Forestry Research Centre (FRC)

Transcription

3.2
Overview (Homathevi Rahman)
Botanical collections (Atsuko Takano* & Yoshiaki Hashimoto)
Entomological collections (Yoshiaki Hashimoto & Takuj Tachi)
Overview
The Forest Research Centre (FRC) (Fig. 3.2-1) is one of the divisions
under the State Forestry Department, located at Sepilok, about 23 km
from Sandakan town, next to the Sepilok-Kabili Forest Reserve. In the
effort to promote and facilitate better management of forests in the
State, the Division endeavors to further develop and apply knowledge
and technology to support conservation, management, development
and sustainable utilization of the forest.
Besides conducting intensive research and training programmes, the
centre is also strongly involved in developing and managing scientific
reference collection facilities for forestry related research. FRC has two
main collection sections, the entomological museum collection and
the herbarium.
Fig. 3.2-1. Insect exhibition room in FRC.
The entomological museum collection at the Entomology Section currently houses more than 110,000 mounted
insect specimens with more than 12,000 identified specimens either to generic or species level. The collection is
still expanding, especially on the Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Formicidae collections. Besides the dry collection,
this section also houses wet collection mainly the Isoptera and some of the larvae. The main objective of this
section is to curate insect specimens collected from the forests in Sabah. The museum has been the centre of
reference for various entomologists and students, either from local or foreign institutions. However, this section
face some problems in managing their collections. These include collection safety, storage (at the moment wooden
cabinets are used), misidentifications and lack of parataxonomists and experts to help with identifications.
The herbarium currently houses about 240,917 specimen sheets of which almost 182,263 are Sabah collection,
among the largest collections in this region. The herbarium has been one of the best centre of botanical reference
for various researchers and students. At present, various activities are carried out to improve and standardize the
collections. One of it is to computerize all herbarium holdings using the programme, Botanical Research and
Herbarium Management System (BRAHMS). Other ongoing activities include improving the management of
herbarium records and preparing herbarium collection data to be accessible via internet.
*JICA short-term expert, Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo, Japan
49
Biological Collection Management in Sabah, Malaysia - How Do We Share Data?
Herbarium (SAN) of FRC
Collections
The present holding is 173,917 accessions, totaling about 240,917 specimen
sheets, the country largest holdings (Fig. 3.2-2). Of these, almost 182,263
are Sabah collections. There are over 400 type specimens (Fig. 3.2-3). In
addition, over 2,800 spirit collections (Fig. 3.2-4), 1,580 carpological
specimens (Fig. 3.2-5), 5,486 samples of wood sample collection (incl.
Dipterocarpaceae, Leguminosae, Sapotaceae, Ebenaceae, etc.) are stored
separately.
Fig. 3.2-2. Preparation room
of plants.
Sandakan Herbarium’s collections:
Angiosperms
Dicots
Monocots
Gymnosperms
Ferns
Bryophytes, Algae
Fungi
Fig. 3.2-3. Type specimen.
Number of species/taxon from Sabah
(species/genus/family)
5,554/1,146/155
1,178/308/75
49/12/6
613/148/28
17/17/2
poor
Fig. 3.2-4. Carpological specimens.
(Dry seed specimens)
Fig. 3.2-5. Wet specimens.
Exchange of specimens has been carried out with both local institutions (KEP, SAR) and overseas herbaria (A, AAU,
BISH, BO, BRUN, E, K, L, PHN, SING, WU).
The general mandate of the herbarium has been to document the woody flora of Sabah and Borneo.
The herbarium is managed by three scientific officers and about 15 research assistants (including part time staff).
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Housing collection
The collection is housed in two levels of the building,
in which drawer compactorized storage system is
set (Fig. 3.2-6). The arrangement in each group is
alphabetical at all ranks, except in the genus Shorea
(Dipterocarpaceae) where arrangement follows
timber groupings. Type specimens are kept in a
separated drawer from general collection (Fig. 3.27). Temperature and humidity in the room are
maintaineded by central control system.
Fig. 3.2-6. Drawer.
Fig. 3.2-7. Drawer for
type specimens.
Collection management
Each data of specimen is managed by card-system (Fig. 3.2-8). However, now all the data are moved to database
system (BRAHMS). The improvement is funded from SEABCIN project (South East Asian Botanical Collections
Information Network) (see next chapter). Three staff are engaged in data-input to BRAHMS with 4 PCs (Fig. 3.2-9).
