Satun Province Research Articles

Two Novel Species of Talaromyces Discovered in a Karst Cave in the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark of Southern Thailand.

Karst caves are oligotrophic environments that appear to support a high diversity of fungi. Studies of fungi in Thailand’s caves are limited. During a 2019 exploration of the mycobiota associated with soil samples from a karst cave, namely, Phu Pha Phet in the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark in Satun Province, southern Thailand, two previously undescribed fungi belonging to Talaromyces (Trichocomaceae, Eurotiales, Eurotiomycetes) were studied using a polyphasic approach combining phenotypic and molecular data. Based on datasets of four loci (ITS, BenA, CaM, and RPB2), phylogenetic trees of the section Trachyspermi were constructed, and two new species—Talaromyces phuphaphetensis sp. nov. and T. satunensis sp. nov.—phylogenetically related to T. subericola, T. resinae, and T. brasiliensis, are described. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the new species are provided. This study increases the number of cave-dwelling soil fungi discovered in Thailand’s Satun UNESCO Global Geopark, which appears to be a unique environment with a high potential for discovering fungal species previously undescribed.

Modified Nonnutrient Agar Plate Culture for the Diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis and Hookworm Infections in La-Ngu District, Satun Province, Southern Thailand.

Due to the low prevalence and light intensity of Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis, Ss) and hookworm (HW) in Thailand, an increase in the efficacy of detection with the appropriate diagnosis is needed. This cross-sectional survey is aimed at using modified nonnutrient agar plate culture (mNNAPC) to assess the prevalence of S. stercoralis and hookworm infections and to report intestinal parasitic infections in La-Ngu villagers, Satun Province in Southern Thailand. We used wet smear, modified Harada-Mori filter paper culture (mHMFPC), and mNNAPC to investigate 204 villagers (4 villages) between August 2016 and January 2017. The combination of mHMFPC and mNNAPC raised the prevalence of S. stercoralis and hookworm infections among the study population from 3.4% and 1.0% to 6.9% and 2.5%, respectively. There were no significant differences between demographic characteristics and these infections (p < 0.05). Three types of protozoal infections, Blastocystis spp. (2.9%), Entamoeba histolytica-like (0.5%), and Giardia duodenalis (0.5%), and 3 species of helminthic infections, S. stercoralis (6.9%) (14 cases), hookworm 2.5%, and Enterobius vermicularis 0.5%, were demonstrated in this area. The mNNAPC showed the highest efficacy in detecting both parasites (Ss 92.9% and HW 80%), whereas the wet smear detected none.

Flying Water Buffaloes and the Value of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Satun Province

Flying Water Buffaloes and the Value of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Satun Province

A new insular species of the Cyrtodactylus pulchellus group (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) from Tarutao Island, southern Thailand revealed by morphological and genetic evidence

The bent-toed geckos of the Cyrtodactyluspulchellus group are widely distributed along the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Although taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of this species group have been continuously conducted, only some populations from Thailand have been included, resulting in hidden diversity within this group. In this study, we used morphological and molecular data to clarify the taxonomic status and describe a new population from Tarutao Island, Satun Province, southern Thailand. Cyrtodactylusstellatussp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following morphological characters: body size; tuberculation; number of dark body bands, ventral scales, and femoroprecloacal pores in males; presence of precloacal pores in females; and scattered pattern on dorsum. Phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial ND2 gene recovered the new species as the sister species to C.astrum, with an uncorrected pairwise divergence of 9.78–12.37%. Cyrtodactylusstellatussp. nov. is currently only known from Tarutao Island, Thailand. The discovery of this species suggests that the diversity within the C.pulchellus group remains underestimated and future exploration of unsurveyed areas are needed to further the understanding of this group and its geographic range.

Chikungunya Fever in Southern Thailand, 2018.

