Publications
Zombie ant graveyard dynamics in Gunung Mulu National Park
Research on Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, a fungus that infects ants and controls their behavior to form 'zombie ant graveyards,' reveals that infected ants in Gunung Mulu National Park are found at higher elevations (28.9–57.6 cm) than previously documented in similar studies. This variation suggests that the optimal height for spore dispersal and fungal growth may be influenced by local environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. The study systematically mapped the spatial dynamics of infected ants across four sites, providing new insights into the ecological adaptability of this parasitic fungus in Bornean rainforests.
Surface and underground fluvial activity in the Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak
Gunung Mulu National Park's limestone hills harbor extensive fossil and active cave systems, shaped by complex fluvial activity both above and below ground. The study reveals that the region's drainage pattern was initially influenced by northwest tilting of the sedimentary prism but was later modified by active uplift along a northeast-southwest axis, forming an elongate dome centered on Gunung Mulu. This geological evolution explains the distribution of cave systems and terraces in the Melinau valley. The research integrates sedimentary sequences with surface and underground hydrology to reconstruct the park's dynamic geomorphological history.
An ornithological survey of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo
A comprehensive ornithological survey of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, recorded 244 bird species across its elevational gradient from 50 to 1,850 meters, including 32 species not previously documented in the park's checklists from 1979–82. This study highlights the rich avian diversity of this isolated, biodiverse site, characterized by its spectacular limestone structures and extensive primary forest. Researchers employed a combination of observation and mist-netting techniques over a 2.5-month period to document species distribution and compare findings with historical data, providing new insights into the park's ornithological composition.
A new species of Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo)
Researchers have identified a new species of frog, belonging to the genus Leptolalax, within Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo). This discovery was made through morphological analysis, distinguishing it from previously described species such as Leptolalax dringi and Leptolalax gracilis. The new species exhibits unique traits including a large body size, rounded snout, bipartite subgular vocal sac in males, basal toe webbing, and a distinctive advertisement call with high-frequency modulation. This finding highlights the biodiversity richness of Gunung Mulu National Park and contributes to our understanding of amphibian diversity in Borneo.
A new karst-dwelling species of Kalophrynus (Anura: Microhylidae) from Gunung Mulu National Park, Borneo, Malaysia
Researchers have identified a new species of frog, belonging to the genus Kalophrynus (Anura: Microhylidae), endemic to the karst hills and mountains of Gunung Mulu National Park, Borneo. This discovery, described in detail by Dehling (2011), highlights unique morphological traits such as medium size, a distinct white dorsolateral line separating black dorsum and flanks, and a red to reddish-orange iris. The species is found at elevations between 70 and at least 1200 meters within the Melinau Limestone Formation. It differs from other Kalophrynus species through a combination of features including slender forelimbs, specific finger and toe proportions, and an advertisement call characterized by seven pulses lasting approximately 161 milliseconds with a dominant frequency between 2250–2650 Hz. This finding contributes to the understanding of biodiversity in karst ecosystems and underscores the significance of Gunung Mulu National Park as a critical habitat for endemic species.
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