Fish Diversity of Ulu Tungud, Meliau Range, Sandakan, Sabah

Additional surveys on ichthyofauna of Ansuan River, Meliau River, Tungud River and several unnamed streams within the vicinity of Ulu Tungud Forest Reserve, Meliau were carried out from 14th December to 21st December 2004. Nineteen species belonging to five families were recorded. The fish fauna was dominated by Cyprinidae (47%) followed by Balitoridae (36%) and other families. Rasbora cf. sumatrana (Cyprinidae) and Nemacheilus olivaceus (Balitoridae) when present were the most abundant species. Several specimens of the fishes from the genus Gastromyzon and Glaniopsis were yet to be identified to the species level . The surveyed areas were relatively disturbed by human activities particularly logging and plantations but most of the streams and rivers visited during the survey having relatively clear water and good visibility. Voucher specimens were currently deposited at the Ichthyological Collections at General Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT).

We wish to thank, Mr. Tay Soon Poh and Alladin bin Mujnabi of TSH Resources Berhad for providing the facilities and accommodation during the field trip, the Sabah Forestry Department and their staffs especially Mr. Postar and Mr. Masuari for their field assistances and support during fish sampling. This study was partly funded by Global Environmental Center and UMT short term grant (Vot 54142) to the author.

General description of the study sites visited at the recent ichthyofauna survey.

Site 1. 15-Dec-04. Sg. Meliau - upstream of TSH nursery - a medium size stream about 15-25m wide; rocky bottom, fast flowing water, clear and cold water

Site 2. 15-Dec-04. Sg. Meliau - downstream at IJM plantation - downstream of concrete crossing of Sg. Meliau; medium size stream about 25m wide; fast flowing water, slightly sedimented, gravel and sandy bottom

Site 3. 16-Dec-04. Sg. Tungud - upstream of TSH basecamp - small creek about 3-5m wide, pebbles and rocky bottom; fast torrential headwater stream, clear and cold water

Site 4. 16-Dec-04. Sg. Tungud - at main tributary near TSH basecamp - a medium size stream about 15-25m wide; rocky bottom, fast flowing water, clear and cold water

Site 5. 17-Dec-04. unnamed stream within TSH Acacia plantation - a small stream about 3-5m wide; soft gravel and coarse sandy bottom; slow moving, clear and cold water under riparian shades

Site 6. 17-Dec-04. unnamed stream within IJM oil palm plantation - a small stream about 3-5m wide; mainly rocky and coarse sandy bottom; slow moving, clear and cold water partly exposed to direct sunlight

Site 7. 17-Dec-04. Sg. Ansuan - at middle reach of a large size stream about 25-30m wide; rocky bottom downstream, gravel and pebbles upstream, fast flowing water, clear and cold water


Checklist of fish species collected on the recent survey of Ulu Tungud Forest Reserve, Meliau, Sabah

Anguillidae
1. Anguilla malgumora Kaup 1856

Cyprinidae
2. Barbodes balleroides (Valenciennes 1842)
3. Garra borneensis (Vaillant 1902)
4. Hampala sabanus Inger & Chin 1962
5. Lobocheilos bo (Popta 1904)
6. Nematabramis everetti Boulenger 1894
7. Osteochilus waandersii (Bleeker 1852)
8. Rasbora cf. sumatrana (Bleeker 1852)
9. Schismatorhynchus holorhynchos Seibert & Tjakrawidjaja 1998
10. Tor tambra (Valenciennes, in Cuvier & Valenciennes 1842)

Balitoridae
11. Gastromyzon cf. danumensis Chin & Inger 1989
12. Gastromyzon sp. undet. 1
13. Gastromyzon sp. undet. 2
14. Glaniopsis sp. undet. 1
15. Glaniopsis sp. undet. 2
16. Homaloptera stephensoni Hora 1932
17. Nemacheilus olivaceus* Boulenger 1894

Sisoridae
18. Glyptothorax cf. major (Boulenger 1894)

Osphronemidae
19. Betta cf. unimaculata Chin 1990

* was observed by author

Fish Diversity of Ulu Tungud, Meliau Range, Sandakan, Sabah

Additional surveys on ichthyofauna of Ansuan River, Meliau River, Tungud River and several unnamed streams within the vicinity of Ulu Tungud Forest Reserve, Meliau were carried out from 14th December to 21st December 2004. Nineteen species belonging to five families were recorded. The fish fauna was dominated by Cyprinidae (47%) followed by Balitoridae (36%) and other families. Rasbora cf. sumatrana (Cyprinidae) and Nemacheilus olivaceus (Balitoridae) when present were the most abundant species. Several specimens of the fishes from the genus Gastromyzon and Glaniopsis were yet to be identified to the species level . The surveyed areas were relatively disturbed by human activities particularly logging and plantations but most of the streams and rivers visited during the survey having relatively clear water and good visibility. Voucher specimens were currently deposited at the Ichthyological Collections at General Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT).

