Latest news with #P.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
'Zombie' Fungus Caught Bursting From Host Bodies 99 Million Years Ago
Scientists have caught ancient parasitic fungi in the act of bursting from insect hosts, in dramatic scenes frozen in amber. Dating back almost 100 million years, these two specimens are among the oldest evidence of 'zombie' fungus, second only to one early-Cretaceous species discovered back in 2008. Amber forms over millions of years from the sticky resin of trees, and is renowned for the many bizarre, unique, and enlightening moments it has preserved. These two pieces, now in the hands of the London Natural History Museum, include the new fungus species Paleoophiocordyceps gerontoformicae, with its tiny spore stalks sprouting from the body of a pupating ant, and P. ironomyiae, in the form of a singular, phallic fruiting body protruding from a fly's head. Related: These newfound species appear to share traits with living relatives, Ophiocordyceps, that continue to infect insects as a means of spreading their spores. Scientists think the Paleoophiocordyceps species may have separated from Ophiocordyceps around 130 million years ago. "The fossil evidence shows that the infectious fungi were already adapted to two different insect hosts a hundred million years ago, an ant and a true fly," says paleoentomologist Edmund Jarzembowski from the Natural History Museum. "This suggests that the fungus made this jump to other insects as they diversified with the rise of flowering plants and new insect groups, especially moths and butterflies." The research is published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 100-Million-Year-Old Rock Reveals 40 Never-Before-Seen Squid Species Sea Slugs Steal Body Parts From Prey to Gain Their Powers Earth Is Pulsing Beneath Africa Where The Crust Is Being Torn Apart
Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
P. Ramlee legacy concert set for Sept 20
Tanahair Films chief executive officer Khairul Anwar said this initiative is a significant step in elevating Malaysian arts through a creative and contemporary approach that still respects the authenticity of P. Ramlee's works. 27 Jun 2025 01:00pm Tickets will go on sale starting June 26 via and updates about the concert can be found on the official social media pages @konsertlegasipramlee, @TanahAirFilms and @legasipodcast on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. - Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR - The timeless songs of the legendary Tan Sri P. Ramlee will be brought to life at 'Konsert Legasi P. Ramlee', set to take place at Mega Star Arena, Sungei Wang Plaza, here on Sept 20. Organised by Tanahair Films Sdn Bhd, the concert is a continuation of the P. Ramlee Premier Project, led by Datuk Khairul Anwar Salleh and Adlin Aman Ramlie. Tanahair Films chief executive officer Khairul Anwar said this initiative is a significant step in elevating Malaysian arts through a creative and contemporary approach that still respects the authenticity of P. Ramlee's works. - Bernama photo It is expected to feature a mix of classic, contemporary and popular performances presented in theatrical, dramatic and cinematic formats. Among the singers who will grace the stage that evening are Datuk Jamal Abdillah, Datuk Zainalabidin, Ella, MimiFly, Nadeera and Liza Hanim, as well as three personalities closely associated with the persona of P. Ramlee - P. Radhi, Danie Hasbullah and Musly Ramlee. Tanahair Films chief executive officer Khairul Anwar said this initiative is a significant step in elevating Malaysian arts through a creative and contemporary approach that still respects the authenticity of P. Ramlee's works. "When we talk about heritage, the name Tan Sri P. Ramlee is a symbol that unites us all. He was an artiste, a thinker, a cultural leader and a symbol of regional unity. In every lyric he wrote, every scene he acted in and every musical score he composed, there were values that transcended time. "The goal is to introduce Tan Sri P. Ramlee to a new generation, not just as a historical figure or as an icon displayed in museums but