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The Asian weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina is a natural enemy (predator) used as a biological control agent in Australia and several Southeast Asian nations against the most destructive and economically important oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis. For biological control of the invasive bagworm species Metisa plana in oil palm plantations, the composition of the colony's social structure was investigated to ensure its efficacy. On two colonies, all castes were examined stereo microscopically after nest collection and dissection. The head's width, head, thorax, abdomen, and body lengths of workers were evaluated during the morphology analysis. All colonies with more than a thousand eggs comprise of a founding egg-laying queen, reproductive winged green and newly emerged yellow queens, as well as adult drone males and workers. Future queens, males, and workers' pupae and larvae comprised immature individuals. It is the first study to characterise one caste of minor workers, two previously unidentified castes of intermediate workers, and two castes of major workers. The lengths of the body and abdomen are proposed as differentiating factors for workers. The discovery of a polymorphic size frequency distribution model contrasts with the consistently reported existence of archetypical bimodal systems in ants. Intermediate workers foraging outside the nest revealed reconnaissance and aggressive behaviours that aided major workers in their daily tasks. Due to their short lifespan and segregated nests, it is difficult to successfully sample adult males in wide plantations. An entire year's worth of reproductive individuals are produced by stable, three-year-old colonies, with a decrease in population size correlated with a significant decline in rainfall interception.

The Asian weaver ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) is a natural enemy, generalist predator of diverse major pest species (i.e. the highly destructive oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis) in economically strategic agricultural landscapes in Australia and Southeast Asia countries. For effective implementation of the weaver ant for biological control of the invasive bagworms Metisa plana, the dominant pest in the oil palm plantation, its distribution was investigated in Malaysia. From 2018-2022, censuses were first carried out to record Oecophylla colonies presence. Oecophylla colonies’ occupation patterns were monitored on 8 selected plantations. To distinguish between brood and barracks nests, 26 captured nests were evaluated to define the main predictor variable for its practical visual identification. More than 11000 palms with 10821 nests for over 500 colonies were sampled in this study. Results showed that O. smaragdina colonies distribution pattern exhibited three-dimensional ubiquitous occupation dominance. We also found that by observing the colony’s dense population spatial arrangements, it demonstrates them as spreading by waves featuring interconnected irregular geometrical patches shaped for each colony. The height to the ground nest location in palm canopies was the significant visual discriminant factor between Brood and barrack nests. Moreover, polydomous arboreal nesting behavior occupation occurred irrespective of palms or associated host plants sizes (≥ 3 m), throughout the year. However, colony nesting behaviors were polydomous and monodomous on shorter plants (≥ 2 m), while being strictly monodomous on small plants (≤ 1.5 m). Colonies occupied an average 3 to 4 palms yearly beginning from the newly founding phase up to the stable mature phase (3 to 4 years). Furthermore, we found that matured stable colonies (3 ≥ age ≥13) occupied 10-12 palms on average, on 800 m2 to 2500 m2 area delimited by a minimum average 20 m2 of “no ants land” zone between each colony. Our results suggest that a sustained agriculture system in this area would be possible with the presence of matured colonies nests exploitation which could provide an efficient biological control ecosystem service.

This review discusses the distribution pattern, nesting style, mating behavior, and colony structure of the Asian weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) in Asia. Recent findings suggested that weaver ant occurrences are not only limited to tropical rainforests biome, agroforestry and large monoculture fields, but have encroached human rural habitation including densely populated urban areas. Comparatively, O. longinoda and O. smaragdina are taxonomically classified as two distinct species, but the main differences between them are strongly dependent on the allopatric nature or geographical speciation of their distribution. Although weaver ants are dominant ubiquitous and conspicuous arboreal insects with a predilection for habitation in trees canopies, viable nests colonies on the ground have been reported in Thailand. O. smaragdina usually construct their polydomous nests (multiple satellites nests arrangement within a single host but diverse plants species) by weaving tree-leaves using their larval silk. Knowledge on mating behavior is rudimentary; hence more studies are needed especially in understanding how weather parameters affect nuptial flight swarming act. At the colony organization level, comprehensive reports about minor and major workers contrasts with the poorly documented but significant intermediate size of workers caste. The versatile impact of Asian Oecophylla is offering important ecological subsistence services to both the nature and humans. This is by combining positive economic implications to food security concern with a provision of organic nutrients for host plants and highly healthful diet enhancer (nourishing-medicinal). Despite its wide presence in large oil palms monoculture, only one report had exposed weaver ants’ potential positive ecological impact (i.e. predation on bagworms Pteroma pendula) in Southeast Asia.

Communal roosting by urban birds, such as crows, mynas, and starlings, can be a public nuisance due to excessive noise and fouling of the surroundings with droppings. Food availability within proximity to the roosting area is one of the key factors influencing roosting site preference and fidelity. The diets of roosting mynas and crows have been well-studied, yet little is known about the diet of the Asian glossy starling (AGS), Aplonis panayensis. This study focused on assessing the diet of roosting AGS and food resource availability around the roosting area. The AGS diet was assessed through microscopic analysis of stomach contents and droppings. The diet mainly consisted of fruits (76%) with a minor component of animal materials, i.e. ants, snails, and beetle larvae. Intact seeds found in the samples were identified using DNA barcoding. Seven out of the nine plant species detected were new records for the AGS diet. The most common fruit found in the samples was Trema orientalis, which grows extensively along roadsides within foraging areas of AGS. The availability of fruits of different fast-growing pioneer species around the roosting site ensured a continuous supply of food to the birds. Animal materials, which were consumed by chance during foraging, supplemented the fruit in the bird’s diet. Hence, the birds’ preference for the roosting site may have been influenced by the availability of various food resources around it.

The bagworm (Metisa plana) is a recurrent indigenous invasive defoliator in oil palm plantations. Moderate foliar injury can cost up to 40% yield loss and more for years. The main objective of this review is to disseminate published research demonstrating the versatile services that would benefit farmers by adopting the Asian weaver ant into their pest management agenda. Oecophylla smaragdina is a natural indigenous enemy applied as a successful biological control agent (BCA) and strong component of integrated pest management (IPM) against important damaging pest infestations of commercial crops in the Asia-Pacific region. Farmers facing invasion could benefit by introducing Oecophylla ants as a treatment. The foraging behavior and population dynamics of this species are poorly documented, and hence need further evaluation. Ants of the Oecophylla genus, while exhibiting an intrinsic obligate arboreal pattern, demonstrate additional lengthy diurnal ground activity. The absolute territorial characteristic via continuous surveillance is significantly valuable to maintain pest balance. The exploratory scheme of major workers over large territories is derived from their inner predation instinct. The insufficient understanding of the population dynamics of this weaver ant species diverges from the knowledge of underground species. However, population density estimations of weaver ants by direct nest visual recordings are practicable and viable. The abundance assessment of individual underground ant species colonies by excavation ends with their extinction, which is not a sustainable model for O. smaragdina. Mathematical model estimation by simulation could not resolve this issue, adding inaccuracy to the deficiency of experimental proof. Thus, long-term monitoring of the population dynamics in real time in the field is compulsory to obtain a valid dataset. Oecophylla colonies, with the criteria of population stability, individual profusion, and permanent daily patrol services, are eligible as a BCA and alternative IPM treatment. The last decades have witnessed the closing of the scientific applied research gap between Asian and African species in favor of O. longinoda with comprehensive novel findings. By introducing Oecophylla ants, two main goals are reached: easing the burden of management costs for injurious insects and ending the practice of applying highly toxic pesticides that are harmful to non-target taxa, thus promoting environmental restoration.

