Assessment of management and collection of zoological specimens at natural history museums in Malaysia

There are many causes contributing to biodiversity loss and lack of understanding on the importance of natural history collections is one. Ineffective dissemination of biodiversity knowledge, poor maintenance of natural history collection and lack of understanding as perceived by Malaysian why the need for a natural history museum are problems answered by this research. This study aims, firstly, rationalize natural history collections as a tool in mainstreaming biodiversity in Malaysia, and secondly, to provide a guideline on maintaining biological specimens critical to their management. Data collection was done by gathering qualitative data from the field through study visits, interviews, questionnaires as well as experiments. Eleven institutions in Malaysia and each from Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand were visited, and found having similar problems in managing zoological collection. From this study, the reason why Malaysia did not excel in the collection management was not because of the curators aptitude, but more to other factors that influencd the quality of collections management, such as funding and human resource. For the second objective, lack of awareness on biodiversity among Malaysian made them incapable to see the need to establish a natural history museum. A study case done to Natural History repository, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn identified Aspergillus sp., Chaetomium sp. and Mucor sp. were present on bat skin and entomological specimens used in this study. Invertebrate pests, Vollenhovia sp. and Dermatophagoides sp. were circumstantially found. However sign of insect activities such frass, shed skins and other body parts are actual evidences of insect pest occurrence. The low temperature and alcohol treatment proved to be the best non-pesticidal methods for remediation of zoological collections. Data from curators and case study were compiled into management practice for the care of zoological collections

Pest management challenge in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia natural history repository

Under the Malaysian Universities Act 1971, Higher Learning Institutions are encouraged to set up museums that could support teaching and learning at the institution. With that provision, the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) Natural History Repository was formed in 2014, to support the newly developed BSc Program called Biodiversity and Conservation. Under the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Centre of Research - Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources (CoR-SUNR), develops and organizes the repository. Currently the repository is sited at a shoplot building in Parit Raja Campus that had been modified as part of campus expansion plan. The process of converting this shoplot building into functional gallery/storage space introduced a new challenge in pest management. The goals were to ensure whatever pests already present are eradicated, determine ways to seal out future pests, stabilize the condition to decrease pest infestation, and establish a monitoring program. Baseline pest data were collected via trapping throughout the repository spaces before, during, and after retrofit construction. Data from trapping were used to assess pest problems, and actions to eliminate these pests were initiated. A year-long survey of pests was performed after staff and collections occupied the building. The results showed variation in pest diversity and populations. Having succeeded in controlling insects pest problems at UTHM Natural History Repository would lead to better teaching/learning experience for graduates as well as promoting public awareness and education especially among young public on biodiversity

Anthelmintic activity of papaya seeds on Hymenolepis diminuta infections in rats

The purpose of this study is to see the anthelmintic activity potential of papaya seeds against Hymenolepis diminuta in rats. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the effectiveness of papaya seeds on helminths especially H. diminuta in rats and (2) to determine the effective dose level on helminths in rats. Thirty six male rats from strain Sprague-Dawley were chosen as samples in this experiment. Two types of dose level were used for papaya seeds treatments such as 0.6 g kg-1 and 1.2 g kg-1. The geometric mean (GEM) was used to calculate mean for eggs per gram (EPG) before and after the treatment to be included in the reduction percentage calculation. After 21 days post treatment, necropsies were done to get the worm count and the GEM was used to calculate the efficacy percentage for the treatment. Results from this study showed that the reduction percentages in EPG for papaya seeds treatment for both doses level were very high which is 96.8% for 0.6g kg-1 dose level and 96.2% for 1.2 g kg-1 dose level. Whereas the efficacy percentage based on the worm counts for both doses level were also very high that was 90.77% for 0.6 g kg-1 dose level and 93.85% for 1.2 g kg-1

