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In the present study, the nearly complete mitochondrial genome of Euphaea ochracea was described and its phylogenetic position in the family Euphaeidae was analyzed. Here, we recovered 13 proteincoding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs and a partial control region, resulting in a mitogenome length of 15,545bp. All protein-coding genes were initiated by the typical ATN codon except nad3 and nad1, which utilizes the TTG codon. Four protein-coding genes (cox1, cox2, cox3 and nad5) are terminated by an incomplete stop codon T, while others end with either a TAA or TAG codon. The intergenic spacer region, S5, is absent in this mitogenome, supporting the lack of this region as a specific character in damselflies. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the newly sequenced E. ochracea is phylogenetically closer to E. ornata with a high support value.

Ischyja marapok is a moth species from the genus Ischyja, a member of the Lepidoptera family, Erebidae. Due to their wide variation, this family constitutes the largest described species, however, the mitogenome dataset on the genus Ischyja is scarce. Hence, the mitochondrial genome dataset of Ischyja marapok from Malaysia was completely sequenced using the next-generation sequencing technology, Illumina NovaSeq 6000 and analyzed. The mitogenome has a sequence length of 15,421 bp, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and a control region. The mitogenome is A + T biased (80.6%), with the base composition of A (39.2%), T (41.4%), C (11.9%) and G (7.5%). Among the 13 PCGs, 12 were initiated by the standard ATN codon, except for COX1 which utilizes the CGA start codon. Two PCGs were terminated with an incomplete stop codon T, while others ended with a TAA codon. Phylogenetic tree analyses showed that the sequenced I. marapok resides within the Erebinae subfamily and is closely related to Ischyja manlia (MW664367) with high bootstrap support and posterior probabilities. This dataset presented the mitogenome data of I. marapok from Malaysia, which is valuable for further research of their phylogeny and the diversification of the Ischyja genus. Also, this dataset can be implemented and used as references to assess environmental changes in the terrestrial ecosystem via environmental DNA approaches. The mitogenome of I. marapok is available in GenBank under the accession number ON165249.

The Great Marquis or Bassarona dunya is a butterfly species commonly found in the tropical regions of Asia, America, and Africa. This butterfly is a member of the subfamily Limenitidinae and the classifica-tion within this subfamily has been unstable. Here, we report the first complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of B. danya sampled from Malaysia. The mitogenome is 15,242 by long, comprising a set of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and an A ±T rich region. All PCGs were initiated by the typical ATN codon, except for COX1 which started with a CGA start codon. Nine PCGs were terminated with a TAA or TAG stop codon, while COX1, COX2, NAD4, and NAD5 ended with an incomplete T. The 12S and 165 rRNAs were 716 by and 1269 by in length, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis supported the placement of B. dunya within Limenitidinae with a high support value.

In the present study, the nearly complete mitochondrial genome of Euphaea ochracea was described and its phylogenetic position in the family Euphaeidae was analyzed. Here, we recovered 13 proteincoding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs and a partial control region, resulting in a mitogenome length of 15,545bp. All protein-coding genes were initiated by the typical ATN codon except nad3 and nad1, which utilizes the TTG codon. Four protein-coding genes (cox1, cox2, cox3 and nad5) are terminated by an incomplete stop codon T, while others end with either a TAA or TAG codon. The intergenic spacer region, S5, is absent in this mitogenome, supporting the lack of this region as a specific character in damselflies. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the newly sequenced E. ochracea is phylogenetically closer to E. ornata with a high support value.

The Great Marquis or Bassarona dunya is a butterfly species commonly found in the tropical regions of Asia, America, and Africa. This butterfly is a member of the subfamily Limenitidinae and the classifica-tion within this subfamily has been unstable. Here, we report the first complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of B. danya sampled from Malaysia. The mitogenome is 15,242 by long, comprising a set of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and an A ±T rich region. All PCGs were initiated by the typical ATN codon, except for COX1 which started with a CGA start codon. Nine PCGs were terminated with a TAA or TAG stop codon, while COX1, COX2, NAD4, and NAD5 ended with an incomplete T. The 12S and 165 rRNAs were 716 by and 1269 by in length, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis supported the placement of B. dunya within Limenitidinae with a high support value

The two complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of Paedocypris progenetica, the smallest fish in the world which belonged to the Cyprinidae family, were sequenced and assembled. The circular DNA molecules of mitogenomes P1-P. progenetica and S3-P. progenetica were 16,827 and 16,616 bp in length, respectively, and encoded 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one control region. The gene arrangements of P. progenetica were identical to those of other Paedocypris species. BLAST and phylogenetic analyses revealed variations in the mitogenome sequences of two Paedocypris species from Perak and Selangor. The circular DNA molecule of P. progenetica yield a standard vertebrate gene arrangement and an overall nucleotide composition of A 33.0%, T 27.2%, C 23.5%, and G 15.5%. The overall AT content of this species was consistent with that of other species in other genera. The negative GC-skew and positive AT-skew of the control region in P. progenetica indicated rich genetic variability and AT nucleotide bias, respectively. The results of this study provide genomic variation information and enhance the understanding of the mitogenome of P. progenetica. They could later deliver highly valuable new insight into data for phylogenetic analysis and population genetics.

