Novitates Bruneienses, 2. A remarkable new species of Begonia sect. Petermannia (Begoniaceae) from Brunei Darussalam

Brunei Darussalam is a small Sultanate country with diverse forest cover. One of them would be Mangrove Forest. As it has four main administrative districts, Temburong would be the chosen case study area. The methods of collecting data for this article are by collecting secondary data from official websites and the map in this article (Figure 1) are showing the forest cover in Brunei Darussalam as of 2020. The aim of this article is to explain the mangrove forest especially at the Temburong District. As for the objectives, it would to be able to show the different types of forests in Temburong, hoping in ability to explain the different subtypes of mangroves forest and to explain in general the green jewel of Brunei Darussalam. Temburong has become the second highest tree coverage in Brunei Darussalam of 124 kha as of 2010, while the mangrove forest covering about 66% of total mangrove forest of 12,164 km2 out of 18,418 hectares. Mangrove forest has seven subtypes: Bakau species, Nyireh bunga, Linggadai, Nipah, Nipah-Dungun, Pedada and Nibong. Selirong Forest Reserve and Labu Forest Reserve are the two-mangrove forest reserves in Brunei Darussalam at Temburong District. Forest cover in Brunei Darussalam are 3800 hectares as of 2020 and has lost its tree coverage of 1.17 kha and one of the reasons would be forest fire and the tree cover loss due to fire is around 197 ha and the district that has lost its tree cover mostly was at Belait District of total 13.4 kha between the year 2001 until 2022.

?Two conflicting hypotheses concern the origin of flying mammals. The traditional hypothesis states that the two major groups of bats, the microchiropterans and the megachiropterans, are sister groups that constitute the taxon Chiroptera. In contrast, the diphyly hypothesis suggests that megachiropterans are more closely related to primates than to microchiropterans. Different suites of morphological characters provide support for each of these hypotheses, and previous molecular studies have not provided a clear resolution of the problem. We analyzed a region of the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene from ll species of mammals, including 2 species of megachiropterans, 2 species of microchiropterans, a primate, a colugo (Dermoptera), a tree shrew (Scandentia), and 4 outgroups, to test the diphyly hypothesis. A phylogenetic analysis of 257 base pairs resulted in two shortest unrooted trees that significantly support the monophyly of the bats and also suggest that the colugo is more closely related to primates than to the bats: (((Primates, Dermoptera) Scandentia) (Microchiroptera, Megachiroptera)). The topology sup? porting the diphyly hypothesis is 10 steps longer than the most-parsimonious unrooted tree. Although the traditional hypothesis is supported with respect to bat monophyly, the rDNA data support the nontraditional grouping of colugo and primates (a hypothesis also supported by neurological data). [Bat monophyly, phylogenetic confidence, Chiroptera, Archonta.] All mammals capable of true flight tra? ditionally have been recognized as a monophyletic group, Chiroptera. The two major lineages of bats have been united based on several unique musculoskeletal specializations associated with the pres? ence of wings (Baker et al., 1991b). Re? cently, doubt has been raised over the support for a bat dade. Are the large fruiteating bats of the Old World (Megachiroptera) the closest living relatives of the smaller predominantly insectivorous cos? mopolitan bats known as microchiropterans? The monophyly of Chiroptera was questioned first by Smith (1977) and Smith and Madkour (1980). They concluded that derived features of the penis, neurosensory system (size of neocortex), and limb joints suggest a diphyletic origin for bats, or that mammals evolved flight twice. The diphyly hypothesis also has been support? ed by Pettigrew (1986) based upon several features related to the patterns of connec? tion between the retina and midbrain (su? perior colliculus) that are shared in pri? mates and megachiropterans. Predictably, these findings have sparked a controversy 1 Present address; Department of Biology, Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth, Texas 76105, USA. over bat relationships. The evidence sup? porting opposing sides of the argument was recently summarized by Pettigrew (1991a, 1991b), Baker et al. (1991b), and Simmons et al. (1991). The disagreement among existing mor? phological studies (Simpson, 1945; Smith, 1977; Smith and Madkour, 1980; Novacek, 1982; Pettigrew, 1986; Shoshani, 1986; Wible and Novacek, 1988; Pettigrew et al., 1989; Thewissen and Babcock, 1991) makes this particular problem an excellent can? didate for molecular analysis. Which suite of characters are truly the result of com? mon ancestry and which are convergent? The differences between the megabats and microbats are widely known (Pettigrew et al., 1989), but synapomorphies for Chirop? tera have been much more elusive. The bats are generally regarded as part of the superorder Archonta (Novacek, 1989), along with Primates, Dermoptera (colugos or flying lemurs), and Scandentia (tree shrews). Bats and colugos traditionally have been recognized as sister taxa (Fig. la), whereas Pettigrew et al. (1989) hypothe? sized a sister-group relationship between one of the groups of bats (megachiropterans) and primates (Fig. lb). There is very little consensus regarding the relation-

