The distribution and species diversity of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in selected areas in Ranau, Sabah

Blackfly play an important role in the freshwater ecosystem as a biological indicator, as the blackfly prefers clean water area to breed. Certain blackfly species are categorized as vector as it can transmit disease known as Onchocerciasis (river blindness).This study is an entomology research which focuses on the species diversity of blackfly (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Ranau District of Sabah. Eight sampling stations located the highlands and lowlands were chosen. Larvae and pupae were manually collected directly from the substrate in the streams and river. A total of 12 data sets were collected over a period of six months, which started from August 2015 to January 2016. The data collection was done once every forth night. A preliminary result from this study has so far recorded fourteen species of blackfly. Among the fourteen species recorded, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) alienigenum was the first specimen recorded in Malaysia especially in Sabah. All the fourteen species of black flies recorded in this study belongs to three subgenus which are; Simulium, Nevermania and Gomphostilbia. The highest individual being recorded comes from the subgenus of Simulium. The diversity indices result shows a ranged from 1.13 to 1.58, and this indicates low diversity in the eight sampling stations

The relationship between water quality and black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) abundance in Tambunan District, Sabah

Black flies (Diptera : Simuliidae) have been extensively studied almost worldwide (Hamada & Grillet, 2001). This is because blackflies are among the best-known aquatic insects and globally distributed (Adler et al., 2004). Black flies in Malaysia are less known and research about this aquatic insect is still scarce especially in Borneo region. Most of the earlier studies on black flies in Sabah were related to taxonomy (Takaoka, 2001). However, studies on ecology and the role of black flies as bio-indicator has so far not been well reported yet. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship of water quality against the abundance of black flies pupa (Simuliidae). Regression test shows that relationship between dissolve oxygen (r2=0.57, p=0.02), total dissolve substance (TDS) (r2=0.18,p=0.04) and conductivity (r2=0.14, p=0.04) appeared significant to the abundance of black flies pupae. All the study sites (6 rivers) were classified into Class 1 based on Water Quality Index Classification (DOE, 2006)

The Distribution and Species Diversity of Black Flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) In Selected Areas in Ranau, Sabah

Blackfly play an important role in the freshwater ecosystem as a biological indicator, as the blackfly prefers clean water area to breed. Certain blackfly species are categorized as vector as it can transmit disease known as Onchocerciasis (river blindness).This study is an entomology research which focuses on the species diversity of blackfly (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Ranau District of Sabah. Eight sampling stations located the highlands and lowlands were chosen. Larvae and pupae were manually collected directly from the substrate in the streams and river. A total of 12 data sets were collected over a period of six months, which started from August 2015 to January 2016. The data collection was done once every forth night. A preliminary result from this study has so far recorded fourteen species of blackfly. Among the fourteen species recorded, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) alienigenum was the first specimen recorded in Malaysia especially in Sabah. All the fourteen species of black flies recorded in this study belongs to three subgenus which are; Simulium, Nevermania and Gomphostilbia. The highest individual being recorded comes from the subgenus of Simulium. The diversity indices result shows a ranged from 1.13 to 1.58, and this indicates low diversity in the eight sampling stations

Relationship between water quality & black flies (Diptera: simuliidae) abundance in Tambunan district, Sabah

A study to investigate the relationship between black flies (Simuliidae) pupa abundance and physio-chemical parameters such as velocity, water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and total dissolved solid was conducted at Tambunan district, Sabah. A total of six rivers were selected as sampling stations. Five sampling points located at a distance of 5-10 meters were established in each sampling station. Sampling was conducted every fortnight for a duration of six months from October 2015 until March 2017. Samples of black flies’ larvae and pupae were manually collected from substrates consisting of grasses, plant roots and plastics which were found stuck in between the rocks with running water area. Water quality parameters that were measured during every sampling, include water temperature, velocity, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and total dissolve solids (TDS). Results from this study showed that The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed two PC’s which had eigenvalues >1.0 and together accounted for 78% total variability of the physio-chemical parameters. PC-1 which accounted 56% of variability defined a normal temperature (23-250C), high water velocity, high dissolved oxygen, low conductivity and low total dissolved solid. While PC-2 explained 22% of the variability was related to water pH. Pearson’s correlation result shows that only velocity had a significant relationship with the abundance of black flies (r=0.512, p<0.01), while other parameters did not show any significant relationship with its abundance. In conclusion, results from this study revealed that only water velocity had a significant relationship with the abundance of black flies