https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/thnhmj <p>Welcome to the Thailand Natural History Museum Journal (THNHMJ)</p> <p>On behalf of the editorial board, it is our distinct privilege to welcome you to THNHMJ. Dedicated to the advancement of natural history, the journal serves as a public venue for naturalists, researchers, and museum scholars to disseminate scientific research. By fostering academic exchange rooted in empirical evidence, we strive to find solutions and build resilience against the complex challenges of global change.</p> <p>THNHMJ was established in 2005 to fulfill the need for disseminating research in natural history to a wider audience. The journal is published biannually, with Issue 1 covering January to June and Issue 2 covering July to December. From 2005 to 2019, the journal did not maintain a fixed limit on the number of articles per issue. However, since 2020, THNHMJ has restricted its publication to a maximum of seven articles per issue, corresponding to approximately 10–14 articles per volume annually.</p> en-US weeyawat@nsm.or.th (Dr. Weeyawat Jaitrong ) sirikanya.c@nsm.or.th (Dr. Sirikanya Chungthanawong) Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0700 OJS 3.3.0.8 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/thnhmj/article/view/1925 Pollen morphology and elemental composition offer critical insights into the structural, reproductive, and species-level diversity of endemic Philippine gingers in the tribe Alpinieae. This study characterized the pollen morphology and determined the elemental composition of four endemic ginger species collected from Mindanao, Philippines: Alpinia haenkei C. Presl, Alpinia rufa C. Presl; Etlingera dostseiana Naive, Demayo and Alejandro; and Wurfbainia elegans (Ridl.) Škorničk. and A.D.Poulsen. Pollen samples were obtained from various populations across multiple locations on the island. Pollen morphology was examined using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while major and trace elements were determined using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Pollen in all species is characterized as spheroidal and inaperturate. Pollen size ranged from 54–60 µm in A. haenkei, 30–45 µm in A. rufa, 30–55 µm in E. dostseiana, and 44–50 µm in W. elegans. Pollen color and ornamentation varied among the species: A. haenkei, A. rufa, and W. elegans produced brown, echinate pollen, whereas E. dostseiana had light-yellow, psilate pollen. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that carbon (C) and oxygen (O) were the dominant elements across all species, while potassium (K) and copper (Cu) were present in trace amounts. These findings establish a comprehensive baseline for pollen morphology and elemental composition, with direct relevance to reproductive biology, species delimitation, and evolutionary research. Integrating these complementary datasets enhances our understanding of taxonomic relationships and afirms that pollen attributes are key diagnostic tools within the tribe Alpinieae. Kim S. Racho, Maria Melanie M. Guiang, Hannah P. Lumista, Noe P. Mendez, Florfe M. Acma Copyright (c) 2026 The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/thnhmj/article/view/1925 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0700 https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/thnhmj/article/view/1926 The Libungan–Alamada Natural Biotic Area (LANBA) in North Cotabato, Mindanao, Philippines, is a critical yet understudied component of the region’s biodiversity. Within this landscape lies the Libungan River Watershed Forest Reserve (LRWFR), a critical watershed system that supports a diverse array of amphibian and reptile communities. This study assessed the herpetofaunal diversity and community composition within the LANBA– LRWFR using a combination of visual encounter surveys and opportunistic sampling across various habitat types. A total of 16 species were recorded, comprising 11 amphibians and five reptiles, with several being endemic to the Philippines and Mindanao. These findings provide the first baseline inventory of the watershed’s herpetofauna, contributing crucial data for biodiversity documentation and conservation planning in Mindanao. Additionally, the results served as baseline information for the Protected Area Suitability Assessment (PASA) and watershed characterization of the LRWFR. They have also been presented to the watershed management council and relevant local government units to support evidence-based conservation and management in the area. Andrie Bon A. Flores, Andrew Ross T. Reintar, Pedro M. Villarta, Philip Godfrey C. Jakosalem, Lisa J. Paguntalan-Marte Copyright (c) 2026 The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/thnhmj/article/view/1926 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0700 https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/thnhmj/article/view/1927 This study provides a comprehensive taxonomic revision and species re-circumscription of the night-flowering (nyctanthous) Kaempferia subgen. Protanthium in Thailand. Based on extensive morphological and phenological investigations, two new infraspecific taxa are described and illustrated: K. albiflora var. longiflora and K. noctiflora var. villosa. The discovery of K. albiflora var. longiflora significantly expands the known morphological boundaries of the species, characterized by possessing the longest floral tube (up to 10.5 cm) recorded within the subgenus and distinct linear to narrowly lanceolate-oblong leaf blades. Concurrently, K. noctiflora var. villosa is distinguished from existing varieties by its robust upright habit, higher leaf number, and a densely villous indumentum on nearly all vegetative and floral parts. Detailed descriptions, geographical distribution, habitat, and phenology areupdated for allnyctanthous taxa. Furthermore, their