Comparative Prevalence of Ectoparasitic Fauna on Birds from Selected Mainland and Island of Sarawak

A survey of ectoparasitic fauna on birds was conducted in October 2017 until January 2018. The aims of this study were to investigate the ectoparasitic fauna on birds and to compare its prevalence in the selected mainland and island of Sarawak. A series of sampling by using mist-net has been done in Mount Sadong and Satang Besar Island with a total of 1440 hours of sampling effort for each locality. A total of 53 individuals of birds were captured and examined for its ectoparasites. Twenty-one species of ectoparasites were recorded comprising four species of lice and 17 species of mites. Four species of lice and 11 species of mites were detected in Mount Sadong while eight species of mites and no lice were detected in Satang Besar Island. The prevalence of ectoparasites infested on birds in Mount Sadong (33.33%) was higher than Satang Besar Island (17.39%). The p-value (p= 0.474) indicated there was no significant difference between the prevalence of ectoparasites from both localities. The result is important since ectoparasites infestation could affect the survival of birds and has the potential transmission of zoonotic disease

The Diversity, Distribution, and Habitat Preference of Rodents in Five Contrasting Habitats in the Tropical Rainforest of Malaysian Borneo

Rapid land-use changes may alter rodent assemblages in Malaysian Borneo. Understanding the diversity, distribution, and habitat preference of rodents from contrasting habitats may aid in pest control and conservation plan for rare species as well as species that important for conservation in Sarawak. In view of this, rodents were surveyed using cage and Sherman’s traps along several habitat gradients (primary forest, secondary forest, oil palm plantation, rural and urban areas) in Sarawak. This reveals that the highest species diversity was in the primary forest (H’=2.03) followed by the secondary forest (H’= 1.16), which decreased along the habitat gradient. Maxomys whiteheadi appeared as the indicator species in the primary forest (IndVal=0.894, p=0.033). Rattus tanezumi (n=155) appeared as the generalist followed by Sundamys muelleri (n=63) (PDI=0.61 and PDI=0.75, respectively). Meanwhile, three habitat specialists were detected (PDI=1.00), namely Leopoldamys sabanus, Maxomys surifer, and Niviventer rapit in the primary forest. Habitat preference analysis shows that most forest species were avoiding disturbed habitats and few species were recorded in disturbed habitats. This survey may provide information to aid various stakeholders in understanding rodent ecology for conservation purposes and pest control mitigation plans in Sarawak

ECTOPARASITES FAUNA OF RODENTS AND SCANDENTS AT DIFFERENT HABITATS OF SARAWAK, MALAYSIA

Field surveys of ectoparasites fauna on small mammals (Rodentia and Scandentia) were conducted since 2008 until 2019 in 12 localities of Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo). The objectives of these field surveys are to obtain checklist on the distribution of ectoparasites and their hosts (rodents and scandents) in Sarawak, and to determine the ectoparasites that are of known public health importance. Throughout these surveys, seven types of habitat had been recorded from 12 localities of study sites, namely lowland dipterocarp forest, mixed dipterocarp forest, hill dipterocarp forest, riverine forest, limestone forest, secondary forest, and urban area. A total of 50 to 100 cage traps were used to traps hosts for five to six consecutive days per site and ectoparasites were extracted from each host caught using fine comb and forceps. Identification of ectoparasites was based on morphology from available taxonomic keys and published taxonomic drawings. A total of 148 animals comprising 22 species of rodents and scadents were caught and screened for ectoparasites. Of these hosts, 46 species of ectoparasites were identified from a total of 2463 individuals collected. Among the ectoparasites found, six species collected are of known medical importance namely Ixodes granulatus (ticks) Laelaps nuttalli (mesostigmatid mites), Leptotrombidium deliense (trombiculid mites), Sarcoptes scabiei (astigmatid mites), Polypax spinulosa, and Hoplopleura dissicula (lice). Further surveys are recommended for more comprehensive inventory of ectoparasites in different locations and habitats that can build up extensive wealth of information on various aspects such as host-parasite relationship, biology and ecology