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Increasing reports of resistance to a frontline malaria blood-stage treatment, chloroquine (CQ), raise concerns for the elimination ofPlasmodium vivax. The absence of an effective molecular marker of CQ resistance inP. vivaxgreatly constrains surveillance of this emerging threat. A recent genetic cross between CQ sensitive (CQS) and CQ resistant (CQR) NIH-1993 strains ofP. vivaxlinked a moderate CQR phenotype with two candidate markers inP. vivaxCQ resistance transporter gene (pvcrt-o): MS334 and In9pvcrt. Longer TGAAGH motifs at MS334 were associated with CQ resistance, as were shorter motifs at the In9pvcrtlocus. In this study, high-grade CQR clinical isolates ofP. vivaxfrom Malaysia were used to investigate the association between the MS334 and In9pvcrtvariants and treatment efficacy. Amongst a total of 49 independent monoclonalP. vivaxisolates assessed, high-quality MS334 and In9pvcrtsequences could be derived from 30 (61%) and 23 (47%), respectively. Five MS334 and six In9pvcrtalleles were observed, with allele frequencies ranging from 2 to 76% and 3 to 71%, respectively. None of the clinical isolates had the same variant as the NIH-1993 CQR strain, and none were associated with CQ treatment failure (allp>0.05). Our findings suggest that thepvcrt-oMS334 and In9pvcrtmarkers cannot be used universally as markers of CQ treatment efficacy in an area of high-grade CQ resistance. Further studies applying hypothesis-free genome-wide approaches are warranted to identify more effective CQR markers forP. vivax.

Cryptosporidium species are a major cause of diarrhoea worldwide. In the present study, a retrospective analysis of 109 microscopically Cryptosporidium-positive faecal specimens from Western Australian patients, collected between 2015 and 2018 was conducted. Sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA and the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene loci identified four Cryptosporidium species: C. hominis (86.2%, 94/109), C. parvum (11.0%, 12/109), C. meleagridis (1.8%, 2/109) and C. viatorum (0.9%, 1/109). Subtyping at the gp60 locus identified a total of 11 subtypes including the emergence of the previously rare C. hominis IfA12G1R5 subtype in 2017 as the dominant subtype (46.7%, 21/45). This subtype has also recently emerged as the dominant subtype in the United States but the reasons for its emergence are unknown. This is also the first report of C. viatorum in humans in Australia and a novel subtype (XVaA3g) was identified in the one positive patient.

There is a dearth of research conducted on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of swimming pool patrons and staff to determine their understanding of the importance of Cryptosporidium and its transmission in swimming pools. We conducted a KAP survey of public swimming pool patrons (n = 380) and staff (n = 40) attending five public swimming pools in Western Australia (WA). Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of Cryptosporidium varied between patrons and staff but were generally limited. Only 26.1% and 25.0% of patrons and staff had heard of Cryptosporidium, while 17.4% and 10.0% knew that it causes diarrhoea, respectively. Thirty-one percent of patrons were aware of their pool policy concerning gastroenteritis and Cryptosporidium, compared to 62.5% of staff. Less than 50% of patrons demonstrated awareness of how features within the pool environment were relevant to the control of Cryptosporidium. Only about a third of patrons (35%) and staff (37.5%) were aware that showering before swimming reduced the risk of gastroenteritis. Raising awareness about hygiene-related practices through the delivery of targeted health education messages to the general public is essential to reduce the burden of Cryptosporidium infections in aquatic environments.