Fig. 3.2-8. Cards for collection management.
Fig. 3.2-9. PC room in SAN.
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Insect collection of FRC
Outline of collections
The Sabah Forest Research Center (FRC) in Sandakan houses
the largest insect collections in Sabah with about 110,000 insect
specimens. Most of these are satisfactorily curated and identified
to at least the family level. Being a Forest Research Institute, among
the early important collections here include a collection of termites
by R.S. Thapa. Other main insect collections are specimens of
Lepidoptera (Moths) and Coleoptera. The collection is managed
by 8 Staff of Entomology Section (Fig. 3.2-10).
Termites: Termite collection is stored in wet specimen. The main
collection consists of specimens of R.S. Thapa. This has resulted
Fig. 3.2-10. Preparation room of insects.
in a monograph on the termites of Sabah that now serves as a major reference source for the study of oriental
termites. A total of 103 species and subspecies from 33 genera and 4 families are documented. Unfortunately,
holotype collections of these termites have been deposited in the Entomological Collections of the Forest Research
Institute, Dehra Dun, India while only paratypes and morphotypes were deposited in the Insect Collections of the
FRC, Sandakan.
Other insects: Other insect collection is stored in dry pinned specimen. There are 13 orders of insect, as shown in
Table 2-1. Most of the specimens of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera identified to at least the genus level,
but the others at the family level. At number of specimen and identification level, the poorest collection of them is
Diptera. Although Diptera is one of 4 biggest insect groups (Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera),
Diptera collection here include only consists of 684 specimens and 16 families (Fig. 3.2-11).
Table 2-1. List of dry insect specimens in FRC.
Order
Species
Specimen
Identification level
3,030
20,021
species level
2,340
14,221
Micromoths
345
2,298
Butterflies
345
3,502
1,794
51,153
species level
(Wet specimen)
species level
Lepidoptera
Moths
Coleoptera
Isoptera
Hymenoptera (excl. Formicidae)
267
4,119
species level
Formicidae
498
2,119
species level
Heteroptera
103
1,687
genus level
Homoptera
42
493
species level
Odonata
63
603
species level
Phasmida
47
319
species level
Orthoptera
30
379
Family level
Dictyoptera
26
387
Family level
Dermaptera
2
18
Family level
Nemroptera
9
41
Family level
31
684
Family level
6,005
82,622
Diptera
Total
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Fig. 3.2-11. Proportion of insect
specimens.
Housing collection
Pinned specimens are kept in wooden cabinets (Fig. 3.2-12), and stored in
wooden drawers (Fig. 3.2-13). Some of the specimens are pinned in drawers
with unit-tray system (various sizes of unit trays made to fit into a drawer).
In collection room, 41 cabinets, which can store 26 drawers, are placed.
Temperature and humidity in the room are controlled by an air-conditioner and a
dehumidifier.
Specimens are classified into “order” and arranged into drawers by each group.
The arrangement under the “order” level is alphabetical at all ranks (i.e., family,
Fig. 3.2-12. Specimen drawer.
genus). Type specimens are scatterd into boxes with general specimens.
To manage collection, catalogue files are used (Fig. 3.2-14). However, in the
books only species name and placement information (drawer & box No.) are
kept. That is, management system for each specimen is not established.
Therefore, exact number of type specimens kept here cannot be grasped.
The facilities of collection management database, i.e., PC, Inter-net connecting
(ISDN), are set up in the room (Fig. 3.2-15), but database software has not been
introduced.
Fig. 3.2-13. Wooden cabinets.
Fig. 3.2-14. Catalogue file for collection management
Fig. 3.2-15. Internet connecter.
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SEABCIN (South East Asian Botanical Collections Information Network) Project
2-7. Imporvement of dabase system in SAN
FRC Herbarium is currently involved in SEABCIN projects. This project provides Herbarium management-database
software (BRAHMS) and support improvement of collection management in the Herbarium (Fig. 3.2-16).
2-8. Outline of SEABCIN Project (Fig. 3.2-17)
Applicant: National Herbarium Netherlands, The Netherlands
Partners: EU Partners: University of Oxford Dept of Plant Sciences, UK
Asian Partners: Herbarium Bogoriensis, Indonesia; Philippine National
Herbarium, The Philippines; Forest Research Institute, Malaysia; Forest
Dept of Sarawak, Malaysia; Sandakan Herbarium, Malaysia; Forest
Herbarium, Thailand; together with Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Duration: 30 months
Fig. 3.2-16. Data input operation to
Programme Component: Information Society Interconnectivity In Agriculture
BRAHMS.