Asian weaver ant, Oecophylla smaradigma is a nuisance species, effect the plantation employee due to their painful bites. The O. smaragdina was reported as one of the potential predators for the invasive bagworm species, Pteroma pendula in the oil palm plantation. Despite their important role in the plantation, however the study on the ecology and behaviour of the O. smaragdina is still lacking and not discovered. The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationships between the foraging daily activities of the O. smaragdina with the weather parameters. In 2018-2022, this study investigates the trunk foraging activity pattern of O. smaragdina colonies (9 days per colony) from selected plantations, as an effort of mitigation. In 2020-2022, a targeted field study was undertaken to examine the daily trunk foraging activities of major workers in relation to air temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH), air pressure (AP) and rainfall (RI). Ground forager behaviours were observed and examined from the trunk trail split covering an average frontal fluctuating angle from base palms. It is suggested that O. smaragdina is a diurnal ant species with much lesser crepuscular intensity. It is demonstrating similar daily foraging activity patterns featuring higher intensity during the warmest daily periods in relation to population size relative abundance. This was irrespective of the dry-wet seasons corresponding to low activity from late scoot-phase to early photo phase, exhibiting a bimodal foraging pattern. Throughout the overnight period, foraging activity ceased. O. smaragdina is a visual light dependent hunter for efficient intensive foraging. Active foragers reached peaks at around 1100 to 1530 hours, and from 1745 to 1845 hours. Between 1620 and 1650 hours, foragers demonstrated a two-fold daily decline in intensity on average. There was a strong positive correlation between foraging activity, AT and AP but negatively correlated with RH. Sustained RI stopped the trunk-ground trail activity of O. smaragdina, exposing outbound foragers withdrawing massively to the canopies. Defensive territorial layers are established from the base palm trunks reaching an average 5 m distance featuring two distinct spatial arrangements. Major workers trunk trails split into several new lines on an average 3 m radius showing higher foraging density. The trails broke off to expand into a web shape figure occupation reaching on average 5 m. The avoidance of forager relentless attacks can be achieved during the daily low activity periods (before 1000 hours) for pruning and harvesting tasks if the adoption of O. smaragdina is implemented to control the invasive Metisa plana bagworm species.

Some filarial nematodes, such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori, cause lymphatic diseases in humans in the tropics, whereas other filarial parasites from wild animals cause zoonotic diseases in humans worldwide. To elucidate the prevalence and diversity of filarial parasites in Malaysia, we investigated the filarial parasites from wild animals in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan. To find adult filarial parasites, we dissected 26 animals, which included five frogs, one skink, one snake, two birds, six common treeshrews, and 11 rats. Then, we examined microfilariae in the blood smears and skin snips obtained from each animal. We found two types of microfilariae in the blood smears of common treeshrews: one was very similar to Malayfilaria sofiani and the other closely resembled Brugia tupaiae. These findings indicate an additional distribution of these filarial parasites in Gemas.

Species of the genus

The coexistence of numerous species within a community results from how those species use available resources. Babblers are one of the major groups of Malaysian insectivorous birds, which frequently forage in dense vegetation cover and have a high level of sympatry. Therefore, examining the diet, prey selection, and niche segregation of babblers can be challenging. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing to investigate potential dietary overlap or segregation among 10 babbler species of the 4 genera of the family Pellorneidae and Timaliidae: Pellorneum, Malacopteron, Stachyris, and Cyanoderma in central peninsular Malaysia. We tested the hypothesis that trophically similar species may differ in resource use to avoid competitive exclusion. We identified 81 distinct arthropod taxa from fecal samples, belonging to 71 families representing 13 orders, which were predominantly from 16 dipteran, 13 lepidopteran, and 10 coleopteran families. Of all the prey taxa consumed, 45% were found to be distinct across the 10 babbler species, and ˂35% were shared simultaneously by ≥3 babbler species, indicating minimal dietary overlap. The black-throated babbler Stachyris nigricollis and moustached babbler Malacopteron magnirostre had the most generalist tendencies because they consumed a greater variety of prey taxa. Small dietary overlap values (Ojk) and a relatively wide range of food resources suggest that dietary segregation occurred among the studied babblers. The great diversity of prey consumed revealed the presence of dietary flexibility among the sympatric insectivorous birds, thus reducing any active dietary competition and facilitating the coexistence through niche partitioning.

Bats, occupying a variety of habitats, play important roles in the tropical forest. Through this study, comparisons on bat species richness and evenness in primary forest, secondary forest, and urban forest were made. Sampling was conducted between 18:30 PM and 06:30 AM using 10 mist-nets and four harp traps for three consecutive nights at the primary and secondary forest of Ulu Gombak Forest Reserve and urban forest in the Universiti Malaya Botanical Garden. This study progressed from February 2012 until April 2014. A total number of 1226 individuals representing 46 species were managed to be captured throughout the period of this study. From this, a total of 396 individuals of bats from 33 species were recorded in primary forest, 608 individuals of bats from 31 species were recorded in secondary forest and 222 individuals of bats from 11 species were recorded in the urban forest. The primary forest (Shannon–Wiener, H’ = 2.516) has a higher diversity of bats compared to the secondary forest (Shannon–Wiener, H’ = 2.476) and the urban forest (Shannon–Wiener, H’ = 1.527). However, the urban forest has a higher evenness index calculated (E = 0.4184) compared to the primary forest (E = 0.3994) and the secondary forest (E = 0.3718). Species richness in the secondary forest is the highest (Dmn = 1.616) followed by the primary forest (Dmn = 1.257) and the urban forest (Dmn = 0.7383). This study showed that the primary forest is more diversified compared to other habitats although more individuals were recorded in the secondary forest.

Sexually anomalous individuals, typically intersexes or gynandromorphs, bear a mixture of male and female traits. Twelve sexually anomalous individuals of the black fly Simulium (Gomphostilbia) trangense Jitklang, Kuvangkadilok, Baimai, Takaoka & Adler were discovered among 49 adults reared from pupae. All 12 sexually anomalous adults were parasitized by mermithid nematodes, although five additional parasitized adults had no overt external anomalies. Sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene revealed that the mermithids, possibly representing a new species, are related to Mesomermis spp., with genetic distances of 5.09-6.87%. All 12 anomalous individuals had female phenotypical traits on the head, thorax, forelegs, midlegs, and claws, but male features on the left and right hind basitarsi. One individual had mixed male and female genitalia. The findings are in accord with the trend that mermithid infections are associated with sexually anomalous adult black flies.

A serious deduction in waders population worldwide has led to several study on ecology of waders in their stop-over migratory routes. Extensive study on wader’s habitat used especially on their feeding ground is needed to establish a framework that channel to the conservation of waders species. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the feeding and success rates of foraging in selected species of waders at Jeram and Remis Beaches of Selangor, Malaysia. Direct observation techniques were used in this study. Kruskal-Wallis Analysis test shows that there was significant difference in feeding rates (H= 139.58, p < 0.001) and success rates between the species (H = 11.18, p = 0.011). Pairwise comparisons analysis proved that the differences of feeding rates occurred between Little heron and Lesser adjutant (z = 107.39, p < 0.0001); Little heron and Whimbrel (z = -159.31, p < 0.001); and Lesser adjutant and Common Redshank (z = 80.3, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, Mann-Whitney test shows that the differences lie between Little heron and Common redshank (W = 5743, p = 0.0114) and also between Lesser adjutant and Common redshank (W = 9353, p = 0.012). Spearman correlation shows that a significant correlation was found between both feeding and success rates (R = -0.293, p < 0.001). This study concluded that the feeding rates and success rates were differed between different species of waders utilizing similar feeding ground due to the differences in foraging techniques used while foraging.