Infection by the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes acute febrile illness and debilitating arthralgia. Outbreaks are sometimes not recognized because of its clinical resemblance to the more common dengue fever ubiquitous in tropical countries. An upsurge of dengue-like illness was reported in Satun province located in southern Thailand during the rainy season in 2018. We investigated probable outbreak of CHIKV disease. We collected serum samples from 127 patients and tested for CHIKV infection based on nucleic acid and serological tests. CHIKV RNA amplified by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and IgM antibody against CHIKV were determined by immunochromatographic rapid test. Mosquitoes in the community were also trapped and tested for CHIKV. Conventional RT-PCR on initially positive samples was performed to obtain nucleotide sequences for subsequent phylogenetic analysis. In all, 39% (50/127) of the samples tested positive for CHIKV RNA, IgM, or both. Of these, CHIKV RNA was identified in 17% (21/127) of the samples. Fourteen percent (18/127) of the samples were simultaneously positive for both IgM and IgG, which suggest recent infection. One sample tested positive for both CHIKV IgM and RNA. Several samples from Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes were also CHIKV RNA-positive. Sequence analysis revealed that the Satun CHIKV belonged to the Indian Ocean lineage within the East/Central/South African (ECSA) clade with residues K211E and A226 in the E1 gene, and G205S and V264A in the E2 gene. The ECSA strain of CHIKV continues to evolve and possesses virulent potential despite causing prior outbreaks in the region.

Recent ostracods (Crustacea) from the southwestern coast of Peninsular Thailand (Satun Province), Andaman Sea Ostracodes (Crustacea) récents de la côte sud-ouest de la péninsule de Thaïlande (Province de Satun), Mer d'Andaman

An inventory of 35 species of ostracods (Crustacea) recovered from sediment samples from a shallow embayment nearby the Mu Koh Phetra National Park in the southwestern coast of Peninsular Thailand, Andaman Sea is given. Most of the species are well-known from the Indo-Pacific area and some others are kept in open nomenclature or compared to already know species because because only few specimens were found. Several species may be new to science but have also to be kept in open nomenclature until new material is obtained. The very abundant specimens of this assemblage are mainly disarticulated valves. This contribution adds to our knowledge of the distribution of ostracods in the Andaman Sea and the degree of ostracod relationship between the Indonesian, Indian and West Pacific areas. ResuméUn inventaire de 35 espèces d'ostracodes (Crustacea) provenant de sédiments d'une baie peu profonde près du Parc National Mu Koh Phetra sur la côte sud-ouest de la péninsule de Thïlande, Mer d'Andaman, est donné. La plupart des espèces sont bien connues de la zone Indo-Pacifique et certaines sont conservées en nomenclature ouverte ou comparées à des espèces déjà connues en raison du faible nombre de spécimens collectés. Plusieurs espèces semblent nouvelles mais sont aussi conservées en nomenclature ouverte jusqu’à l'observation de nouveau matériel. Les très abondants spécimens qui composent cet assemblage sont principalement des valves désarticulées. Cette contribution accroit notre connaissance de la distribution des ostracodes dans la Mer d'Andaman et de la relation entre les ostracodes des zones indonésiennes, indiennes et ouest-pacifiques.

Online Analytics for Shrimp Farm Management to Control Water Quality Parameters and Growth Performance

An online analytic service system was designed as a web and a mobile application for shrimp farmers and shrimp farm managers to manage the growth performance of shrimp. The MySQL database management system was used to manage the shrimp data. The Apache Web Server was used for contacting the shrimp database, and the web content displays were implemented with PHP script, JavaScript, and HTML5. Additionally, the program was linked with Google Charts to display data in various graphs, such as bar graphs and scatter diagrams, and Google Maps API was used to display water quality factors that are related to shrimp growth as spatial data. To test the system, field survey data from a shrimp farm in southern Thailand were used. Growth performance of shrimp and water quality data were collected from 13 earthen ponds in southern peninsular Thailand, located in the Surat Thani, Krabi, Phuket, and Satun provinces. The results show that the system allowed administrators to manage shrimp and farm data from the field sites. Both mobile and web applications were accessed by the users to manage the water quality factors and shrimp data. The system also provided the data analysis tool required to select a parameter from a list box and shows the association between water quality factors and shrimp data with a scatter diagram. Furthermore, the system generated a report of shrimp growth for the different farms with a line graph overlay on Google Maps™ in the data entry suite via mobile application. Online analytics for the growth performance of shrimp as provided by this system could be useful as decision support tools for effective shrimp farming.