Project Abstract:
The collections stored in Leiden, the Netherlands and the regional herbaria of South East Asia represent the largest
and most fundamental source of botanical information for this biologically diverse region. This project will unite the
data of Leiden and 6 herbaria in South East Asia into a mega-database and it will set standards for data-entry. The
mega-database will be freely accessible worldwide and will be maintained by the 7 herbaria. The mega-database
will provide valuable information about botanical biodiversity (in terms of species) on various geographical levels
(from region as a whole, up to local level). Access to taxonomic information on the plant biodiversity of South East
Asia is crucial for the underpinning of sound measures to conserve, use in the long-term, and equitably share the
benefits of this rich, mega-diverse natural resource.
Objectives:
1) To develop the exchange of data between Herbaria in Europe and SE ASIA;
2) To provide increased access to data regionally and worldwide;
3) To further develop tools for participating Herbaria to maintain and upgrade local data;
4) To provide technical IT solutions to solve interoperability across databases;
5) To reach a consensus on data standards, data selection, user needs and legal issues.
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Fig. 3.2-17. Outline of SEABCIN
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3.3
Sabah Parks Natural History Museum (SPM)
Overview (Yoshiaki Hashimoto)
Botanical collections (Yoshiaki Hashimoto)
Zoological collections (Takuji Tachi)
Entomological collections (Homathevi Rahman)
Overview
Sabah Parks Natural Histroy Museum (SPM) is one of the sections under Research & Education Division of the
Sabah Parks, located at Mt. Kinabalu, Sabah (Fig. 3.3-1). In the effort to promote better management of state
national parks, the museum staff endeavor to research fauna and flora in the parks, and more to educate common
people on awareness of biodiversity and its importance (Fig. 3.3-2).
Fig. 3.3-1. Kinabalu park museum.
Fig. 3.3-2. Exhibition of Kinabalu museum.
Besides conducting research, the museum is also involved in developing and managing collections of entomology,
botany and zoology. Number of the specimens housing here is 45,949 in entomology, about 25,000 in botany and
about 13,000 in zoology. The specimens are collected not only in Mt. Kinabalu Park, but also in the other parks. In
this point, the museum is not a merely collection center of Mt. Kinabalu, but of Sabah state.
The museum is the latest museum in Borneo. The collection was started in 1980s with a small collection of plants
and insects mostly for exhibit to public. In 1985, the collection was expanded in terms of quantity. In 1988 collection
of amphibians and reptiles were made to initiate faunal collection. During this time the ‘Ecology Section’ at Kinabalu
Park handle the collection. In 1994 the Ecology Section was expanded into Research & Education Division. More
staff employed to this division. In 1995 the collections were moved to a new building.
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Therefore, the collection housing here is not so big, but is perhaps
one of the best reference collection in Sabah. The specimens, except
for insects, are mostly identified to species level, and include nearly
all species known to occur in Sabah. For example, 89 frog species
(2,978 specimens) are stored here, which is almost 100 % of total the
species in Sabah, and about 60% in Borneo (Fig. 3.3-3).
The collection is also the best collection in the point of data management. The data of almost all specimens have been registered in
Micro Excel sheets, producing output fundamental lists of collection
(Fig. 3.3-4).
The only weakpoint for the museum may be that specimens collected
Fig. 3.3-3. Frog collection.
from the parks except Mt. Kinabalu are not many. To establish function
of collection center for Sabah parks, it is need to collect and store
more specimens from all of the parks.
Fig. 3.3-4. Data Management.
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Herbarium of SPM
3-1. Outline of collections
The present holding is about 24,916 specimens (Table 3-1), of which about 50% is collected in Kinabalu Park and
the rests are collected from the other parks. There are 5 holotype specimens in this collection, of which 4 specimens
are orchid and 1 is oak. Most of the specimens are satisfactorily curated and identified to at least the genus level
(Fig. 3.3-5) (60% is identified at species level, and 90% at genus level). In addition to collection of specimen, the
herbarium starts to gather taxonomic references (Fig. 3.3-6), i.e., description papers for species of Sabah flora.
