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Malaysia is blessed with lush tropical rainforests that harbour an exceptional diversity of amphibians and reptiles. However, compared to other animal groups, amphibians and reptiles have received limited attention in research, despite their ecological significance. With amphibians and reptile species having been declining rapidly due to anthropogenic activities, there is a pressing need to conserve these species and their habitats. Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are designated regions that are beneficial due to their critical role in providing essential ecosystem services and serving as repositories of biodiversity. Nonetheless, the classification of ESAs in Malaysia lacks biological elements and only focuses on physical attributes. To enhance the current ESA classification framework by integrating biological components, there is an urgent need to obtain information on diversity and habitat in Malaysia. Therefore, the objectives of this study were twofold: to determine the diversity of amphibians and reptiles in Gunung Belumut Amenity Forest and to conduct a comparative analysis between the herpetofauna assemblages in Gunung Belumut with other forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia. The survey was carried out between March and June 2022, with additional sampling conducted in February 2023. The Visual Encounter Survey (VES) and pitfall trap methods were employed to survey the herpetofauna species, focusing on both aquatic and terrestrial habitats within the study area. A total of 210 individuals representing 38 species of herpetofauna were recorded, comprising 18 amphibian and 20 reptile species. Amongst the observed species, Limnonectes blythii was the most frequently encountered amphibian, with 59 individuals observed, while the dominant reptile species was Cyrtodactylus consobrinus, represented by eight individuals. This pioneering study serves as a vital baseline documentation of the amphibian and reptile assemblages in Gunung Belumut Amenity Forest. It provides valuable information for identifying extant herpetofauna species, including those of potential conservation concern or rarity. These findings contribute to ongoing conservation efforts dedicated to the preservation of herpetofauna within the region. By understanding the diversity and distribution patterns of amphibians and reptiles in Gunung Belumut, effective conservation strategies can be developed to protect these species and their habitats.

The growing Muslim population around the world has led to an increase in demand for Halal products such as cosmetic. Previously, the cosmetics business was dominated by non-halal cosmetic enterprises, as many products contained pig-derived substances, which are forbidden in Islam. In 2012, Charms Skincare Cosmetics, a Malaysian cosmetic brand, was established with a focus on producing Halal-certified products. Thus, the aim of the study is to demonstrate that the seven products from the brand are free from porcine DNA, following halal verification. All the cosmetic products were isolated using the Agilent Porcine Detection Kit, and the amplification was done by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method targeting porcine-specific DNA sequences from the Cytochrome b region. The result showed no amplification of the Cytb gene in gel visualization and was supported by the absence of porcine DNA using RT-PCR from all seven Charms cosmetic products, representing the absence of any pig derivative substances. These findings indicate that the products comply with Islamic requirements, and the PCR method proves to be a sensitive and reliable approach for the detection of porcine DNA in halal authentication processes.

In Malaysia, our knowledge of freshwater ecosystem and its aquatic inhabitants, particularly freshwater fish, remains inadequate, even in protected regions. It is essential to understand the composition of freshwater fish, their distribution along river gradients, and their interactions between environmental variables to develop and strategize effective conservation and management plans. Consequently, an investigation into freshwater fish assemblages in three rivers draining off from the western part of Endau-Rompin Landscape was conducted in 12 established substations. Sampling sessions were conducted from September to December 2021 in the Labis district of Johor, using multiple sampling methods along 200 meters for each substation. The environmental variables were measured using water quality parameters. A total of 66 species were collected. The family Cyprinidae presented the highest species diversity (17 species), constituting 52% of total capture. Crossocheilus obscurus was the most dominant species, and the highest species richness was recorded in the Segamat River (45 species), followed by Juaseh (36 species) and Labis River (34 species). It was discerned that the composition of fish varied between the substations. The knowledge presented here is the first documentation on the freshwater fish from these rivers. It would serve as a baseline information for key authorities and stakeholders to conserve the biodiversity inhabiting freshwater ecosystems in Malaysia.

Morphism refer to polymorphic species, in which multiple colour variants coexist within a population. Morphism in primates is common and langurs also exhibit certain characteristics of morphism, such as conspicuous natal coats. Banded langurs (Presbytis femoralis) and dusky leaf monkey (Trachypithecus obscurus) exhibits the same characteristics of conspicuous natal coats, but these coats are only limited to infants and changed when they reached adulthood. This article reports the first discovery of rare brown morph of two adult male banded langurs and one leucistic adult female dusky leaf monkey in Malaysia. We also conducted a systematic literature search to review the diversity of morphism in leaf monkey globally.

The Spine Bahaba (Bahaba polykladiskos), locally known as 'Gelama Tirusan,' is a member of the Sciaenidae fish family that is distributed across Southeast Asia, reaching as far as North Australia. This species is renowned for its swim bladder, which produces a distinctive loud sound. Despite its distribution in Southeast Asia, no previous studies have reported the presence of the Spine Bahaba in Peninsular Malaysia. This research aims to document the first-ever record of B. polykladiskos in Muar River, Johor, and provide ethnoichthyological insights regarding this species. The ethnoichthyological data were collected using a convenience snowball sampling technique, involving the collection of information from communities residing in the Muar area. In total, 47 respondents participated in the study. The results indicate that a majority of the respondents were familiar with (98%) and had encountered (94%) B. polykladiskos in both the Muar River and the local fish market. The study also documented the demand and trade associated with B. polykladiskos in Muar, with recorded prices ranging from RM 20 to RM 11,500 per fish. Furthermore, this research provides an introductory description of the uses and perceived benefits of B. polykladiskos in traditional medicine, particularly in relation to sexual prowess among male respondents. The study successfully establishes a baseline information for B. polykladiskos in Peninsular Malaysia using an ethnoichthyological approach, thus extending the known geographical distribution of this distinctive species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]