Background The genus Onchocerca Diesing, 1841 includes species of medical importance, such as O. volvulus (Leuckart, 1893), which causes river blindness in the tropics. Recently, zoonotic onchocercosis has been reported in humans worldwide. In Japan, O. dewittei japonica Uni, Bain & Takaoka, 2001 from wild boars is a causative agent for this zoonosis. Many filarioid nematodes are infected with Wolbachia endosymbionts which exhibit various evolutionary relationships with their hosts. While investigating the filarial fauna of Borneo, we discovered an undescribed Onchocerca species in the bearded pig Sus barbatus Müller (Cetartiodactyla: Suidae). Methods We isolated Onchocerca specimens from bearded pigs and examined their morphology. For comparative material, we collected fresh specimens of O. d. dewittei Bain, Ramachandran, Petter & Mak, 1977 from banded pigs (S. scrofa vittatus Boie) in Peninsular Malaysia. Partial sequences of three different genes (two mitochondrial genes, cox1 and 12S rRNA, and one nuclear ITS region) of these filarioids were analysed. By multi-locus sequence analyses based on six genes (16S rDNA, ftsZ, dnaA, coxA, fbpA and gatB) of Wolbachia, we determined the supergroups in the specimens from bearded pigs and those of O. d. dewittei. Results Onchocerca borneensis Uni, Mat Udin & Takaoka n. sp. is described on the basis of morphological characteristics and its genetic divergence from congeners. Molecular characteristics of the new species revealed its close evolutionary relationship with O. d. dewittei. Calculated p-distance for the cox1 gene sequences between O. borneensis n. sp. and O. d. dewittei was 5.9%, while that between O. d. dewittei and O. d. japonica was 7.6%. No intraspecific genetic variation was found for the new species. Wolbachia strains identified in the new species and O. d. dewittei belonged to supergroup C and are closely related. Conclusions Our molecular analyses of filarioids from Asian suids indicate that the new species is sister to O. d. dewittei. On the basis of its morphological and molecular characteristics, we propose to elevate O. d. japonica to species level as O. japonica Uni, Bain & Takaoka, 2001. Coevolutionary relationships exist between the Wolbachia strains and their filarial hosts in Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia.

Additional file 2: Figure S1. Taxonomic position of Sus barbatus and S. scrofa vittatus based on cytb nucleotide sequences. The maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree was generated under the General Time Reversible model in MEGA7 with 500 bootstrap replicates. The scale-bar below the diagram indicates the number of inferred changes along each branch. Red triangles and square indicate sequences generated in this study.

Additional file 3: Table S2. GenBank accession numbers for endosymbiont Wolbachia. Accession numbers in bold (Malayfilaria sofiani, Onchocerca borneensis n. sp. and O. dewittei) represent sequences produced for the present study. Abbreviations: ext., samples from other studies; Ø, no sequences.

Capsule: Although woodland habitat supports higher avian species diversity and abundance, shrubland may be more important for migratory species. Aims: To investigate the use of habitat, site and season by bird species according to feeding guild, residence status and population trend in Dutse, Northern Nigeria. Methods: A point transect was used to count and identify birds between 0630 and 1100 hours from August 2015 to February 2016 across habitats, sites and seasons in Dutse. Results: Frugivore abundance was significantly higher in woodland habitat. The woodland and shrubland habitats had a higher proportion of resident and migratory species, respectively. Birds with stable population trends were more abundant in woodland, whereas the abundance of birds with decreasing trends were generally similar across most sites. Most of the birds with decreasing trends were migratory species. The dry season had a higher abundance and diversity of birds across different feeding guilds, residence status and population trend status than the wet season. Conclusion: Both woodland and shrubland in Dutse were important bird habitats, but migrant species preferentially used shrubland. The shrubland habitat and the dry season should be prioritized for conservation consideration, especially for migrant birds in Dutse.

Mansor, Mohammad Saiful, Abdullah, Nurul Ashikin, Abdullah Halim, Muhammad Rasul, Md. Nor, Shukor, Ramli, Rosli (2018): Diet of tropical insectivorous birds in lowland Malaysian rainforest. Journal of Natural History 52 (35-36): 2301-2316, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2018.1534015, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2018.1534015

Dietary study provides understanding in predator-prey relationships, yet diet of tropical forest birds is poorly understood. In this study, a non-invasive method, next-generation sequencing (Illumina MiSeq platform) was used to identify prey in the faecal samples of the Rufous-winged Philentoma (Philentoma pyrhoptera). Dietary samples were collected in lowland tropical forest of central Peninsular Malaysia. A general invertebrate primer pair was used for the first time to assess diet of tropical birds. The USEARCH was used to cluster the COI mtDNA sequences into Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU). OTU sequences were aligned and queried through the GenBank or Biodiversity of Life Database (BOLD). We identified 26 distinct arthropod taxa from 31 OTUs. Of all OTUs, there was three that could be identified up to species level, 20 to genus level, three to family level and five could not assigned to any taxa (the BLAST hits were poor). All sequences were identified to class Insecta belonging to 18 families from four orders, where Lepidoptera representing major insect order consumed by study bird species. This non-invasive molecular approach provides a practical and rapid technique to understand of how energy flows across ecosystems. This technique could be very useful to screen for possible particular pest insects consumed by insectivores (e.g. birds and bats) in crop plantation. A comprehensive arthropod studies and local reference sequences need to be added to the database to improve the proportion of sequences that can be identified.

Most female black flies in the genus Simulium are blood-sucking flies and they can cause various parasitic diseases in human and animal. A total of 94 species of black flies have been reported in Malaysia, however, their biting behavior and role as vector of infectious agents remain understudied. To fill in this knowledge gap, we attempted to survey adult black flies from field populations in Peninsular Malaysia. In a survey carried out in 2017 at Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu, three females were caught while attracted and landed on human skin. Further morphological and molecular analyses showed that the specimens were identical to Simulium (Gomphostilbia) aziruni Takaoka, Hashim & Chen of the Simulium gombakense species-group. This is the first report on a black fly species attracted to human in Malaysia which serves as a steppingstone towards in-depth studies for black flies in this region.