The Cultural and Historical Trail Map of Peranakan Heritage in the Andaman Provincial Cluster in Thailand

This study explored the trace of Peranakan heritage in the Andaman provincial cluster and presented the Cultural and Historical Trail Map of Peranakan heritage in Andaman provincial cluster. The concept of development communication objectives was used to create a research framework. Research results in the "complement" phase showed 117 traces of Peranakan heritage in the Andaman provincial cluster. As for the "facilitate" phase, 83 sites were qualified. An analysis of the relationship of qualified sites with Peranakan culture revealed five significant connections between each location and culture: 1) Peranakan ancestral monument, 2) Peranakan shrine, 3) Sino-European architectural building, 4) Peranakan residential areas, and 5) Peranakan cultural and historical learning center. Upon completion of the last phase, "extend," 6 tourist maps were created to display 8 cultural sites in Ranong province, 15 sites in Phang Nga province, 33 sites in Phuket province, 8 sites in Krabi province, 14 sites in Trang province, and 4 sites in Satun province, respectively. This study, thus, has produced a visual map in each province which is a catalytic communication tool to promote tourism development at the regional level and national level.

A new species of Rangabradya (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Ectinosomatidae) from a cave in Satun Province, southern Thailand.

A representative of the family Ectinosomatidae was discovered in a temporary pool in a cave in the Satun Province, southern Thailand. Based on the characteristics of the antennary exopod, armature of the female fifth leg, and configuration of the male sixth leg, a new species of the genus Rangabradya was identified, representing the first record of the genus in the continental waters of Thailand and in Southeast Asia. The new species can be distinguished from Rangabradya indica by the configurations of the fifth and the sixth legs in both sexes, the body ornamentation of the urosomite, and the armature of the mouthparts. These structures show a more primitive state in the new species. Accordingly, a new subgeneric rank in the genus Rangabradya, Siamorangabradyasubgen. nov, was established to accommodate the Thai species and Rangabradya (Siamorangabradya) wongkamhaengaesubgen. et sp. nov. was described. Also, the key to all 23 genera of the family was updated.

Distribution of Phlebotomine Sandflies in the Cave Area of Satun Province, Thailand.

Leishmaniasis, a sandfly-transmitted protozoan infection, is a neglected health threat in Thailand and the information on its vector is scarce. This study aimed to identify sandfly distribution, abundance, and environmental conditions of natural breeding sites in the cave areas of Satun Province, where previous cases of leishmaniasis were reported. Sandflies were collected during a six-month period using CDC light traps and modified emergence traps. Species distribution, relative abundance, and environmental conditions of potential breeding sites were determined. Our survey of 12,790 sandflies found the highest female abundance in April–May. We identified six known species, the most prevalent being Sergentomyia anodontis. We also found S. barraudi, a potential Leishmania spp. vector, distributing in this area. Most male sandflies had partially rotated genitalia, indicating the breeding site proximity to our trap locations. Potential resting/breeding sites were discovered outside the cave during February–March, and inside during May–June. The environmental parameters showed warm climate, moderate humidity, moderately alkaline pH, moderate-to-high macronutrients, and low-to-high organic matters. In summary, our study provided the spatiotemporal distribution and environmental condition of sandfly potential breeding sites in the cave areas of Satun Province. This data may contribute to more effective vector surveillance programs in the future.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Curcuma papilionacea&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt; (Zingiberaceae), an unusual new species from southern Thailand&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Curcuma papilionacea, an unusual new species of Curcuma subgenus Hitcheniopsis (Zingiberaceae) is described and illustrated here. It is known only from Satun province in southern Thailand, and is easily distinguishable among all species of subgenus Hitcheniopsis by its inflorescence of green bracts and pea-like flowers with a small labellum and very prominent lateral staminodes. It also has prominently developed anther spurs, a character not yet recorded in this subgenus. It is compared to the four morphologically closest species which are Curcuma alismatifolia, C. harmandii, C. rhabdota and C. saraburiensis. A preliminary IUCN conservation assessment of Critically Endangered (CR), and notes on its distribution and ecology are also provided.

A new species of Boholina (Crustacea, Copepoda, Calanoida) and a first record for stygobiotic calanoid fauna from a cave in Thailand.

A new species of Calanoida belonging to the genus Boholina Fosshagen & Iliffe, 1989 was found in a freshwater pool within a cave of the Satun province, South Thailand. It is the first record of the genus and of a stygobiotic representative of calanoid fauna in this country. The new species is most similar to B. crassicephala Fosshagen & Iliffe, 1989, based on position of genital pores, structures of P4 and P5 in both sexes, relative length of subapical spine vestige on the male right P5, and shape of the male left P5 endopods. However, this new species is distinguished from its known congeners by: (1) relatively longer distal outer spines on the male right P5 exopods, (2) smaller endopods of the male left P5 and (3) elongated apical spines on the distal exopodal segment of the female P4 and P5. Furthermore, the distinctive characteristic of the Thai Boholina is the presence of inner minute seta on the distal segment of the male right P5 exopod. Detailed descriptions of the new species and a key to all six known species of the genus Boholina is provided.