as the originator of a legacy that defined the identity of Malaysia's artistic and cultural heritage,' he said at a press conference. P. Ramlee, one of Malaysia's most beloved and versatile entertainers, can never be replaced or imitated, he said, adding that his unique talent and contributions are far too significant to be forgotten. The concert initiative is also supported by the National Archives of Malaysia, the Ministry of National Unity, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) under the Ministry of Communications, and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Adlin, who is Tanahair Films' artistic director, said the event would be an emotional one. "It will not only be nostalgic but also refreshing and impressive, with the touch of four renowned Malaysian music maestros. "The audience will be taken back to the golden era of Malay music, reimagined through the interpretations of these four maestros,' he said. The four, Datuk Ramli MS, Datuk Mokhzani Ismail, Helen Yap and Michael Veerapen, will serve as music directors for the concert, where over 30 of P. Ramlee's songs will be performed. The songs will be presented in medley, duet or solo formats with both classic and modern arrangements, accompanied by an orchestra of about 60 musicians. Tickets will go on sale starting June 26 via and updates about the concert can be found on the official social media pages @konsertlegasipramlee, @TanahAirFilms and @legasipodcast on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. - BERNAMA More Like This
Barnama
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Barnama
P. Ramlee: A Cultural Icon Whose Legacy Continues To Unite Malaysians
GEORGE TOWN, June 14 (Bernama) -- The late legendary artiste Tan Sri P. Ramlee was more than just a cultural icon; he was also a symbol of national unity whose legacy continues to unify Malaysians regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity, said Deputy National Unity Minister K. Saraswathy. She said P. Ramlee's lifetime creative works transcended racial and religious boundaries, depicting the lives of ordinary people with profound humanity, including love, mutual respect, looking out for one another and a strong sense of family. "I believe messages of unity reflected in the works of P. Ramlee, whose real name was Teuku Zakaria Teuku Nyak Puteh, will continue to be remembered, remain relevant and serve as a beacon for the harmony of Malaysia MADANI. "This aligns with the government's aspiration to foster a united MADANI society that is respectful of one another, regardless of race, culture, or religion. P. Ramlee has left us with a timeless legacy through his creative works and brilliant ideas," she said when officiating the closing ceremony of Minggu Kenangan P. Ramlee: 'Satu Dalam Sejuta' and the music forum "Kisah Di Sebalik Lagu" here today. According to her, messages of harmony, unity, cooperation, and mutual respect were brilliantly captured and highlighted in the artiste's works. Also present were National Archives director-general Datuk Jaafar Sidek Abdul Rahman, Penang Fan Club president Tan Sri Yussof Latiff and renowned lyricist Datuk Habsah Hassan. Various programmes were lined up throughout the event, including a lecture by preacher Datuk Mohamad Kazim Elias, better known as Ustaz Kazim, titled "Sedangkan Lidah Lagi Tergigit" on May 24 and the "Satu Dalam Sejuta" run on May 25 at Padang Kota Lama. Saraswathy elaborated that the programme aligns well with the aspirations of Ikhtiar 4 under the National Unity Ministry's 2025 Strategic Plan, particularly within the Socio-Cultural Community Cluster: Semarak Perpaduan, which aims to deepen appreciation for national heritage, instil pride in cultural identity and strengthen bonds among Malaysia's multiracial communities through the arts and shared history. "Besides that, collaboration and partnership in organising such programmes are crucial in efforts to preserve the nation's cultural heritage. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and corporate bodies to collaborate in forming similar partnerships for the benefit of society and the nation.
