Western Tarsier Cephalopachus bancanus at Matang Wildlife Centre, Sarawak

The huge, forward-facing eyes, large ears and small body size immediately identify this animal as a tarsier. The Western Tarsier Cephalopachus bancanus is the only species currently recognized on the island of Borneo: it mainly inhabits lowland areas, but there are montane records up to 1200 metres elevation

Partial mtDNA sequencing data of vulnerable Cephalopachus bancanus from the Malaysian Borneo

Tarsier is an endangered nocturnal primate in the family Tarsiidae and is an endemic to Sundaic islands of Philippine (Carlito syrichta), Sulawesi (Tarsius tarsier-complex) and Borneo (Cephalopachus bancanus). Recent records indicated that most molecular studies were done on the Eastern Tarsier and little information for the other group of tarsiers. Here, we present a partial cytochrome b data set of C. bancanus in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Standard mist nets were deployed at strategic locations in various habitat types. A total of 18 individuals were caught, measured and weighed. Approximately, 2 × 2 mm of tissue samples were taken and preserved in molecular grade alcohol. Out of 18, only 11 samples were screened with partial mtDNA (cytochrome b) and the DNA sequences were registered in the GenBank (accession numbers: KY794797-KY794807). Phylogenetic trees were constructed with 20 additional mtDNA sequences downloaded from GenBank. The data are valuable for the management authorities to regulate the type of management units for the metapopulation to sustain population genetics integrity of tarsiers in the range countries across the Sunda Shelf

An Ecological and Molecular Study of Elusive Western Tarsier Cephalopachus bancanus in Malaysian Borneo

Borneo is one of the biodiversity hotspots that various studies on different taxa have been conducted since lots of endemic species were discovered. The evolution history such as the existence of refugia in Borneo has been identified as the main phenomenon for the high endemism of species. The informations on the ecology and molecular genetics are crucial for better understanding of the current distribution, sociobiology, conservation status and evolution during early stages of primate divergence. The study on the ecology and molecular genetics of the Western Tarsier, Cephalopachus bancanus, was conducted from year 2013 until 2016. A total of 49 individuals of C. bancanus were recorded from Sarawak and Sabah. Based on the results, C. bancanus is mainly found inhabiting mixed dipterocarp forest (MDF), kerangas forest and peat swamp forest. This is most probably due to the plenty of food resources and suitable vegetation conditions provided to C. bancanus. The frequency of the acoustic call for an individual of this species recorded in Mulu NP was 70 kHz. This study showed lack of morphological variations existing between the populations from the southern and central Sarawak. On the contrary, the individual from the northern Sarawak was isolated from that of the southern and central Sarawak. This was probably due to the vegetation and habitat differences and geographical barriers. The D-loop gene of 511 base pairs from a total of 30 individuals of C. bancanus was successfully sequenced. Besides, COI gene with the size of 399 base pairs from a total of 31 individuals of C. bancanus was sequenced. While Cyt b gene with the size of 288 base pairs from 22 individuals of C. bancanus was sequenced. The phylogenetic relationships inferred from these mitochondrial genes showed that all the sequences of C. bancanus in Sarawak formed a monophyletic group. Most of the C. bancanus sequences in Sarawak were in their unique haplotypes. Only individuals from southern and central Sarawak shared the same haplotype groups. The only individual from northern Sarawak population was in its unique haplotype group. There were no phylogeographic patterns being observed in Dloop, COI and Cyt b genes of the sequence samples of C. bancanus in Sarawak. Likewise, less variation observed in the genetic structure of C. bancanus among the population in Sarawak. The habitat fragmentation and habitat loss may restrict the migration of the C. bancanus. Hence, low gene flow was observed among the C. bancanus populations. The estimated divergence time of C. bancanus in Borneo was during the late Miocene epoch which is around 7 Mya. The dispersal of C. bancanus in Borneo is possibly affected by the harsh environment during late Miocene. For future study, more ecological parameters should be added and different molecular markers should be tested

Bats of Bako National Park and Additional Notes on the Rare Partial Albinism in Fawn Roundleaf Bat (Hipposideridae: Hipposideros cervinus)

Bat survey was conducted in Bako National Park from 25th to 29th August 2013. A total of 107 individuals from 11 species of bats were recorded. Hipposideros cervinus was recorded as the most abundance species with 51 individuals while Murina suilla and Rhinolophus affinis were the least abundant with one individual each from total captures. This study has added R. affinis as another new species locality record for the national park. This brings up the total bat species known from the park now to 35 species of bats. Interestingly, an individual of H. cervinus with partial albinism was caught during this survey. This single bat was captured on the 27th August 2013 and will be the first albino bat reported in Borneo and possibly Malaysia. This specimen is an adult female that presents high degree of albinism over most of the body but lacking on the upperparts of the body and part of the wings. Detailed description based on 16 external and craniodental measurements are presented herein along with their species identification through genetic analyses. Further research on the genetic structure and behavior of an albino individual may help to identify the possible causes and consequences of albinism to the bats populations