Cryptosporidium is an important protozoan parasite and due to its resistance to chlorine is a major cause of swimming pool-associated gastroenteritis outbreaks. The present study combined contact tracing and molecular techniques to analyse cryptosporidiosis cases and outbreaks in Western Australia in 2019 and 2020. In the 2019 outbreak, subtyping at the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene identified 89.0% (16/18) of samples were caused by the C. hominis IdA15G1 subtype. Amplicon next generation sequencing (NGS) at the gp60 locus identified five C. hominis IdA15G1 subtype samples that also had C. hominis IdA14 subtype DNA, while multi locus sequence typing (MLST) analysis on a subset (n = 14) of C. hominis samples identified three IdA15G1 samples with a 6 bp insertion at the end of the trinucleotide repeat region of the cp47 gene. In 2020, 88.0% (73/83) of samples typed were caused by the relatively rare C. hominis subtype IbA12G3. Four mixed infections were observed by NGS with three IdA15G1/ IdA14 mixtures and one C. parvum IIaA18G3R1 sample mixed with IIaA16G3R1. No genetic diversity using MLST was detected. Epidemiological and molecular data indicates that the outbreaks in 2019 and 2020 were each potentially from swimming pool point sources and a new C. hominis subtype IbA12G3 is emerging in Australia. The findings of the present study are important for understanding the introduction and transmission of rare Cryptosporidium subtypes to vulnerable populations.

Mosquitoes are vectors of various human diseases in the tropics including yellow fever, dengue, malaria and West Nile virus. Mosquitoes can act as vectors between wildlife and humans, which is particularly important for diseases where wild animals serve as reservoirs of parasites in the absence of human infections. Research has mainly focused on the medical impacts of Anopheles, Aedes, Mansonia and Culex, however, very little attention has been directed towards other mosquito genera, especially those which act as vectors of diseases of wildlife. We have observed adults of Mimomyia (Etorleptiomyia) luzonensis (Ludlow, 1905) feeding on a toad, Ingerophrynus parvus, near an oil palm plantation settlement in Setia Alam, Selangor state, Peninsular Malaysia. Mimomyia is known to feed on reptiles and amphibians, and is a documented vector of several arboviruses, including West Nile virus. The observation of Mimomyia feeding on a common toad near a human settlement highlights a need to understand the relationships between mosquitoes, toads and humans from an ecological perspective. We report on-site observations of the feeding habit of Mimomyia; the first records from Malaysia.

Pholcus tambunan Huber sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:5FD747F9-A402-4C77-BFC0-B26BDCDB10B5 Figs 93���96, 101���119, 125���127 Diagnosis Easily distinguished from most similar known relative (P. bario Huber sp. nov.) by morphology of male palps (Figs 101���102; shorter trochanter apophysis; wider femur; distinctive structures on tip of procursus), by different shapes of frontal cheliceral apophyses (Fig. 103), and by shorter epigynal scape (Figs 104, 119). Etymology The species is named for Tambunan, the town close to the type locality; noun in apposition. Material examined Holotype MALAYSIA-BORNEO: ♂, ZFMK (Ar 15710), Sabah, Crocker Range between Kota Kinabalu and Tambunan, S-slope, forest along river (5.783��N, 116.339��E), 1430���1480 m a.s.l., on underside of leaf, 3 Aug. 2014 (B.A. Huber, S.B. Huber). Other material MALAYSIA-BORNEO: 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 15711���12), and 1 ♂, 1 ♀, SMK, same data as holotype; 2 ♀♀, 3 juvs, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Bor 172), same data. 