Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use: Malaysian scenario

Malaysia is in partnership to international agreements such as for Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered species, Hazardous wastes, Marine life conservation, Tropical timber 83 and Law of the sea. Like all countries in the pact, she is currently implementing the national biodiversity strategies and action plans that have been strategized. The progression has led to increase in awareness of biodiversity status and enhancement of protected areas, with current statistics of 63% acclaimed forests and woodland in contrast to 10% land use for permanent crops. In spite of this there are indicative trends that Malaysia too contributes to the 42% loss of the Southeast Asian biodiversity approaching 2100. Here we highlight the challenged in conservation efforts and three primary driving forces impacting upon biodiversity: • Conversion of natural habitat to human ecosystem • Natural disasters and climate change • Bioprospecting Malaysia's strategic location within Southeast Asia, with Thailand in the north, Singapore in the south and Brunei in the east would need a multidisciplinary approach in order to address issues of biodiversity threats which one country has on its neighbours. This will be discussed in three main components: • Invading operational activities • Domestic activities • Resources affected by international activities In summary, a realistic solution would be an overall participation from all major stakeholders and a trasboundary effort such as the international ecological footprint

The significance of wing and body morphometry in discriminating six species of Eurema butterflies (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) of Peninsular Malaysia

Six species of Eurema butterflies comprised of 261 adult individuals collected from various sampling sites in Peninsular Malaysia were identified. The morphometric measurement of the specimens was carried out by using seven characters measured from the wing and body regions. Morphometric analysis was determined through the multivariate analysis of Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) and Cluster Analysis. The results of DFA showed that two out of seven characters utilized have the lowest values of Partial’s Wilks Lambda; basal length and hindwing length. These characters therefore are significant for the discrimination of the Eurema species. The classification matrix shows that both E. hecabe and E. blanda were completely discriminated by the characters set. Moreover, there was great overlaps occurred between the species groups when plotting a conical graph except for species E. blanda that formed homogenous group. Basal length was also suggested as the species-specific character for grouping the species E. blanda. In Cluster Analysis, E. hecabe tends to be closer to E. sari with the lowest value of agglomeration. The results from dendogram generated from average linkage also showed several relationship patterns among the six species

Evaluation of blowfly (Chrysomya megacephala) maggot meal as an effective, sustainable replacement for fishmeal in the diet of farmed juvenile red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)

Fishmeal is the primary protein source used in farmed fish feed. However, the high price of fishmeal is a major contributor to high production costs in the aquaculture industry. Insect-based diets have been recognized as cheaper alternatives to fishmeal, but the nutritional quality and impact on fish growth remains in question. In this study, the potential of blowfly Chrysomya megacephala maggot meal as an alternative dietary protein source to fishmeal for red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) was evaluated. The protein and amino acid composition of the meal was assessed and a feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of varying percentages of fishmeal replacement on growth, feed efficiency, and survival of juvenile tilapia. Blowfly maggot meal contained all the essential amino acids needed by juvenile tilapia for normal growth, and equivalent protein content to fishmeal. Furthermore, diets with increased replacement of fishmeal by blowfly maggot meal improved the growth, feed efficiency and survival of juvenile tilapia with the total replacement diet giving the optimal results. Based on these results we suggest that blowfly maggot meal is an effective and sustainable protein source to replace fishmeal in the diet of farmed tilapia

Response of nitrogen fertilizer and legumes residues on biomass production and utilization in rice-legumes rotation

