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Gut microbiome studies have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential in unveiling the role of microbial communities in animals’ health and ecological processes. However, the lack of standardized protocols in sample handling and processing across studies introduces variability, impeding the comparability of findings. This study addresses this issue by examining methodological variations in gut microbiome research on wildlife and domesticated animals in Southeast Asia. A comprehensive search of 91 relevant studies on the SCOPUS database yielded 54 suitable publications for review, encompassing diverse taxa such as invertebrates (20), fishes (7), reptiles (3), birds (5), and mammals (19). Notably, various methodological approaches were employed to characterize microbial communities, including the source of isolation, various culture-based approaches, sequencing methods, and the targeted markers. Based on the information provided in this study, future studies should strive to develop guidelines and best practices specific to gut microbiome studies. This would enhance comparability and facilitate the integration of findings. Such efforts will also advance our understanding of the microbial diversity associated with wildlife, and its potential implications for their health and conservation.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has transformed genomics, presenting significant potential for advancing wildlife conservation. NGS technology offers opportunities and challenges for addressing scientific questions in wildlife management. Unfortunately, there is a lack of comprehensive records on NGS implementation in Southeast Asia, particularly concerning wildlife conservation. To address this gap, we analyzed NGS studies focused on wildlife monitoring in Southeast Asia and introduced a practical framework for implementing NGS technologies in global wildlife conservation, especially in Southeast Asia. We systematically reviewed NGS studies in wildlife monitoring from the SCOPUS database. We identified 137 relevant publications from 11 countries, with Malaysia contributing 36% of the studies. The included studies were categorized into five themes: species identification, dietary assessment, health monitoring, taxonomic resolution, and whole-genome sequencing, with the majority focusing on 38 publications related to wildlife health. The framework developed in this study help the researchers and conservation practitioners with insights on NGS technology application in conservation while also addressing the benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations associated with NGS use. This review offers a brief overview of NGS usage and provides guidelines for embracing NGS as a valuable tool for effective wildlife conservation strategies in our rapidly changing world.

The Asian region is globally renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity, rich ecosystems, and unique cultural heritage. However, the delicate equilibrium between human societies and the diverse flora and fauna faces increasing challenges due to the region's rich biodiversity and escalating utilization of wildlife resources. Hence, this paper aims to document the utilization of endangered wildlife across Asian countries and to report the existing conservation measures and recommendations for sustainable wildlife management over the years. We employed prominent academic databases, specifically SCOPUS, to explore the dynamics of wildlife utilization and its associated implications. From the findings, 9,989 records were successfully identified. However, only 65 articles were included in the review after the screening process. A total of 61 species, comprising 30 mammals, 22 reptiles, one amphibian, and eight birds, all endangered, were identified as subjects of wildlife utilization in 16 Asian countries. China possessed the highest count for wildlife utilization across all categories, including 15 species used for trading purposes. In conclusion, this research underscores the critical need for integrated approaches that balance human needs and conservation imperatives to ensure a sustainable future for Asia's wildlife biodiversity.

Recently, citizen scientists have gained recognition for engaging the public in collaboration with professional scientists in scientific actions. Citizen scientists act as an important force contributing to the Community, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) initiatives and promoting sustainable development. Thus, the study's objectives are to conduct a systematic review for citizen scientists in addressing the challenges of working in environmental conservation research and to address the way forward for fellow citizen scientists. We conducted a systematic literature review using the SCOPUS database in September 2023 to review the relatable article on citizen science. The result successfully extracted 118 related articles by applying a few keywords, ‘Conservation’, ‘Education’, ‘Environment’, ‘Management’, and ‘Citizen Scientist’ as a primary keyword. Notably, approximately 62% of articles published focused on environmental conservation involving animals and plants. This study also highlights the contributions of citizen scientists in conserving and monitoring biodiversity, including volunteering activities. In conclusion, this review emphasizes citizen scientists' transformative potential in supporting CEPA and offers insights into the crucial role of citizen scientists and their promising pathway toward sustainability.