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, ZFMK (Ar 15713), Crocker Range between Kota Kinabalu and Tambunan, N-slope, forest along river (5.834��N, 116.336��E), 1600 m a.s.l., undersides of leaves, 3 Aug. 2014 (B.A. Huber, S.B. Huber); 2 ♀♀, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Bor 167), same data; 2 ♂♂, 14 ♀♀, 1 juv., ZFMK (Ar 15714���15), Mt. Kinabalu, forest along Silau Silau Trail (6.010��� 6.017��N, 116.537��� 116.543��E), 1550���1650 m a.s.l., on undersides of leaves, 6 Aug. 2014 (B.A. Huber, S.B. Huber); 4 ♀♀, 2 juvs, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Bor 212), same data; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, AMNH, Mt. Kinabalu, 1550 m a.s.l., 24 Jul. 1980 (C.L. & P.R. Deeleman); 1 ♂, RMNH, same data but river trail, 27 Apr. 1979; 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀, RMNH, same data but river trail, 21���25 Aug. 1980; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, RMNH, same data but 1���5 May 1991. Assigned tentatively MALAYSIA-BORNEO: 1 ♀ (abdomen only), RMNH, Sepilok, 25 km E Sandakan [5.87��N, 117.94��E], 1 Oct. 1980 (P. Zborowski). Description Male (holotype) MEASUREMENTS. Total body length 4.1, carapace width 1.0. Leg 1: 37.3 (8.8 + 0.4 + 8.8 + 17.0 + 2.3), tibia 2: 5.6, tibia 3: 3.3, tibia 4: 5.0; tibia 1 L/d: 100. Distance PME-PME 450 ��m, diameter PME 130 ��m, distance PME-ALE ~35 ��m; no trace of AME. COLOR. Carapace whitish with dark median mark widening anteriorly and including ocular area and clypeus in upper part and laterally; sternum whitish; legs pale ochre-yellow with dark brown patellae and tibia-metatarsus joints; abdomen pale ochre-gray with black marks dorsally and laterally, monochromous ventrally. BODY. Habitus as in Figs 93���94; ocular area slightly raised, each triad on additional short stalk directed towards lateral (Fig. 106); carapace without median furrow; clypeus unmodified; sternum wider than long (0.70/0.54), unmodified. Gonopore with four epiandrous spigots (Fig. 1 16). CHELICERAE. As in Fig. 103, with distinctive pair of frontal apophyses (large flat plates, distally drawn out into small tip; Fig. 108) and rounded lateral humps; without modified hairs; without stridulatory ridges. PALPS. As in Figs 101���102; coxa unmodified; trochanter with strong ventral apophysis; femur cylindrical, with indistinct prolateral hump proximally; tibia with distinctively elevated dorso-distal rim; tarsal organ as in Fig. 114; procursus with strong ventral ���knee���, with distinctive small prolateral sclerotized process at 1/3 length, distal half with large whitish area retrolaterally, tip complex with distinctive sclerites (Figs 109, 110); bulb elongated, long appendix with distinctive prolateral process provided with small teeth, further teeth along ventral rim, proximal processes of appendix ���guiding��� embolus between them (Fig. 111); embolus long and weakly sclerotized, tip as in Fig. 115. LEGS. Without spines and curved hairs; few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 2%; prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 pseudosegments not seen in dissecting microscope. Tarsus 4 comb-hairs as in Fig. 113. Male (variation) Tibia 1 in 7 other males: 8.2���9.3 (mean 8.6). Female In general similar to male (Fig. 96) but carapace mark only in posterior half; ocular area dark as in male but clypeus light. Eye triads much closer together than in male (Fig. 107; PME-PME distance: 265 ��m). Dark marks on abdomen less distinct or even absent. Tibia 1 in 18 females: 6.2���7.2 (mean 6.7). Epigynum weakly sclerotized (Fig. 125), wide transversal plate with scape directed towards anterior (Fig. 104); dark internal arch and lateral posterior structures visible through cuticle; internal genitalia as in Figs 105, 126, 127, with pair of highly distinctive three-layered telescopic tubes. ALS with one large widened, one pointed, and six smaller cylindrically-shaped spigots (Fig. 118). The female from Sepilok is assigned tentatively because no male is known from this locality. Natural history The spiders were found on the undersides of live leaves about 50���200 cm above the ground. They built barely visible silk platforms directly attached to the leaf surface rather than the ���usual��� pholcid domes. Several