It's been a while..

Oh no!

But, still fishing.. For a new exciting project.
(I wonder, who will be coming here?)

Seronok panjat bukit in 4-wheels, tak sedar tayar dah rabakkk.. lucky no bad things happened. sampling cancelled, balik makan.. kekekee..

Oh! My...

November 2014? Already? But.. But...

Yeap.. Time's running out..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuqYzm_hkVE

Notes on Clarias Scopoli 1777 (Pisces: Siluriformes, Clariidae) in Peninsular Malaysia

[incomplete diagram - redrawn from various sources (for personal used only)]

Clariidae or walking catfishes naturally occur in Africa, Minor Asia, the Indian subcontinent and East and Southeast Asia. In Asia, only three genera are known (Teugels et al., 2001) but Nelson (2004) only mentioned two genera, vis. Encheloclarias and Clarias which is the most diverse with some 18 species presently recognised as valid (Ferraris, 2007). Many of the species are of great economical importance in both fisheries and aquaculture. The taxonomy of the Asian Clarias is only recently well established.

The genus Clarias is a group of fish commonly known as walking catfishes, an air-breathing fish naturally found in inland waters bodies throughout much of the Old World. They are easily identified by an anguilliform body, long-based dorsal and anal-fins, head dorsoly depressed, a broad terminal mouth with four pairs of barbels, eyes with free orbital margin and located dorsolaterally, large and well-developed neurocranium and the presence of an accessory breathing organ comprised of modified gill arches. The diversity of the clariid catfishes of Southeast Asia have increased tremendously in the past few years. Although most of Clarias diversity is found in Africa (Teugels, 1986), at least 18 species which are currently considered valid are known from Southeast Asia.

At least seven species of clariid catfishes, vis. Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758), Clarias batu Lim & Ng, 1999, Clarias leiacanthus Bleeker, 1851, Clarias macrocephalus Gunther 1864, Clarias meladerma Bleeker, 1846, Clarias nieuhofii Valenciennes, 1840 and Clarias sulcutus Ng, 2004 thrived naturally in inland waters including in islands around Peninsular Malaysia. Of the seven species, Clarias batu and Clarias sulcutus were only found in Pulau Tioman and Pulau Redang, respectively and the rest have a natural distribution throughout the country. Ng (1999) erected three artificial species-group of Southeast Asian Clarias; (i) short body with 60-76 dorsal-fin rays and an extremely short distance between the tip of the occipital process and the origin of the first dorsal-fin ray, (ii) short body, with 62-74 dorsal-fin rays but a longer distance between the tip of the occipital process ant the base of the origin of the first dorsal-fin ray than the first group, and (iii) long and slender body with 87-106 dorsal-fin rays with distance between the tip of occipital process to the origin of the first dorsal-fin ray similar to the second group. Walking catfishes of Peninsular Malaysia that falls in the first group are C. batrachus, C. macrocephalus, C. meladerma and C. sulcutus. The second group includes C. batu and C. lieacanthus while the third group consists of C. nieuhofii.

Two species of the walking catfishes, vis. C. batu and C. sulcutus are islands’ endemic, thus catfish species that found on the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia, i.e. C. batrachus, can be distinguished from the other species (C. leiacanthus, C. meladerma and C. nieuhofii) by using the diagnostic characters of C. batrachus – narrow snout, in dorsal view with straight lateral outline and convex anteriorly, 63-74 dorsal-fin rays (vs. 82-108 in C. nieuhofii), distance between occipital process and origin of dorsal-fin relatively long (5.5-8.9% SL vs. 1.2-5.6% SL in C. macrocephalus, C. meladerma), frontal fontanelle long and thin (vs. short and squat in C. leiacanthus and C. nieuhofii), anterior margin of pectoral spine rugose and with irregular bumps (vs. with distinct serrations in C. meladerma). Other non-diagnostic characters: tip of supraoccipital process rounded, with narrow base (vs. base slightly wider in C. leiacanthus), distance from base to tip is slightly bigger in C. batrachus (vs. a bit smaller in C. leiacanthus and C. neiuhofii).