A cropping sequence including rice after winged bean, rice after bush bean, rice after corn, and rice after fallow with varying rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer were carried out to investigate the effects of legume residues and N fertilizer to clarify dynamics of soil N supply, N utilization in soil-plant system and grain yield of rice. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied in both legumes at rates of 0, 2, 4 and 6 g m(-2). The first crop cycle for rice and corn were fertilized with N fertilizer at rates of 0, 4, 8 and 12 g m(-2) with no chemical fertilizer applied in the 2nd crop cycle for the legumes, corn and rice. In 2010, bush bean and winged bean accumulated 5.0-5.9 and 6.2-6.8 g N m(-2) of which 10.0-29.4 and 21.7-42.1 was derived from N-2 fixation. In 2011, bush bean and winged bean accumulated 4.7-5.6 and 5.8-6.9 g N m(-2) of which 13.2-28.8 and 29.5-41.4 was derived from N-2 fixation and estimated by total N difference method. Higher yield was recorded by rice after winged bean with N at rates of 4, 8 and 12 g N m(-2) during both years. This superior performance of rice after winged bean is likely linked to greater N fixation (21.7-42.1) and N uptake by both legumes. Such tropical legumes that improve productivity of rice might be attractive to farmers who are generally resource-poor farmers. The results revealed that bush bean and winged bean can supply >50 and >95 of N required for rice and can be a viable alternative organic N source to enhance soil fertility and reduce cost

Flea-borne pathogens in the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis and their association with the mtDNA diversity of the flea hosts

Flea-borne pathogens were screened from 100 individual cat fleas using a PCR approach, of which 38 % were infected with at least one bacterium. Overall, 28 % of the flea samples were positive for Bartonella as inferred from ITS DNA region. Of these, 25 % (7/28) were identified as Bartonella clarridgeiae, 42.9 % (12/28) as Bartonella henselae consisted of two different strains, and 32.1 % (9/28) as Bartonella koehlerae, which was detected for the first time in Malaysia. Sequencing of gltA amplicons detected Rickettsia DNA in 14 % of cat flea samples, all of them identified as Rickettsia asembonensis (100 %). None of the flea samples were positive for Mycoplasma DNA in 16S rRNA gene detection. Four fleas were co-infected with Bartonella and Rickettsia DNAs. Statistical analyses reveal no significant association between bacterial infection and mtDNA diversity of the cat flea. Nevertheless, in all types of pathogen infections, infected populations demonstrated lower nucleotide and haplotype diversities compared to uninfected populations. Moreover, lower haplotype numbers were observed in infected populations

Insecticide Resistance Development in Aedes aegypti upon Selection Pressure with Malathion

Bioassay test against malathion had been carried out with larval and adult stages of Aedes aegypti. The mosquitoes were under selection pressure against malathion for fortyfive consecutive generations. The rate of resistance development was measured by LC 50 and LT 50 values. The larvae and adult females, after subjection to malathion selection for 45 generations, developed high resistance level to malathion, with resistance ratio of 52.7 and 3.24 folds, respectively over control mosquitoes. Cross-resistance towards the same and different groups of insecticides was determined using the F44 and F45 malathion-selected adult females. Insecticides tested were DDT (4.0), permethrin (0.75), propoxur (0.1), fenitrothion (1), λ-cyhalothrin (0.05) and cyfluthrin (0.15). Results indicated that the mosquitoes were highly resistant to DDT and fenitrothion, moderately resistant to propoxur, tolerant to permethrin and λ-cyhalothrin, and very low resistant to cyfluthrin

Susceptibility of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus to temephos in four study sites in Kuala Lumpur City Center and Selangor State, Malaysia

Larvae obtained from Taman Samudera (Gombak, Selangor), Kampung Banjar (Gombak, Selangor), Taman Lembah Maju (Cheras, Kuala Lumpur) and Kampung Baru (City centre, Kuala Lumpur) were bioassayed with diagnostic dosage (0.012 mg/L) and operational dosage (1 mg/L) of temephos. All strains of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus showed percentage mortality in the range of 16.00 to 59.05 and 6.4 to 59.50 respectively, after 24 hours. LT50 values for the 6 strains of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus were between 41.25 to 54.42 minutes and 52.67 to 141.76 minutes respectively, and the resistance ratio for both Aedes species were in the range of 0.68 to 1.82 when tested with operational dosage, 1 mg/L temephos. These results indicate that Aedes mosquitoes have developed some degree of resistance. However, complete mortality for all strains were achieved after 24 hours when tested against 1 mg/L temephos