The expansion of cities and agricultural plantations have unpredictable impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Yet some species are capable of tolerating anthropogenic impacts and continue to provide ecological services in highly disturbed landscapes. The objective of this study was to use DNA barcoding to identify digested plant materials and seeds in the faeces of frugivorous bats (Cynopterus brachyotis) and investigate whether (1) C. brachyotis in urban and agricultural areas exploit cultivated and exotic plants as a novel food resource and as a consequence, potentially facilitate the invasion of cultivated and exotic plants, or whether (2) C. brachyotis exploit native plants and as a consequence, potentially promote forest regeneration. A native species, Ficus fistulosa, was the most frequently detected plant and the seeds were found in bat faeces from all sampling sites suggesting the potential of fruit bats in dispersing seeds. However, we also detected several exotic plants in the faeces of C. brachyotis which suggests that the fruit bats exploit novel food resources at all sites. We recorded a diverse diet of C. brachyotis at an oil palm plantation which indicated that the fruit bats are not predominantly feeding on oil palm fruits. By using DNA barcoding, we detected plants that have not been reported in previous studies of the diet of C. brachyotis, although we could not identify which part of the plant was being consumed by the fruit bats. Given the varied diet of C. brachyotis, the potential of this bat to adapt to changing landscapes is high and they are likely dispersing seeds of native pioneer plants (Ficus).

The ellobiid Ellobium scheepmakeri (Petit de la Saussaye, 1850) is reported from the banks of the Selangor River estuary, 57 years after it was first collected in Peninsular Malaysia. It was found ...

A study was conducted in the mudflats of Jeram and Remis Beaches, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia from November 2013 until July 2014 to determine the effects of disturbance on shorebird and waterbird abundance and foraging behavior. Direct observation was used in this study. Mann-Whitney test showed no significant difference in abundance of bird in Jeram and Remis Beaches (t=2.96, p=0.05). A significant difference were detected between the sampling plots in Jeram Beach (S=16.67, p

In order to find possible sources for future novel antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical formulations, phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of methanol extract polar and nonpolar subfractions of Borage (Borago officinalis) and Common mallow (Malva sylvestris) were determined. Identification of two alkaloids (Sanguinarine and Berberine) and water-soluble vitamins in HPLC chromatograms have been settled in comparison of the retention time and peak area with those observed for authentic standards. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging (FRS), ferrous ion (Fe2+) metal chelating and ferric ion (Fe3+) reducing power (FRAP). Hydrogen peroxide was also disposed by catalases (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) activities. The total content of tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids and polyphenols have been expressed as tannic acid (TA), (+)-catechin (CE), gallic acid (GAE) and pyrogallol (PyE), respectively. In addition, M. sylvestris exhibited stronger ferrous ion chelating and peroxidase activity compared with B. officinalis. A relatively high concentration of vitamin C was also recorded in M. sylvestris with 38.01 mg/100 g DW. The findings suggest that the pigments derived from natural plants may have direct relation with biological activities and exhibit different properties. Also all other soluble compounds present in the extracts, their possible antioxidant activity and interactions need to be elucidated in order to fully explain the final antioxidant capacity of the extracts.

Human zoonotic onchocercosis is caused by Onchocerca dewittei japonica, parasitic in wild boars (Sus scrofa leucomystax) in Japan. Previously, microfilariae longer than those of Onchocerca dewittei japonica were observed in skin snips from wild boars during the study of O. dewittei japonica. Moreover, the third-stage larvae (L3) of these longer microfilariae were obtained from the blackfly Simulium bidentatum after experimental injections. Based on morphometric and molecular studies, similar L3 were found in blackflies during fieldwork in Oita, Japan. However, except for O. dewittei japonica, adult worms of Onchocerca have not been found in wild boars. In this study, we discovered adult females of a novel Onchocerca species in the skin of a wild boar in Oita, and named it Onchocerca takaokai n. sp. Females of this new species had longer microfilariae and differed from O. dewittei japonica in terms of their morphological characteristics and parasitic location. The molecular characteristics of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and 12S rRNA genes of the new species were identical to those of the longer microfilariae and L3 previously detected, but they differed from those of O. dewittei japonica at the species level. However, both species indicated a close affinity among their congeners and Onchocerca ramachandrini, parasitic in the warthog in Africa, was basal in the Suidae cluster of the 12S rRNA tree.

An 11-year-old boy living in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Kansai Region, Western Honshu, Japan had zoonotic onchocercosis. The patient developed a painful swelling on the little finger of his left hand. The worm detected in the excised mass had external transverse ridges but did not have inner striae in the cuticle. On the basis of the parasite's histopathological characteristics, the causative agent was identified as a female Onchocerca dewittei japonica (Spirurida: Onchocercidae). The species of the filarial parasite was confirmed by sequencing the cox1 gene of the parasite. The Japanese wild boar Sus scrofa leucomystax is a definitive host for O. dewittei japonica, which is then transmitted by blackflies as the vector to humans. The current case described occurred in the Kansai Region, Western Honshu, where such infections were previously not reported.

Mixed-species flocks (MSFs) serve important roles in bird communities, especially in tropical forests. Although structure of mixed-species bird flocks and its benefits has been intensively studied globally, the foraging plasticity of a species when joining MSFs has rarely been evaluated. The present study examines foraging strategies of the Rufous-crowned Babbler (Malacopteron magnum), Chestnut-winged Babbler (Cyanoderma erythropterum) and Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea) when participating in MSFs in the Krau Wildlife Reserve, central Peninsular Malaysia. These species exhibit active foraging shifts in utilisation of vertical strata, foraging substrate, attack manoeuvres and foliage density, when foraging in MSFs, compared to when foraging outside MSFs. While the Rufous-crowned Babbler and Chestnut-winged Babbler commonly used gleaning and stretching (to completely extend the legs or neck to reach the food items) manoeuvres when foraging outside MSFs, respectively, they adopted probing manoeuvre and frequently used higher strata upon joining MSFs. The Chestnut-winged Babbler tended to forage on the underside of leaves and the Black-naped Monarch frequently utilised branches when joining MSFs, while they exclusively used aerial leaf litter and live green leaves, respectively, when foraging with conspecifics. The monarch also adopted the hovering manoeuvre and frequently foraged within denser foliage cover when joining MSFs. This study demonstrated that flock members exhibits foraging plasticity either through an expansion or active shift in foraging niches when participating in MSFs, thus suggesting the occurrence of possible foraging improvement and/or reductions in predation risk.

We describe Morishitium polonicum malayense n. subsp. from Asian glossy starlings (Aplonis panayensis strigata) (Horsfield, 1821) (Passeriformis: Sturnidae) caught in Malaysia. The trematodes had parasitized the air sacs and the thoracic and body cavities of 40 out of 67 (59.7%) birds examined. The specimens each had an oral sucker, a postpharyngeal genital pore, and tandem testes, but lacked a ventral sucker. The morphological characteristics of our specimens were similar to those of M. polonicum polonicum (Machalska, 1980) from Poland. However, the anterior extremity of vitelline follicles of the present specimens sometimes extended to the level of pharynx. The oral sucker width, oral sucker width/pharynx width ratio, and intertesticular space metrics differed from those of M. p. polonicum. The maximum-likelihood trees based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences indicated that the species from the present study formed a sister group with M. p. polonicum from the Czech Republic. The p-distances of COI and ITS2 sequences between the present specimens and M. p. polonicum from the Czech Republic were 6.9–7.5% and 0.6%, respectively. These genetic divergences indicate the border for intra- or interspecific variation of digeneans. The definitive host species and geographical distribution of the current specimens were distinct from those of M. p. polonicum from Europe. We thus concluded that the present specimens are ranked as a new subspecies of M. polonicum, namely M. polonicum malayense n. subsp.