According to Ng & Kottelat (2008), C. batrachus is only known to river drainages in Java and records of other C. batrachus from mainland Southeast Asia and the rest of Sundaic Southeast Asia are probably to refer to two separate, undescribed species. The Malay peninsula and Borneo (identified by the authors as C. aff. batrachus ‘Sundaland’) which is not considered conspecific with the Javanese materials because the C. batrachus ‘Sundaland’ population have wider frontal fontanelle than those from Java. For now, the material from Peninsular Malaysia is referred as C. batrachus in its widest sense until its true identity is resolved.

Notes on Hemibagrus in Peninsular Malaysia

Fishes that was previously reported as Mystus Scopoli was redefined by Mo (1991), and as a result, most of the large-sized bagrid catfishes that attain standard lengths of up to 800 mm (Ng et al., 2000) have been transferred to the genus Hemibagrus Bleeker. The genus Hemibagrus has been re-diagnosed by Mo (1991) by having a depressed head with a thin, plate-like metopterygoid. This taxon was established by P. Bleeker in 1862 to include species with depressed heads, rugose (ridged or wrinkled) head shields not covered by skin, slender occipital process, and moderately long adipose fins is known from Southeast Asia, Indo-China and southern China (Mo, 1991).

To date, at least five species of Hemibagrus known to Peninsular Malaysia viz. H. gracilis Ng & Ng, H. hoevenii (Bleeker), H. johorensis (Herre), H. nemurus (Valenciennes) and H. wyckii (Bleeker) (see Ferraris, 2007). Previously, Lim & Tan (2002) listed only four species, i.e. H. bleekeri (Volz), H. gracilis, H. hoevenii and H. wyckii.

Several authors reported the presence of H. bleekeri in Peninsular Malaysia (see Ng & Ng, 1995; Lim & Tan, 2002) but as already been noted by Tan & Ng (2000), the type specimen of the fish, i.e. Macrones bleekeri Volz 1903, however, is a primary junior homonym of Macrones bleekeri Day, 1877, a species belonging to Mystus s. str. Thus, the species previously known as “Hemibagrus bleekeri” in Peninsular Malaysia could be referred to H. johorensis or the more widely known species, H. nemurus.

Hemibagrus johorensis (Herre, 1940)

Type: Mystus johorensis Herre, 1940. Type locality: Sungai Kayu, 16 miles north of Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia. Holotype: SU 33026.

Distribution: Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.


Hemibagrus nemurus (Valenciennes, in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1840)

Type: Bagrus nemurus Valenciennes, in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1840. Type locality: Java. Holotype: Possibly RMNH 269 (not found) or at MNHN.

Type: Mystus pahangensis Herre, 1940: 14, pl. 9. Type locality: Sungai Garam, near Karak, Pahang, Malaysia. Holotype: SU 33025.

Distribution: Java and likely in river basins of neighbouring regions.

Remarks: Ferraris (2007) noted that the name of “Hemibagrus nemurus” has been applied to populations that have been subsequently determined to belong to distinct species. Dodson et al. (1995) studied the mitochondrial DNA of this species but phylogeographic structure was still unstable. The geographic limits of Hemibagrus nemurus still have not been clearly stated (Ferraris, 2007).

Supplementary. Notes on the genus Mystus Scopoli

Members of the genus Mystus are small- to medium-sized catfishes inhabiting streams, lakes and rivers of southern and southestern Asia, with 32 valid species in the group (Ferraris, 2007). The phylogenetic relationships within the genus also remain poorly understood, although the paraphyly of the group has recently been demonstrated (Hardman, 2005).
Molecular evidence presented by Hardman (2005) indicates that the group is paraphyletic.
Hardman (2005) recovered taxa currently assigned to Mystus in three lineages.

p.s. more to come on Mystus in Peninsular Malaysia

p.s.s. I don't have key to ID this fish but you can refer to published materials (some I have!)