We compared seedling emergence and soil seed bank composition under an Acacia mangium plantation and an adjacent tropical heath forest in the Andulau Forest Reserve, Brunei Darussalam. Soil samples were collected from ten 20 x 20 m plots set up in three contrasting habitats: the Acacia plantation, the adjacent heath forest, and the transition zone in-between. Soil samples were subjected to smoke and heat treatments, following which seedling emergence was observed daily over a 12-week period. In a parallel investigation, variations in species richness, seed density and seed viability of the soil seed banks of the ten plots were investigated. Seedling emergence was significantly highest in the plantation and lowest in the heath forest plots respectively. However, no significant differences among treatments, and no significant treatment-habitat interactions were detected. Species richness, seed density and seed viability in the plantation plots were significantly lower than the transition zone and intact heath forest plots. A. mangium seeds were not recorded in the heath forest soil seed banks but were detected in the plantation and transition zone plots. Lower native plant species richness, seed density and viability in the A. mangium plantation could imply higher regeneration potential for the heath forest habitat if severe habitat destruction was to occur in this forest reserve. We suggest that proper plantation management practices and close monitoring of soil seed banks are the best mechanisms that could be adopted to minimize the gradual spread of invasive Acacias into natural tropical heath forests of Borneo.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest among academics worldwide in the concepts of halal and green tourism, particularly focusing on sustainability. This trend has created both opportunities and challenges for tourism stakeholders, as there is a strong interest from tourists in both halal and green tourism experiences. Brunei Darussalam, with about 80% of its land covered in primary tropical forest and a significant portion devoted to permanent forests and forest reserves, offers numerous green tourist attractions despite its small size. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and relevant aspects of halal-green tourism, this study explores the existing literature and theories related to the topic. Using a qualitative approach and secondary data collection, the study provides insights into halal-green tourism in Brunei. Furthermore, a SWOT analysis of the Brunei tourism industry is presented based on the information gathered. The data indicates that Brunei offers an ideal balance of environmentally friendly and halal-friendly services, making it an attractive destination for halal-green tourism. The SWOT analysis serves as a valuable guideline for relevant authorities and policymakers in planning the future development of the country’s tourism industry. Additionally, local travel agencies can utilize this analysis to promote and enhance halal green tourism in Brunei.
 Keywords: Brunei, green tourism, halal green tourism, halal tourism, SWOT analysis

Understanding how abiotic factors influence Bornean tropical tree communities and diversity is a key aspect in elucidating the mechanisms of species co-existence and habitat preferences in these biodiverse forests. We focused on investigating forest structure, tree diversity and community composition of lowland Bornean heath forests in Brunei Darussalam, within two 0.96 ha permanent forest plots at Bukit Sawat Forest Reserve and Badas Forest Reserve. All trees with stem diameter ≥ 5 cm were tagged, identified and measured for their stem diameter and basal area. Soil physiochemical properties (pH, gravimetric water content and concentrations of total carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in topsoil) and environmental factors (relative humidity, canopy openness, litter depth and topographic variables of elevation, slope and aspect) were quantified as potential drivers of tree community differences. A total of 2,368 trees were recorded, representing 229 tree species in 211 genera and 58 families. Significant between-site differences in forest structure and tree community compositions were detected, despite limited differences in environmental and soil properties. Tree community composition at Bukit Sawat appeared to be influenced by topographic variables, while those at Badas were influenced by canopy openness. Our results showed that small-scale soil and environmental variation appeared to shape the local tree communities at Bukit Sawat and Badas. We recorded numerous Bornean endemic and tree species of high conservation values. We thus highlight the necessity of conducting long-term research on the forest dynamics of Bornean heath forests to effectively manage these high conservation value habitats which are currently experiencing changes driven by disturbances.