Fig. 3.3-5. Specimen of Herbarium.
Fig. 3.3-6. Collection of taxonomic references.
Table 3-1. Number of animal specimen housed at SPM.
Family
Genus
Species
Specimens
169
1,069
2,485
21,633
40
168
691
1,993
1
606
32
152
Fungi
1
418
32
152
Moss
18
25
3
54
Angiosperma
Gymnosperma
Ferns
Wet-specimen
1,022
24,916
3-2. Housing of collection
The collection is housed in a level of the building, in which 160 steel drawers are set (Fig. 3.3-7). The arrangement
in each taxonomic group is in alphabetical order. Type specimens are kept in same drawers with general collections
(Fig. 3.3-8). Temperature and humidity in the room are maintained by dehumidifier.
Fig. 3.3-7. Drawers of collection room.
Fig. 3.3-8. Type specimen sheets.
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3-3. Collection management
5 workers, 2 permanent and 3 part-time staff, are in-charge to
manage the herbarium collection. Each data of specimen is
managed by notebooks (Fig. 3.3-9). However, now all the data
are moved to Microsoft Excel sheets (Fig. 3.3-10). Data format of
the sheets is as shown below:
-
Specimen Registration number
Family name
-
Species name
Detector name & date (Taxonomist name identifying a
-
given specimen)
Collection date
-
Collection locality
Collector
-
Altitude
Habitat (Forest type)
Fig. 3.3-9. Note-book for collection management.
The data sheets include not only basic collection data, but also
ecological and taxonomic information. However, it is to be
regretted that information about type of specimen, i.e., Type
specimen, General specimens, etc., is not included. For the
“registration number” of specimen, field collection number is
used, so that the registration number is not uniform, for example,
Sabah park’s collections with “SP XXX” and R. Jaman’s
collections with “RJ XXX”. In Excel sheets, therefore, the
registration number is supplemented with ID-number. About 70%
of all specimens housing here, and almost 90% of identified
specimen, have recorded into Excel sheets. The data-input is
made by two people, and also assisted by in-coming students
from UMS, UKM, UPM and UNIMAS.
59
Fig. 3.3-10. Data-input into Excel sheet
Zoological collection of SPM
3-4. Outline of collections
The Zoological museum (Fig. 3.3-11) has the largest animal collections
in Sabah. The total number of specimens is about 13,000, which include
vertebrates (mammals, birds, lizards, snakes, tortoises, frogs,
tadpoles, and fresh-water fishes) and invertebrates except for insects
(i.e., crabs, prawns, and snails) (Table 3-2). They are collected not
only within Kinabalu Park, but also from other parks. In the collection,
3 holotype and 5 paratype specimens are included. They are all frog
species, Ansonia anotis, Leptolalax arayai and Leptolalax maurus.
Most of the specimens have been identified to species level, mainly
by foreign researchers. The percents of identified specimens at
Fig. 3.3-11. Animal specimen Room.
species level are 99% in mammals, 90% in birds, 95% in frogs, 80%
in snakes, 80% in lizards. The best reference collection in the museum
may be frog collection, which was established in collaboration with
Drs. Inger and Matsui. The collection included 89 species (2,978 adult
specimens and 2,665 tadpole specimens). This is approximately 60%
of the frog species recorded in Borneo.
Table 3-2. Number of animal specimen housed at SPM.
Species
Wet
Dry
Exhibition
Total number of specimens
Mammalians
116
975
420
107
1502
Aves
254
789
907
102
1798
Reptilians (lizard)
50
606
1
9
616
Reptilians (snake)
92
418
18
8
444
7
23
-
6
29
Amphibians (frog)
89
2978
-
-
2978
Amphibians (tadpole)
34
2665
-
-
2665
Fishes (fresh-water)
52
2370
-
-
2370
Invertebrates (crab)
-
128
-
-
128
Invertebrates (prawn)
2
96
-
-
96
Invertebrates (snail)
10
8
111
-
119
Bone & husk
19
-
41
-
41
725
11,056
1,498
232
12,786
Reptilians (tortoise)
Total
60
Housing collection
Animal collections are stored in two room, the wet and the dry specimen room.