Araneibatrus phuphaphet sp. nov., a new cavernicolous Pselaphinae fromSatun Geopark, southern Thailand (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae).

A new cavernicolous species of the genus Araneibatrus Yin Li, 2010, A. phuphaphet sp. nov., is described from Phu Pha Phet Cave, Satun Province, southern Thailand. The discovery extends the known distributional range of Araneibatrus for more than 1,500 km southwards. The conspicuously spinose pronotum, sexually modified profemur of the male, and unique configuration of the aedeagus serve to readily separate the new species from all known congeners.

Species Composition and Abundance of Stomoxys spp. (Diptera: Muscidae) in Peninsular Thailand.

Stable fly collections were conducted to study the species composition and daytime activity of Stomoxys spp. (Diptera: Muscidae) in Peninsular Thailand (Songkhla, Trang, Pattalung, Nakon Si Thammarat, and Satun provinces). Vavoua traps were used for fly collections in wet and dry seasons each year. Four Stomoxys species were found, S. calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) being the most common with 2,512 specimens (87.43% of captures), followed by S. indicus (Picard) (Diptera: Muscidae) with 306 specimens (10.65%), S. sitiens (Rondani) (Diptera: Muscidae) with 44 specimens (1.53%), and S. uruma (Shinonaga and Kano) (Diptera: Muscidae) with 11 specimens (0.39%). Subsequently, Songkhla Province was further selected to be a potential collection site to conduct a 1-yr abundance study, due to mixed crop-livestock farming in one place. Stomoxys calcitrans was predominant from 0800 to 1000 h with 4,921 specimens (93.6%) while S. indicus with 317 specimens (6%) and S. sitiens with 19 specimens (0.4%) were numerically dominant from 0600 to 0800 and 1600 to 1800 h. A proportion of male and female of each species was also established. This overall finding could be used as an ideal for nationwide species distribution status for the guidance of appropriate fly control. This information can lighten the way for the future control measures program activity of stable flies in Thailand.

Morphological and molecular analyses reveal two new insular species of Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Satun Province, southern Thailand.

We describe two new insular gecko species of the genus Cnemaspis from Tarutao, Adang, and Rawi islands in Satun Province, southern Thailand. The new species are distinguished from their congeners in having a unique combination of morphological, scalation, and color pattern characters, and by genetic divergence in the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene. Cnemaspistarutaoensissp. nov. was found to be a member of the C.kumpoli group, but is distinguished from all other species in that group by having 8–9 supralabials and 8 infralabials; 4–5 pore-bearing precloacal scales, pores rounded; 17–19 paravertebral tubercles randomly arranged; 27–29 subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe; subcaudal region yellowish, with smooth scales and a single enlarged median row; black gular markings in males and females; and 17.24–22.36% uncorrected pairwise sequence divergences. Cnemaspisadangrawisp. nov. was found to be a member of the C.siamensis group, but is distinguished from all other species in that group by having 10 supralabials and 9 infralabials; 6–8 pore-bearing precloacal scales, pores rounded and arranged in a chevron shape; 23–25 randomly arranged, separated paravertebral tubercle rows; 26–28 subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe; subcaudal scales keeled, without enlarged median row; gular region, abdomen, limbs and subcaudal region yellowish in males only; gular marking absent in males and females; and 8.30–26.38 % uncorrected pairwise sequence divergences. Cnemaspistarutaoensissp. nov. occurs in karst formations on Tarutao Island, while Cnemaspisadangrawisp. nov. is found near granitic, rocky streams on Adang and Rawi islands.

Coecobryasirindhornae sp. n., the most highly troglomorphic Collembola in Southeast Asia (Collembola, Entomobryidae).

The most highly troglomorphic Collembola of Southeast Asia, Coecobryasirindhornaesp. n., is described from a cave in Satun province, Thai Peninsula. It is characterised by its large size, extremely elongated antennae, relatively long legs and furca, reduced macrochaetotaxy, very long and slender claw, pointed tenent hair, four sublobal hairs on outer maxillary lobe, and the absence of eyes and pigmentation. A checklist of Thai Coecobrya species and a key to the troglomorphic species of Thailand are provided. Troglomorphy and conservation of cave habitats in the area are discussed.

