New host record and redescription of Amblyomma cordiferum nymphs and larvae infesting Malaysian house rats (Rattus rattus diardii) in Peninsular Malaysia, with molecular evidence of Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Bartonella.

Nymphal and larval Amblyomma cordiferum ticks, a relatively rare species, were collected from the Malaysian house rat (Rattus rattus diardii) in Peninsular Malaysia. Redescription and molecular analysis of nymphs and larvae, based on the 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and COI genes, revealed divergence from A. cordiferum in Taiwan, suggesting that the Taiwanese tick specimens may represent a different taxon.

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ruminant farms of Peninsular Malaysia: First molecular evidence of Borrelia theileri in Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae).

To shed light on the importance of tick-borne diseases, especially in farm animals that often contact with farm workers, this study aimed to identify ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ruminants in Malaysia. Accordingly, specimen collection was conducted across Peninsular Malaysia yielded a total of 1241 ticks collected from 674 farm ruminants. Among these, four tick species were identified, with Rhipicephalus microplus being the most prevalent, constituting 99.

A distinct Borrelia clade within the relapsing fever group from cat-infesting Haemaphysalis semermis Neumann 1901 (Acari: Ixodidae).

An undescribed relapsing fever group Borrelia species was detected in a male Haemaphysalis semermis tick infesting a rural cat in an indigenous population in Pahang National Park, Peninsular Malaysia. The 16 S rRNA gene sequence revealed close similarity of this variant to several undescribed Borrelia species and Borrelia theileri, with genetic distances ranging from 0.58 to 0.

Tick-associated Trypanosoma species (Apicomplexa: Kinetoplastida) from cattle ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Peninsular Malaysia.

A Trypanosoma screening was conducted on 130 pools comprising 1,241 ticks, collected from 674 selected farm ruminants in Peninsular Malaysia. Of these, nine pools were tested positive for Trypanosoma. Subsequent BLAST searches revealed that the 18S rRNA gene sequences were closely related to Trypanosoma rhipicephalis isolate Chaco CB, with percentage similarities ranging from 95.

Wild-caught adult black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) from various ecological landscapes in Malaysia.

Most studies on black flies focus on the taxonomy and ecology of their aquatic stages. Despite posing a public health threat, the adults remain poorly studied in many countries, including Malaysia. The present study represents the first investigation of the distribution of wild-caught black flies from various ecological landscapes and climatic conditions in Malaysia.

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.

Redescription, molecular characterisation and endosymbionts of () (Mullin & Orihel, 1972) (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) from the common treeshrew Diard & Duvaucel (Mammalia: Scandentia) in Peninsular Malaysia.

The genus Faust, 1929 includes 29 species, mainly parasites of platyrrhine monkeys in South America and anthropoid apes in Africa. In Malaysia, () (Mullin & Orihel, 1972) was described from the common treeshrew Diard & Duvaucel (Scandentia). In a recent classification of the genus , seven subgenera were proposed, with .

Co-occurrence of dual lineages within Simulium (Gomphostilbia) atratum De Meijere in the Indonesian Archipelago along Wallace's Line.

Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences were utilized to infer the population genetic structure of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) atratum De Meijere, an endemic simulid species to Indonesia. Both median-joining haplotype network and maximum-likelihood tree revealed two genetic lineages (A and B) within the species, with an overlap distribution in Lombok, which is situated along Wallace's line. Genetic differentiation and gene flow with varying frequencies (F = 0.

Spatial analyses of Plasmodium knowlesi vectors with reference to control interventions in Malaysia.

Background: Malaria parasites such as Plasmodium knowlesi, P. inui, and P. cynomolgi are spread from macaques to humans through the Leucosphyrus Group of Anopheles mosquitoes.

Protein Profiling of Treated with sp. KSF103 Ethyl Acetate Extract Reveals Potential Insecticidal Targets and Metabolic Pathways.

The insecticidal activity of sp. KSF103 ethyl acetate (EA) extract against mosquitoes is known; however, the underlying mechanism behind this activity remains elusive. In this study, liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was employed to investigate changes in the protein profile of larvae and adults treated with lethal concentrations of 50 (LC) EA extract.

