The baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus: Ploceidae), found across South and Southeast Asia, is known for its oblique-shaped overhanging nests. During the breeding season, females select from partially built (‘helmet’-stage) nests constructed by the males, after which nests are completed and used by the birds. Reproductive success is linked to an optimal microclimate within these nest structures. We recorded nest tree and nest structure characteristics of 66 fully completed nests for 22 colonies located in two climatically dissimilar sites in Peninsular Malaysia and examined how these factors affected the microclimate within six nests that were randomly selected at each location. Total vertical length of the nests, the height of nests from the ground, and the diameter at breast height of the nest trees recorded for the Selangor and Perlis colonies (in the southwest and north, respectively), were significantly different. The climatic variables inside and outside the nests correlated significantly in both sites. Our findings indicate that nest structures differed in Selangor and Perlis and were linked to nest microclimate, possibly being influenced by the surrounding temperature.

The conversion of forests to agricultural farmland modifies lands into small patches, making amphibians more susceptible to external environmental changes. It is important to restore the forest ecosystem so that fauna species, especially anurans, could gradually recover and help create a balanced ecosystem in the restoration process. The aims of this study are to determine diversity, richness, and evenness of the anuran species, and to investigate the relationship of the anuran species with environmental variables of restoration areas and adjacent forests of Terla Forest Reserve (FR), Cameron Highlands, Pahang. The study recorded 14 species belonging to six families with higher species diversity, whereby the Shannon Wiener (H’) value in the adjacent forest (H’ = 1.71) was higher as compared to the restoration area (H’ = 0.77). The anuran species in the restoration area showed an adaptation to bare soil, herbs, and shrubs. Meanwhile, in the forest, forest litter was favoured by the anuran species. Species abundance demonstrated correlation towards microclimate. The adaption of two species to the restoration area showed that temperature had a significant and negative correlation with Duttaphrynus melanostictus; relative humidity was significant and positively correlated with Polypedates leucomystax; while relative humidity had a significant and negative correlation with Microhyla annectens, a forest specialist. A deeper understanding of environmental factors that affect the presence of anurans, especially in restoration areas, can facilitate forest management in evaluating the effectiveness of forest restoration in this region.

Farms that are neighboring wildlife sanctuaries are at risk of spillover infection from wildlife, and the objective of this research is to examine the species diversity of Malaysian fruit bats in livestock farm in determining the possible risk of spill over infection to livestock