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Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2001 | Volume: 1 | Issue: 11 | Page No.: 1040-1042
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ABSTRACT

The diversity and population abundance of parasitoid community (Chalcids, Braconids and Ichneumonids) were conducted in various habitats in Peninsular Malaysia. The habitat studied were undisturbed forest (Kuala Lompat Wildlife Forest Reserve), disturbed forest (Pasoh Forest Reserve), highly disturbed forest (UKM Permanent Forest Reserve), agricultural (MARDI Fruit Orchard, PORIM Oil Palm and Rubber Estate) and non-forest/agricultural area (bush areas around UKM Campus, Bangi, Selangor). A total of 1420 Chalcids, 1193 Ichneumonids and 1066 Braconids were collected. In an agricultural ecosystem, Chalcids and Braconids were found to be significantly more abundant compared to highly disturbed forests while in an undisturbed forest Ichneumonids were significantly more abundant than in disturbed forest. The value of Shanon-Weiner diversity index (H’) of these parasitic hymenoptera varies among habitats. Undisturbed forest exhibits a high H’ for Chalcids, agricultural area for Braconids and non-forest/agricultural area for Ichneumonids. This indicates that habitat disturbances to some extent do not negate the abundance or diversity of the parasitic community. Disturbance may increase the abundance and the diversity of a certain parasitic insects while it has a reverse effect on others.
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