Physical Characterization of Rocks in Thung Nui Hot Spring, Satun Province, the South of Thailand

In this study, Physical properties of rocks from geothermal reservoir were investigated. To describe rock properties of the selected outcrops, density, radioactivity, and heat production were researched. The obtained density of granite rock from Triassic period and limestone rock from Ordovician period were 2,648±112 kg/m3 and 2,637±96 kg/m3, respectively. Radioactivity of 226Ra 232Th and 40K of granite rock were measured as 109.9±17.2 Bq/kg, 134.2±9.5 Bq/kg, and 1,569.3±75.7 Bq/kg, respectively. For limestone rock, it shows 13.8±6.4 Bq/kg, 23.3±7.7 Bq/kg, and 394.1±117.8 Bq/kg, respectively. After grinding the samples, radioactivity values of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were measured by gamma spectrometer. It was found that the concentration of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in granite rocks from Triassic period were 8.90 ppm, 33.07 ppm, and 5.06%, and limestone rocks from Ordovician period are 1.11 ppm, 5.73 ppm, and 1.27%, respectively. The physical properties of reservoir rocks giving geological parameter information were necessary to understand geothermal system of the area in this study and to develop renewable energy for the community.

Potential of Geothermal Energy Resource from Heat Production in Thung Nui Hot Spring Rocks Area, Satun Province Southern of Thailand

Heat production from the radioactivity of 238U 232Th and 40K of rocks in Thung Nui hot spring, Satun Province Southern of Thailand were study. The results of this research were possible used to development of hot spring for ability electricity generate geothermal resource and renewable energy in this community. The rocks sampling were collected outcrops nearly hot reservoir area. After sample grinded the radioactivity value of 226Ra 232Th and 40K were measured by gamma spectrometer. It was found that the radioactivity value of 226Ra 232Th and 40K in granite Triassic age and limestone Ordovician age rocks were 8.9 ppm 33.1 ppm and 5.1 % and 1.1 ppm 5.7 ppm and 1.3 %, respectively. In addition, Heat Energy from Radioactive Isotope content; of 238U 232Th and 40K, in granite and limestone around Thung Nui Hot spring was 4.95 μW/m3 and 0.78 μW/m3, respectively. This radioactivity heat production of rocks, discovered within the hot spring of Satun Province, can be developed as the renewable energy for the local use.

Comparison of helminth fauna from three different habitats in the Andaman Sea coastal ecosystem, southern Thailand

Helminths of marine fish are highly diverse, impact food safety and can reflect an environmental change. Some helminths have been recognized as biological markers for coastal ecosystem evaluation. Recently, the coastal area near Tarutao Island, Satun province, southern Thailand, has been reported to be impacted by an ecological change. However, information regarding helminth biodiversity in this area is limited. Therefore, this study investigated helminths in commercially caught marine fish from three ecological areas of the coastal ecosystem near Tarutao Island. Physicochemical factors that may impact helminth diversity were also recorded. In total, 1660 marine fish (36 species) were caught using trapping and netting. Among them, at least 11 species were infected with helminths. In the parasite assemblages of these fish populations, Ligophorus spp. and Metamicrocotyla sp. specifically infected gills of Mugil cephalus, which was found in both mangrove and seagrass areas. Ligophorus spp. had the highest prevalence of infection in M. cephalus and may be a predominant species and potential biological indicator for the mangrove area. The results also revealed that helminth diversity and physiochemical factors significantly differed between the areas studied; therefore, physicochemical factors may play an important role as contributing factors that affect helminth diversity in the Andaman Sea coastal ecosystem.

GIS and Data Management of Champedak and Local Wisdom of Champedak Gardener, Satun Province

This research is a GIS application for data management of the Champedak local wisdom. Champedak is a kind of plant, farmed in Satun Province. This research is an application development which practices computer innovation technology to help proceed, develop ideas and improve the ecological operations relating to the resources in the area. The application is for collecting Champedak information associated with the sustainable genetic conservation of Champedak plants. This will assist to record primary information, including the location of the Champedak tree and the figure of Champedak trees in each particular garden. A website was designed as a research tool which can display, search, and update the Champedak information. The case study of this research is in Khuan Done District, Satun Province, a service area of Songkhla Rajabhat University. The assessment results of the four satisfaction aspects are the installation process and the understanding of the application, the overview of the application, the aspects the user interface, and the usability. The average is at the highest level. Also, this research is a guideline for the conservation of genetically engineered plants and other plants with GIS in the future.