Seabird feathers and eggshells are used as bio-monitors for trace metal contamination. Eleven trace element concentrations in wing primaries (n = 21) and eggshells (n = 8) are reported herein for two resident seabirds, Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus and Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana, at Pulau Ling and Pulau Tokung Burung, Malaysia. Metal concentration followed the pattern Zn > Cr > Mn > Sr > Cu > Se > Ba > Pb > Cd > Ga > Li. Significant positive correlations existed among all trace metals, except for Cr in Black-naped Tern and Li and Cd in Bridled Tern feathers. We also analyzed metal concentrations in eggshells, and for Bridled Tern, the concentration pattern was Zn > Mn > Se > Sr > Ba > Pb > Co > Cu > Cd, whereas for Black-naped Tern it was Cr > Zn > Mn > Ba > Sr > Se > Cu> Co > Pb. A pairwise positive correlation was significant among most trace metals in feather samples, indicating synergistic effects of two or more elements. More studies are needed to build a baseline database of trace metal concentrations in seabirds of Southeast Asia, as little research on this subject has been conducted in this region.
Abdulmula Abdumagid Alhadi Hamza(1-2022)

Mangrove spiders are poorly studied in Malaysia. Available data have been primarily limited to the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. In the present work, we report the first record of a spider species for Peninsular Malaysia, the Orb-weaver spider Eriovixia poonaensis (Tikader & Bal, 1981), from Setiu Wetlands in Terengganu state, on the east coast of the peninsula.
Abdulmula Abdumagid Alhadi Hamza(8-2021)

Bidong Island is one of the least known islands in terms of birds; very few surveys have been conducted on this island. The island is part of a small archipelago called Bidong Laut, located to the northwest of Kuala Terengganu, on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. A total count of 30 bird species, from 19 families and 25 genera were found on this island between 2006 and 2020. Collected data (nine days) were analysed for biodiversity indices. Alpha diversity indices showed variations among sampling years, Simpson 1-D range 0.76–0.89; Shannon (H) range 1.74–2.48; species richness 8–16 species; dominance (D) range 0.11–0.24. Species richness estimators indicate that more species can be added with additional sampling and better coverage of the island area. The relatively low avian species richness compared to other east coast islands is discussed. Further surveys during migration season can reveal the importance of this island as a stop over site for several migratory species.
Abdulmula Abdumagid Alhadi Hamza, Anuar McAfee, Amiruddin Ahmad(2-2022)