The banded langur (Presbytis femoralis) is a critically endangered primate, which within Malaysia has not been known to extend significantly outside the state of Johor. Traditionally, distribution studies on this highly threatened primate have relied on conventional methods such as DNA identification, live counting, and camera trapping. However, ethnoprimatology offers an alternative approach to data collection, involving the active participation of indigenous and local communities possessing valuable knowledge and experience with local primate species. This study employed an integrated approach incorporating ethnoprimatology by utilizing pooled local expert opinion, local surveys, interviews, and fecal DNA analysis, resulting in a novel distribution range for the banded langur. The combination of expert opinions revealed this species' most optimistic distribution scenario across Johor and Pahang, inhabiting various ecosystems, including lowland forests, peat swamps, and human‐modified landscapes. Further interviews and surveys conducted within the Orang Asli community in Tasik Chini and Tasek Bera have provided additional support for the revised distribution, documenting occurrences of banded langur utilization in indigenous practices, such as food consumption, cultural beliefs, medicinal applications, and craftsmanship. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated genetic differentiation between populations in Johor and Pahang, with the populations in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia likely serving as ancestral sources for other populations. Consequently, this study not only elucidated the updated distribution of banded langur through DNA records and direct observations but also established the efficacy of ethnoprimatology as a precursory tool for uncovering the present distribution patterns of other primate species in Malaysia. Research Highlights: An integrated approach that incorporates ethnoprimatology, pooled local expert opinion (PLEO), and fecal DNA analysis has successfully revealed a novel extended distribution for the banded langur.The study revealed that banded langur has been long utilized by the Orang Asli in various purposes, including as bushmeat, traditional medicine, religious beliefs, musical instruments, and other cultural usage.The analysis showed that the populations in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia serve as a plausible basal population in Peninsular Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic monitoring plays a crucial role in the conservation management of amphibians due to their vulnerability to habitat changes. Traditional biodiversity monitoring methods, such as trapping and morphological identification, are being complemented by advanced technologies that enhance species identification sensitivity and monitoring capabilities. Genetic resource availability is essential for effective amphibian biodiversity assessment and monitoring. This study aims to evaluate the current state of genetic resources and their comprehensiveness for amphibian biomonitoring and conservation in Malaysia. The study focused on seven targeted mitochondrial DNA loci, and data regarding these loci were obtained from the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. The results showed that 69.8% of amphibian species in Malaysia had genetic data available for at least one or more of the targeted genes, with the 16S gene being the most widely represented. However, only 12.1% of threatened species and 61.2% of endemic species had accessible genetic information. Biological utilization was identified as the primary threat to amphibian species in Malaysia, accounting for 27.0% of recorded threats. These findings highlight the need for further improvement in achieving comprehensive genetic resource information for amphibians in Malaysia. Advancements in enpromisesntal DNA (eDNA) analysis and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies hold promise in enhancing efforts to conserve amphibian diversity. It is crucial to continue expanding genetic resources to support ongoing monitoring and preservation initiatives for amphibians in Malaysia, ensuring effective conservation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The approach of combining cost‐effective nanopore sequencing and emerging environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding could prove to be a promising tool for biodiversity documentation, especially in Malaysia. Given the substantial funding constraints in recent years, especially in relation to the country's biodiversity, many researchers have been limited to conduct restricted research without extended monitoring periods, potentially hindering comprehensive surveys and could compromise the conservation efforts. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the application of eDNA metabarcoding on freshwater fish using short reads generated through nanopore sequencing. This assessment focused on species detection in three selected rivers within the Endau Rompin Landscape in Malaysia. Additionally, the study compared levels of species detection between eDNA metabarcoding and conventional sampling methods, examined the effectiveness of primer choice, and applied both metabarcoding and shotgun sequencing to the eDNA approach. We successfully identified a total of 22 and 71 species with an identification threshold of >97% and >90%, respectively, through the MinION platform. The eDNA metabarcoding approach detected over 13% more freshwater fish species than when the conventional method was used. Notably, the distinction in freshwater fish detection between eDNA primers for 12S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase I was insignificant. The cost for eDNA metabarcoding proved to be more effective compared to conventional sampling with cost reduction at 33.4%. With favourable cost‐effectiveness and increased species detection, eDNA metabarcoding could complement existing methods, enhance holistic diversity documentation for targeted habitats and facilitate effective conservation planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaysia is blessed with lush tropical rainforests that harbour an exceptional diversity of amphibians and reptiles. However, compared to other animal groups, amphibians and reptiles have received limited attention in research, despite their ecological significance. With amphibians and reptile species having been declining rapidly due to anthropogenic activities, there is a pressing need to conserve these species and their habitats. Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are designated regions that are beneficial due to their critical role in providing essential ecosystem services and serving as repositories of biodiversity. Nonetheless, the classification of ESAs in Malaysia lacks biological elements and only focuses on physical attributes. To enhance the current ESA classification framework by integrating biological components, there is an urgent need to obtain information on diversity and habitat in Malaysia. Therefore, the objectives of this study were twofold: to determine the diversity of amphibians and reptiles in Gunung Belumut Amenity Forest and to conduct a comparative analysis between the herpetofauna assemblages in Gunung Belumut with other forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia. The survey was carried out between March and June 2022, with additional sampling conducted in February 2023. The Visual Encounter Survey (VES) and pitfall trap methods were employed to survey the herpetofauna species, focusing on both aquatic and terrestrial habitats within the study area. A total of 210 individuals representing 38 species of herpetofauna were recorded, comprising 18 amphibian and 20 reptile species. Amongst the observed species, Limnonectes blythii was the most frequently encountered amphibian, with 59 individuals observed, while the dominant reptile species was Cyrtodactylus consobrinus, represented by eight individuals. This pioneering study serves as a vital baseline documentation of the amphibian and reptile assemblages in Gunung Belumut Amenity Forest. It provides valuable information for identifying extant herpetofauna species, including those of potential conservation concern or rarity. These findings contribute to ongoing conservation efforts dedicated to the preservation of herpetofauna within the region. By understanding the diversity and distribution patterns of amphibians and reptiles in Gunung Belumut, effective conservation strategies can be developed to protect these species and their habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of arachnid species in Tasik Chini was conducted from 22nd to 26th of February 2022. The Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method was employed as the primary approach for arachnid detection. The outcomes of this study provided the first documented literature presenting a checklist of arachnid species identified in the Tasik Chini region. This study records total of 33 arachnid species, encompassing the Araneae, Scorpions, Opiliones, and Thelyphonida families. Notably, two intriguing spider species, namely Damarchus sp. "Chini" (Tube trapdoor spider) and Psednocnemis brachyramosa (Malaysian Blue Femur Tarantula), were discovered during the survey. This marks the initial confirmation of the presence of P. brachyramosa in Pahang, as previous records solely report its occurrence in Gunung Ledang, Johor. To further unravel the distinctive arachnid assemblages within this Man and Biosphere Reserve, future investigations should concentrate on conducting intensive sampling of arachnids in the broader Tasik Chini Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]