Frogs, fish and lizards are stored in jars with alcohol, and housed in wooden
shelves in the wet specimen room (Fig. 3.3-12). Skins and snails are housed
in wooden drawers in the dry specimen room (Figs. 3.3-13, 3-14). The stuffed
specimens for exhibition are kept in large shelves (Fig. 3.3-15). The number of
the shelves and drawers is 504 in wet and 108 in dry specimen room. The
both specimens are arranged in alphabetical at all taxonomic ranks, except
for exhibition specimens. Type specimens, wet specimens of frog, are kept in
an attache case and stored separately in a drawer from general collections.
Temperature and humidity in each specimen room is controlled by an airconditioner and a dehumidifier. In addtion, the museum preserves specimens
for DNA studies, which are stored in a refrigerator (Fig. 3.3-16).
Fig. 3.3-12. Wet specimens.
Fig. 3.3-13. Dry specimen.
Fig. 3.3-14. Snail specimen.
Fig. 3.3-15. Exhibition specimen.
Fig. 3.3-16. Specimen for DNA studies.
Each data of specimen is recorded in logbooks (Fig. 3.3-17). However, now almost all the data have moved to
Microsoft Excel sheets. The data include not only basic collection data, but also ecological and morphplogical data
of specimens. Data format of the sheets is as shown below:
Specimen Registration number (SP XXXXX)
Scientific name
Common name (Enghish name)
Collection date
Collection locality
Zone (area corde)
Collector
Altitude
Habitat
Body size, weight, sex, etc.
Fig. 3.3-17. Logbook.
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Insect collection of SPM
The Entomological museum was initiated in 1980 with about 200 specimens, consisting mainly moths and beetles,
which were used as exhibit materials for the public. The establishment of the Ecology Section at Kinabalu Park in
1980 has intensified research activities and triggered a systematic collection of insect specimen. Some significant
collaboration research works in the field of entomology between the Sabah Parks with UKMS, Sabah Museum and
German Society for Tropical Ecology were also in favour to the establishment of the collection. Insect collection was
the only faunal collection of Ecology section in the early 1980s. The specimens collection was deposited in a
smaller room and comprehensively expanded, as research activities was extensively carried out not only within
Kinabalu Park but further extended to other parks throughout Sabah. Nineteen type specimens, including 5 holotypes,
are kept in this museum. At the moment 4 staffs (1 permanent and 3 temporary) manage the entomology section.
The museum collection currently houses about 45,949 insect specimens of 19 orders. One of the largest collection
of its kind in Sabah apart from Sabah Forestry Research Center collection in Sandakan. This includes a wide range
of insects order such as Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Homoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Diptera and
Odonata. Types of collection vary in the forms of wet and dry specimen collection stored in wooden cupboard. List
of dry and wet insect collection is as shown in Table 3-3:
Table 3-3. List of dry insect specimen in SPM.
Order
Dry specimen
Wet specimen
14,328
13,797
1,473
161
95
15,896
13,958
3,660
1,037
6,917
107
64
5
10,641
1149
Homoptera
Orthoptera
853
669
59
1
7
14
919
684
Odonata
Diptera
492
272
60
341
8
-
616
560
Dictyoptera
Phasmida
255
228
95
-
3
16
353
244
Isoptera
Megaloptera
66
47
119
-
-
185
64
Neuroptera
Dermaptera
32
12
-
-
32
12
3
2
-
-
3
2
Microlepidoptera
Aquatic insects
21
176
80
-
21
256
Lepidoptera from Japan
362
-
-
362
36,312
9,264
373
45,949
Lepidoptera
Coleoptera
Hymenoptera
Heteroptera
Mecoptera
Ephemeroptera
Total
62
Exhibition specimen
Total
Most of the specimens are identified at least to genus level. Majority of the collections comprised of Coleoptera and
Lepidoptera specimens.
Housing Collection
Pinned specimens are kept in specimen boxes, stored in wooden enclosed
drawers and arranged in cabinets (Figs. 3.3-18, 3-19). Wet collections are kept in
jars and placed on wooden shelves with minimal opening to protect from excessive
lights (Figs. 3.3-20, 3-21).
Fig. 3.3-18. Dry specimen box
Fig. 3.3-20. Wet specimens
Fig. 3.3-19. Drawers
Fig. 3.3-21. Shelves
In collection room there are 28 cabinets used for storing the specimens. Hygrometer is used to monitor temperature
o
and humidity in the room. At present, temperature and humidity is maintained at 23 C and 58%, respectively.