The tropical shads found in Brunei Darussalam was identified using a morphological analysis, and the identification was further validated by an analysis of the shads’ 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences. Because of the difficulty of accurately identifying tropical shads solely on morphological analyses, previous studies had reported the occurrence of the tropical shads Tenualosa toli (Valenciennes, 1847) and T. macrura (Bleeker, 1852) in Malaysian waters of the Borneo Island. However, based on the morphological key characters and geographical distribution, all specimens were identified as T. reevesii (Richardson, 1846). Thereafter, all specimens were identified as T. toli, which was confirmed by the molecular genetic analysis. This study found the occurrence of T. toli in Brunei Darussalam. The present study also suggests that accurate tropical shad species identification is needed to validate by molecular genetic analysis after morphological observation.

Seismic refraction has been utilized widely in the past to characterize shallow aquifers and subsurface layers. This study applies the method on a water-shed scale to get information on the regional groundwater flow system. Furthermore, the application of seismic refraction for groundwater and hydrogeologic studies has not been done before in Brunei Darussalam. The country of Brunei Darussalam, located in the North of Borneo, uses more than 99% of surface water resources for its industry and public consumption, with the remaining groundwater resources currently unexplored. However, the ever-increasing population and national industrialisation are putting more pressure on Brunei’s water resources. In view of finding new groundwater reserves, we incorporate seismic refraction methods to characterize the local subsurface layers and to delineate the groundwater levels at the Berakas Forest Reserve, located in the North-East of Brunei. The site is chosen based on its surface geological suitability for groundwater reservoirs as well as the occurrence of springs and ephemeral streams in the area. Initial investigations indicate that the near-surface lithology of the study area has good aquifer potential, with the occurrence of conglomerate and sand deposits formed by braided and meandering rivers during late Miocene to Pliocene. We carried out four seismic surveys at strategic locations with different elevations and distances to the sea. The interpreted water table elevations from the velocity-depth profiles are compared with the actual ground elevations of observed springs as well as an ephemeral stream. The interpretations from the velocity profiles were verified using 1D multichannel analysis of surface waves at selected locations. In addition, seismic tomography was used to investigate the capillary fringe zone, indicating the presence of clayey and silty sediments in the saturated and vadose zone. Our interpretations show that the water table varies with topographic elevation and distance from the South China Sea, as the overall flow direction is towards the sea. The hydraulic gradient is calculated to be 0.04. Water samples collected from springs indicate fresh water based on density of 1.00 g/cm3 and chloride content below 150 ppm. However, the shallow aquifer is impacted by low pH values and high sulphate concentrations likely due to local acid sulphate soils present in the study area. No saltwater intrusion is expected which is investigated using the Ghyben–Herzberg relationship.

Studying model organisms in their natural environments is essential for advancing bioinspired science and technology. Echolocating bats can be models to inspire new technology for sonar sensing, mobility with flapping flight as well as the integration of these two capabilities. Bat species belonging to genera such as Rhinolophus and Hipposideros stand out for their ability to navigate and hunt prey in dense vegetation. To further the study of echolocation and flight strategies in these genera, field-based research methods have been used to observe, record, and capture bats in Brunei Darussalam. This work was conducted at Andulau Forest Reserve on the border of Belait and Tutong Districts, various other field sites in Tutong District, as well as at Mata Mata in Brunei-Muara District from June 2022 through August 2022. Harp traps were primarily used to capture bats, a less invasive capture technique compared to other types of netting and thought to be more effective against the sophisticated echolocation capabilities of these bats. Acoustic recordings were collected at trap sites and upon processing. These recordings can be utilized to advance passive acoustic monitoring and to improve software that can distinguish species based on sonar characteristics which can also support general biodiversity monitoring.

Emnicoris silesianus Taszakowski, Kim & Gierlasiński gen. et sp. nov. (Deraeocorinae: Deraeocorini) is described from Brunei Darussalam. Morphological characters of the new genus and species are provided with photographs and SEM micrographs. Male and female genital structures are presented. Additionally, the uniqueness of its morphological features is discussed in the context of the tribal placement of this new genus. The stridulatory device (embolial stridulitrum and metafemoral plectra) of the new taxon is documented. The unique stridulation mechanisms of Surinamellini (Deraeocorinae) are reported and described for the first time.

The Heart of Borneo (HoB) declaration is a conservation agreement initiated by WWF and signed by three countries, i.e., Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia in Bali, Indonesia on 12th February 2007 to protect more than 23 million hectares of forested region on Borneo Island. These forested areas could be well protected when conservation management plan is in place. One of the crucial activities to facilitate the planning and formulation of conservation plan is to conduct scientific expeditions that include botanical exploration. The primary objective of the expedition is to identify the key conservation targets within the forest reserves. For the past five years, several expeditions have been conducted by the Sabah Forestry Department under the auspices of the HoB project to explore various forest reserves with conservation issues within the Heart of Borneo area. This paper will present the findings which include plant richness, endemism and plant conservation status in each forest reserves that has been explored.