webs were occupied (in addition to the spider) by large numbers of Diptera (probably Cecidomyiidae, not collected). Distribution Known from three localities in northeastern Borneo (Sabah) (Fig. 1; but note that the single specimen from Sepilok is assigned tentatively)., Published as part of Bernard A. Huber, Joseph K. H. Koh, Amir-Ridhwan M. Ghazali, Kamil A. Braima, Olga M. Nu��eza, Charles Leh Moi Ung & Booppa Petcharad, 2016, New leaf- and litter-dwelling species of the genus Pholcus from Southeast Asia (Araneae, Pholcidae), pp. 1-45 in European Journal of Taxonomy 200 on pages 25-30, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2016.200, http://zenodo.org/record/897219

Pholcus phui Huber, 2011 Figs 2���3 Pholcus phui Huber, 2011: 178 ���180, figs 749���752, 779���780, 809���813 (♂ ♀). Diagnosis Easily distinguished from most similar known relatives (other species of the P. ethagala group on the Malay Peninsula) by morphology of male palps (figs 809���810 in Huber 2011; procursus with two distinctive dorsal processes and curved distal process; large appendix distally with whitish element and with sclerotized element set with small scales), and by details of female internal genitalia (figs 812���813 in Huber 2011; distinctive pair of anterior lateral structures; roundish pore plates close together). New material examined THAILAND: 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 1 juv., ZFMK (Ar 15691), and 1 ♂, 1 ♀, PSUZC, Narathiwat Province, Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, ���site 3��� (5.808��N, 101.823��E), 220 m a.s.l., forest near road, leaf litter, 2 Mar. 2015 (B.A. Huber, B. Petcharad); 4 ♀♀, 3 juvs, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Mal 309), same data. Description ��� amendments Tibia 1 in three newly collected males: 9.3, 9.6, 9.7; tibia 2/tibia 4 length: 1.08. Natural history All specimens were collected within a small swampy area in the forest that was characterized by numerous large dead leaves on the ground. Almost each of the largest leaves had an adult Pholcus phui on its lower surface, while the more numerous smaller leaves were mostly either unoccupied or occupied by juveniles. No further specimens were found during three days of collecting in various parts of the forest., Published as part of Bernard A. Huber, Joseph K. H. Koh, Amir-Ridhwan M. Ghazali, Kamil A. Braima, Olga M. Nu��eza, Charles Leh Moi Ung & Booppa Petcharad, 2016, New leaf- and litter-dwelling species of the genus Pholcus from Southeast Asia (Araneae, Pholcidae), pp. 1-45 in European Journal of Taxonomy 200 on pages 5-6, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2016.200, http://zenodo.org/record/897219, {"references":["Huber B. A. 2011. Revision and cladistic analysis of Pholcus and closely related taxa (Araneae, Pholcidae). Bonner zoologische Monographien 58: 1 - 509."]}

Pholcus matutum Huber sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:CCCB3C54-30E8-4792-A4AC-F8A3A80DF703 Figs 138���139, 157���160, 164���166 Diagnosis Distinguished from most similar known relative (P. domingo Huber sp. nov.) by morphology of male palps (Figs 157���158; shorter procursus with longer dorsal process; shorter and more pointed appendix); females of these two species are difficult to separate (internal genitalia relatively longer in P. domingo Huber sp. nov.; compare Figs 144 and 160). Etymology The species name is derived from the type locality; noun in apposition. Material examined Holotype PHILIPPINES: ♂, ZFMK (Ar 15729), Mindanao, Mt. Matutum, Kawit Forest, ���site 1��� (6.338��N, 125.104��E), 950 m a.s.l., along brook, on leaf, 13 Feb. 2014 (B.A. Huber, E. Mondejar). Other material PHILIPPINES: 4 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, 1 juv., ZFMK (Ar 15730���31), and 1 ♂, 1 ♀, MSU-IIT, same data as holotype; 2 ♀♀, 3 juvs, in absolute ethanol, in ZFMK (Phi 269), same data; 1 ♀, RMNH, Mindanao, Davao, Mt. Apo Nature Reserve [~ 7.03��N, 125.40��E?], 800 m a.s.l., on wild coffee leaf in secondary forest, 