o_19ko2dt161ng2j4e1tgnoqv1s45a.pdf

IDRIS A.B. (2007)
Molecular phylogenetic studies using 28S rRNA and CO1 genes are in progress. Our
preliminary results indicate that the use of CO1 genes gives better resolution compared to 28S
genes. In addition, phylogenies derived from molecular classification agreed with those derived
from morphology, at the genus level (Idris et al. 2005).
b. Ecological Studies
Results from an ecological study conducted in several localities in Peninsular Malaysia, that
is, Taman Negara Merapoh (TNM), Pasoh Forest Reserve (PFR), Kuala Lompat Forest Reserve
(KLFR) in the Krau Wildlife Reserve, Bangi Forest Reserve (UKMFR), Kuala Langat South
Forest (HKLS) and Kuala Langat North Forest (HKLU), showed that the abundance of
Xanthopimpla spp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) were significantly different between
localities. Table 2 shows the ichneumonid species diversity (Shannon-Weiner diversity index,
H’) in the six different forest localities. The ichneumonid abundance in TNM, a primary
forest, was not significantly different from that in HKLU, a forest that had been logged five
years ago. In fact, both forests had somewhat similar species richness indices (Margalef’s
richness index, R’) and evenness indices (Shannon-Weiner evenness index, E’). Interestingly,
only 48% of species were common to both forests. The primary forest conditions of TNM
help equilibrate the population of Xanthopimpla species within the resources available. HKLU,
even though highly fragmented, has a high number of individuals and high species diversity.
This suggests that H’ will be high, irrespective of the degree of habitat disturbance, as long as
the number of species (richness, R’) and number of individuals of a species (evenness, E’) are
high (Magurran 1988). Disturbed forest fragments result in an increase in the abundance and
diversity of arthropod species (Samways, 1994). Although some species may be lost as a
result of disturbances, others may benefit from these same disturbances. The abundance and
diversity of wasps in HKLU could be attributed to the EL-Nino effects or a difference in
forest type. It could also be due to the heterogeneity of HKLU as compared to other forests as
suggested by the habitat heterogeneity hypothesis (Price 1984, Gauld 1987, Huston 1994). In
comparison with other forest fragments, HKLU is considerably more dynamic, as it was logged
in 1993 and constitutes vegetation still under succession. HKLS was last logged in 1976,
while PFR and KLFR were logged more than 50 years ago and would have achieved greater
climax equilibrium. PFR is considered less disturbed (FRIM, 1995), while Kuala Lompat is
adjacent to a large area of pristine forest. HKLS, Pasoh and Kuala Lompat had low wasp
abundance and diversity and this is probably due to competitive equilibrium resulting from
Table 2. Shanon diversity indices (H’), evenness indices (E’) and Margalef’s indices (richness
indices, R’) for Xanthopimpla species in six different forest localities in Peninsular Malaysia.
Forests 1
H’ E’ R’
Hutan Kuala Langat Utara (HKLU) 2 2.62 a 0.95 4.93
Taman Negara, Merapoh (TNM) 2.55 a 0.94 4.47
Pasoh Forest Reserve (PFR) 1.99 b 0.96 2.73
Kuala Lompat Forest Reserve (KLFR) 1.98 b 0.95 2.82
Bangi Forest Reserve (UKMFR) 1.89 b 0.91 2.92
Hutan Kuala Langat Selatan (HKLS) 2 1.70 b 0.95 2.17
1
Values of H’ with similar alphabets were not significantly different at p < 0.05 (paired t-test).
2
HKLU and HKLS are peat swamp forests; the others are lowland dipterocarp forests.
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