Loaches in families under superfamily Cobitidea

Positions of fishes commonly known as loaches in families under superfamily Cobitidea (Teleostei: Cypriniformes)

Nelson (2006) divided Order Cypriniformes into two superfamilies following Siebert (1987): the Cobitoidea (loaches and allies) and the Cyprinoidea (barbs, carps, minnows and allies). Traditionally, three distinct groupings within the superfamily have been recognized, including the Gyrinocheilidae (algae eaters), Catostomidae (suckers) and the most diverse group, the loaches (Cobitidae and Balitoridae) (Nelson, 2006). In Peninsular Malaysia, loaches formed a relatively large group of fishes – at least 18 species under the family Balitoridae and 22 species under the family Cobitidae. Recently, several researchers had successfully producing a phylogenetic classification of fishes within the Cobitoidea using molecular data. Evidence from various studies pointing toward supporting eight cobitoid families: Gyrinocheilidae, Catostomidae, Cobitidae, Botiidae (formerly included in Cobitidae), Balitoridae, Nemacheilidae (formerly included in Balitoridae) and Vaillantellidae and Ellopostomatidae.

At least six of the eight families under the superfamily Cobitidea found in Malay peninsula, and Peninsular Malaysia has at least five families: Cobitidae (19 species), Botiidae (3 species), Balitoridae (14 species), Nemacheilidae (2 species) and Vaillantellidae (2 species). Family Ellopostomatidae currently has two species; Ellopostoma megalomycter and E. mystax, of which the latter species was reported and probably endemic in southern Thailand but its member is yet to be recorded in Peninsular Malaysia. The former is found in Borneo but was thought to be found in Malay peninsular by several authors. Ellopostoma megalomycter was not included in the checklist of freshwater fishes in Peninsular Malaysia compiled by Lim and Tan (2002).

List of fishes under superfamily Cobitidea in Peninsular Malaysia.

1. Family Balitoridae (14 species): Acanthocobitis zonalternans, Barbucca diabolica, Homaloptera leonardi, H. nebulosa, H. nigra, H. ogilviei, H. parclitella, H. smithii, H. tweediei, H. zollingeri, Neohomaloptera johorensis, Schistura robertsi, Sundareonectes tiomanensis and Tuberoschistura baenzigeri

2. Family Botiidae (3 species): Syncrossus beauforti, S. hymenophysa and Yasuhikotakia morleti

3. Family Cobitidae (19 species): Acanthopsoides molobrion, Acantopsis dialuzona, Lepidocephalichthys furcatus, L. hasseltii, L. tomaculum, Lepidocephalus macrochir, Kottelatlimia katik, K. pristis, Pangio alcoides, P. anguillaris, P. cuneovirgata, P. doriae, P. filinaris, P. malayana, P. muraeniformes, P. oblonga, P. piperata, P. semicincta and P. shelfordii

4. Family Nemacheilidae (2 species): Nemacheilus masyae and N. selangoricus

5. Family Vaillantellidae (2 species): Vaillantella eupiptera and V. maassi

Note. Transcribed from unpub. manuscript (A. Ahmad. Positions of fishes commonly known as loaches under superfamily Cobitidea (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) in Peninsular Malaysia with notes on fish status, species endemism and zoogeography)

Genus Paedocypris is now in a new family

Fishes from the genus Paedocypris which contained the world’s smallest free living vertebrate is now (or, rather “will be” soon) placed in the new family, Paedocyprinidae. Previously, the three known fishes were placed in family Cyprinidae, has recently being removed to a newly created family. More on the family Paedocyprinidae can be read from “Mayden, R.L., Chen, W-J., The world’s smallest vertebrate species of the Genus Paedocypris: A new family of freshwater fishes and the sister group to the world’s most diverse clade of freshwater fishes (Teleostei: Cypriniformes), Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (2010), doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2010.04.008”

On the Rasbora (s. str.) species group

The remaining species within Rasbora s. str. for which their phylogenetic were not analyses by Liao et al. (2010 [see Liao, T. Y., Kullander, S. O. & Fang, F. (2010). Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Rasbora (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zoologica Scripta 39, 155–176] for details) phylogenetic positions may change when such studies are conducted. At least 17 species of rasborins fishes present in Peninsular Malaysia.