Sinar Daily
08-06-2025
- Science
- Sinar Daily
Rare firefly species discovered in Bukit Kiara forest enclave
KUALA LUMPUR - Discovering something rare is exciting but it becomes truly memorable when it happens unexpectedly. That was exactly the case for Tan Wei Jack, 24, a research assistant and master's student in environmental science at Monash University Malaysia. He never imagined that a routine firefly survey at Taman Persekutuan Bukit Kiara here on Oct 23 last year, would lead to the unintentional "rediscovery' of a rare species last seen in Malaysia a century ago. Of the nine Pteroptyx species found in mangrove forests, four have been listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. - Bernama photo His discovery - Pteroptyx gombakia (P. gombakia) or the Gombak bent-winged firefly - turned out to be the third known specimen of this particular species, and marked the ninth known firefly species identified in the Bukit Kiara urban forest, Malaysia's first federal park which is managed by the National Landscape Department. P. gombakia was officially named in 2015 by entomologist Lesly Ballantyne at the Natural History Museum in London, based on the first specimen of the species collected in 1921 from the area now known as Genting Sempah in Gombak, Selangor. Tan said the firefly specimen he collected last October was initially assumed to be of a species from the genus Colophotia, which is commonly found in Bukit Kiara. But later when he examined it closely on Jan 9, it looked different. "So I took some photos through the microscope and sent them to my academic supervisor Dr Wan Faridah (Akmal Jusoh). After discussions, we found out it was actually a bent-winged P. gombakia (from a different genus),' he told Bernama recently. Tan said he, together with Dr Wan Faridah - a firefly taxonomist and senior lecturer in Biodiversity and Conservation at Monash University Malaysia - returned to Bukit Kiara to do more research. "Whenever we saw their flashing lights (usually at twilight), we would catch the fireflies, observe their features, record their species and then release them,' he said. MANGROVE SPECIES According to Wan Faridah, who is also the co-chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission Firefly Specialist Group, P. gombakia belongs to the genus Pteroptyx, which is usually found in mangrove habitats and known for its synchronous flashing displays in large congregations. She added there is a group of Pteroptyx called 'bent-winged' fireflies, named after their folded wings, which are also mostly found in mangroves. She said she was surprised when Tan showed her the specimen collected from the Bukit Kiara urban forest as it was "the first bent-winged Pteroptyx ever found outside of mangroves'. "This suggests that the species can actually survive outside that ecosystem,' she told Bernama. Wan Faridah also said she did not realise Tan's specimen was the bent-winged Pteroptyx until she examined its microscopic images. "The difference (between P. gombakia and the more common Colophotia) was spotted in the (P. gombakia) firefly's light-producing organ called the 'lantern', which is located in the insect's abdomen,' she said. She explained both P. gombakia and Colophotia have bipartite light organs, meaning the structure is divided into two distinct sections. However, P. gombakia lacks a median carina, a ridge that separates the organ into two halves. "Indeed, it's truly magical we have this rare group of fireflies living in the heart of our city,' she said. She also said out of the 14 known bent-winged Pteroptyx species, nine are found in mangrove ecosystems. The habitats of the remaining species, including P. gombakia, remain unclear due to a lack of ecological data. TYPES OF FIREFLIES Fireflies belong to Lampyridae, a family of insects within the Coleoptera order, which includes bioluminescent beetles. Wan Faridah said globally, more than 2,600 firefly species have been identified. In Malaysia, over 60 species have been documented so far, with at least 10 of them found in mangrove swamps. She said one of the main characteristics distinguishing territorial fireflies from mangrove forest fireflies is their behaviour: the former typically fly alone while the latter - also known as congregating fireflies - gather and display their light in groups. Of the nine Pteroptyx species found in mangrove forests, four have been listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. "Usually, two to three species can be found congregating in a single mangrove tree, and these insects require suitable water levels and temperatures to ensure the survival of their species,' she said. Wan Faridah noted that most fireflies found flying in both mangrove and terrestrial habitats are males while some females are flightless, remaining on the ground while the males fly and use light signals to locate and attract them. While congregating fireflies in mangrove swamps are well-known as ecotourism attractions in Malaysia, Wan Faridah said solitary fireflies also exist in other forest types. The Bukit Kiara urban forest, for instance, is now home to nine firefly species, including Lamprigera - the world's largest female firefly species - and the latest discovery P. gombakia. EXTINCTION Wan Faridah said unlike most Pteroptyx species, the bent-winged firefly species recently discovered in Bukit Kiara does not appear to congregate in large numbers. "We don't have enough data about this species and we still have many