Bio-ecological studies of Malaysian odonates and an integrated taxonomic study on the genus Rhinocypha / Noorhidayah Mamat

Noorhidayah , Mamat (2018) Bio-ecological studies of Malaysian odonates and an integrated taxonomic study on the genus Rhinocypha / Noorhidayah Mamat. PhD thesis, University of Malaya.

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Abstract

Studies on Odonata have gained worldwide attention as well as here, locally in Malaysia. Although there is a wealth of data available to be utilized for solving taxonomic problems but ecological and behavioural research areas are more favoured in contrast to taxonomy and systematics. Thus, there are existing confusions for correct identifications in closely related and sympatric species, especially in female odonates. One such example is in the genus Rhinocypha, in which one of the objectives of this study is to fill in this gap. Consequently, the research aims and study techniques were; to illuminate the nationwide distribution and diversity of Odonata from Peninsular Malaysia forest reserves and relate these to the environmental parameters. Secondly, applying the molecular technique to elucidate the phylogeographic pattern of Rhinocypha fenestrella which a predominant species in this study. Thirdly, a focused taxonomic work was conducted on Rhinocypha, employing multi-approaches, in the form of morphological procedures (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, FESEM and geometric morphometric analysis); bio-material property investigations by using Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Overall, 1193 individuals from 70 species were collected from the 22 sampling localities. Chlorocyphidae was the dominant family and R. fenestrella, R. biforata, and Euphaea ochracea were the most abundant species. The PCA analysis confirmed that higher species richness was associated with the lower water chemical characteristics (compositions of sulphate, ammonia, iron and nitrite). The genetic diversity, expressed by CO1 and 16S rRNA genes for R. fenestrella was high, with 26 and 10 unique haplotypes, while 33 haplotypes were recovered by both combined datasets. The TCS analysis revealed the common ancestor of R. fenestrella was from the state of Negeri Sembilan. For the taxonomic study, 17 morphological characteristics were created to differentiate between the females of Rhinocypha spp. The FESEM on the female’s ovipositor was done to focus on the anal appendages and sheathing valve (V3). Also, the phylogenetic patterns and canonical variate analysis for the wing geomorphometry revealed three clusters that supported the distinction of the Rhinocypha group. Exploration on bio-material, illustrate a general widespread distribution of resilin patches and cuticular spikes along the longitudinal veins of the wings. A novel technique applied in this study, was on nanoindentation (AFM) clarified the presence of varying size of nanostructures for all sample sections (membranes, mobile and immobile joints), and the elasticity values differed between sections. In summary, this study had effectively developed an integrated approach of classic morphological and trendy molecular as well as biomaterial studies, combined with different microscopy techniques, LSCM, SEM and AFM which provided corroborative evidence in resolving taxonomic uncertainties.

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