The proposed grouping of the remaining species that not examined in the study, are as follows:

Rasbora semilineata species group: R. semilineata, R. borapetensis, R. rubrodorsalis.

Rasbora trifasciata species group: R. trifasciata, R. amplistriga, R. bankanensis, R. dies, R. ennealepis, R. hubbsi, R. johannae, R. meinkeni, R. paucisqualis, R. rutteni, R. sarawankensis, R. taytayensis, R. tobana, R. tuberculata.

Rasbora daniconius species group: R. daniconius, R. caverii, R. kobonensis, R. labiosa, R. ornata, R. wilpita.

Rasbora einthovenii species group: R. einthovenii, R. cephalotaenia, R. elegans, R. jacobsoni, R. kalochroma, R. kottelati, R. nematotaenia, R. patrickyapi, R. tubbi.

Rasbora argyrotaenia species group: R. argyrotaenia, R. aprotaenia, R. aurotaenia, R. baliensis, R. borneensis, R. bunguranensis, R. dusonensis, R. evereti, R. hobelmani, R. hossi, R. lateristriata, R. laticlavia, R. leptosoma, R. philippina, R. septentrionalis, R. spilotaenia, R. steineri, R. tawarensis, R. tornieri, R. volzii.

Rasbora sumatrana species group: *R. sumatrana, R. atridorsalis, R. calliura, R. caudimaculata, R. dorsinotata, R. notura, R. paviana, R. rasbora, R. subtilis, R. trilineata, *R. vulgaris.

Not classified: R. beauforti, R. chrysotaenia, R. gerlachi, R. kalbarensis, R. reticulata, R. vulcanus, R. zanzibarensis.

Note. ‘bold’ indicates species presence in Peninsular Malaysia. ‘*’ denotes that the presence of these species in Peninsular Malaysia are still in dispute.

Interestingly, R. caudimaculata (greater scissortail) and R. trilineata (scissortail) with a distinct color pattern on caudal fin, slender caudal peduncle are grouped together under R. sumatrana species group! I am sure someone will place them in its own group or perhaps in a new genus, someday!! Same goes to some species within R. argyrotaenia species group, among other R. bunguranensis (endemic to Natuna Is., Indonesia) which superficially similar to R. notura (endemic to Peninsular Malaysia). It's soooooo interesting!!!

(Revision) On the small to medium size fish of the genus Rasbora

Very recently, a study of the phylogeny of the cyprinid genus Rasbora by researchers from the Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm has resulted in the establishement of four new genera namely Brevibora, Kottelatia, Rasbosoma dan Trigonostigma to accomodate some fishes of the genus Rasbora.

I've yet to see and read the paper [For more information, see the paper: Liao, T-Y, SO Kullander & F Fang (2010) Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Rasbora (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zoologica Scripta 39, pp. 155–176.] but here is some update that related to fishes found in Peninsular Malaysia (at least!)

Brevibora
(Latin brevis=short and -bora from Rasbora)
This genus consists of only one species, B. dorsiocellata which found in Terengganu, P. Malaysia.

Kottelatia
Named after Swiss ichthyologist Dr. Maurice Kottelat
This genus includes only a single species (K. brittani) but not reported in P. Malaysia.

Rasbosoma
Derived rom Rasbora and the Greek soma=body)
This genus includes only one species i.e. R. spilocerca found in Thailand.

Trigonopoma
(Greek trigonos=triangle and poma=lid)
This genus has two species: T. gracile (formerly Rasbora gracilis) and T. pauciperforatum (formerly Rasbora pauciperforata). Both species found in peat and acid water swamps in P. Malaysia.