Several intertidal and supratidal systems were investigated in the Brunei Bay to assess the diversity and assemblage structure of grapsoid crabs (Brachyura: Grapsoidea) in different salinity and substrate conditions, type of vegetation, and distance from water bodies. The structure of the assemblages differed remarkably across and within sites, and several taxa were not previously recorded from this region. Diversity decreased towards more terrestrial conditions, with systems closer to the sea supporting more diversified assemblages. High and low intertidal areas also hosted different assemblages in terms of taxonomic composition. Most of these species can be considered habitat specialists, and only occurred in a small number of the investigated areas. A small number of habitat generalists were found in several areas, exhibiting eurytopic ecological traits. A time-based sampling method was used to estimate population densities. A few habitat specialists were recorded in high densities, suggesting adaptations to specific environmental conditions in which these species can bloom. These results highlight how the diversity of these assemblages needs to be considered in management plans, to prevent local extinctions and loss of diversity in the area.

South-East Asia is a biodiversity hot spot for several different animal and plant taxa, and grapsoid crabs are dominant components of its mangrove macrofauna. However, autecological traits of the species and assemblage structures are still largely undescribed. During the period 2012–14, we surveyed six mainland and insular mangrove sites along the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, four of which had not been investigated previously. Species composition differed among sites with different types of substrate and forest area. Small islands, characterised by coarser intertidal substrates, hosted remarkably different assemblages from mainland systems. Most of the species occurred in a small number of sites, suggesting stenotopic ecological traits or patchy distributions, and a marked variation in species composition and environmental conditions among sites was observed. This suggests that management actions assuming that this region’s coastal wetlands have comparable community compositions may likely lead to local extinctions of species, possibly affecting the regional biodiversity of these systems.

Up to three nominal species of the cyprinid fish genus Poropuntius (i.e. P. deauratus [Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes 1842], P. normani [Smith 1931], and P. smedleyi [de Beaufort 1933]) have been reported to occur in Peninsular Malaysian freshwater ecosystems. However, low morphological differentiation among species of Poropuntius causes confusion and it is still unknown how many valid species of Poropuntius occur in this region. The goal of this study is to review the taxonomic status of Poropuntius in Peninsular Malaysia by using morphological and molecular characters. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on a morphometric dataset including 281 specimens of Poropuntius from Peninsular Malaysia and P. normani from Thailand (type locality) failed to identify non-overlapping clusters within sampled specimens. A phylogenetic tree based on cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) showed intraspecific levels of genetic differentiation within Poropuntius of Peninsular Malaysia and the specimens of P. normani from Thailand form a monophyletic group. Our results strongly support the presence of only one species of Poropuntius in Peninsular Malaysia, P. normani. We demonstrate that P. smedleyi described from Johor, southern Peninsular Malaysia, is a junior synonym of P. normani. The previous reports of the presence of P. deauratus in Peninsular Malaysia are doubtful because this species was described from Vietnam where, in all evidence, it is endemic.

This is the first report of the avian assemblage in the study area of Dutse, Nigeria. In addition to recording bird species, the effects of season, dominant vegetation structure, locality and anthropogenic activities on bird abundance, species richness and diversity were investigated. Using the point transect method, 264 points on 48 km of transect were used to count birds between 06:30 and 11:00 from August 2015 to February 2016. A total of 122 bird species of 41 families were recorded. Highest bird species richness was recorded in Warwade, highest abundance in Model, and highest diversity in Malamawa. The dry season and woodland habitat showed higher bird species richness, abundance and diversity than the wet season and shrubland habitat. Tree density was more important in increasing bird abundance than shrub density. Small-scale anthropogenic activities and habitat modification, such as farming, grazing, wood removal and human interference did not appear to have impacted the birds; however, loss of high tree-density woodland habitats may pose a major threat to the bird community in Dutse. The presence of birds of concern in the area suggests the need for conservation efforts of avifauna and as well as the forested habitats in Dutse.

With the rapid growth of agricultural areas globally, forest birds increasingly encounter fragmented landscapes in which forest patches are surrounded by an agricultural plantation matrix, yet how birds respond behaviourally to this fragmentation is poorly understood. Information on microhabitat requirements of birds is scarce, but nevertheless essential to predicting adaptation of bird species to the patchy landscapes. We investigated foraging patterns of three tropical insectivorous birds, Green Iora Aegithina viridissima, Pin-striped Tit-Babbler Macronus gularis and Chestnut-winged Babbler Cyanoderma erythropterum, to determine whether they vary in foraging methods in different forest patches. Our study area encompassed old-logged lowland forest; one continuous forest and three forest patches. Observations were performed for 15 days every month for a period of 13 months. Information on foraging height, substrate, attack manoeuvres, and foliage density was collected independently for each foraging bird individual. All three species used different foraging substrates and attack manoeuvres in different habitat types. The Green Iora frequently used lower strata when foraging in forest patches as opposed to continuous forest, while the Pin-striped Tit-Babbler tended to forage in more dense vegetation in patches. Only Chestnut-winged Babbler displayed complete foraging plasticity across all study parameters. Different habitat features (e.g., edges, microclimates) between continuous forest and forest patches significantly influenced the foraging strategies of the study species. These changes in foraging strategies suggest that some Malaysian forest birds (e.g. generalist species) can respond behaviourally to fragmentation and habitat loss. Although continuous forest has critically important characteristics that need to be conserved, remnant forest patches are also important as ecological movement corridors and foraging grounds for birds.

Background. Intense landscaping often alters the plant composition in urban areas. Knowing which plant species that pollinators are visiting in urban areas is necessary for understanding how landscaping impacts biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. The cave nectar bat, Eonycteris spelaea, is an important pollinator for many plants and is often recorded in human-dominated habitats. Previous studies of the diet of E. spelaea relied on morphological identification of pollen grains found in faeces and on the body of bats and by necessity disregarded other forms of digested plant material present in the faeces (i.e., plant juice and remnants). The main objective of this study was to examine the diet of the nectarivorous bat, E. spelaea, roosting in an urban cave at Batu Caves, Peninsular Malaysia by identifying the plant material present in the faeces of bats using DNA metabarcoding. Methods. Faeces were collected under the roost of E. spelaea once a week from December 2015 to March 2016. Plant DNA was extracted from the faeces, PCR amplified at ITS2 and rbcL regions and mass sequenced. The resultant plant OTU were searched against NCBI GenBank for identification. Results. A total of 55 species of plants were detected from faeces of E. spelaea including Artocarpus heterophyllus, Duabanga grandiflora and Musa spp. which are likely to be important food resources for the cave nectar bat. Discussion. Many native plant species that had not been reported in previous dietary studies of E. spelaea were detected in this study including Bauhinia strychnoidea and Urophyllum leucophlaeum, suggesting that E. spelaea remains a crucial pollinator for these plants even in highly disturbed habitats. The detection of many introduced plant species in the bat faeces indicates that E. spelaea are exploiting them, particularly Xanthostemon chrysanthus, as food resources in urban area. Commercial food crops were detected from all of the faecal samples, suggesting that E. spelaea feed predominantly on the crops particularly jackfruit and banana and play a significant role in pollination of economically important plants. Ferns and figs were also detected in the faeces of E. spelaea suggesting future research avenues to determine whether the “specialised nectarivorous” E. spelaea feed opportunistically on other parts of plants.