We wish to thank, Mr. Tay Soon Poh and Alladin bin Mujnabi of TSH Resources Berhad for providing the facilities and accommodation during the field trip, the Sabah Forestry Department and their staffs especially Mr. Postar and Mr. Masuari for their field assistances and support during fish sampling. This study was partly funded by Global Environmental Center and UMT short term grant (Vot 54142) to the author.

General description of the study sites visited at the recent ichthyofauna survey.

Site 1. 15-Dec-04. Sg. Meliau - upstream of TSH nursery - a medium size stream about 15-25m wide; rocky bottom, fast flowing water, clear and cold water

Site 2. 15-Dec-04. Sg. Meliau - downstream at IJM plantation - downstream of concrete crossing of Sg. Meliau; medium size stream about 25m wide; fast flowing water, slightly sedimented, gravel and sandy bottom

Site 3. 16-Dec-04. Sg. Tungud - upstream of TSH basecamp - small creek about 3-5m wide, pebbles and rocky bottom; fast torrential headwater stream, clear and cold water

Site 4. 16-Dec-04. Sg. Tungud - at main tributary near TSH basecamp - a medium size stream about 15-25m wide; rocky bottom, fast flowing water, clear and cold water

Site 5. 17-Dec-04. unnamed stream within TSH Acacia plantation - a small stream about 3-5m wide; soft gravel and coarse sandy bottom; slow moving, clear and cold water under riparian shades

Site 6. 17-Dec-04. unnamed stream within IJM oil palm plantation - a small stream about 3-5m wide; mainly rocky and coarse sandy bottom; slow moving, clear and cold water partly exposed to direct sunlight

Site 7. 17-Dec-04. Sg. Ansuan - at middle reach of a large size stream about 25-30m wide; rocky bottom downstream, gravel and pebbles upstream, fast flowing water, clear and cold water


Checklist of fish species collected on the recent survey of Ulu Tungud Forest Reserve, Meliau, Sabah

Anguillidae
1. Anguilla malgumora Kaup 1856

Cyprinidae
2. Barbodes balleroides (Valenciennes 1842)
3. Garra borneensis (Vaillant 1902)
4. Hampala sabanus Inger & Chin 1962
5. Lobocheilos bo (Popta 1904)
6. Nematabramis everetti Boulenger 1894
7. Osteochilus waandersii (Bleeker 1852)
8. Rasbora cf. sumatrana (Bleeker 1852)
9. Schismatorhynchus holorhynchos Seibert & Tjakrawidjaja 1998
10. Tor tambra (Valenciennes, in Cuvier & Valenciennes 1842)

Balitoridae
11. Gastromyzon cf. danumensis Chin & Inger 1989
12. Gastromyzon sp. undet. 1
13. Gastromyzon sp. undet. 2
14. Glaniopsis sp. undet. 1
15. Glaniopsis sp. undet. 2
16. Homaloptera stephensoni Hora 1932
17. Nemacheilus olivaceus* Boulenger 1894

Sisoridae
18. Glyptothorax cf. major (Boulenger 1894)

Osphronemidae
19. Betta cf. unimaculata Chin 1990

* was observed by author

Rank/abundance plot

Life is wonderful.

It start with a 'simple' thing..

It grown and become a 'complex' creature...

Similar to the graph,

When first I plot it, the graph is so simple..

I let it 'grow', and I got a 'complex' figure...

p.s. if you have anything to say, i would love to hear/read..

Gone but never forgotten..

While browsing the web, I stumble upon this beautifully written poem.. And while browsing My Picture folder, I found this photograph.

I like to dedicate the poem written by Cecilia M. Kocher to the late Prof. Dr. Kamaruddin Mat-Salleh.

(l-r: Prof. KMS, Jarina, Sam Cheong and me)

Langkawi 2003

Al-Fatihah.

In Memory Poem
A person may be dead and buried, but if we are lucky we will never be forgotten.

Gone But Not Forgotten

The years we've shared have been full of joy.

The memories we've made will go on and on.

I haven't stopped crying since you went away,

and I've asked God time and time why couldn't you stay.

You lit up my life, my hopes, and my dreams.

You've opened my eyes to see what it all means.

So now that you're gone how can I forget;

Because you were the greatest out of all I have met.

Source: Gone But Not Forgotten, In Memory Poems

(http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/death/poetry)
© Cecilia M. Kocher

I'm back..

