Research Publication

Hidden in the dark: A new record and species of cave-dwelling Palaumysis (Crustacea, Mysidacea) from Sipadan Turtle Tomb, Malaysia, with identification keys to world species

Abdul-Rahim Azman, Shozo Sawamoto, Abu-Bakar Ahmad-Zaki

Published on 08/07/2026 — ZooKeys

Azman A-R, Sawamoto S, Ahmad-Zaki A-B (2026) Hidden in the dark: A new record and species of cave-dwelling Palaumysis (Crustacea, Mysidacea) from Sipadan Turtle Tomb, Malaysia, with identification keys to world species. ZooKeys 1284: 205–215

A new species of the cave-dwelling mysid genus Palaumysis Bacescu & Iliffe, 1986 is described from the marine cave Turtle Tomb, Sipadan Island, Sabah, Malaysia. This represents the first record of the genus from Malaysian waters. The new species belongs to the group of Palaumysis species characterized by a reduced carapace, exposing the last five thoracic somites, but is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of adult body size exceeding 2.5 mm, a 5-segmented inner flagellum of the...

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1284.192633ZooKeys 1284: 205–215 (2026) DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1284.192633

Metarhizium tawauensis (Clavicipitaceae, Hypocreales), a new entomopathogenic fungus from Sabah, northern Borneo, Malaysia

MUHAMMAD SHAHBAZ, IBRAHEM GHANI WASTI, ZAINUDDIN BALUAT, ELYSE YANG MEEI LING, JAYA SEELAN SATHIYA SEELAN

Published on 24/06/2026 — Metarhizium tawauensis (Clavicipitaceae, Hypocreales), a new entomopathogenic fungus from Sabah, northern Borneo, Malaysia

SHAHBAZ, M., WASTI, I. G., BALUAT, Z., LING, E. Y. M., & SEELAN, J. S. S. (2026). Metarhizium tawauensis (Clavicipitaceae, Hypocreales), a new entomopathogenic fungus from Sabah, northern Borneo, Malaysia. Phytotaxa, 763(3), 219–234. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.763.3.2 ‌

Metarhizium Sorokin (Clavicipitaceae, Hypocreales) is a widely studied entomopathogenic fungi. Currently, Metarhizium has expanded to 92 species worldwide. The rainforests of Malaysia provide ideal ecological conditions that support high fungal diversity. In Malaysia, previous studies on entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) primarily focused on their applications as biological control agents, with limited attention to systematics and taxonomy. However, to date, studies on detailed systematics and phylog...

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.763.3.2

Exploring the antifungal potential of Lignosus rhinocerus as a green nano factory for silver nanoparticles synthesis against plant pathogens

Muhammad Shahbaz, Chuan Cheak Chong, Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan

Published on 01/06/2026

Shahbaz, M., Chong, C., Palaniveloo, K. et al. Exploring the antifungal potential of Lignosus rhinocerus as a green nano factory for silver nanoparticles synthesis against plant pathogens. J Plant Dis Prot 133, 113 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-026-01303-5

Fungal pathogens including Fusarium and Aspergillus species are harmful to agricultural crops and are becoming increas ingly resistant to existing antifungal drugs. Therefore, it is necessary to explore safer and more effective alternatives. Lignosus rhinocerus (LR), a medicinal mushroom rich in bioactive metabolites, provides an environmentally sustainable source of reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). In this study, L. rhinocerus extract was...