26 Apr. 1982 [R. Deeleman]. Description Male (holotype) MEASUREMENTS. Total body length 4.4, carapace width 0.9. Leg 1: 36.9 (8.8 + 0.4 + 8.8 + 17.3 + 1.6), tibia 2: 5.4, tibia 3: 3.2, tibia 4: 4.6; tibia 1 L/d: 108. Distance PME-PME 260 ��m, diameter PME 100��120 ��m, distance PME-ALE ~30 ��m; distance AME-AME 50 ��m, diameter AME 15 ��m. COLOR. Carapace pale ochre, without dark pattern (only small internal medio-posterior structure visible through cuticle), ocular area also dark, clypeus pale ochre, only proximally darker; sternum whitish; legs ochre-yellow with dark brown patellae and tibia-metatarsus joints; abdomen pale ochre-gray with black marks dorsally and laterally, monochromous ventrally except pair of small brown spots in book-lung area. BODY. Habitus as in Fig. 138; ocular area slightly raised, each triad on additional short hump; carapace without median furrow; clypeus unmodified; sternum wider than long (0.60/0.50), unmodified. CHELICERAE. As in P. domingo Huber sp. nov. (cf. Fig. 142), barely modified, with indistinct lateral humps proximally. PALPS. As in Figs 157���158; coxa unmodified; trochanter with very long curved ventral apophysis; femur with ventral and retrolatero-dorsal processes (slightly different shapes than in P. domingo Huber sp. nov.); tibia very large (relative to femur); procursus rather simple, with strong ventral ���knee��� and distinctive long dorsal process distally; bulb with long semitransparent embolus and large sclerotized process (putative appendix) densely covered with scales on retrolateral surface, with lighter prolateral branch proximally (appendix with more pointed tip than in P. domingo Huber sp. nov.; prolateral branch with more rounded tip). LEGS. Without spines and curved hairs; few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 3%; prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 with>20 pseudosegments, only distally a few fairly distinct. Male (variation) Some males with pair of small darker marks posteriorly on carapace (similar to P. domingo Huber sp. nov.). Tibia 1 in 5 other males: 8.3���9.3 (mean 8.7). Female In general similar to male (Fig. 139), carapace pattern different: most females with two pairs of light brown to orange marks, one pair near median line posteriorly, one pair laterally; one female with same carapace pattern as P. domingo Huber sp. nov. (posterior half of carapace largely covered by light brown to orange pattern). Eye triads slightly closer together than in males (PME-PME distance: 230 ��m). Tibia 1 in 4 females: 6.6, 6.9, 6.9, 7.2. Sternum whitish as is males (not brown as in P. domingo Huber sp. nov. females). Epigynum very simple, weakly sclerotized (Fig. 164), with transverse ridges and finger-shaped posterior ���knob��� (Fig. 159); internal genitalia as in Figs 160, 165, 166. Natural history The spiders were found in very fine, barely visible webs tightly attached to the leaf surface of live leaves. Distribution Known from two localities in southern Mindanao (Fig. 1). The single female specimen from Epol Falls assigned tentatively to P. domingo Huber sp. nov. might actually belong to this species., Published as part of Bernard A. Huber, Joseph K. H. Koh, Amir-Ridhwan M. Ghazali, Kamil A. Braima, Olga M. Nu��eza, Charles Leh Moi Ung & Booppa Petcharad, 2016, New leaf- and litter-dwelling species of the genus Pholcus from Southeast Asia (Araneae, Pholcidae), pp. 1-45 in European Journal of Taxonomy 200 on pages 40-42, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2016.200, http://zenodo.org/record/897219

