DIVERSITY OF MACROMOTHS (LEPIDOPTERA: HETEROCERA) IN PERLIS STATE PARK, KEDAWI REGION, MALAYSIA: NEW DISTRIBUTIONAL RECORD OF NOCTUID

This study aimed to determine the macromoths species diversity in Perlis State Park, Kedawi Region, Malaysia. Two sampling series were conducted on 17th - 21st April 2015 and 12th - 16th November 2015. Modified Pennsylvanian light trap with 160 W mercury vapor bulb was used to attract the macromoths in ground (≤ 2m) and lower canopy (≥ 20m) levels. A total of 386 individuals comprising 182 species from 13 families were recorded in 10 nights of sampling. The macromoths diversity was considerably high with Fisher’s alpha diversity index of α= 134.5 and Shannon’s diversity index, H’ = 4.777. Noctuidae was the highest family recorded in terms of species number, while family Arctiidae was the highest for the number of individuals collected

Foundation in Science Studies - Biological Field Trip Report: Introduction to Documentation of Nepenthes Species in Bako National Park, Sarawak

In order to accomplish the learning objectives of ecology, biodiversity and environment course, in situ activities remain the finest key to complement by conducting real fieldwork experiments. The specific objectives of the fieldwork are to ensure sustainable learning, adopting best practice in scientific documentation, and implementing holistic and integrated learning approach in the course. Therefore, related field topic was given to the students and resulted with the following attributes. Four different species of pitcher plants were identified and classified throughout the study. The recent biology educational trip to Bako National Park had documented various well-known species of Nepenthes. Information on Nepenthes species present in the parks is useful for educational and research purposes, developing a conservation plan and management and also helps in promoting ecotourism. The trip was conducted to introduce a comprehensive learning experience to the students in biodiversity-related discipline

Teaching Basic Microbiology Laboratory Techniques Through e-Learning (STERILIZATX)

Growing bacteria and fungus in pure culture is still one of the best and most widely used methods in learning basic microbiology. However, during the pandemic where the learning has to be conducted online, the gap in conducting the teaching has become realm. In addition, an appropriate physical environment must be created, where important factors such as hands on and observation are controlled and maintained. Therefore, the development of STERILIZATX as do it yourself (DIY) kit is timely in order to facilitate the distanced-learning requirement. The objectives of the innovation are to explain basic principle of microbial cell culture, to observe basic microbial characteristic on agar culture, and to apply basic good microbiological laboratory practice and cultivation of microbial cell culture, dedicated for distanced and e-learning. The learners are able to perform basic microbial culture aseptic technique using improvised DIY kit called STERILIZATX, observe the microbial growing pattern, distinguish and characterise the selected microbial colony, and describe the basic principles of applied microbiology in daily life during the discussion

Butterflies of Southwestern Bungo Range

Tropical rainforests are distinguished by the enormous biodiversity they support, within which, insects are the most diverse animal group. Spectacular insect groups such as the lepidopterans are among the best-known insects and serve as a good bioindicator group. An expedition to explore and document the diversity of butterflies in Bungo Range is essential as it is an important water catchment area that covers primary forest and secondary forest resulted from logging and agricultural activities years ago

Diversity of macromoths (Lepidoptera : Heterocera) in Perlis State Park, Kedawi Region, Malaysia : new distributional record of noctuid

This study aimed to determine the macromoths species diversity in Perlis State Park, Kedawi Region, Malaysia. Two sampling series were conducted on 17th - 21st April 2015 and 12th - 16th November 2015. Modified Pennsylvanian light trap with 160 W mercury vapor bulb was used to attract the macromoths in ground (≤ 2m) and lower canopy (≥ 20m) levels. A total of 386 individuals comprising 182 species from 13 families were recorded in 10 nights of sampling. The macromoths diversity was considerably high with Fisher’s alpha diversity index of α= 134.5 and Shannon’s diversity index, H’ = 4.777. Noctuidae was the highest family recorded in terms of species number, while family Arctiidae was the highest for the number of individuals collected

SPECIES COMPOSITION OF NYMPHALID BUTTERFLIES IN MAINLAND (KUBAH NATIONAL PARK) AND ISLAND (SATANG BESAR ISLAND), SARAWAK

Species diversity is a good measure of habitat quality. In order to gain this knowledge, bio-indicator species such as butterflies is among the species to be observed. In this study, nymphalids were recorded in mainland (Kubah National Park) and island (Satang Besar Island), Sarawak by using 20 baited traps in 20 days of sampling period. A total of 93 individuals representing 25 species were documented. Species diversity index was higher in the mainland (H’= 2.8639) with 87 individuals comprising 24 species. This could be due to the habitat homogeneity and thus less variety of food resources in the island. Species abundance in the mainland was dominated by the Nymphalinae (13.48%) of both Bassarona dunya and Tanaecia aruna. Meanwhile, Melanitis leda was the most abundant species recorded (67%) in the island. Mainland was more speciose in terms of butterfly composition as compared to island and distribution pattern of butterflies were also observed