Sea cucumbers are an abundant echinoderm group in Malaysia which provides commercial and medicinal values to local people. Due to the lack of data on sea cucumbers status in Johor coastal seawaters, this study was conducted. This study aimed to identify the species and relationship of sea cucumber from two selected Johor coastal seawater; Pulau Tinggi and Sedili Kechil based on ossicle shape. The current study recorded 53 individuals of sea cucumbers, of which 23 individuals were from Pulau Tinggi, Mersing District and 30 individuals were from Sedili Kechil, Kota Tinggi District. A number of 10 species of sea cucumber were found in the coastal waters of Pulau Tinggi, Mersing and three species in Sedili Kechil, Kota Tinggi, Johor. A total of 10 ossicle shapes were observed and extracted from the sea cucumber samples namely button, perforated plate, table, C-shaped rod, rosette, anchor, spider, I-shaped rod, boomerang, and J-shaped rod. The species relationship based on ossicle shapes was analysed using clustering option of PAST (PAleontological STatistics) software version 4.03. The analysis concluded that two groups of sea cucumber families i.e. Holothuriidae and Stichopodidae were present, although S. chloronotus clustered closer with the members of family Holothuriidae.. Although more specimens are required to generate better conclusive results, the outcomes provided updated data on sea cucumber species in Johor seawater.

The increasing interest in understanding the evolutionary relationship between members of the Pteropodidae family has been greatly aided by genomic data from the Old World fruit bats. Here we present the complete mitogenome of Geoffroy's rousette,Rousettus amplexicaudatusfound in Peninsular Malaysia . The mitogenome constructed is 16,511bp in length containing 37 genes; 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a D-loop region. The overall base composition is estimated to be 32.28% for A, 25.64% for T, 14.09% for G and 27.98% for C, indicating a slightly AT rich feature (57.93%). A phylogenetic and BLASTn analysis against other available mitogenomes showed MalaysianR. amplexicaudatusmatched 98% similarity to the same species in Cambodia and Vietnam. However, it differed considerably (92.53% similarity) with the same species in the Philippines. This suggests flexibility inRousettussp. with regards to adapting to mesic and dry habitats, ability for long-distance dispersal and remarkably precise lingual echolocation thus supporting its wide-range distribution and colonization. Further taxonomical and mitogenomic comparatives are required in resolving the evolutionary relationship betweenRousettusspp.

The mitogenome of a plantain squirrel,Callosciurus notatus, collected from Bukit Tarek Forest Reserve (Extension), Selangor, Malaysia was sequenced using BGISEQ-500RS technology. The 16,582 bp mitogenome consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 1 control region. A phylogenetic and BLASTn analysis against other available datasets showed that the mitogenome matched with 99.49% similarity to a previously publishedC. notatusmitogenome from Peninsular Malaysia. However, it also diverged by nearly 8% (92.24% match) from a second previously published mitogenome for the same species, sampled in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. This suggests a difference in landscape features between both localities might affect its genetic connectivity.

Upland rice is important for sustainable crop production to meet future food demands. The expansion in area of irrigated rice faces limitations due to water scarcity resulting from climate change. Therefore, this research aimed to identify potential genotypes and suitable traits of upland rice germplasm for breeding programmes. Forty-three genotypes were evaluated in a randomised complete block design with three replications. All genotypes exhibited a wide and significant variation for 22 traits. The highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was recorded for the number of filled grains/panicle and yields/plant (g). The highest heritability was found for photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2, and number of filled grains/panicle and yields/plant (g). Cluster analysis based on 22 traits grouped the 43 rice genotypes into five clusters. Cluster II was the largest and consisted of 20 genotypes mostly originating from the Philippines. The first four principle components of 22 traits accounted for about 72% of the total variation and indicated a wide variation among the genotypes. The selected best trait of the number of filled grains/panicle and yields/plant (g), which showed high heritability and high genetic advance, could be used as a selection criterion for hybridisation programmes in the future.