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-026-01303-5

Calocybe kinabaluensis (Lyophyllaceae, Agaricales), a new species from Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark, Sabah, Northern Borneo, Malaysia

JAYA SEELAN SATHIYA SEELAN, ALFREDO VIZZINI, IBRAHEM GHANI WASTI, JAMIL KASMIN, NUR AMANINA BINTI USIMIN, MUHAMMAD SHAHBAZ

Published on 29/05/2026 — Calocybe kinabaluensis (Lyophyllaceae, Agaricales), a new species from Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark, Sabah, Northern Borneo, Malaysia

Seelan, J. S. S., Vizzini, A., Wasti, I. G., Kasmin, J., Usimin, N. A. B., & Shahbaz, M. (2026). Calocybe kinabaluensis (Lyophyllaceae, Agaricales), a new species from Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark, Sabah, Northern Borneo, Malaysia. Phytotaxa, 759(3), 227–244. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.759.3

Calocybe kinabaluensis sp. nov. was collected and described from Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark in Sabah, Malaysia. Morphological and phylogenetic evidence were used to delimit the collections as a new species. The species is characterized by its small to medium-sized basidiomata, deep blue to indigo-blue pileus with an irregularly lobed and undulate margin, and whitish to pale cream adnate to decurrent lamellae. Microscopically, it is distinguished by ovoid to broadly ellipsoid basidios...

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.759.3.3

New species and bioacoustics of Varitrella (Cantotrella) (Oecanthidae: Podoscirtinae) from Sulu Archipelago and Borneo’s Sabah

Helen H. Haibil, Olga Macas Nuñeza, Dayang Fazrinah Binti Awg Damit, Razy Japir, Arthur Y. C. Chung, Ming Kai Tan

Published on 28/05/2026 — New species and bioacoustics of Varitrella (Cantotrella) (Oecanthidae: Podoscirtinae) from Sulu Archipelago and Borneo’s Sabah

Haibil, H. H., Nuñeza, O. M., Damit, D. F. B. A., Japir, R., Chung, A. Y. C., & Tan, M. K. (2026). New species and bioacoustics of Varitrella (Cantotrella) (Oecanthidae: Podoscirtinae) from Sulu Archipelago and Borneo’s Sabah. Zootaxa, 5821(1), 61–77. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.1.4

Two new species of Varitrella (Cantotrella) (Oecanthidae: Podoscirtinae) are described from Sulu Archipelago: Varitrella (Cantotrella) sulu Haibil, Nuñeza & Tan, sp. nov. and Varitrella (Cantotrella) alternata Haibil, Nuñeza & Tan, sp. nov. The calling songs of Varitrella (Cantotrella) sulu Haibil, Nuñeza & Tan, sp. nov. and Varitrella (Cantotrella) trusmadi Gorochov, 2014 are also described.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.1.4

A New Species of Leptobacillium and Additional Records of Simplicillium and Leptobacillium from Sabah, Malaysia

Muhammad Shahbaz, Frederik C. De Wint, Jeremiah Sia Yiao Rong, Yap Jing Wei, Qian-Qun Koid, Tom Fayle and 4 others

Published on 08/05/2026 — New Zealand Journal of Botany

Shahbaz, M., De Wint, F. C., Sia Yiao Rong, J., Yap, J. W., Koid, Q.-Q., Palaniveloo, K., & Sathiya Seelan, J. S. (2026). A new species of Leptobacillium and additional records of Simplicillium and Leptobacillium from Sabah, Malaysia.

Simplicillium and Leptobacillium are entomopathogenic fungal genera frequently associated with arthropods in tropical ecosys tems and considered promising candidates for biological pest control. However, the diversity of these genera in tropical regions, particularly in Malaysia, has not been systematically investigated in the context of their taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships. This study aimed to investigate the taxonomic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of Simplicillium and Lep...

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/nzb2.70107

Taxonomy and phylogeny of Pleurocordyceps (Polycephalomycetaceae, Hypocreales) associated with ants and cicadas from Malaysia, including a new species and new records

MUHAMMAD SHAHBAZ, FIRDZA ZULKARNAIN MOHADDEN, JEREMIAH SIA YIAO RONG, YAP JING WEI, JAYA SEELAN SATHIYA SEELAN

Published on 09/04/2026 — PHYTOTAXA

Shahbaz, M., Mohadden, F.Z., Rong, J.S.Y., Wei, Y.J. & Seelan, J.S.S. (2026) Taxonomy and phylogeny of Pleurocordyceps (Polycephalomycetaceae, Hypocreales) associated with ants and cicadas from Malaysia, including a new species and new records. Phytotaxa 750 (4): 219–237.