Background The filarial nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti (Cobbold, 1877), Brugia malayi (Brug, 1927) and B. timori Partono, Purnomo, Dennis, Atmosoedjono, Oemijati & Cross, 1977 cause lymphatic diseases in humans in the tropics, while B. pahangi (Buckley & Edeson, 1956) infects carnivores and causes zoonotic diseases in humans in Malaysia. Wuchereria bancrofti, W. kalimantani Palmieri, Pulnomo, Dennis & Marwoto, 1980 and six out of ten Brugia spp. have been described from Australia, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka and India. However, the origin and evolution of the species in the Wuchereria-Brugia clade remain unclear. While investigating the diversity of filarial parasites in Malaysia, we discovered an undescribed species in the common treeshrew Tupaia glis Diard & Duvaucel (Mammalia: Scandentia). Methods We examined 81 common treeshrews from 14 areas in nine states and the Federal Territory of Peninsular Malaysia for filarial parasites. Once any filariae that were found had been isolated, we examined their morphological characteristics and determined the partial sequences of their mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and 12S rRNA genes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region were then cloned into the pGEM-T vector, and the recombinant plasmids were used as templates for sequencing. Results Malayfilaria sofiani Uni, Mat Udin & Takaoka, n. g., n. sp. is described based on the morphological characteristics of adults and microfilariae found in common treeshrews from Jeram Pasu, Kelantan, Malaysia. The Kimura 2-parameter distance between the cox1 gene sequences of the new species and W. bancrofti was 11.8%. Based on the three gene sequences, the new species forms a monophyletic clade with W. bancrofti and Brugia spp. The adult parasites were found in tissues surrounding the lymph nodes of the neck of common treeshrews. Conclusions The newly described species appears most closely related to Wuchereria spp. and Brugia spp., but differs from these in several morphological characteristics. Molecular analyses based on the cox1 and 12S rRNA genes and the ITS1 region indicated that this species differs from both W. bancrofti and Brugia spp. at the genus level. We thus propose a new genus, Malayfilaria, along with the new species M. sofiani. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2105-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Hipposiderosbicolor [Temminck, 1834] Rhinolophus bicolor Temminck, 1834: 19. pl. 1; Anjer Coast, Northwestern Java, INDONE- SIA (Collector unknown; Type unknown) [116]. Hipposiderosbicolor [8]. Hipposideros bicolor 131 [16]. Common English name: Bicolored Roundleaf Bat Barcode Index Number: BOLD: AAC 0447 (2 DNA barcodes from Peninsular Malaysia) and BOLD: AAD 3329 (6 DNA barcodes from Peninsular Malaysia). The two BINs showed more than 3% of divergence in COI mtDNA (Fig 4). IUCN status: Least concern Recorded at: The species has been recorded under several names. As H. bicolor 131: Pahang: Krau Wildlife Reserve [11], Bukit Ibam, Kemasul, Jengka, Klau Besar, Kenong and Gunung Aais [100]; Perak: Royal Belum State Park [66], Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve [100, 101]; Melaka: Unspecified [68]; Selangor: Semangkok Forest Reserve [101], Ulu Gombak [5, 101]; Terengganu: Gunung Tebu Forest Reserve [101], Pasir Raja, Dungun [15]; Negeri Sembilan: Pasoh Forest Reserve (BM454-04 and BM455-04 [4], Berembun Forest Reserve [101], Gunung Angsi Forest Reserve, [100, 101]; Johor: Endau Rompin National Park (ABRSS332- 06, ABRSS333-06, ABRSS379-06, and BM423-04 [4]), Gunung Panti and Labis Forest Reserve [100]; Kelantan: Gunung Stong State Park [100]; Pulau Pinang: Bukit Panchor [100]; Kedah: Bukit Hijau and Ulu Muda Forest Reserve [100]. As H. bicolor (could be either H. bicolor or H. atrox): Perak: Temengor Forest Reserve [111]; Kelantan: Air Panas-Gua Musang [61], Lojing Highlands [62]; Perlis: Wang Kelian State Park [50]; Pahang: Lata Bujang Forest Reserve and Fraser Hill Forest Reserve [56]; Johor: Endau-Kota Tinggi Forest Reserve [56]. The H. bicolor species complex has been recorded in a wide range of habitats (i.e. primary and secondary lowland forests, cultivated areas including rubber plantations, and near limestone areas) [11, 14, 17]. Individuals have been reported roosting in caves, tunnels and rock crevices with other Hipposideros species [23, 17]., Published as part of Voon-Ching Lim, Rosli Ramli, Subha Bhassu & John-James Wilson, 2017, A checklist of the bats of Peninsular Malaysia and progress towards a DNA barcode reference library, pp. 1-65 in PLoS ONE 12 (7) on page 20, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179555, http://zenodo.org/record/4251352, {"references":["116. Temminck CJ. Over een geslack der vleugelhandige zoogdieren. Tijdschrift voor Natuurlijke Geschiedenis en Physiologie. 1834; 1: 1 - 30.","8. Chasen FN. A handlist of Malaysian mammals (A systematic list of the mammals of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Java, including the adjacent small islands). Bulletin of the Raffles Museum; 1940.","16. Kingston T, Lara MC, Jones G, Akbar Z, Kunz TH, Schneider CJ. Acoustic divergence in two cryptic H ipposideros species: a role for social selection? Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2001; 268 (1474): 1381 - 6.","11. Kingston T, Lim BL, Akbar Z. Bats of Krau wildlife reserve. Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; 2006.","100. Lim LS, Mohd-Adnan A, Zubaid A, Struebig MJ, Rossiter SJ. Diversity of Malaysian insectivorous bat assemblages revisited. J Trop Ecol. 2014; 30 (02): 111 - 121.","66. Shahfiz MA, Sahrul-Anuar MS, Zalipah MN, Nurul-Ain E, Pan KA, Muin MA, et al. Surveys of small mammals at selected sites in Royal Belum State Park. In: Rahman A, Koh HL, Mohd-Paiz K, Muhamad A, Latiff A, editors). Proceedings for Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, 3 - 5 August 2008. Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Malaysia; 2008. pp. 299 - 308.","101. Joann CL, Fletcher C, Rahman KA. Spatial effects of virgin jungle reserves (VJR) on the community of insectivorous bats in Peninsular Malaysia. J Trop For Sci. 2013; 25 (1): 118 - 130.","68. Shahfiz MA, Shahrul-Anuar MA, Nor-Zalipah M, Kaviarasu M, Pan KA, Yusof MO, et al. Surveys of bats at selected sites in Melaka Forest Reserves, Peninsular Malaysia. In: Rahman A, Koh HL, Muhamad A, Yusof WKW, Latiff A, editors. Proceedings for Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, 1 - 2 April 2009 2008. Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Malaysia; 2009. pp. 265 - 270.","5. Sing KW, Syaripuddin K, Wilson JJ. Changing perspectives on the diversity of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) at Ulu Gombak since the establishment of the Field Study Centre in 1965. Raffles Bull Zool S. 2013; 29: 211 - 217.","15. Wilson JJ, Sing KW, Halim MR, Ramli R, Hashim R, Sofian-Azirun M. Utility of DNA barcoding for rapid and accurate assessment of bat diversity in Malaysia in the absence of formally described species. Genet Mol Res 2014; 13 (1): 920 - 5. https: // doi. org / 10.4238 / 2014. February. 19.2 PMID: 24634112","4. Francis CM, Borisenko AV, Ivanova NV, Eger JL, Lim BK, Guillen-Servent A, et al. The role of DNA barcodes in understanding and conservation of mammal diversity in Southeast Asia. PloS one. 2010 Sep 3. 5 (9): e 12575. https: // doi. org / 10.1371 / journal. pone. 0012575 PMID: 20838635","111. Joann CL, Fletcher C, Salim HMW, Abdul-Rahman K, Harrison RD, Potts MD. Insectivorous bat assemblage in the hill dipterocarp forest of Temengor Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia. Mal Nat J. 2011; 63 (3): 569 - 576.","61. Hasan NH, Khan K, Senawi J, Ketol B, Sait I, Abdullah MT. A report on bats survey at Air Panas-Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia. J Trop Biol Conserv. 2012; 9 (2): 156 - 162.","62. Jayaraj VK, Khan FA, Azhar I, WeeChen E, Ali MR, Ahmad A, et al. Diversity and conservation status of small mammals in Kelantan, Malaysia. Warasan Songkhla Nakharin. 2016; 38 (2): 213 - 20.","50. Jayaraj VK, Daud SH, Azhar MI, Sah SA, Mokhtar SI, Abdullah MT. Diversity and conservation status of mammals in Wang Kelian State Park, Perlis, Malaysia. Check List. 2013; 9 (6): 1439 - 48.","56. Mohd-Hanif RM, Nur-Aida MT, Zahirunisa AR, Mohd-Ridwan AR, Abdullah MT. Contribution of regenerated forest in conservation of bats in Peninsular Malaysia. J Trop For Sci. 2015; 27 (4): 506 - 16.","14. Francis CM. A field guide to the mammals of South-East Asia. New Holland Publishers; 2008.","17. Douangboubpha B, Bumrungsri S, Soisook P, Satasook C, Thomas NM, Bates PJ. A taxonomic review of the Hipposideros bicolor species complex and H. pomona (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) in Thailand. Acta. Chiropt. 2010; 12 (2): 415 - 438.","23. Medway L. The wild mammals of Malaya. London: Oxford University Press. 1969."]}