Collection Management
Specimens are classified into ‘order’ and arranged in drawers according to groups. All identified specimens are
labeled by the following format: order/year collected/individual number e.g. CO/90/03465.
Data of all the existing specimens in the collection were properly recorded in logbooks and also in excel format.
Data in excel format includes information such as order, family, subfamily, species no., genus, species, locality,
zone, altitude, collector, date and box number for each species. However, database software has not been introduced.
63
3.4
Sabah Museum (SM)
Overview (Yoshiaki Hashimoto)
Entomological collections (Homathevi Rahman)
Overview
The Sabah Museum (SM) was officially opened in 1965. In 1981, the museum came under the Ministry of Community
Services, and later in 1982, under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. In 1984, the museum was moved to a
new building, located at its present site.
The museum collects and preserves ethnographic, archaeological, historical, numismatic, art-historical, botanical,
zoological and mineralogical collections from all over Sabah. The biology specimens holding in the museum are
more than 19,000 in zoological collection and more than 13,000 in botanical collection (including living plants in
botanical garden).
The zoological collection here is one of the largest animal collections in Sabah. Especially, there are 277 species
and 2,436 specimens in birds, 133 species and 2,443 specimens in mammals, which are approximately 50% of
bird species and 60% of mammal species recorded in Borneo.
In the botanical collection, there are about 7,300 specimen sheets, 118 wet specimens and 93 carpological
specimens, which are all ethnobotany plants, i.e. medical and food plants in Sabah. The museum collects not only
the specimens but also records about their pharmaceutical information.
Fig. 3.4-1. Storage building of Sabah museum.
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Sabah Museum (SM)
Ethnobotany Herbarium of SM
The present holding is about 7,300 specimen sheets (Fig. 3.4-2), 118 wet specimens and 93 carpological specimens
(Fig. 3.4-3), which are all ethnobotany plants in Sabah. Most of the specimens are satisfactorily curated and
identified to at least the genus level (about 300 species). The collection here has no type specimens.
Fig. 3.4-2. Specimen sheet and logbook.
Fig. 3.4-3. Carpological specimens.
Housing of collection
The collection is housed in a level of the building, in which steel drawers are set (Fig. 3.4-4).
The arrangement in each taxonomic group is alphabetical at all ranks. Temperature and
humidity in the room are maintained by an air-conditioner.
Four researchers are charged in management of the herbarium collection (Fig. 3.4-5).
Each data of specimen is managed by logbook (Fig. 3.4-6). However, the data of 6,999
specimens are entered to Microsoft Access. Data format of the sheets is as shown
below:
EMS Number (Ethnobotany Museum Sabah:
Fig. 3.4-4. Drawer.
Specimen Registration number)
Family name
Species name
Detector name (Taxonomist name identifying a given specimen)
Local name
Collection date
Collection locality
Collector
Habitat (Forest type)
Fig. 3.4-5. A herbarium staff.
Altitude
Note: Pharmaceutical information
Fig. 3.4-6. Logbooks for specimen management.
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Animal collection (Zoology Section) of SM (except insects)
The Sabah Museum zoological collection (Zoology) (Fig. 3.4-7) was formerly known as the Natural History Section
with the establishment of the Sabah Museum in 1963. Since then, this section has developed into one of the main
sections of the Sabah Museum that involves in the preservation of the
natural heritage of Sabah. This section has one of the largest animal
collections in Sabah with more than 19,000 specimens that comprise
mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fishes and insects (Table 4-1). They
are headed by a curator (vacant), assistant curator, 2 museum assistants,
one junior M.A., 2 field M.A. and 3 daily paid staff.
Most of the specimens were identified to species level by curators. The
reference collections stored here are rich in birds and mammals
specimens. Each collection is 277 species in birds and 133 in mammals,
Fig. 3.4-7. Zoological section.
and shows approximately 50% and 60% recorded in Borneo.
Table 4-1. Number of animal collection in Sabah museum.
Class
Family
Species
Specimens
Aves
57
277
2,436
Mammals
26
133
2,443
5
57
4,048
10
50
1,755
Amphibians
Reptiles
Fishes
24
155
2,587
Insects
129
901
5,509
Total
251
1,573
18,778
Housing collection
Animal collections except insects: They are stored and managed in
wet and dry specimens in same room. Amphibians, lizards and part
of birds are stored in jars with alcohol, and housed in wooden shelves
(Fig. 3.4-8). Most of the birds and mammals are stored as skin
specimens. They are wrapped in plastic and housed in wooden
drawers (Fig. 3.4-9, 4-10). The number of the drawers is 546 in dry.