Pada masa ini, semua maklumat mengenai penyelidikan padi di Malaysia bertaburan di penerbitan yang berbeza, depositori dan pangkalan data dengan menggunakan pelbagai format digital dan analog. Walaupun terdapat pangkalan data antarabangsa mengenai penyelidikan padi, data tersebut tidak dipautkan dengan dengan geolokasi dan maklumat arkib asas lain yang diperlukan penyelidik untuk membawa penyelidikan ke peringkat yang lebih tinggi. Kami mempersembahkan MyRice, sebuah pangkalan data atas talian Malaysia untuk kegunaan penyelidik dan orang awam. Pembangunan pangkalan data ini akan membolehkan penyelidik saintifik untuk mengesan kembali maklumat penyelidikan padi dan lokasi ia ditanam. Ia dibina menggunakan saluran pendigitalan yang membolehkan pendigitalan pemprosesan berkelajuan tinggi data arkib dan dihubungkan terus dengan enjin carian penerbitan seperti Google Scholar. Fungsi utama termasuk bibliografi, pemetaan dan pemuat naik media untuk penyelidik berkongsi video dan imej. Kami percaya MyRice yang akan menyumbang kepada ekosistem pengetahuan digital di kalangan penyelidik padi tempatan untuk meningkatkan akses kepada pengetahuan dan menjadi tumpuan utama untuk memacu penyelidikan padi Malaysia ke arah sebuah negara berstatus sara diri dalam keterjaminan makanan. Pangkalan data dapat dilayari di http://biodiversity.fbb.utm.my/myrice/.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) together with other signalling molecules including phytohormones regulate plant growth and senescence as well as responses to abiotic stress and pathogens. One aim of this thesis was to investigate how ROS and phytohormones regulate progression of senescence in wallflower petals. A second aim of this thesis was to investigate how SAG21, previously found to be elevated in wallflower petals, functions during development, senescence and stress in the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. In wallflowers (Chapter 3), onset of petal senescence was characterized by a rise in ethylene and auxin, followed by ROS accumulation. In parallel, transcript levels for markers of senescence, ethylene biosynthesis and auxin-response also increased with age. However, SAG21 peaked earlier, before visible senescence. Treatments that aimed to increase cytokinin levels or reduce ethylene delayed progression of senescence and time to petal abscission compared to controls. In contrast, ethylene hastened both processes. Marker genes analysed displayed differential expression patterns. Patterns of ROS-related enzyme activity (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) were also investigated in relation to wallflower petal and leaf senescence. SAG21 (previously named AtLEA5 in Arabidopsis) belongs to the late embryogenesis- associated (LEA) protein family, implicated in growth and redox responses. A SAG21-YFP fusion was localized to Arabidopsis mitochondria (Chapter 4). Over-expression (OEX) of SAG21 in Arabidopsis resulted in increased root and shoot biomass, whereas antisense (AS) lines exhibited reduced biomass. Root and shoot development, flowering and senescence were altered in transgenic lines. Transgenic lines exhibited marked root hair phenotypes (Chapter 5). Abiotic stress induced stress induced SAG21 expression in roots but not leaves. Growth of B. cinerea and of a virulent bacterial pathogen {Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato) was affected by SA

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) together with other signalling molecules including phytohormones regulate plant growth and senescence as well as responses to abiotic stress and pathogens. One aim of this thesis was to investigate how ROS and phytohormones regulate progression of senescence in wallflower petals. A second aim of this thesis was to investigate how SAG21, previously found to be elevated in wallflower petals, functions during development, senescence and stress in the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. In wallflowers (Chapter 3), onset of petal senescence was characterized by a rise in ethylene and auxin, followed by ROS accumulation. In parallel, transcript levels for markers of senescence, ethylene biosynthesis and auxin-response also increased with age. However, SAG21 peaked earlier, before visible senescence. Treatments that aimed to increase cytokinin levels or reduce ethylene delayed progression of senescence and time to petal abscission compared to controls. In contrast, ethylene hastened both processes. Marker genes analysed displayed differential expression patterns. Patterns of ROS-related enzyme activity (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) were also investigated in relation to wallflower petal and leaf senescence. SAG21 (previously named AtLEA5 in Arabidopsis) belongs to the late embryogenesis- associated (LEA) protein family, implicated in growth and redox responses. A SAG21-YFP fusion was localized to Arabidopsis mitochondria (Chapter 4). Over-expression (OEX) of SAG21 in Arabidopsis resulted in increased root and shoot biomass, whereas antisense (AS) lines exhibited reduced biomass. Root and shoot development, flowering and senescence were altered in transgenic lines. Transgenic lines exhibited marked root hair phenotypes (Chapter 5). Abiotic stress induced stress induced SAG21 expression in roots but not leaves. Growth of B. cinerea and of a virulent bacterial pathogen {Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato) was affected by SA