The herbaceous ground flora was sampled in different habitats of the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve, Brunei, and analysed in more detail in two one-hectare plots on ridge slopes at about 250 m elevation in primary mixed dipterocarp forest. A total of 261 species were recorded, representing 26 families of angiosperms and 14 families of pteridophytes. Most of the species were proto-terrestrials (93%). The largest families of ground herbs in both the Forest Reserve generally and in the sampled plots were the Zingiberaceae and Araceae, although the collective contribution of all fern families is similar or greater. Grasses are not a significant component of ground herbs inside the forest; a major difference compared with results from a similar study in the Amazon. The species richness of vascular herbs was 92 in one plot (total of 6264 individuals with 191 m2 cover) and 68 in the other plot (total of 2479 individuals with 72 m2 cover). It is suggested that the rugged landscape and the dynamics of landslides may be important factors for the high species richness of ground herbs in the area.

Preliminary results of sampling the termite assemblage in the lowland mixed dipterocarp forest of Batu Apoi Forest Reserve in Temburong District, Brunei Darussalam, are presented. Numbers of epigeal and arboreal nests in a one hectare plot were recorded and the populations of termites in soil and dead wood were measured. Termites were initially separated into four taxonomic groups: the family Rhinotermitidae, and the Termitidae subfamilies Termitinae, Macrotermitinae and Nasutitermitinae. The percentage of total density represented by each taxon was 9.2%, 28.8%, 33.9% and 28.1%, respectively. Density above-ground (513 m−2), in dead wood (320 m−2) and in soil (616 m−2) suggests that the total termite population exceeds 1500 m−2. Generalized rates of consumption by each taxon were used to estimate that total consumption of organic matter by termites was 35.2 g (dry weight) m−2 yr−1, which represents approximately 3% of the annual litter production. Odontotermes spp. (Macrotermitinae) were responsible for consuming 67% of the total amount of organic matter taken by termites. Comparisons were made with data from Mulu National Park, Sarawak, and Pasoh Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia. The combined data suggest that the density of Macrotermitinae (fungus-growers) increases with decreasing annual rainfall.

ABSTRACTThe taxonomy of the Onchidiidae has remained extremely confusing for decades. As part of an on-going systematic revision of the entire family, a new genus, Melayonchis Dayrat and Goulding gen. nov., and four new species (Melayonchis eloisae Dayrat sp. nov., Melayonchis siongkiati Dayrat and Goulding sp. nov., Melayonchis annae Dayrat sp. nov., and Melayonchis aileenae Dayrat and Goulding sp. nov.) are described. Species are delineated using an integrative approach, based on morphological characters and DNA sequences. First-hand field observations and pictures of live animals are provided in order to help future species identification. All four Melayonchis species live in mangrove forests. The geographic distribution of Melayonchis ranges from the Andaman Sea to the South China Sea through the Strait of Malacca. Records are based on entirely new collections from the Andaman Islands, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam. The nomenclature of all existing onchidiid species- and genus-group names from that region is addressed, as well as intraspecific character variation within Melayonchis.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:671922DB-C6C1-44A5-B2CD-A3A3127CB668

Species, under the genus Rhynchorhamphus (Family: Hemiramphidae), are widely distributed marine groups of fishes. Among four species described from India, only two species, i.e., Rhynchorhamphus georgii and R. maabarica, are reported along the Indian coast. However, during the present study, a specimen collected from the Western Indian Ocean, Chetty harbour, Kerala, the south-west coast of India, has been identified as Rhynchorhamphus naga (Collette, 1976), based on morphology and molecular characters. The species is characterized by D-14; A-14; Pec-9; Pev-6; GR-50 and a prolonged beak (171.82% HL). The species has been reported from Western Central Pacific and several other countries like Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam considered to be endemic to that region. This finding reveals that the species has a wider distribution, as we recorded the species from Kerala, south-west coast of India along the Indian Ocean.

This article is the first formal record of the genus Mallinella Strand, 1906 in Brunei Darussalam. Four Mallinella species are documented. Mallinella merimbunenis sp. nov., M. myrmecophaga sp. nov., and M. platyrhyncha sp. nov. are newly described. The females of M. bigemina Dankittipakul, Jocqué & Singtripop, 2012 are here recorded from Brunei for the first time. The latter species was previously known only from an evergreen hill forest at 2,000 m elevation at Mt. Kinabalu of Kinabalu Park in Sabah.