Pholcus gombak Huber, 2011 Figs 32���35, 39���47 Pholcus gombak Huber, 2011: 180 ���183, figs 757���760, 784���785, 819���822 (♂ ♀). Diagnosis Easily distinguished from most similar known relatives (other species of the P. ethagala group on the Malay Peninsula) by morphology of male palps (figs 819���820 in Huber 2011; short ventral trochanter apophysis; procursus proximal part with prolateral rather than dorsal process, with large retrolateroventral whitish area, with distinctive complex tip), and by details of female internal genitalia (figs 821��� 822 in Huber 2011; pore plates widening anteriorly). New material examined MALAYSIA: 3 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 15698���99), and 1 ♂, 1 ♀, MZUM, Selangor, Kemensah (3.222��N, 101.793��E), 230 m a.s.l., forest along stream, leaf litter, 19 Feb. 2015 (B.A. Huber, A.R.M. Ghazali, K.A. Braima, M. Muslimin); 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Mal 247), same data; 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 15700), Selangor, Fraser���s Hill (3.660��N, 101.743��E), 730 m a.s.l., forest near road, leaf litter, 21 Feb. 2015 (B.A. Huber, A.R.M. Ghazali, K.A. Braima); 1 ♀, 3 juvs, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Mal 262), same data; 8 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 15701���02), and 1 ♂, 1 ♀, MZUM, Perak, Gunung Liang (3.795��N, 101.533��E), 250 m a.s.l., forest along river, leaf litter, 22 Feb. 2015 (B.A. Huber, A.R.M. Ghazali, K.A. Braima); 3 ♀♀, 2 juvs, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Mal 267), same data; 1 ♀, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Mal 305), same data, with parasitized egg-sac, wasps eclosed on 1 Mar. 2015. Description ��� amendments Whitish area on procursus set with many small cuticular pointed processes (Fig. 45), procursus proximal part with prolateral rather than dorsal process (asterisk in Fig. 41). Appendix with prolateral groove and dense cover of small scales (Figs 42���43). Male gonopore with four epiandrous spigots (Fig. 46). ALS with one large widened, one pointed, and six smaller cylindrically-shaped spigots (Fig. 44). Tibia 1 in 13 males: 6.8���8.6 (mean 7.8); in 17 females: 5.4���6.6 (mean 6.1). Natural history Most specimens were found under large dead leaves on the ground. At Kemensah, they also lived in bamboo sheaths and in sheltered spaces under rocks. The egg-sac of one female from Gunung Liang was parasitized by Idris wasps (Figs 33���35)., Published as part of Bernard A. Huber, Joseph K. H. Koh, Amir-Ridhwan M. Ghazali, Kamil A. Braima, Olga M. Nu��eza, Charles Leh Moi Ung & Booppa Petcharad, 2016, New leaf- and litter-dwelling species of the genus Pholcus from Southeast Asia (Araneae, Pholcidae), pp. 1-45 in European Journal of Taxonomy 200 on pages 13-14, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2016.200, http://zenodo.org/record/897219, {"references":["Huber B. A. 2011. Revision and cladistic analysis of Pholcus and closely related taxa (Araneae, Pholcidae). Bonner zoologische Monographien 58: 1 - 509."]}

Pholcus barisan Huber sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:20779D81-A780-4FBD-92F6-78BD201FE319 Figs 63���66, 72���76, 80, 90���92 Diagnosis Easily distinguished from most similar known relatives (representatives of the P. ethagala group on the Malay Peninsula) by morphology of male palps (Figs 72���73; very long dorsal process of procursus; relative straight male palpal trochanter apophysis similar to P. uludong Huber sp. nov. and P. phui but shorter; shape of relatively small appendix), by modified male clypeus (pair of small dark processes; Fig. 80), by male eye stalks directed more towards lateral (Fig. 80), and by details of female internal genitalia (Figs 75, 76; anterior undulating sclerite; large posterior semicircular structure). Etymology The species name is derived from the type locality; noun in apposition. Material examined Holotype INDONESIA: ♂, ZFMK (Ar 15708), Sumatra, Lampung, Bukit Barisan (5.528��S, 104.424��E), 550��� 600 m a.s.l., forest near road, leaf litter, 24 Oct. 2009 (S. Sutono). Other material INDONESIA: 6 ♀♀, 3 juvs, ZFMK (Ar 15709), same data as holotype; 4 ♀♀, 1 juv., in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Ind 153), same data. Description Male (holotype) MEASUREMENTS. Total body length 3.3, carapace width 0.9. Leg 1: 33.2 (7.6 + 0.4 + 7.7 + 15.6 + 1.9), tibia 2: 4.5, tibia 3: 2.6, tibia 4: 4.0; tibia 1 L/d: 96. Distance PME-PME 510 ��m, diameter PME 100 ��m, distance PME-ALE ~30 ��m; AME absent. COLOR. Carapace pale ochre-yellow with large dark brown mark posteriorly, dark median line, ocular area, stalks and clypeus also dark brown; irregular black marks in place of AME; sternum whitish; legs ochre-yellow with darker brown to black patellae and tibia-metatarsus joints; abdomen ochre-gray with some darker marks dorsally and laterally. BODY. Habitus as in Figs 63���64; ocular area raised, each triad on long stalk directed laterad and dorsad (Fig. 80); carapace without median furrow; clypeus with pair of small dark processes at rim; sternum wider than long (0.60/0.53), unmodified. CHELICERAE. As in Fig. 74, with single pair of frontal proximal apophyses; without distal modification; without stridulatory ridges. PALPS. As in Figs 72���73; coxa with indistinct ventral hump; trochanter with very long almost straight retrolatero-ventral apophysis and small retrolateral process; femur with indistinct retrolateral hump; tarsus without dorsal elongation; procursus complex, proximal part with distinctive dorsal process forming retrolateral groove distally, ventral side heavily sclerotized, dorsal side semitransparent; hinged distal part with large prolatero-dorsal flap and weakly sclerotized prolateral process lying parallel to procursus; bulb with rather simple appendix, long slender embolus, without uncus. LEGS. Without spines and curved hairs; few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 3%; prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 pseudosegments very indistinct, apparently irregular. Female In general similar to male (Figs 65���66) but eye triads not on stalks and much closer together than in male (PME-PME distance: 240 ��m); dark posterior mark on carapace smaller than in male, without median dark line on carapace; with pair of small black marks in area of AME (but without lenses); clypeus unmodified and only in upper third dark brown. Tibia 1 in 6 females: 6.0���6.9 (mean 6.4). Some females (and juveniles) with laterally strongly widened abdomen (Fig. 65). Epigynum weakly sclerotized (Fig. 90), with small ���knob��� at posterior rim (Fig 75); internal anterior arc undulating, visible through cuticle; internal genitalia as in Figs 76, 91���92. Natural history All specimens were found under large dead leaves on the ground. They hung in domed sheet webs closely attached to the leaf surface. They barely moved when disturbed and were not seen to vibrate. Distribution Known from type locality in Sumatra only (Fig. 1)., Published as part of Bernard A. Huber, Joseph K. H. Koh, Amir-Ridhwan M. Ghazali, Kamil A. Braima, Olga M. Nu��eza, Charles Leh Moi Ung & Booppa Petcharad, 2016, New leaf- and litter-dwelling species of the genus Pholcus from Southeast Asia (Araneae, Pholcidae), pp. 1-45 in European Journal of Taxonomy 200 on pages 21-25, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2016.200, http://zenodo.org/record/897219

We describe eight new species of the genus Pholcus, and document their microhabitats. Four species are assigned to the previously described Pholcus ethagala group: P. tanahrata Huber sp. nov., P. uludong Huber sp. nov., and P. bukittimah Huber sp. nov. from the Malay Peninsula, and P. barisan Huber sp. nov. from Sumatra. These species are all litter-dwellers that build domed sheet webs on the undersides of large dead leaves on the ground. The other four species are assigned to newly created species groups: the P. tambunan group with two species from northern Borneo: P. tambunan Huber sp. nov. and P. bario Huber sp. nov.; and the P. domingo group with two species from the Philippines, Mindanao: P. domingo Huber sp. nov. and P. matutum Huber sp. nov. These latter four species are leaf-dwellers that build barely visible silk platforms tightly attached to the undersides of live leaves. The main rationale for this paper is to provide part of the taxonomic and natural history background for upcoming phylogenetic and evolutionary (microhabitat shifts) analyses.