Type specimens (only paratypes) are scattered into the reference
collection.
Temperature and humidity are managed by an air-conditioner and a
Fig. 3.4-8. Drawers.
dehumidifier control in collection room.
66
Sabah Museum (SM)
Fig. 3.4-9. Wet Specimens.
Fig. 3.4-10. Dry specimens.
In Zoological Section, each data of all specimens was managed by species using notebooks, but have been moved
to Microsoft Excel sheets (Fig. 3.4-11). Data format of the sheets is as shown below:
Specimen Registration number (NH XXXX)
Scientific name
Collection data
Collection locality
Collector
Body size, weight, sex, etc.
Fig. 3.4-11. Data sheets.
67
Insect collection of SM
Outline of collection
The Sabah Museum entomological collection (Fig. 3.4-12) was
initiated since 1969 consisting mainly Lepidoptera and Coleoptera,
which were used for research purpose. After 1997 some significant
collaboration research work in the field of entomology between the
Sabah Museum, JOCV and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Sabah
were also in favour to the establishment and maintenance of the
collection. At the moment two staffs (1 permanent and 1 temporary)
manage the entomology section.
Fig. 3.4-12. Insect specimens.
The museum collection currently houses about 6,000 insect specimens of 12 orders, 129 families and 901 species
(Table 4-2). This includes a wide range of insects order such as Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Homoptera,
Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Diptera and Odonata. Types of collection vary in the forms of wet (only ants) and dry specimen
collection stored in wooden cupboard (Fig. 3.4-13).
Most of the specimens are identified at least to genus and family level. Majority of the collections comprised of
Coleoptera and Lepidoptera specimens.
Table 4-2. Number of Families, species and specimens.
Order
Family
Species
Specimens
Coleoptera
44
288
2,468
Homoptera
42
518
1,922
1
1
63
Diptera
Hymenoptera
Others
Total
5
7
45
30
86
671
129
901
5509
Pinned specimens are kept in specimen boxes, stored in wooden enclosed drawers
and arranged in cabinets. Wet collections are kept in jars and placed on wooden
shelves with minimal opening to protect from excessive lights.
In collection room there are 9 cabinets (4 small and 5 big ones) used for storing the
o
specimens. Temperature and humidity are maintained at 25 C and 58%, respectively.
Fig. 3.4-13. Drawer.
68
Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC)
3.5 Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC)
Overview (Takuji Tachi)
Entomological collections (Takuji Tachi)
Overview
Universiti Malaysia Sabah or UMS was established in November 1994.
Shortly thereafter, the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation
(ITBC) (Fig. 3.5-1), then recognized as a Unit, was formed. The
founding of the Institute has allowed for local scientists to work more
closely together to explore the diverse and vast centre of natural
resource of the Tropical Rain Forest.
To be a research and reference centre in the field of tropical biology
and conservation and the node for database for the purpose of
management and assessment, ITBC has started collecting
specimens of flora and fauna beginning with the expedition (Maliau Fig. 3.5-1. Institute for Tropical Biology
Basin in May 1996, Tabin Expedition in 1997, Klias-Binsulok in 1999,
and Conservation (ITBC).
Imbak Valley in 2000, Kinabatangan and Crocker Range in 2002).
These collections are gradually building up as more and more fieldworks are being carried out. The number of
each collection is about 43,000 of insects, about 26,300 of animals other than insects and about 6,100 of plants at
present. All specimens collected are housed at BORNEENSIS for the use by local and international researchers.
The numbers of these collections, such as ants, termites, beetles, bats, frogs, snails, and mosses, have been
increasing by expeditions conducted every year. These collections of ants, termites, flies, snails, frogs and mosses
have many specimens and will be one of the best reference collections in Borneo. The equipments such as
compactor system, scanning electron microscope, DNA experiment facilities and so on, are well arranged at ITBC,
UMS to perform specimen management and taxonomic study.
However, there are some common problems in each collection. The most important ones are the level of identification
and the collection management. They look to be lack of experts and parataxonomists. Introduction to a database
and the standardization of specimen management are also needed.