Cynopterus cf. brachyotis SUNDA. Pachysomabrachyotis Müller, 1838: 146. DeweiRiver, central Kalimantan, INDONESIA (Collector unknown; Type unknown) [63]. Cynopterusbrachyotis [23]. Cynopterus cf. brachyotis SUNDA [64] Common English name: Sunda Short-nosed Fruit Bat Barcode Index Number: BOLD: AAA 9800 (20 DNA barcodes from Peninsular Malaysia; Fig 2) Remarks: Campbell et al. [64] reported two distinct species under C. brachyotis sensu lato with a mean divergence of 8.3% in mtDNA (combined control region and cytochrome b) between them. The two species are commonly annotated as C. cf. brachyotis SUNDA and C. cf. brachyotis FOREST (Fig 2). The SUNDA species is larger than the FOREST species with a longer forearm (> 64 mm) and is abundant in highly disturbed habitat (e.g. agricultural and suburban areas) but is absent in mature forests [11, 14, 64, 65]. It is unclear which species represents C. brachyotis sensu stricto despite the cryptic taxa being widely acknowledged (N Simmons, personal communication). Medway [23] recognised three subspecies of C. brachyotis in Peninsular Malaysia: (i) C. b. brachyotis found in lowlands and islands in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia, including Perak, and with a forearm length: 57–68 mm and an ear length: 14.5–18.5 mm; (ii) C. b. angulatus which intergrades with the nominal subspecies at the northern range and has a forearm length: 68–72 mm and an ear length: 18–22 mm; and (iii) C. b. altitudinus foundin the central highlands above 3, 000 ft from Gunung Brinchang, Pahang to Gunung Bunga Buah, Selangor, and with a forearm length: 60– 68 mm and an ear length: 18–21 mm. Athorough examination of all relevant types in this genus is required in order to correctly attribute currently existing Linnaean names. IUCN status: As C. brachyotis: Least Concern Recorded at: These records refer to C. brachyotis sensu lato, so may represent “SUNDA” or “FOREST”. Pahang: Krau Wildlife Reserve [11, 41, 42], Pulau Tioman [23, 64], Merapoh [40], Tasik Chini [43], Kuala Atok National Park [44], Gunung Brinchang [52], Lata Bujang Forest Reserve and Fraser Hill Forest Reserve [56], Cameron Highland [60], Kuala Lipis and Cherating [64]; Kedah: Pulau Langkawi [23], Ulu Muda Forest Reserve [57]; Pulau Pinang: Pulau Pinang [23]; Perak: Pulau Pangkor [23, 64], Temengor Forest Reserve [46, 47], Royal Belum State Park [48, 66], Bayor River-Rantau Panjang and Selama [49], Taping [64]; Terengganu: Pulau Redang [23], Pulau Perhentian [64]; Negeri Sembilan: Pasoh Forest Reserve [45]; Kelantan: Air Panas-Gua Musang [61], Gunung Reng, Gua Musang, and Lojing Highlands [62], Gunung Stong State Park [67]; Selangor: Ulu Gombak [5, 40, 52 – 54], Bukit Kemandul and Bukit Lanjan [40], Bangi Forest Reserve [41], Bukit Kutu Wildlife Reserve [51], Gunung Bunga Buah [52], Air Hitam Forest Reserve [55], Sungai Dusun [64]; Perlis: Wang Kelian State Park [50], Perlis State Park and Kangar [64]; Johor: Endau-Kluang Forest Reserve and Endau-Kota Tinggi Forest Reserve [56]; Melaka: Melaka town [64]., Published as part of Voon-Ching Lim, Rosli Ramli, Subha Bhassu & John-James Wilson, 2017, A checklist of the bats of Peninsular Malaysia and progress towards a DNA barcode reference library, pp. 1-65 in PLoS ONE 12 (7) on pages 7-8, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179555, http://zenodo.org/record/4251352, {"references":["63. Muller S. Over eenige nieuwe zoogdieren van Borneo. Tijdschrift voor Natuurlijke Geschiedenis en Physiologie. 1838; 5: 134 - 150.","23. Medway L. The wild mammals of Malaya. London: Oxford University Press. 1969.","64. Campbell P, Schneider CJ, Adnan AM, Zubaid A, Kunz TH. Phylogeny and phylogeography of Old World fruit bats in the Cynopterus brachyotis complex. Mol Phylogenet Evol. 2004; 33 (3): 764 - 81. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. ympev. 2004.06.019 PMID: 15522802","11. Kingston T, Lim BL, Akbar Z. Bats of Krau wildlife reserve. Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; 2006.","14. Francis CM. A field guide to the mammals of South-East Asia. New Holland Publishers; 2008.","65. Campbell P, Schneider CJ, Zubaid A, Adnan AM, Kunz TH. Morphological and ecological correlates of coexistence in Malaysian fruit bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae). J Mamma. 2007 Feb 28; 88 (1): 105 - 18.","41. Zubaid A. A comparison of the bat fauna between a primary and fragmented secondary forest in Peninsular Malaysia. Mammalia. 1993; 57 (2): 201 - 206.","42. Anan S, Rashdi AM, Abdul J, Lim BL. A survey of small mammals at Sungai Chenderoh, Perlok, Krau Wildlife Reserve, Pahang. Journal of Wildlife and Parks. 1998; 16: 104 - 109.","40. Ratnam L, Anan S, Muda H. Studies on a Collection of Bats. Journal of Wildlife and Parks, 1989; 8: 9 - 16.","43. Lim BL, Hussein NA, Ratnam L. A study of the vertebrate fauna in the Tasek Chini Nature Reserve, Pahang in relation to land use. Mal Nat J. 1999; 53 (3): 217 - 238.","44. Tingga RCT, Khan FA, Ridwan AM, Senawi J, Abdullah MT. Small Mammals from Kuala Atok, Taman Negara Pahang, Malaysia. Sains Malays. 2012; 41 (6): 659 - 669.","52. Medway L. The Ulu Gombak Field Studies Centre. Malayan Scientist. 1966; 2: 1 - 6.","56. Mohd-Hanif RM, Nur-Aida MT, Zahirunisa AR, Mohd-Ridwan AR, Abdullah MT. Contribution of regenerated forest in conservation of bats in Peninsular Malaysia. J Trop For Sci. 2015; 27 (4): 506 - 16.","60. Shahfiz MA, Sahrul-Anuar MS, Shukor MN, Zalipah MN, Pan KA, Muin MA, et al. Survey of small mammals at two forest reserves in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. In: Rahman A, Koh HL, Mohd-Paiz K, Muhamad A, Latiff A, editors. Proceedings for Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, 3 - 5 August 2008. Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Malaysia; 2008. pp. 293 - 298.","57. Norsham Y, Shariff F, Norhayati A, Nordin M, Lim BL. Pre-logging survey of mammal fauna at Sungai Weng sub-catchment, Ulu Muda Forest Reserve Forest Reserve, Kedah. Journal of Wildlife and Parks. 1999; 17: 28 - 43.","46. Francis CM. The diversity of bats in Temengor Forest Reserve, Hulu Perak, Malaysia. Mal Nat J. 1995; 48: 403 - 408.","47. Shahfiz MA, Shahrul-Anuar MA, Kaviarasu M, Fauzi MZ, Rizal MR. Preliminary checklist of mammals at Sungai Enam in Temengor Forest Reserve, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia In: Mohamed AL, Krishnapillay DB, Kasim Z, Khushairi ZA, Ismail NI, Rezan EFN, Sadali A, Mohammad MS, Hassan MN, Aznan ARY, editors. Proceedings of the 2 nd Temengor Scientific Expedition 2012, 22 - 25 August 2013. Pulau Banding Foundation, Malaysia; 2013.","48. Tamrin NAM, Rahman MRA, Daud MHRM, Hassan N, Abdullah MT. A survey on small mammals in the Royal Belum Park, Perak, Malaysia. In: Yasak MN, Nor SM, Illias R, Kamil SKSM, Mohamad MRB, Sitam FAT, editors. Proceeding of National Biodiversity Seminar 2008, 7 - 14 December 2008. Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Malaysia; 2010. pp. 27 - 35.","66. Shahfiz MA, Sahrul-Anuar MS, Zalipah MN, Nurul-Ain E, Pan KA, Muin MA, et al. Surveys of small mammals at selected sites in Royal Belum State Park. In: Rahman A, Koh HL, Mohd-Paiz K, Muhamad A, Latiff A, editors). Proceedings for Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, 3 - 5 August 2008. Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Malaysia; 2008. pp. 299 - 308.","49. Shafie NJ, Sah SA, Latip NA, Azman NM, Khairuddin NL. Diversity pattern of bats at two contrasting habitat types along Kerian River, Perak, Malaysia. Trop Life Sci Res 2011; 22: 13 - 22.","45. Francis CM. Trophic structure of bat communities in the understorey of lowland dipterocarp rain forest in Malaysia. J Trop Ecol. 1990; 6: 421 - 431.","61. Hasan NH, Khan K, Senawi J, Ketol B, Sait I, Abdullah MT. A report on bats survey at Air Panas-Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia. J Trop Biol Conserv. 2012; 9 (2): 156 - 162.","62. Jayaraj VK, Khan FA, Azhar I, WeeChen E, Ali MR, Ahmad A, et al. Diversity and conservation status of small mammals in Kelantan, Malaysia. Warasan Songkhla Nakharin. 2016; 38 (2): 213 - 20.","67. Jayaraj VK, Tahir NF, Udin NA, Baharin NF, Ismail SK, Zakaria SN. Species diversity of small mammals at Gunung Stong State Park, Kelantan, Malaysia. J Threat Taxa. 2012; 4 (6): 2617 - 2628.","5. Sing KW, Syaripuddin K, Wilson JJ. Changing perspectives on the diversity of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) at Ulu Gombak since the establishment of the Field Study Centre in 1965. Raffles Bull Zool S. 2013; 29: 211 - 217.","54. Heller KG, Volleth MA. Fledermause aus Malaysia. 1. Beobachtungen zur Biologie, Morphologie und Taxonomie. Senckenb Biol. 1989; 69 (4 - 6): 243 - 76.","51. Lim BL, Majid RA, Norsham Y. Studies on the mammal fauna of Bukit Kutu Wildlife reserve, Hulu Selangor. Journal of Wildlife and Parks. 1999; 17: 1 - 6.","55. Azlan JM, Sharma RS, Zakaria M. Species diversity and relative abundance of understorey bats at Air Hitam forest reserve, Selangor, Malaysia. Mal Nat J. 2000; 54 (1): 69 - 75.","50. Jayaraj VK, Daud SH, Azhar MI, Sah SA, Mokhtar SI, Abdullah MT. Diversity and conservation status of mammals in Wang Kelian State Park, Perlis, Malaysia. Check List. 2013; 9 (6): 1439 - 48."]}