Yes!! I'm back but on this page only laa.. The others still remain 'hibernating'..
For 2010, I expect many thins to happen..
I hope to accomplish everything or at least a few things I supposed to accomplish lah..
Among others, get my final certificate!
For now, things moving so well.. But most of the time, the problem is ME!
For 2010, I hope I'm healthy; at least not in 'bad' shape lah.. So tired..
Like the other half always said, "Rabbit run so fast, then got tired or get sick!" Aihhh..
Anyway, have to continue running.. Must reach the finish line!
Hopefully, by June 2010!

All the best..
Insya'Allah

Mega sampling II May-Jun 09

Mega sampling II

This is the date for my field works:

1. First league:-

• 28 Apr - 5 May -- Terengganu
• 6 - 11 May -- Kelantan
• 12 May -- Lab works
• 13 - 19 May -- Kedah
• 20 - 21 May -- Perlis
• 22 - 23 May -- Penang
• 24 May - 1 Jun -- Perak
• 2 - 4 Jun -- Lab works

2. Second league:-

• 5 - 12 Jun -- Pahang
• 13 - 19 Jun -- Johor
• 20 Jun -- Melaka
• 21 - 28 Jun -- N. Sembilan
• 29 Jun - 2 Jul -- Selangor

All the best..!!

I really hope I can do this.. Last year, I've had Amzar, Fahmi, Nadia and Gee to help me and Syed covering about 22 sites all over Peninsular Malaysia. This year, it will be different - without Amzar who is currently a Research Assistant at USM Kubang Krian, Nadia who is currently working and Gee who is now teaching at Langkawi. Fahmi will be joining me when we head south (second league).

This year, there are about 55 sites all over Peninsular Malaysia need to cover. To date, I only got 2 helpers - Wana and Iqa, both were my former students who is recently completed their under graduate study. Syed agree to help me but he will only be available if there is no Department of Faculty activities that he is compulsory to attend.. I really need at least 2 boys to help me and Syed (once he can join me..) during sampling.. I hope I can get them before heading to Kelantan.. I need commitment helpers for the rest of the trip.. If not, I'm in trouble, man..

I really, really hope to be able to make this happen.. Wish me, everyone!!

Mega Sampling II Countdown: 20 days to go..

at last.. baru rasa senang sikit.. dua tiga minggu lepas serabut sket dengan files hilang tu (blog lagi satu..), nak buat poster untuk conference dan macam2 lagi lah.. takdan nak menulis emel atau update blog pun.. minggu ni, alhamdulillah.. rasanya semua dah back to 'normal' (apa yang tak normal tu.., sendiri agak la eh!!)

minggu lepas pi conference kat Univ. of Cambridge (yang grand itu..) selama seminggu.. mmg best.. conference tu untuk post graduate in conservation biology.. kira kalau korang into conservation, mmg sesuai sangat dengar conference tuu.. sangat menarik.. insyaAllah, kalau ada rezeki, tahun depan nak pi lagi.. hehe.. banyak benda pasal conservation dapat belajar dari talks yang mostly very good tuu.. ada yang faham, ada yang tak berapa faham dan ada yang tak faham pa per pun.. hehe.. biasa ler..

soon, my 2nd round sampling will be ON.. progress slow sket at the moment.. tak banyak progress sbb terstop dek kerana 'kesilapan yang tidak dijangkakan' (pernggan 1st, ayat ke-2) tu.. haha.. saya ter'clear' files yang agak banyak.. hingga saya hilang mood selama seminggu lebih; tak buat apa2, jadi cam orang dok berapa cerdik gitu.. hehe.. but now ok dah.. banyak yang hilang tu dah recover dah.. well.. buat smula ler.. since aritu dah tau cara nak buat, so bila buat lain kira cam 'kacang' la jugak.. cuma yang susahnya ialah nak kupas 'kulit' kacang tuu.. (baca: key-in data!) hehe.. nasib baik ada hardcopy.. kalau tak, mau meraung dengar sampai M'sia..

insyaAllah, end of this month, akan balik seperti yang dijanjikan untuk bersampling kali-2 dan terakhir untuk projek PhD nii.. harap sangat2 team aritu boleh ikut.. kalau tak, kena cari team baru..setakat ni, dah dapat kebenaran sampling dari Kedah, Penang, tp N. 9 tak bagi guna skocker plak.. pastu, Johor suruh minta dari ibu pejabat plak.. haru sungguh.. Kelantan ok gak rasanya.. saya masih tunggu banyak lagi - Perlis, Perak, Terengganu, Pahang dan Selangor..

untuk kali ni Selangor kena pi jugak.. harap2 boleh guna FRIM; since Izzati ada kat FRIM and she is currently working on freshwater fish, might as well collaborate with her.. Johor, rasanya takde masalah KALAU dapat join xpdc G. Berlumut tuu.. boleh kautim masa tu untuk sampling kat tempat lain.. Taman Negara Johor (G. Ledang) masih tak bagi jawapan lagi tapi rasanya boleh kot.. insyaAllah...