A preliminary checklist of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) with two new distribution records from Sarawak

The remarkable ability of fireflies for bioluminescence makes them one of the most charismatic species of beetles. Despite the increasing development and urbanisation especially in mangrove areas, the current status of fireflies in Sarawak is not well documented. Hence, this study aims to provide an updated preliminary checklist focusing on the firefly species from Sarawak, Malaysia to contribute to the scientific knowledge of Lampyridae. Twenty localities in Sarawak were selected as the sampling sites based on firefly sightings. Field surveys were carried out from October 2022 to February 2023 with additional samples obtained from the UNIMAS Insect Reference Collection (UIRC). The present study recorded a total of 372 individuals of fireflies representing five genera, namely Pteroptyx (with five species and two morphospecies), Pyrocoelia (with one species and one morphospecies), Luciola (with two species), Colophotia (with one species) and Abscondita (with one species). The first record of two species Colophotia brevis (Luciolinae) and Pyrocoelia opaca (Lampyrinae) in Sarawak was documented in this study. Thus, it is suggested that a more comprehensive study, especially in the central region of Sarawak alongside its preferred host trees should be conducted. This information will provide a better understanding of firefly habitats in Sarawak and assist to identify areas with significant conservation value

A preliminary checklist of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) with two new distribution records from Sarawak

The remarkable ability of fireflies for bioluminescence makes them one of the most charismatic species of beetles. Despite the increasing development and urbanisation especially in mangrove areas, the current status of fireflies in Sarawak is not well documented. Hence, this study aims to provide an updated preliminary checklist focusing on the firefly species from Sarawak, Malaysia to contribute to the scientific knowledge of Lampyridae. Twenty localities in Sarawak were selected as the sampling sites based on firefly sightings. Field surveys were carried out from October 2022 to February 2023 with additional samples obtained from the UNIMAS Insect Reference Collection (UIRC). The present study recorded a total of 372 individuals of fireflies representing five genera, namely Pteroptyx (with five species and two morphospecies), Pyrocoelia (with one species and one morphospecies), Luciola (with two species), Colophotia (with one species) and Abscondita (with one species). The first record of two species Colophotia brevis (Luciolinae) and Pyrocoelia opaca (Lampyrinae) in Sarawak was documented in this study. Thus, it is suggested that a more comprehensive study, especially in the central region of Sarawak alongside its preferred host trees should be conducted. This information will provide a better understanding of firefly habitats in Sarawak and assist to identify areas with significant conservation value

Taxonomy and Distribution of the Tribe Heliconiini (Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae) in Sarawak

The phylogeny of the family Nymphalidae has been controversial and it is widely argued by many authors. Surprisingly, however, the phylogeny of the tribe Heliconiini is still poorly understood, particularly in the region of Sarawak where it is one of the biodiversity hot spots for its rich biodiversity and ecosystems. Here, a preliminary phylogenetic framework using adult morphological data for the tribe Heliconiini in Sarawak was constructed. A total of 13 species from six genera were included in this study and character states were taken from previous literature. A strict consensus analysis was conducted using PAUP* 4.0 software. Results revealed the position of Cethosia as a distantly related taxon to all the other genera, and the genera Cirrochroa, Cupha, Terinos, Phalanta and Vindula appeared as a monophyletic group. However, the relationships between and within these genera are not resolved in this study as there was the presence of polytomies. Therefore, further systematic and evolutionary studies are certainly warranted. In particular, propose that future studies should consider additional adult and larval morphological character data and a combined analysis of both morphological and molecular characters. Additionally, a geographical distribution mapping for future conservation purposes and a species description for each species to aid future identification process was provided

Preliminary checklist of BEETLES ASSEMBLAGES (ORDER: COLEOPTERA) from LIMESTONE FORESTS in Southern Sarawak, Malaysia

Beetles are becoming important subjects of ecological interest for conservation studies due to their high biodiversity and distribution, despite rapid urbanisation and deforestation activities. This study initiates to present a preliminary checklist of beetles from limestone forests in Southern Sarawak, Malaysia which included four selected localities within Bau and Padawan districts, namely, Mount Serumbu (Bau), Fairy Cave Nature Reserve (Bau), Raya Cave (Padawan) and Temurang Cave (Padawan). Each sampling trip was conducted for five consecutive days, using both active and passive methods. As a result, a total of 786 individuals representing 191 species (56 confirmed species and 135 morphospecies) from 81 genera under 57 subfamilies and 23 families were successfully recorded. Overall, the most speciose family was represented by Carabidae (39 species; 20.42%), followed by Scarabaeidae (32 species; 16.75%), Chrysomelidae (29 species; 15.18%), and Tenebrionidae (22 species; 11.52%), respectively. Meanwhile, Carabidae was the most abundant family (175 individuals; 22.26%), followed by Scarabaeidae (126 individuals; 16.03%), Chrysomelidae (124 individuals; 15.78%), and Tenebrionidae (116 individuals; 16.03%), respectively. In general, Triplatoma macleayi (Erotylidae) was the most abundant species with a total of 56 individuals (7.12%), followed by Amarygus sp. 1 (Tenebrionidae) with 39 individuals (4.96%). To conclude, this study is hopefully beneficial to document the diversity and abundance of beetles within limestone areas and useful to the local authority in identifying potential hotspot area(s) for biodiversity conservation and effective management practice. However, it is recommended that future studies should include other limestone forests, covering areas in the central and northern regions of Sarawak

A checklist of beetles (ORDER: COLEOPTERA) from Sarikei, Sarawak, Malaysia

A biodiversity survey to document assemblages of beetles was conducted at Sarikei town, Sarawak, Malaysia from 28th August 2021 to 5th September 2021. A combination of active (hand-picking and aerial netting) and passive (modified Pennsylvanian light trap, baited trap and flight-intercept trap) methods were used during the eight days of sampling, covering areas of mixed dipterocarp forest, mangroves and a recreational park. As a result, a total of 440 individuals, representing 146 species from 49 subfamilies and 23 families of beetles were successfully recorded. In general, Scarabaeidae was reported as the most diverse and abundant family with 46 species (31.51%), followed by Tenebrionidae with 15 species (10.27%), Chrysomelidae with 13 species (8.90%), Carabidae with 12 species (8.22%), and Elateridae (7.53%) with 11 species, respectively. In terms of individual count, the most dominant species was recorded by the scarab beetles of Apogonia destructor (Melolonthinae) with 32 individuals (7.27%). In conclusion, this study provides baseline data for identifying potential biodiversity hotspot areas for future management and conservation action plans in Sarawak