Abstract Pleurocordyceps is a group of hyperparasites that infects invertebrates, plants, and other fungi. It belongs to the family Polycephalomycetaceae, a newly established family separated from Ophiocordycipitaceae, order Hypocreales which includes several genera such as Dingleyomyces, Paradingleyomyces, Perennicordyceps, Pleurocordyceps, and Polycephalomyces. Pleurocordyceps currently comprises 26 species reported from South American and Asian regions In Asia, Malaysia has diverse forest...

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.750.4.1

Entomopathogenic fungi as potential biological control agents against basal stem rot in oil palm plantations of Sabah, Malaysia

Muhammad Shahbaz, Khim Phin Chong, Syahriel Abdullah, Kishneth Palaniveloo, Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan

Published on 04/04/2026 — Scientific Reports

Shahbaz M., Chong K.P., Abdullah S. et al. Entomopathogenic fungi as potential biological control agents against basal stem rot in oil palm plantations of Sabah, Malaysia. Sci Rep (2026).

Basal stem rot (BSR) is a serious oil palm disease caused by Ganoderma fungi resulting in severe yield losses in Southeast Asia. Conventional management strategies including chemical treatments, sanitation and cultural practices remain largely ineffective, necessitating the exploration of sustainable biological alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the antagonistic potential oof selected entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) against G. boninense isolates from oil palm plantations in Sabah, Malaysia....

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-46458-1

New data on the calling songs of Gymnogryllus and Macrogryllus (Grylloidea, Gryllinae) from Sabah

Ming Kai Tan, Dayang Fazrinah Binti Awg Damit, Razy Japir, Arthur Y C Chung, Tony Robillard

Published on 11/09/2025 — ZOOTAXA

Tan MK, Damit DFBA, Japir R, Chung AYC, Robillard T. New data on the calling songs of Gymnogryllus and Macrogryllus (Grylloidea, Gryllinae) from Sabah. Zootaxa. 2025 Sep 11;5692(1):108-120.

Abstract We recorded the calling songs of two species of Macrogryllus Saussure, 1877 and four taxa of Gymnogryllus Saussure, 1877 from different parts of Sabah in Borneo, namely Mount Trus Madi, Maliau Basin and Meligan. The calling songs all consisted of a continuous trill. We found that the calling songs of the two genera exhibit clear differences in the dominant frequency, whereas each taxon also exhibits clear signature in the temporal domain of the calling songs, specifically the syllabl...

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.1.5

New species and taxonomic notes of Meconematini (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Meconematinae) from Sabah

MING KAI TAN, DAYANG FAZRINAH BINTI AWG DAMIT, RAZY JAPIR, ARTHUR Y.C. CHUNG, TONY ROBILLARD

Published on 10/09/2025 — ZOOTAXA

Tan MK, Damit DFBA, Japir R, Chung AYC, Robillard T. New species and taxonomic notes of Meconematini (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Meconematinae) from Sabah. Zootaxa. 2025 Sep 10;5691(3):539-560.

Abstract Two new species were discovered from Maliau Basin and Meligan and are described here: Cercoteratura reniforma sp. nov., Pseudoteratura (Pseudoteratura) bifurcata sp. nov. and Pseudoteratura (Pseudoteratura) maliau sp. nov. The male of Pseudoteratura (Pseudoteratura) mima Gorochov, 2014 and the male calling song of Euanisous tawau Gorochov, 2014 are also described for the first time. New material of Alloteratura longa Gorochov, 2008, Cercoteratura repens Tan et al., 2022, Odonturisca ?e...

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5691.3.5

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