Genetic diversity and phylogeographic patterns of the peacock jewel-damselfly, Rhinocypha fenestrella (Rambur, 1842).

Despite is known to have widespread distribution and the most active species of the family Chlorocyphidae, the molecular data of Rhinocypha fenestrella (Rambur, 1842) are relatively scarce. The present study is the first that examined the genetic diversity and phylogeographic pattern of the peacock jewel-damselfly R. fenestrella by sequencing the cytochrome C oxidase I (cox1) and 16S rRNA gene regions from 147 individuals representing eight populations in Malaysia.

The global spread of misinformation on spiders.

In the internet era, the digital architecture that keeps us connected and informed may also amplify the spread of misinformation. This problem is gaining global attention, as evidence accumulates that misinformation may interfere with democratic processes and undermine collective responses to environmental and health crises. In an increasingly polluted information ecosystem, understanding the factors underlying the generation and spread of misinformation is becoming a pressing scientific and societal challenge.

An expert-curated global database of online newspaper articles on spiders and spider bites.

Mass media plays an important role in the construction and circulation of risk perception associated with animals. Widely feared groups such as spiders frequently end up in the spotlight of traditional and social media. We compiled an expert-curated global database on the online newspaper coverage of human-spider encounters over the past ten years (2010-2020).

Classification and Morphology of spp. (Odonata): A Comprehensive Taxonomic Study Within the Females.

Studies on Odonata have gained attention worldwide as well as locally in Malaysia. Although there is a wealth of data available to be utilized for solving taxonomic problems, ecological and behavioural research areas are more favoured than taxonomy and systematics. Thus, there are confusions over how to correctly identify closely related and sympatric species, especially in female odonates.

On the snow leopard Trails: Occupancy pattern and implications for management in the Pamir.

The snow leopard () inhabits one of the most challenging environments on Earth, referred to as the 'third pole'. Only a fraction of its vast range has been explored thus far, owing to myriad of barriers inflicted by the remote terrain and socio-ecological realities of the landscapes. Understanding distribution patterns of species is essential to devise practical management measures.

Monitoring butterflies using counts of puddling males: A case study of the Rajah Brooke's Birdwing (Trogonoptera brookiana albescens).

The Rajah Brooke's Birdwing, Trogonoptera brookiana, is a large, iconic butterfly that is facing heavy commercial exploitation and habitat loss. Males of some subspecies exhibit puddling behavior. A method of conservation monitoring was developed for subspecies albescens in Ulu Geroh, Peninsular Malaysia, where the males consistently puddle in single-species aggregations at stable geothermal springs, reaching well over 300 individuals when the population is at its highest.

Contrasting evolutionary patterns between two haplogroups of Haematobia exigua (Diptera: Muscidae) from the mainland and islands of Southeast Asia.

Uncovering the hidden diversity and evolutionary history of arthropods of medico-veterinary importance could have significant implications for vector-borne disease control and epidemiological intervention. The buffalo fly Haematobia exigua is an obligate bloodsucking ectoparasite of livestock. As an initial step towards understanding its population structures and biogeographic patterns, we characterized partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (Cytb) sequences of H.

Evaluation of Insect Growth Regulators Against Field-Collected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) from Malaysia.

Susceptibility status of Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus Skuse larvae obtained from 12 states in Malaysia were evaluated against five insect growth regulators (IGRs), namely, pyriproxyfen, methoprene, diflubenzuron, cyromazine, and novaluron under laboratory conditions. Field populations of Ae.

Molecular characterisation of the tick Rhipicephalus microplus in Malaysia: new insights into the cryptic diversity and distinct genetic assemblages throughout the world.

Background: The morphotaxonomy of Rhipicephalus microplus complex has been challenged in the last few years and prompted many biologists to adopt a DNA-based method for distinguishing the members of this group. In the present study, we used a mitochondrial DNA analysis to characterise the genetic assemblages, population structure and dispersal pattern of R. microplus from Southeast Asia, the region where the species originated.

Mitochondrial DNA markers reveal high genetic diversity but low genetic differentiation in the black fly Simulium tani Takaoka & Davies along an elevational gradient in Malaysia.

The population genetic structure of Simulium tani was inferred from mitochondria-encoded sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunits I (COI) and II (COII) along an elevational gradient in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. A statistical parsimony network of 71 individuals revealed 71 haplotypes in the COI gene and 43 haplotypes in the COII gene; the concatenated sequences of the COI and COII genes revealed 71 haplotypes. High levels of genetic diversity but low levels of genetic differentiation were observed among populations of S.

Enzymatic characterization of insecticide resistance mechanisms in field populations of Malaysian Culex quinquefasciatus say (Diptera: Culicidae).

Background: There has been no comprehensive study on biochemical characterization of insecticide resistance mechanisms in field populations of Malaysian Culex quinquefasciatus. To fill this void in the literature, a nationwide investigation was performed to quantify the enzyme activities, thereby attempting to characterize the potential resistance mechanisms in Cx. quinquefasciatus in residential areas in Malaysia.

True lateral eye numbers for extant buthids: a new discovery on an old character.

This study reports the results of a re-analysis of the number of lateral eyes in extant buthids. Specimens studied were confined mostly to those from China and the adjacent areas. 353 specimens belonging to 20 species (subspecies) and 8 genera were rechecked and found to have 5 pairs of lateral eyes contrary to earlier published works which reported the presence of 3 pairs of lateral eyes only.