Weekly Variation on Susceptibility Status of Aedes Mosquitoes against Temephos in Selangor, Malaysia

Larvae of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus obtained from 6 consecutive ovitrap surveillance (OS) in Taman Samudera and Kg. Banjar were evaluated for their susceptibility to temephos. Larval bioassays were carried out in accordance with WHO standard methods, with diagnostic dosage (0.012 mg/L) and operational dosage (1 mg/L) of temephos respectively. Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus obtained from six OS in Taman Samudera showed resistance to diagnostic dosage of temephos with percentage mortality between 5.3 to 72.0 and 9.3 to 56.0, respectively, while Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus obtained from Kg. Banjar showed resistance to temephos with percentage mortality between 16.0 to 72.0 and 0 to 50.6, respectively. Only two strains of Ae. aegypti from Kg. Banjar were susceptible to temephos with 93.3 (OS 2) and 100 (OS 3) mortality. The 50 mortality at lethal time (LT50) for all strains of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus tested against operational dosage of temephos showed range between 36.07 to 75.69 minutes and 58.65 to 112.50 minutes, respectively, and complete mortality was achieved after 24 hours. Our results indicated that there is weekly variations of the resistance status for Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Aedes susceptibility to temephos is changing from time to time in these two study sites. It is essential to continue monitoring the resistance of this vector to insecticides in order to ensure the efficiency of program aimed at vector control and protection of human health

The effectiveness of a floor gully with grating to prevent the oviposition of aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linneaus): a laboratory study

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a floor gully come with grating to prevent the oviposition of Aedes aegypti in the floor trap. In order to conduct the test, two containers were placed into a mosquito cage (30 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm). Both containers were filled with declorinated seasoned tap water and covered with floor gully c/w grating and normal floor gully, respectively. A total of 50 gravid Ae. aegypti females were then released into the cage and left for a week. All the eggs obtained from the test were allowed to remain inside the containers for the eggs to hatch. The number of hatched larvae was counted and recorded. Five replicates were conducted concurrently. There was a significant difference of Ae. aegypti larvae obtained between container with floor gully c/w grating and normal floor gully (p < 0.05). A total of 96.41% reduction of Ae. aegypti larvae was obtained in the container with floor gully c/w grating compared with the normal floor gully, indicating that the floor gully c/w grating used in this study was able to prevent oviposition of Ae. aegypti in holding water

マレーシアとインドネシア産のTopomyia decorabilis Leicester,1908の再記載

金沢大学留学生センターマレーシアとインドネシアで採集されたTopomyia (Suaymyia) decorabilis Leicester,1908,の標本をもとに成虫を再記載,蛹,幼虫は初記載し,近縁種と形態を比較した.また,各期の形態や特徴を図や写真で示した.本種の特徴は大型で,生殖器のgonostylusは単状で分岐していない,paramereが異常に長く,先端が尖っている.また,幼虫の呼吸管は長く,呼吸管毛は発達し,ジグザグに基部から先端に生えている.背側には16～26本あり,それぞれが3～11分岐し,腹側には24～33本あり,それぞれが1～10分岐していることなども特徴である.本種はマレー半島,東マレーシア,スマトラ島に普通に分布している.幼虫はアリやカミキリムシが穿孔し,開口した小穴(直径2-5mm)を有する青い(生)竹筒内の水溜りに単独で生息し,捕食性で,顕著な口器(maxilla,mandible)を有する.Detailed redescriptions and illustrations of the adults including male genitalia, pupa and larva of Topomyia (Suaymyia) decorabilis Leicester, 1908 are presented based on specimens collected in Malaysia and Indonesia. The pupa and larva of the species are described for the first time. The larva of the species is predacious, having enlarged maxillae