endemic species were sampled in this study with most of these found at an elevation above 965 m a.s.l. The information obtained from this study would contribute to a better understanding of the elevational diversity pattern of tropical biota and also could serve as baseline data for conservation management at Crocker Range Park in facing threats on biodiversity, including global warming

Butterfly Fauna in Kadamaian Area, Kota Belud, Sabah: A Survey during Borneo Geographic Expedition 2019

During the Borneo Geographic Expedition 2019 in Kadamaian area in Kota Belud, a survey on butterfly fauna was conducted for four days from 21st to 24th October, 2019. Three sites selected for the butterfly sampling were Site 1, Site 2 and Site 4. The methods applied were fruit and carrion baited traps, and aerial netting. A total of 56 individuals were sampled and belonged to 25 species from four families (Nymphalidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae and Papilionidae). Nymphalidae was the dominant family with Ragadia makuta recorded as the most abundant species. About 60% of the butterflies sampled in the area are forest species, while 40% of the overall species have narrow geographical distribution restricted to Sundaland. The butterfly fauna in Kadamaian area is comparable to other forest types in Sabah in terms of their diversity and species richness. The findings reflected the potential of Kadamaian area as a nature tourism site, and the area could also serve as a corridor for the conservation of flora and fauna as it is located adjacent to Kinabalu Park

Butterfly dispersal and longevity in unlogged and selectively logged forest

This study investigated butterfly dispersal and longevity in unlogged and selectively logged forest in lowland dipterocarp rainforest Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo). Fruit-baited traps were used to survey butterflies in unlogged forest and forest that had been selectively logged 10-12 years previously in 1988 and 1989. The study focused on butterflies in the subfamilies Satyrinae, Nymphalinae, Morphinae and Charaxinae of the family Nymphalidae. Traps were set up along four transects on existing paths and trails in unlogged forest (two transects, total length 4 km) and logged forest (two transects, total length 4 km). Traps were hung 1-2 m from the ground at 100 m intervals along transects (total of 80 traps). Traps were operated for 12 days each month (October 1999-September 2000). Dispersal and longevity were investigated in several of the more abundant species. Dispersal and longevity were investigated in seevral of the more abundant species. Dispersal and longevity were investigated in several of the more abundant species. Dispersal and longevity did not differ between habitats or sexes but did differ between species in relation to body size and subfamily. The maximum distance moved by an individual in this study was 4670m and the maximum lifespan was 175 days (Bassarona dunya in both cases)

Phylogeography of Mycalesis roses (Lepidoptera: Satyrinae) in Sabah, Borneo based on nested clade analysis of mitochondrial DNA variation

The main objective of this study was to investigate the phylogeography of Mycalesis orseis Fruhstorfer 1906 on Borneo using nested clade analysis of mitochondrial DNA variation. Nine individuals of adult M. orseis were collected from each of the 10 study sites: two sites in contiguous forest (Maliau, Danum) and eight sites in fragments of different sizes (Tabin, Tawau Hill, Lungmanis Virgin Jungle Reserve (VJR), Sepilok VJR, Keruak VJR, Ulu Sapa Payau VJR, Sg. Sapi VJR, Labuk VJR). MtDNA from thoracic material was analysed using ‘George’ and ‘Btyls’ primers from a 796bp sequence on the cyctochrome oxidase II (COII) gene. The significant associations between clades and geography observed in this study were only detected within the 0-step clade level of the nested analysis. The lack of any significant effects at any other levels of the nested clade analysis indicated very recent gene flow and historical associations among subpopulations of M. orsei

Impacts of habitat fragmentation on genetic diversity in a tropical forest butterfly on Borneo

Many areas of rain forest now exist as habitat fragments, and understanding the impacts of fragmentation is important for determining the viability of populations within forest remnants. We investigated impacts of forest fragmentation on genetic diversity in the butterfly Mycalesis orseis (Satyrinae) in Sabah (Malaysian Borneo). We investigated mtDNA diversity in 90 individuals from ten forest sites typical of the sizes of forest remnants that currently exist in the region. Nucleotide diversity declined with increasing isolation of remnants, but there was no effect of remnant size or population size, and haplotype diversity was similar among sites. Thus, approximately 50 y after forest fragmentation, few changes in genetic diversity were apparent and remnants apparently supported genetically viable populations of this butterfly. Many studies have shown that responses of species to habitat fragmentation usually follow a time delay, and so we developed a Monte Carlo simulation model to investigate changes in genetic diversity over time in small remnants. Model output indicated a substantial time delay (> 100 y) between fragmentation and genetic erosion, suggesting that, in the smallest study remnants, an increased risk of extinction from reduced genetic diversity is likely in the longer term