unanswered questions. "What worries us is that we may have discovered a species (P. gombakia) which is on the brink of extinction. So currently, we are racing against time to find the answers,' she said. According to Wan Faridah, threats to P. gombakia include habitat loss due to urban development and artificial lighting at night, which causes light pollution and disrupts the flashing signals fireflies use to communicate with each other. "Every rediscovered firefly species is evidence that extinction is possible but it can still be prevented if we act. "If more people become aware of these endangered fireflies, perhaps more efforts will be made to protect their habitats,' she said. Wan Faridah also said despite the potential of fireflies as ecotourism assets, one of the main challenges for researchers in Malaysia is the lack of a proper species inventory and natural history collection, which would serve as a valuable archive of insect diversity. She said research on fireflies in Malaysia is limited, making conservation efforts more difficult. "I had no intention of becoming an entomologist until I discovered kelip-kelip (fireflies) in 2006 during a final year project field trip to Kampung Sepetang, Perak, when I was an environmental science undergraduate at Universiti Putra Malaysia. "I became curious and told my supervisor I wanted to study fireflies... but due to the lack of local studies (on fireflies), I had to start from scratch - building my own database by collecting species across Malaysia,' she said, adding her research focuses not only on biodiversity but also on the natural heritage of fireflies. She also pointed out that due to colonial-era practices, many specimens originally from Malaysia are now stored in foreign institutions. "Due to the lack of facilities in Malaysia, as part of my research projects, I need to travel to countries like the Netherlands, France and England to visit their natural history museums to compare reference specimens of fireflies that were collected during the colonial era,' she said. She added that the process of recognising and verifying new firefly discoveries takes at least two years, and requires both funding and facilities. "In Malaysia, very few firefly studies have been carried out. Even when discoveries are made, it is difficult for us to confirm whether they are new or just duplicates of existing species,' she said. Wan Faridah also hopes to build an extensive species database and discover new species of fireflies. "I want to reconstruct the data so we can have a comprehensive list of what species we actually have here in Malaysia. "My goal is to develop a national species inventory so that future generations who want to study fireflies can refer to it, so we can continue the legacy of protecting Malaysia's firefly biodiversity,' she said. - BERNAMA
Barnama
04-06-2025
- General
- Barnama
Rare Firefly Species Discovered In Bukit Kiara Forest Enclave
D iscovering something rare is exciting but it becomes truly memorable when it happens unexpectedly. That was exactly the case for Tan Wei Jack, 24, a research assistant and master's student in environmental science at Monash University Malaysia. He never imagined that a routine firefly survey at Taman Persekutuan Bukit Kiara here on Oct 23 last year, would lead to the unintentional 'rediscovery' of a rare species last seen in Malaysia a century ago. His discovery – Pteroptyx gombakia (P. gombakia) or the Gombak bent-winged firefly – turned out to be the third known specimen of this particular species, and marked the ninth known firefly species identified in the Bukit Kiara urban forest, Malaysia's first federal park which is managed by the National Landscape Department. P. gombakia was officially named in 2015 by entomologist Lesly Ballantyne at the Natural History Museum in London, based on the first specimen of the species collected in 1921 from the area now known as Genting Sempah in Gombak, Selangor. Tan said the firefly specimen he collected last October was initially assumed to be of a species from the genus Colophotia, which is commonly found in Bukit Kiara. But later when he examined it closely on Jan 9, it looked different. 'So I took some photos through the microscope and sent them to my academic supervisor Dr Wan Faridah (Akmal Jusoh). After discussions, we found out it was actually a bent-winged P. gombakia (from a different genus),' he told Bernama recently. Tan said he, together with Dr Wan Faridah – a firefly taxonomist and senior lecturer in Biodiversity and Conservation at Monash University Malaysia – returned to Bukit Kiara to do more research. 'Whenever we saw their flashing lights (usually at twilight), we would catch the fireflies, observe their features, record their species and then release them,' he said. MANGROVE SPECIES According to Wan Faridah, who is also the co-chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission Firefly Specialist Group, P. gombakia belongs to the genus Pteroptyx, which is usually found in mangrove habitats and known for its synchronous flashing displays in large congregations. She added there is a group of Pteroptyx called 'bent-winged' fireflies, named after their folded wings, which are also mostly found in mangroves. She said she was surprised when Tan showed her the specimen collected from the Bukit Kiara urban forest as it was 'the first bent-winged Pteroptyx ever found outside of mangroves'. 