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One hundred and eighty soil samples from different parts of Gulbarga region were collected to isolate and identify the pigmented microorganisms and their importance to the biotechnological field. The samples were collected during the period of May to July 2004. A total of 30 pigmented organisms were screened, probably these are of Actinomycetes, mainly Streptomyces from different locations, among them 9 strains have show very good enzymatic activity (Amylases, Protease, Cellulase) at the wide range of pH.(6-13)

The Sphingidae of Southeast-Asia
(incl. New Guinea, Bismarck & Solomon Islands)

by Jan Beck, Dept. of Animal Ecology & Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Germany & Ian J. Kitching, The Natural History Museum, London.

Introduction
The biologically and geographically diverse region lying between tropical oriental Asia and Australia has been the site of fruitful specimen collection and biological investigation since A. R. Wallace's travels in "The Malay Archipelago" (1869). Yet, while there is a wealth of biogeographical information for some taxa (notably birds and mammals), much of the available data on insects is scattered in various museums and private collections and thus not readily accessible. For some of the more popular groups (e.g. some lepidopteran taxa) there are checklists for some countries, islands or regions, but no comprehensive overview of the region.

Here we present a checklist of the hawkmoth species (SPHINGIDAE Latreille [1802]) of the tropical region of Australasia, both west and east of 'Wallace’s line'. Hawkmoths are probably second only to the day-flying butterflies in the amount of data potentially available. For each of the 376 described species found in this region, we present a point distribution map (or maps), overlaid by an estimate of the global range (more details). We also present colour photographs of the species, where these are available, and species checklists (recorded & estimated) for 114 major islands between the Andamans and the Solomon islands.

The region covered by this website comprises the countries Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India (see map). However, we exclude some biogeographically related regions, such as Guam, southern China (e.g. Hainan Island and Guangdong), Taiwan and northern Australia (e.g. Arnhemland and the Cape York Peninsula). Full report here >>

Small Mammals In The Rainforest Canopy: A Neglected Group of Conservational Concern?


Small mammals of various taxonomic groups and functional types are an important constituent of the rainforest canopy. Little is known about their ecology and distribution patterns, and they are hardly considered in conservational issues. Here we present some ideas and features that might be relevant for considering these group as particularly vulnerable to rainforest disturbance. An example of a highly diverse small mammal assemblage in a canopy is given from Borneo. We conclude by highlighting the importance of three-dimensional modeling of this habitat to understand the biology of arboreal small mammals and also the consequences of habitat changes in the rainforest canopy.

Ants of Poring, Kinabalu National Park, Borneo

This website is dedicated to the ants of Poring, Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia, a tropical rainforest with the world's highest ant diversity: 639 species of ants from 81 genera and 8 subfamilies of the Formicidae have been found there. In our virtual museum of natural history you find pictures of Aenictinae, Cerapachyine, Dorylinae, Dolichoderinae, Formicinae, Myrmicinae, Ponerinae, and Pseudomyrmicinae.

A Review of Current Knowledge on Marine Mammals in Malaysia & Adjacent Waters

To date, a total of 22 species of marine mammals have been confirmed either to reside in or transit Malaysian territorial and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters. The species are the Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni), fin whale (B. physalus), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps), Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin (Sousa chinensis), common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (T. aduncus), pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata),  spinner dolphin (S. longirostris), common dolphin (Delphinus sp.), Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra), pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), killer whale (Orcinus orca), short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides), and dugong (Dugong dugon). There is also evidence to suggest that a further eight species of cetaceans stray into or pass through Malaysian waters at least occasionally.

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Turtle Conservation

Latest compilation of conference papers on "Sea Turtles of the Indo-Pacific", a useful guide for scientists, managers and legislators.
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Borneo Scientific Expeditions

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The Ecology of Malayan Sun Bears

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Fireflies of Malaysia

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Role of Biological Collections in Reasearch and Education

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