The Garlic Tree of Borneo, Scorodocarpus borneensis (Baill.) Becc. (Olacaceae): Potential Utilization in Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, and Functional Cosmetic Industries

Scorodocarpus borneensis (Baill.) Becc. is attracting increased attention as a potential commercial medicinal plant product in Southeast Asia. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the taxonomy, habitat, distribution, medicinal uses, natural products, pharmacology, toxicology, and potential utilization of S. borneesis in the pharmaceutical/nutraceutical/functional cosmetic industries. All data in this review were compiled from Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, ChemSpider, PubChem, and a library search from 1866 to 2022. A total of 33 natural products have been identified, of which 11 were organosulfur compounds. The main organosulfur compound in the seeds is bis-(methylthiomethyl)disulfide, which inhibited the growth of a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi, T-lymphoblastic leukemia cells, as well as platelet aggregation. Organic extracts evoked anti-microbial, cytotoxic, anti-free radical, and termiticidal effects. S. borneensis and its natural products have important and potentially patentable pharmacological properties. In particular, the seeds have the potential to be used as a source of food preservatives, antiseptics, or termiticides. However, there is a need to establish acute and chronic toxicity, to examine in vivo pharmacological effects and to perform clinical studies

Diversity of praying mantis (Insecta: Mantodea) in Bukit Piton Forest Reserve, Lahad Datu, Sabah

This study was the first attempt to investigate the praying mantis diversity and composition on a long term basis in a regenerating forest of Bukit Piton Forest Reserve. The study area was a disturbed forest which had been affected by logging activities and forest fires, and undergone a restoration programme. Twelve sampling sessions were carried out over a period of one year, from August 2016 to July 2017, totalling 144 sampling days and nights. Methods included light traps, baited traps, and manual searching. A total of 187 individuals belonging to 19 species were successfully collected. The species sampled represent approximately 16% of the species that occur in Borneo. Mantidae was the dominant family, accounting for about 53% of total species and 36% of total individuals. The dominant species was Tropidomantis tenera which belongs to the family Iridopterygidae and made up 27% of the total individuals. The diversity indices showed that the praying mantis cenosis in the area was moderately diverse. This study highlighted the importance of a regenerating forest for the preservation of a significant portion of the biodiversity. We hope that the information obtained from this study will contribute towards a better understanding of the diversity of this fascinating group of insects, as well as the importance of a regenerating forest as a habitat worthy of conservation efforts

Molecular Phylogenetic study on Chingia Sphaerostephanoschristella groups of Genera (Thelypteridaceae) using Rbcl. Gene Sequences data from Sabah

This study determined the phylogenetic relationship of Chingia, Sphaerostephanos and Christella groups of genera. The study sites consisted of Crocker Range Park and few of the West Coast Sabah area. In this phylogenetic study, rbcl gene marker was used to infer phylogenetic relationships of the study groups. In the phylogenetiC study of Chingia, Sphaerostephanos and Christella groups, 977 base pairs of DNA sequences were obtained from 32 samples representing the 3 groups of genera. The phylogenetiC relationships revealed that Sphaerostephanos is a taxonomically-problematic group especially for Pronephrium and Sphaerostephanos. The phylogenetic analyses found that there were two clades derived from the primitive Sphaerostephanos group, consisted of a monophyly advanced Sphaerostephanos clade and a monophyly clade of Chingia group and Christella group. It was found that some of the Christella spp. (C subpubescens and C papilio) were established a lineage to Chingia group in the rbcl analyses. The grouping of Chingia and Plesioneuron into the Chingia were not completely supported by the rlxl analyses since Chingia spp. (C clavipilosa and C perrigida) were clustered into Christella group. Chingia and Christe//a were found to form a monophyletic clade together in both analyses. However, rbcl analyses does not support this grouping very well with <70% of bootstrap probability, and showed that Chingia group and Christella group were almost separated into two independent monophyly clade. It can be seen that Chingia group and Christella group were derived from a monophyletic group together and gradually evolved to form two independent groups. Pneumatopteris was verified being the genera under the Sphaerostephanos group since Pneumatopteris was found appear in the monophyletic advanced Sphaerostephanos clade in the rbcl analyses. Despite being that, the grouping of genera within Sphaerostephanos group cannot be displayed clearly. This could be due to the insufficiency of morphological characters used in morphological analyses were not strong enough to separate or distinguish certain genera into the Sphaerostephanos group. Genetic factors were also believed to influence the outcomes of rbcl analyses on the Sphaerostephanos group. Undoubtedly, more details studies should be carried out to support the proposed conclusions since this is the first time phylogenetic study conducted on Chingia, Sphaerostephanos and Christella groups of genera

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

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