'This suggests that the species can actually survive outside that ecosystem,' she told Bernama. Wan Faridah also said she did not realise Tan's specimen was the bent-winged Pteroptyx until she examined its microscopic images. 'The difference (between P. gombakia and the more common Colophotia) was spotted in the (P. gombakia) firefly's light-producing organ called the 'lantern', which is located in the insect's abdomen,' she said. She explained both P. gombakia and Colophotia have bipartite light organs, meaning the structure is divided into two distinct sections. However, P. gombakia lacks a median carina, a ridge that separates the organ into two halves. 'Indeed, it's truly magical we have this rare group of fireflies living in the heart of our city,' she said. She also said out of the 14 known bent-winged Pteroptyx species, nine are found in mangrove ecosystems. The habitats of the remaining species, including P. gombakia, remain unclear due to a lack of ecological data. TYPES OF FIREFLIES Fireflies belong to Lampyridae, a family of insects within the Coleoptera order, which includes bioluminescent beetles. Wan Faridah said globally, more than 2,600 firefly species have been identified. In Malaysia, over 60 species have been documented so far, with at least 10 of them found in mangrove swamps. She said one of the main characteristics distinguishing territorial fireflies from mangrove forest fireflies is their behaviour: the former typically fly alone while the latter – also known as congregating fireflies – gather and display their light in groups. Of the nine Pteroptyx species found in mangrove forests, four have been listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 'Usually, two to three species can be found congregating in a single mangrove tree, and these insects require suitable water levels and temperatures to ensure the survival of their species,' she said. Wan Faridah noted that most fireflies found flying in both mangrove and terrestrial habitats are males while some females are flightless, remaining on the ground while the males fly and use light signals to locate and attract them. While congregating fireflies in mangrove swamps are well-known as ecotourism attractions in Malaysia, Wan Faridah said solitary fireflies also exist in other forest types. The Bukit Kiara urban forest, for instance, is now home to nine firefly species, including Lamprigera – the world's largest female firefly species – and the latest discovery P. gombakia. EXTINCTION Wan Faridah said unlike most Pteroptyx species, the bent-winged firefly species recently discovered in Bukit Kiara does not appear to congregate in large numbers. 'We don't have enough data about this species and we still have many unanswered questions. 'What worries us is that we may have discovered a species (P. gombakia) which is on the brink of extinction. So currently, we are racing against time to find the answers,' she said. According to Wan Faridah, threats to P. gombakia include habitat loss due to urban development and artificial lighting at night, which causes light pollution and disrupts the flashing signals fireflies use to communicate with each other. 'Every rediscovered firefly species is evidence that extinction is possible but it can still be prevented if we act. 'If more people become aware of these endangered fireflies, perhaps more efforts will be made to protect their habitats,' she said. Wan Faridah also said despite the potential of fireflies as ecotourism assets, one of the main challenges for researchers in Malaysia is the lack of a proper species inventory and natural history collection, which would serve as a valuable archive of insect diversity. She said research on fireflies in Malaysia is limited, making conservation efforts more difficult. 'I had no intention of becoming an entomologist until I discovered kelip-kelip (fireflies) in 2006 during a final year project field trip to Kampung Sepetang, Perak, when I was an environmental science undergraduate at Universiti Putra Malaysia. 'I became curious and told my supervisor I wanted to study fireflies… but due to the lack of local studies (on fireflies), I had to start from scratch – building my own database by collecting species across Malaysia,' she said, adding her research focuses not only on biodiversity but also on the natural heritage of fireflies. She also pointed out that due to colonial-era practices, many specimens originally from Malaysia are now stored in foreign institutions. 'Due to the lack of facilities in Malaysia, as part of my research projects, I need to travel to countries like the Netherlands, France and England to visit their natural history museums to compare reference specimens of fireflies that were collected during the colonial era,' she said. She added that the process of recognising and verifying new firefly discoveries takes at least two years, and requires both funding and facilities. 'In Malaysia, very few firefly studies have been carried out. Even when discoveries are made, it is difficult for us to confirm whether they are new or just duplicates of existing species,' she said. Wan Faridah also hopes to build an extensive species database and discover new species of fireflies. 'I want to reconstruct the data so we can have a comprehensive list of what species we actually have here in Malaysia. 'My goal is to develop a national species inventory so that future generations who want to study fireflies can refer to it, so we can continue the legacy of protecting Malaysia's firefly biodiversity,' she said.