Cryptic Diversity and Demographic Expansion of Malaria Vectors in Malaysia.

Although Malaysia is considered free of human malaria, there has been a growing number of cases. This alarming trend highlighted the need for our understanding of this parasite and its associated vectors, especially considering the role of genetic diversity in the adaptation and evolution among vectors in endemic areas, which is currently a significant knowledge gap in their fundamental biology. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of , , , and -the vectors for malaria in Malaysia.

DNA barcoding of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Indonesia.

Background: DNA barcoding is a valuable taxonomic tool for rapid and accurate species identification and cryptic species discovery in black flies. Indonesia has 143 nominal species of black flies, but information on their biological aspects, including vectorial capacity and biting habits, remains underreported, in part because of identification problems. The current study represents the first comprehensive DNA barcoding of Indonesian black flies using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences.

High transmission efficiency of the simian malaria vectors and population expansion of their parasites Plasmodium cynomolgi and Plasmodium inui.

Background: The elimination of malaria in Southeast Asia has become more challenging as a result of rising knowlesi malaria cases. In addition, naturally occurring human infections with other zoonotic simian malaria caused by Plasmodium cynomolgi and Plasmodium inui adds another level of complexity in malaria elimination in this region. Unfortunately, data on vectors which are responsible for transmitting this zoonotic disease is very limited.

First record of Diamesus osculans (Vigors, 1825) (Coleoptera: Silphidae) colonization on a human corpse.

A partially skeletonized human corpse was found in bushes in Selangor, Malaysia in June 2020. Entomological evidence was collected during the autopsy and sent to the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) for minimum postmortem interval (PMI) analysis. Standard protocols were applied when processing preserved and live insect specimens of both larval and pupal stages.

Occurrence of five distinct clades of mermithid nematodes (Nematoda: Mermithidae) infecting black fly larvae (Diptera: Simuliidae) in tropical streams in Malaysia.

Mermithids are the most common parasites of black flies and are associated with host feminization and sterilization in infected hosts. However, information on the species / lineage of black fly mermithids in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia requires further elucidation. In this study, mermithids were obtained from black fly larvae collected from 138 freshwater stream sites across East and West Malaysia.

Insecticidal activities of Streptomyces sp. KSF103 ethyl acetate extract against medically important mosquitoes and non-target organisms.

A potentially novel actinobacterium isolated from forest soil, Streptomyces sp. KSF103 was evaluated for its insecticidal effect against several mosquito species namely Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles cracens and Culex quinquefasciatus. Mosquito larvae and adults were exposed to various concentrations of the ethyl acetate (EA) extract for 24 h.

Description and molecular characterisation of Uni, Mat Udin & Martin n. sp. (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) from the white-rumped shama (Scopoli) (Passeriformes: Muscicapidae) of Pahang, Malaysia.

Species of the genus Railliet & Henry, 1910 the most widely distributed avian filariae in Africa and South America. Zoonotic cases in humans were reported in South America. While investigating the filarial fauna of wild animals in Malaysia, we discovered an undescribed filaria from the swollen footpad of the left leg of (Scopoli) in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.

Morphological abnormalities and multiple mitochondrial clades of Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (Ixodida: Ixodidae).

Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides is endemic in South and Southeast Asia, and it is known to parasitise domestic animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, and dogs. Despite infestation on multiple hosts, little attention has been paid to its morphological and molecular variation. The present study describes local morphological abnormalities for the first time in R.

Correction: Pramasivan et al. Multiplex PCR Assay for the Identification of Four Species of the Leucosphyrus Sub-Group in Malaysia. 2022, , 195.

In the original publication [...

Identification of potential vectors of and (Spirurida: Filariidae): First observation of infective third-stage larva of in (Diptera: Culicidae).

Information on the mosquito species that transmit canine filariosis is scanty. Hence, an experimental study was conducted to identify the potential vectors responsible for the transmission of Leidy and Buckley & Edeson. A total of 367 mosquitoes belonging to six species containing both laboratory and field strains (i.