conservation statuses are reassessed according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, with both new varieties being provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered (CR). Identification keys to the species and varieties withinK. albiflora, K. grandifolia, and K. noctiflora are also presented. Nattapon Nopporncharoenkul, Weenussa Eakjamnong, Thunchanok Somnoo, Kittiyut Punchay Copyright (c) 2026 The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/thnhmj/article/view/1927 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0700 https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/thnhmj/article/view/1928 Talangisog Forest Park and Viewpoint, located in Eureka, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, is one of the remaining tropical lowland evergreen rainforests in Mindanao; however, its forest composition and structure remain poorly studied. This study aimed to establish baseline data on tree species composition, diversity, description of sampling stations, forest structure, and conservation status. A total of 32 sampling plots, each measuring 20 x 20 meters, were established for tree surveys. Floristic studies from four stations documented a total of 803 individual trees representing 66 species (116 morpho-species), 48 genera, and 36 families. The dominant families were the Dipterocarpaceae (15%), Fagaceae (8%), and Moraceae (6%). Thefour study stations differed in species composition, elevation, and structure in terms of tree height and diameter classes. Three stations exhibited a high diversity value and 1 moderate diversity value, indicating that the area harbors diverse species of trees and a relatively even distribution. Most trees were categorized as lower canopy (1–15 m) and high diameter classes (≥ 40 cm). The highest Importance Value Index was observed at higher elevations and declined toward lower elevations, with Shorea sp. 3 recording the highest IVI at 44.7. The study identified 13 Philippine endemic tree species, 13 classified as threatened, 22 listed as Least Concern (LC), and Shorea malibato Foxw. which is categorized as Critically Endangered by the DENR. Talangisog Forest Park and Viewpoint is home to various lifeforms and native forest cover, and implementing stronger protection and sustainable forest management is recommended. Francis John G. Felecis, Victor B. Amoroso, Noel E. Lagunday, Maria Melanie P. Medecilo-Guiang, Carrel Debonnaire Naces, Joseph Paquit, Fulgent P. Coritico Copyright (c) 2026 The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/thnhmj/article/view/1928 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0700 https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/thnhmj/article/view/1929 This paper provides a comprehensive and updated catalogue of the mammalian type specimens (four holotypes and 21 paratypes) deposited in the Natural History Museum Thailand (THNHM), National Science Museum. Documenting and maintaining type collections is critical for ensuring zoological nomenclatural stability, providing an immutable reference resource for worldwide taxonomic and systematicstudies,and establishingverified biodiversity databases. This catalogue covers four species belonging to three families: Hipposideros halophyllus Hill and Yenbutra, 1984 (Hipposideridae), Hipposideros lekaguli Thonglongya and Hill, 1974 (Hipposideridae), Megaerops niphanae Yenbutra and Felten, 1983 (Pteropodidae), and Niviventer hinpoon (Marshall, 1976) (Muridae), representing the complete set of mammalian type materials currently housed at THNHM. We present granular data regarding specimen labeling, reference materials, collection periods (spanning 1973 to 1978), geographic coverage (Central, Northeast, and Northern Thailand), and historical collector associations. The methodology involved meticulous examination of physical specimens, cross-referencing with original species descriptions to validate nomenclatural authenticity, and correcting typographical errors against the primary collection databases to preserve historical and scientific accuracy. Ultimately, this unified inventory serves as an essential reference archive supporting future systematic, ecological, and evolutionary research in Southeast Asian mammalogy. Dome Pratumthong, Amonphong Klaipet Copyright (c) 2026 The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/thnhmj/article/view/1929 Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0700 https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/thnhmj/article/view/1949 The White-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus Thunberg, 1812) is primarily documented as a coastal and island-dwelling species in Myanmar, with its known distribution largely restricted to the southern regions. Here, we report a significant northward and inland range extension of A. fuciphagus into Kachin State, Northern Myanmar. The records are based on systematic observations conducted from October 2023 to December 2025 at Mohnyin University and Polytechnic University, Myitkyina. Species identification was established through diagnostic morphological characters and nesting ecology, specifically the presence of edible nests composed entirely of hardened white saliva, a distinct pale rump band, and unfeathered tarsi. Our findings confirm the successful colonization of inland anthropogenic habitats by this species, extending its known range far beyond the previously recognized coastal limits in Myanmar. This record provides a crucial update to the species’ distributional biogeography and emphasizes the importance of long-term monitoring of swiftlet populations in inland Southeast Asia. Myint Naung, Htay Htay Oo, Ni Mar, Khin Khin Gyi, Khin Pyae Pyae Thaw Thar Copyright (c) 2026 The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/thnhmj/article/view/1949 Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0700