Background:The brown widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus Koch, 1841) has colonised many parts of the world from its continent of origin, Africa. By at least 1841, the species had successfully established populations in South America and has more recently expanded its range to the southern states of North America. This highly adaptable spider has been far more successful in finding its niche around the world than its famous cousins, the black widow, Latrodectus mactans, found in the south-eastern states of North America, and the red-back, Latrodectus hasselti, found mostly in Australia, New Zealand and Japan.Methods:We performed an extensive web search of brown widow sightings and mapped the location of each sighting using ArcGIS. Specimens reputedly of the species L. geometricus were collected at three localities in Peninsular Malaysia. The spiders were identified and documented based on an examination of morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding.Results:The spiders found in Peninsular Malaysia were confirmed to be Latrodectus geometricus based on their morphological characteristics and DNA barcodes. We recorded 354 sightings of the brown widow in 58 countries, including Peninsular Malaysia.Conclusion:Reports from the Americas and the Far East suggest a global-wide invasion of the brown widow spider. Herein we report the arrival of the brown widow spider in Peninsular Malaysia and provide notes on the identification of the species and its recently expanded range.

A considerable number of rat-borne ectoparasite studies have been conducted since the early 1930s in the Malayan Peninsula (now known as peninsular Malaysia). The majority of studies were field surveys and collections of specimens across the region, and were conducted primarily to catalogue the ectoparasite host distribution and discover novel species. This has generated a signification amount of information, particularly on the diversity and host distribution; other aspects such as morphology, host distribution and medical significance have also been investigated. Amongst the four main groups (mites, fleas, ticks, lice), rat-borne mites have received the most attention with a particular emphasis on chiggers, due to their medical importance. More recent studies have examined the distribution of ectoparasites in rats from different habitat type simplicating a high prevalence of zoonotic species infesting rat populations. Despite being capable of transmitting dangerous pathogens to human, the health risks of rat-borne ectoparasites appear to be small with no serious outbreaks of diseases recorded. Although an extensive number of works have been published, there remain gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed, such as, the distribution of under studied ectoparasite groups (listrophorids and myobiids), determining factors influencing infestation, and understanding changes to the population distribution over time.

Background: The suburban transmission of malaria in Selangor, Malaysia's most developed and populous state still remains a concern for public health in this region. Despite much successful control efforts directed at its reduction, sporadic cases, mostly brought in by foreigners have continued to occur. In addition, cases of simian malaria caused by Plasmodium knowlesi, some with fatal outcome have caused grave concern to health workers. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of local malaria transmission in suburban regions of Selangor, which are adjacent to secondary rainforests.Findings: A malaria survey spanning 7 years (2006 - 2012) was conducted in Selangor. A total of 1623 laboratory confirmed malaria cases were reported from Selangor's nine districts. While 72.6% of these cases (1178/1623) were attributed to imported malaria (cases originating from other countries), 25.5% (414/1623) were local cases and 1.9% (31/1623) were considered as relapse and unclassified cases combined. In this study, the most prevalent infection was P. vivax (1239 cases, prevalence 76.3%) followed by P. falciparum (211, 13.0%), P. knowlesi (75, 4.6%), P. malariae (71, 4.4%) and P. ovale (1, 0.06%). Mixed infections comprising of P. vivax and P. falciparum were confirmed (26, 1.6%). Entomological surveys targeting the residences of malaria patients' showed that the most commonly trapped Anopheles species was An. maculatus. No oocysts or sporozoites were found in the An. maculatus collected. Nevertheless, the possibility of An. maculatus being the malaria vector in the investigated locations was high due to its persistent occurrence in these areas.Conclusions: Malaria cases reported in this study were mostly imported cases. However the co-existence of local cases and potential Plasmodium spp. vectors should be cause for concern. The results of this survey reflect the need of maintaining closely monitored malaria control programs and continuous extensive malaria surveillance in Peninsula Malaysia.