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...

Revision of the gobiid fish genera Eugnathogobius and Pseudogobiopsis

Dr. Helen K. Larson has recently reviewed the gobiid fish genera Eugnathogobius and Pseudogobiopsis (Gobioidei: Gobiidae: Gobionellinae) from Indo-West Pacific and Southeast Asian localities with descriptions of three new species. Some materials were redescribed. Key to Gobionelline genera is given and keys to both genera were also provided. Three species of Eugnathogobius were found in Malaysia - E. siamensis, E. polylepis and E. kabilia but only E. siamensis is confirmed found in freshwater ecosystem of Peninsular Malaysia. Two other species - E. variegatus and E. illotus were absent in Malaysia but the former reported from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Papua New Guinia and the later was reported from Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines. Interesting! There are four valid species of Pseudogobiopsis and at least two species were reported from Malaysia - P. oligactis and P. paludosus. Both species present in Peninsular Malaysia.

This publication is timely and able to ease difficulties in identification of both genera. The full paper can be read at: http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/57/57rbz127-181.pdf

Revision of the gobiid fish genera Eugnathogobius and Pseudogobiopsis

Dr. Helen K. Larson has recently reviewed the gobiid fish genera Eugnathogobius and Pseudogobiopsis (Gobioidei: Gobiidae: Gobionellinae) from Indo-West Pacific and Southeast Asian localities with descriptions of three new species. Some materials were redescribed. Key to Gobionelline genera is given and keys to both genera were also provided. Three species of Eugnathogobius were found in Malaysia - E. siamensis, E. polylepis and E. kabilia but only E. siamensis is confirmed found in freshwater ecosystem of Peninsular Malaysia. Two other species - E. variegatus and E. illotus were absent in Malaysia but the former reported from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Papua New Guinia and the later was reported from Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines. Interesting! There are four valid species of Pseudogobiopsis and at least two species were reported from Malaysia - P. oligactis and P. paludosus. Both species present in Peninsular Malaysia.

This publication is timely and able to ease difficulties in identification of both genera. The full paper can be read at: http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/57/57rbz127-181.pdf

Revision of the gobiid fish genera Eugnathogobius and Pseudogobiopsis

Dr. Helen K. Larson has recently reviewed the gobiid fish genera Eugnathogobius and Pseudogobiopsis (Gobioidei: Gobiidae: Gobionellinae) from Indo-West Pacific and Southeast Asian localities with descriptions of three new species. Some materials were redescribed. Key to Gobionelline genera is given and keys to both genera were also provided. Three species of Eugnathogobius were found in Malaysia - E. siamensis, E. polylepis and E. kabilia but only E. siamensis is confirmed found in freshwater ecosystem of Peninsular Malaysia. Two other species - E. variegatus and E. illotus were absent in Malaysia but the former reported from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Papua New Guinia and the later was reported from Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines. Interesting! There are four valid species of Pseudogobiopsis and at least two species were reported from Malaysia - P. oligactis and P. paludosus. Both species present in Peninsular Malaysia.

This publication is timely and able to ease difficulties in identification of both genera. The full paper can be read at: http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/57/57rbz127-181.pdf

Gatty Marine Laboratory

Unlike many universities in Malaysia, University of St Andrews scattered across St Andrews town. There are various university buildings and even faculties located inside the St Andrews town. Gatty Marine Laboratory, East Sands, is situated at the School of Environmental & Evolutionary Biology. Here, various groups conducting research dealt with the biodiversity, behaviour, ecology, physiology, population biology and functional genomics of marine organisms.

Here are the group based at Gatty:
Comparative Immunology Group
Fish Behaviour and Biodiversity
Fish Endocrinology Research Group
Fish Muscle Research Group
Marine Ecology Research Group
Sea Mammal Research Unit
Sediment Ecology Research Group
(Note. Some webpage is not updated)