Kajian infestasi ektoparasit pada mamalia kecil di Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Kajian mengenai kadar infestasi ektoparasit pada mamalia kecil telah dijalankan di tujuh kawasan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu, Sabah yang terpilih. Sejumlah 214 ekor mamalia kecil daripada sembilan spesies iaitu Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus, Rattus exulans, Rattus ·argentiventer, Rattus tiomanicus, Maxomys rajah, Mus castaneus, Sundamy muelleri (kesemuanya Order: Rodentia) dan Suncus murinus (Order: Soricomorpha) yang ditangkap. Kemudian sebanyak 9,941 ektoparasit yang berjaya dikumpul dari mamalia kecil tadi dan boleh dikategorikan kepada lima kumpulan iaitu kutu (Order: Phthiraptera), pinjal (Order: Siphonaptera), sengkenit (Order: Ixodida), tungau (Order: Mesostigmata) dan ciger (Order: Trombidiformes). Order Mesostigmata mempunyai bilangan famili yang terbanyak iaitu enam famili (Dermanyssidae, Diplopodophilus, Ixodorhynchidae, Lealapidae, Macronyssidae clan Pryoglyphidae). Manakala order Phthiraptera: Polyplacidae, Ixodida: Ixodidae, Trombidiformes: Myobiidae dan Siphonaptera: Pulicidae, masing-masing mempunyai satu famili sahaja Namun begitu bilangan individu yang paling tinggi hanya pada order Phthiraptera (4,522) diikuti Mesostigmata (4,070), Trombidiformes (1,099), Siphonaptera (176) dan Ixodida (74). Prevalens keseluruhan ektoparasit pada mamalia kecil di Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu sangatlah tinggi dengan 96. 73%. Hanya tujuh ekor mamalia kecil yang tidak diinfestasi oleh mana-mana ektoparasit. Dari peratusan ini empat kawasan mempunyai prevalens sebanyak 100% iaitu Pasar Besar KK, Taman Indah Permai, Pulau Gaya dan Plaza Damai. Mariakala yang lainnya kurang sedikit daripada 100% iaitu Anjung Selera (90.63%), Taman Kingfisher (91.18%) dan Pelabuhan KK (98.15%). Dengan prevalens yang tinggi ini maka kajian menyeluruh harus terus dijalankan terutamanya pada bahagian pengenalpastian spesies ektoparasit agar kesan jangkitan yang disebabkan oleh spesies tersebut dapat dikenalpasti, seterusnya langkah-langkah pencegahan awal dapat diambil dengan sewajarnya Perkaitan antara mamalia kecil dengan ektoparasit juga harus terus dikaji dan diusahakan pengumpulan datanya. Semoga dengan data yang diperoleh ini sedikit sebanyak membantu dalam menyumbang maklumat khususnya dalam bidang parasitologi perubatan dan kesihatan awam

Land Snail Fauna of Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

We surveyed the land snail fauna of 13 localities including three limestone outcropsin Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. Land snails were sampled using manual collection and identified tospecies level where possible. In this study, a total of 39 species was recorded. Species diversityin limestone areas was higher than that in non-calcareous areas. The genus Opisthostoma wasfound in all the 3 limestone outcrops. A random sample of about 20 shells of this genus fromeach site contained single but unique taxa among the three limestone outcrops. The threelimebtone outcrops were isolated by more than 20 km from one another. This result confirmedthe high endemicity of this genus. At areas deforested and perturbed by humans, we found twoinvasive species, Bradybaena similaris (Rang, 1831) and Subulina octona (Bruguibre, 1792),which have been widely spread over the world

Gauging the current status of natural history collections in Malaysia

This study was carried out to gauge the current status of natural history collection centres in Malaysia, primarily focused on animal collections. Part of the research is reported here and it constituted objective one which is to compare the status of natural history collection between the various centres in Malaysia and also with three selected Southeast Asian tropical region museums in trying to understand need of the Malaysian public for a natural history museum. It maps out the locations, describes the number and kinds of specimens kept at each collection centre. Financial and governance aspects are also described. In total 11 centres were visited all over Malaysia. These collection centres and museums were managed by federal or state government or universities. Duration of visit at each location ranged from one to seven days. During the visit interviews were carried out with collection manager to obtained Questionnaire was also left behind for managers of centre to fill in and sent back to researchers. In addition, three natural history collection centres and museums in South East Asia tropical region were also visited: Bogor Zoological Museum, Indonesia; Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore and Mahachakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum, Prince of Songkhla University, Thailand. Following the same protocol as with Malaysian centres, the information obtained enable researcher to make comparison between Malaysia and those in the region. This paper found that most of the natural history museums and collection centres were focused in the centre of peninsular Malaysia. However, natural history collections in Malaysia are still limited by state and national borders. Coordination and integration of these centres, currently runned separately by the federal, state governments, research institutions and institution of higher learning, is seen as the way forward to provide for a strong basis of understanding biodiversity among the Malaysian public

Insect exhibition as a tool to promote biodiversity conservation among children

Strong understanding of biodiversity instilled in the early ages is critical to initiate the actions and sense of responsibility towards biodiversity conservation. However, poor effort in mainstreaming biodiversity could lead to lack of awareness and understanding on biodiversity among society, thus restricting effective conservation effort. Therefore, in this study, biodiversity conservation education was pursued using insects to promote awareness. This study aimed to gauge the level of biodiversity understanding and knowledge among primary school students before and after experiencing insect exhibition. This study involved two parts; insect exhibition (development of insect collection and posters) and surveys (using pre and post questionnaires). A total of 136 students of age 10 from four primary schools in Batu Pahat district, Johor, Malaysia participated in the exhibition. The results showed that the level of understanding on biodiversity’s concept and function among the students was poor before experiencing the exhibition while 80.15% of their understanding has increased after the exhibition. In conclusion, the use of insect collection with interactive display and activities during the exhibition could attract students and improve their learning and understanding on biodiversity conservation