o_19ko2dt161ng2j4e1tgnoqv1s45a.pdf

IDRIS A.B. (2007)
identification keys, taxonomic revisions, checklists, databases and catalogues (these are either
lacking, difficult to get or very expensive to buy), the lack of taxonomists, poor financial
support and a lack of research facilities and training programs.
STUDIES ON HYMENOPTERA IN MALAYSIA
Out of 100 families of Hymenoptera listed in Goulet and Huber (1993), there are only four
groups, namely the Formicidae (true ants), Apidae (bees) and two parasitic wasp families
(Ichneumonidae and Braconidae) that have been given more attention by local entomologists.
Unfortunately, none of the present-day local entomologists undertake full-time taxonomic
research, and this has a negative impact on efforts to advance our knowledge of the taxonomy
and diversity of even these better-studied groups of Hymenoptera.
A. Ants (Formicidae)
Ants are important decomposers of organic matter, and contribute to nutrient cycling and soil
enrichment. They have a well-earned title as ‘ecological engineers’ in terrestrial ecosystems
(LaSalle & Gauld 1993)—they serve as food for other animals, have roles to play in seed
dispersal, are able to control parasitism and predation, and some species have evolved
mutualistic relationships with plants and other insects. In view of this, studies on this particular
group of insects are vital.
There are no checklists available for ants in Malaysia, but Bolton (1995) has catalogued the
ants of the world. According to Maryati (pers. comm.), there are currently 1,200 species of
ants recorded from Malaysia, an increase of 300 over the number of species reported 10 years
ago (Maryati 1995). This increase in the number of species recorded is mainly a result of
intensive study by her research team, supported by external grants, in collaboration with
scientists from the United Kingdom (Natural History Museum), Japan, USA, and Europe. The
interesting geological and evolutionary history of Borneo, and its high biodiversity, attracts
research collaboration between local and foreign entomologists. Although most of the ant
collections are kept at the Natural History Museum (NHM), London, some are also deposited
at the new ‘Borneonsis’ Collection Center in the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation
(ITBC) located in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), or in other museums or national
collections in Japan, the United Kingdom and USA. A number of publications that are useful
references for researchers working on ants, some of which are revisions or catalogues, are
listed in Table 1.
Malaysian entomologists currently working on ants are Datin Professor Dr. Maryati Mohamed
of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Dr. Ahmad Said Sajap of Universiti Putra
Malaysia (UPM) and the author, Associate Professor Dr. Idris Abd. Ghani of Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Foreign entomologists actively involved in ant research in
Malaysia are Professor Dr. Kazuo Ogata (Osaka University), Professor Dr. Seiki Yamane
(Kagoshima University), Dr. Y. Hashimoto (attached to University Malaysia Sabah) and Dr.
Barry Bolton (Natural History Museum, London). Japanese researchers are currently involved
in a project on ‘Insect Inventory in Tropical Asia’, funded the JSPS (Japan Society for the
Promotion of Science).
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