Taphozous longimanus Hardwicke, 1825 Taphozous longimanus Hardwicke, 1825: 525; Calcutta, Bengal, INDIA (Collector unknown; Type unknown) [96]. Common English name: Long-winged Tomb Bat Barcode Index Number: DNA barcodes recorded as T. longimanus are associated with the BIN, BOLD:AAH9837, but there are no DNA barcodes from Peninsular Malaysia. IUCN status: Least Concern Recorded at: Unspecified locations in Selangor, Perak, and Pahang [23]; Kedah: Ulu Muda Forest Reserve [57]; Johor: Endau-Rompin [23]; Pahang: Krau Wildlife Reserve (2 DWNP specimens caught in year 2017). T. longimanus roosts in buildings, caves, tree hollows, crowns of palm trees, and among rocks [14, 23]. The latest DWNP specimens were caught in crowns of coconut tree, approximately 3 meters tall (VC Lim, personal observation)., Published as part of Voon-Ching Lim, Rosli Ramli, Subha Bhassu & John-James Wilson, 2017, A checklist of the bats of Peninsular Malaysia and progress towards a DNA barcode reference library, pp. 1-65 in PLoS ONE 12 (7) on page 14, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179555, http://zenodo.org/record/4251352, {"references":["96. Hardwicke T. Description of a new species of tailed bat (Taphozous) found in Calcutta. Transactions Linn Soc Lond. 1825; 14: 525 - 526.","23. Medway L. The wild mammals of Malaya. London: Oxford University Press. 1969.","57. Norsham Y, Shariff F, Norhayati A, Nordin M, Lim BL. Pre-logging survey of mammal fauna at Sungai Weng sub-catchment, Ulu Muda Forest Reserve Forest Reserve, Kedah. Journal of Wildlife and Parks. 1999; 17: 28 - 43.","14. Francis CM. A field guide to the mammals of South-East Asia. New Holland Publishers; 2008."]}