69
Herbarium of ITBC
The present holding is about 6,144 specimens, of which 55% is
non-vascular plant (Bryophyta) (3,360 specimens) and 45% is
vascular plant (2,784 specimens) (Fig. 3.5-2). In the collection,
there are 4 type specimens, which are all moss species. Most of
the specimens are satisfactorily curated and 63% of specimens
are identified to at least the genus level.
Fig. 3.5-2. Specimen sheets.
The collection is housed in a room of the institute building, in which steel drawers of compacter system (45 lines X
3 drawers) are set (Fig. 3.5-3). Temperature and humidity in the room are maintained by central control system.
This collection room is established in 2002 (Fig. 3.5-4). At present, all specimens are being transferred and
rearranged into the room from its temporal storage room. The arrangement in each taxonomic group is planned to
be on alphabetical at all ranks.
Fig. 3.5-4. Herbarium.
Fig. 3.5-3. Drawers.
One researcher and 1 research assistant are in charge of the herbarium management. Specimen data (Fig. 3.5-5)
is managed by Microsoft Excel. However, only 10% of non-vascular plant specimen (342) and 63% vascular plant
specimens (1,744) have recorded. Data format of Excel sheets is as shown below:
Collector Number
Family name
Species name
Collection locality
Collector
Fig. 3.5-5. Specimen label.
70
Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC)
Zoological collection of ITBC
The ITBC, UMS has one of the largest animal collections (Fig. 3.5-6) in
Sabah. Collection stored here includes mammals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians, fresh-water fishes and snails. Almost all specimens are
collected from various localities in Sabah (Crocker Range, Trusmadi and
Kinabatangan) by scientists and staffs. The total number is about 110,000
specimens, including wet and dry specimens (Table 5-1), but the
collections of mammals and reptiles are not so good, compared with the
species number already recorded from Sabah. Most of them have been
identified to species level by mainly foreign researchers (JICA expert etc.)
Fig. 3.5-6. Animal specimen room.
as follows: mammals - 100%, birds - 50%, frogs - 100%, Reptiles - 20%,
and snails - 95% etc.
Snail collection has many specimens and is very high in identification level. It is the best reference collections in
Sabah.
Table 5-1. Number of animal specimen housed at ITBC.
Class
Mammalia
Aves
Species
Wet
Dry
Total number of specimens
55
649
63
712
101
450
43
493
Reptiles
20
116
0
116
Amphibia (frog)
84
1,904
0
1,904
Fresh-water
47
3,145
0
3,145
Mollusc
250
5,040
36,220
77,480
Total
864
17,568
36,326
110,220
Zoological collections are housed in two or more rooms, wet and dry
specimens rooms. In wet specimen room it is equipped with compactor
system, while in dry specimen room it is temporarily prepared steel cabinets
and is going to be set up compactor or steel drawer in near future. Lizards,
fishes, and frogs are stored in jars with alcohol, and housed in compactor of wet
specimen room (Figs. 3.5-7, 5-8).
Fig. 3.5-7. Wet specimen.
71
Fig. 3.5-8. Wet specimens room.
Skins and snails are stored in cabinets of dry specimen room (Figs. 3.5-9, 5-10), and stuffed specimens for
exhibition are held in another dry specimen room.
Fig. 3.5-10. Dry specimen cabinets.
Fig. 3.5-9. Dry specimens.
Although the collection management is ordered taxonomically in snails (Fig. 3.5-11), it is not arranged yet in other
groups. Regarding frogs collection, almost all specimens are not arranged according to taxonomic group instead
localities such as Crocker Range and Tawau. Temperature and humidity in each specimen rooms are managed by
control system.
Fig. 3.5-11. Dry snails collections.
One staff is in charge in the management of wet and dry specimen rooms. Each data of specimen was managed
by notebooks. However, all the data have moved to Microsoft Excel sheets. BORNEENSIS number is used in the
registration. Data format of the sheets is as shown below (Fig. 3.5-12):
KELAS (CLASS)
ORDER (ORDER)
FAMILI (FAMILY)
SPESIES (SPECIES)
(ENGLISH NAME)
LOKALITI (LOCALITY)
PENGUMPUL (COLLECTOR)
TARIKH (DATE)
NO. BORNEENSIS
Fig. 3.5-12. Specimen data.
72

Forestry Research Centre (FRC)

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