Composition and Diversity of Aquatic Insects at Hutan Lipur Bukit Soga Perdana, Batu Pahat, Johor

Human activities such as agriculture would negatively affect the quality of water sources and becomes a factor to the reduction of the composition of aquatic insects. A study was conducted to determine the composition of aquatic insects and correlation made between its composition and habitat in Soga Perdana Amenity Forest  or locally known as Hutan Lipur Soga Perdana (HLSP), Batu Pahat, Johor. Samples were collected by using Kicking net for three days. A total of 794 individuals of aquatic insects representing 31 families from seven orders were collected. The orders ranked from the most family rich to the least showed that Diptera has seven families (22.6%); Trichoptera six families (19.4%); Ephemeroptera with five families (16.1%); Odonata, four families (12.9%); Coleoptera, four families (12.9%), Hemiptera, three families (9.7%) and Plecoptera, two  (6.5%). Most abundant were from families Leptophelibidae (Ephemeroptera with 131 individuals), Simuliidae (Diptera with 95 individuals) and Heptageniidae (Ephemeroptera with 92 individuals). Further analysis were carried out using several assessment index which were normally used. In this study Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI), Biological  Monitoring Working Party (BWMP) and EPT index were calculated. Results showed that HLBSP water body is of good quality and observed to be free from any anthropogenic activities. Eventhough with quantitatively limited supply, the available water bodies in this area supported high taxa richness with 31 families. For future conservation, works to preserve water bodies at HLBSP have to be done, since it is a water supply to maintain the forest regeneration in the reserve. Maintaining HLBSP is critical, because it plays an important ecological role as the green lung for the highly industrial district of Batu Pahat

Development of Odonata as A Nature Tourism Product for Peat Swamp Ecosystem in North Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Johor

Odonates are water quality indicator for the health of freshwater ecosystem, had been used in pharmacology, as dietary items, predators and controlling human diseases. Odonata have a strong tradition of being involved in relaxation and recreation activities in various Asian nations, such as China and Japan. A study on odonate as tourism product was carried out at North Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Johor for eight days. The study firstly aimed to determine the diversity of odonate on site. Ten flagships species was then selected based on criteria of a good nature tourism product. The research continued to develop odonatourism as a new product in North Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Johor. The method used for species inventory were sticky trapping, sweep netting, and point-counting survey. A total number of 35 species with 465 individuals - had been collected during the research. Data collected revealed that the diversity of odonate in the sampling region is medium as evidenced by the Shannon Weiner Species Diversity Index (2.6126). Analyzing the 35 species of odonates, gauging against the eight Criteria of a Good Nature Tourism Product, 10 species indicated having potentials to be developed into nature tourism products.  Based on the selected 10 flagship species, a promotional brochure and a prototype of souvenir were created. Although this research mainly dealt with promoting odonate as potential nature tourism products the necessity to maintain North Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve in Johor is also highlighted

Exploring Neuroprotective Properties of Centella Asiatica Extract on Metabolic Change in Chronic Stress-Induced Rats

Stress is a mode of adaptive response towards external demands, and prolonged exposure to stress is known to promote aging and neurodegeneration. Several therapies promote neuroprotection but are usually accompanied by adverse consequences. Traditional medicine has been proven as an effective alternative for promoting pharmacological health benefits such as wound healing, boosting memory function and reducing oxidative stress. Centella asiatica (CeA) has also gaining attention as an alternative option in promoting neuroprotective activities against neurodegenerative disorders and neuronal injuries. In this study, the neurodegenerative condition of rats was achieved using chronic stress through movement restraint and forced swimming for 21 consecutive days. Here, the neuroprotective properties of three different dosage of CeA (200 mg/kg/day, 400 mg/kg/day and 800 mg/kg/day) was evaluated using metabolomics approach. The administration of CeA shown distinction between untreated group and treated group; and reducing the effect of chronic stress in rats. The extract also demonstrated a significant elevation in several metabolites (lactate, isoleucine, proline, methionine, valine, leucine and glutamine) in rats treated with CeA, particularly in rats administered with 800 mg/kg of CeA. These significant metabolites play important roles in variety of biochemical function of the brain such as the synthesis of protein, energy metabolism, synthesis of neurotransmitter, protection against oxidative stress and compartmentalisation of glutamate. The results of this study may contribute towards greater understanding of molecular mechanism of CeA in promoting neuroprotective properties against neurodegeneration from exposure to chronic stress.   Keywords: Centella asiatica, Chronic Stress, NMR-based metabolomics, Serum Metabolite

Tourists’ Perceptions of Insects as the Determinants of Insect Conservation through Entomological Ecotourism

Insects are commonly featured in recreation and tourism around the world, despite the generally negative public perception surrounding them. Many people enjoy watching butterflies in insectarium gardens, observing and collecting dragonflies, and admiring the light displays of fireflies. In many cases, activities like these are becoming increasingly popular and these positive interactions with insects encourage public appreciation of insects, but vary acuities in their forms and approaches. Thus, understanding the pattern of insect appearances in recreation and tourism activities in a variety of discernments can provide important insights into effective ways of promoting insect conservation through ecotourism, which is often overlooked in biodiversity conservation strategies. However, these types of interdisciplinary studies are relatively new and remain limited in both entomology and tourism sciences. A field survey was carried out at Kangkawat Research Station, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area, where a 1 kilometre entomological ecotourism trail was designed and developed to incorporate insects in enhancing ecotourism at the reserve. Insects that can be found along the 1 kilometre trail were recorded and the collection was conducted using baited traps and sweep netting. Based on the insects survey, the Shannon Diversity Index (H’) of Kangkawat is 4.60 while Simpson Index is 176.72 with Fisher Alpha Index at 313.3 that concludes Kangkawat Research Station insect richness to be the second highest after the Crocker Range. In adressing the knowledge gaps between insect conservation and ecotourism, a survey on attitudes towards insects was designed and then completed by 384 tourists around Kota Kinabalu City. The standardized questionnaire known as the Personal Meaning of Insects Map (PMIM) was administered to tourists and their responses were elicited prior to and after observing insect photos. The results shows that “spider” had the 100% connectivity in response to the most detested insect based on their previous encounters with insects. This result shows that there is an existing entomology knowledge gap among the respondents, indicating the need for further interventions in terms of nature interpretation. Therefore a quality guided nature interpretation as an educational tool should take into account how the general public understands (or misunderstands) insects further and where interpretive information could be better applied if we are to develop management and educational tools that address human-insect encounters