BIOTROPIA - The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Biology
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INCORPORATION OF SODIUM HYALURONATE AND NYAMPLUNG (Calophylum inophyllum) CAKE EXTRACT TO IMPROVE BIOPLASTIC CHARACTERISTIC :
Get PDFThe cross-linking agent plays an important role in bioplastic mechanical properties. This study aimed to determine the effect of Sodium Hyaluronate (SoHA) as a synthetic cross-linking agent and the addition of Nyamplung Cake Extract (NCE) as an antimicrobial agent in the manufacture of bioplastic with hydroxypropyl starch (HPS) as based ingredient using the thermo-compression method. The novelty of the study was thiocyanate (SCN) formation in zone 3 (2161.66-2162.02/cm) and cyanate (C-N=O) in zone 6 (1,411.57 - 1,412.61/cm) of (1, 2 and 3%) SoHA bioplastic and cyanate formation in zone 6 and 7 (1,411.37 - 1,558.59/cm) of (1, 2 and 3%) SoHA – 20% NCE combined bioplastic originating from acetanilide group in SoHA and amide group in NCE. The formation of SCN and C-N=O in 2 and 3% SoHA bioplastic improved its sensitivity against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) indicated by 0.6 mm and 0.45 mm inhibition zone, respectively. C-N=O formed in (1, 2 and 3%) SoHA – 20% NCE combined with bioplastic had 3.25 mm average inhibition zone against gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus), 2.75 mm against gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), and 0.71 mm against fungi (Aspergillus niger). The analysis of mechanical properties showed that an addition of 3% SoHA was able to increase tensile strength and modulus of elasticity while reducing elongation, water solubility and water vapor permeability. Addition of (1, 2 and 3%) SoHA – 20% NCE resulted in a reverse effect
DISTRIBUTION PATTERN AND DIVERSITY OF EPIPHYTIC ORCHIDS IN THE CURUG CIBEREUM PATH, MOUNT GEDE PANGRANGO, INDONESIA
Get PDFThe Curug Cibereum path as a tourist attraction in the Mount Gede Pangrango area is dominated by a lush tree, making it a suitable place to find a diversity of epiphytic orchids. This study aimed to determine the distribution pattern and diversity of epiphytic orchids along the Curug Cibereum path which is influenced by environtmental parameters. The research method was carried out by plotting ten plots on the right and left sides of the path, with each plot measuring 500 x 5 m and the distance between plots was 100 m. The results showed that there were 31 species of epiphytic orchids from 12 genera. The distribution pattern of epiphytic orchids was mostly clustered except for Oberonia lotsyana, which had a uniform pattern. The epiphytic orchid species with the highest INP were Bulbophyllum gibbosum with an INP value of 35% and Coelogyne speciosa with an INP value of 20%. Species diversity (H \u27) was moderate (H \u27=2.54), the evenness index (E) was high (E=0.73), the dominance index (D) was low (D=0.13). The measurements of environmental parameters showed optimal conditions for the growth of epiphytic orchids, namely with a temperature of 24.5 oC, soil moisture of 76.5%, air humidity of 70%, pH 5.1, the light intensity of 6351 lux and wind speed of 0.03 m/s
TREES PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO AIR POLLUTION IN TAMAN MARGASATWA RAGUNAN AND UI DEPOK CAMPUS
Get PDF Air pollution is a common environmental problem. Planting trees can minimize the adverse effects of air pollution. Plants can absorb and accumulate air pollutants through stomata. Biochemical changes in the leaves will appear as a physiological response of plants to air pollution that can be known by calculating the APTI (Air Pollution Tolerance Index) value. This study aimed to analyze the differences in physiological responses of five tree species in Taman Margasatwa Ragunan (TMR) South Jakarta and Universitas Indonesia (UI) Depok Campus as well as to find out the proper tree species planted in areas with high levels of air pollution. The leaves of five species (Hevea brasiliensis, Manilkara kauki, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Ficus septica, and Mangifera indica) were used to examine the effect of air pollution. Biochemical parameters (relative water content, leaf extract pH, total chlorophyll content, and ascorbic acid content) were observed from each species. The value of each parameter was calculated into the APTI equation. H. brasiliensis, F. septica, and M. indica were categorized as moderately tolerant plants, M. kauki were included as intermediate plants, and A. heterophyllus was a sensitive plant to air pollution in both locations. The highest APTI values were observed in M. indica in both locations. Thus, the recommended species planted in a polluted area was M. indica
LITTERFALL, LITTER DECOMPOSITION AND NUTRIENT RETURN OF REHABILITATED MINING AREAS AND NATURAL FOREST IN PHANGNGA FORESTRY RESEARCH STATION, SOUTHERN THAILAND
Get PDFLitterfall and litter decomposition play important roles in the maintenance of nutrient cycling and rehabilitation of degraded lands. Litterfall, litter decomposition and nutrient return were investigated in a 27-year-old Acacia mangium plantation on sandy and clay sites, and in a mixed plantation at the Phangnga Forestry Research Station, Phangnga Province, Thailand. Additionally, secondary and primary forests were investigated and compared with the values obtained from the Acacia mangium and the mixed plantations. The results indicated that litter production in A. mangium plantation on sandy and clay sites, and in mixed plantations (15.47, 11.68 and 7.89 t/ha/yr, respectively) was higher than that in the secondary and primary forests (6.34 and 6.92 t/ha/yr, respectively). The rate of litter decomposition was the greatest in the secondary forest (3.01/yr) and the lowest occurred in the primary forest (1.15/yr). The decomposition rate of the mixed leaf litter between native trees and A. mangium in plantations was higher than that of only A mangium leaf, except in the mixed plantations. A high initial nitrogen concentration in A. mangium could accelerate litter decomposition and improve litter quality in the mixed litter. In addition, the nutrient return in plantations was higher than that in the secondary and primary forests, especially for N. Increased litter production, high decomposition rate and nutrient return from A. mangium plantation had important roles in nutrient cycling, suggesting that a mixed plantation consisting of A. mangium and native trees should be considered for the reclamation of mining land
GENETIC VARIABILITY OF ARROWROOT (Maranta Arundinacea L.) IN YOGYAKARTA PROVINCE, INDONESIA BASED ON ISSR ANALYSIS
Get PDFThe cultivation of arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.) in Indonesia, particularly in Yogyakarta Province has a great potential to be developed. This study aims to determine the genetic variability and analyze the intraspecific relation of arrowroot using Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) markers as basic informations for considerations in the character selection of arrowroot cultivation in Yogyakarta. Exploratory survey method was occured in Gunungkidul, Kulon Progo, Sleman, and Bantul Districts to collect cultivar accessions. Accessions were replanted in Sawitsari Research Station. DNA isolation from the leaves of 7 moths old accessions was done using CTAB buffer solution. The DNA fingerprinting analysis was carried out using the result of DNA amplification with 4 ISSR markers. The polymorphism data then used for phenetic analysis using UPGMA algorithm and Baroni-Urbani Busser similarity coefficient to form dendrogram. Total of 5 local cultivars were found, identified as ‘Sili’, ‘Sembowo’,’ Sugo’, ‘Kebo’, and ‘Teropng’, each showed distinct rhizome morphological characters. The ISSR-PCR analysis resulted high polymorphism with 68,17% polymorphism mean and mean of polymorphic band was 6,75. Dendrogram resulted 4 clusters in 80% similarity index. Cluster A, B.I., and B.II.b consisted of ‘Sili’, ‘Teropong’, and ‘Kebo’ cultivars, respectively, while the cluster B.II.a gathered ‘Sugo’and ‘Sembowo’ cultivars
MACROFUNGAL DIVERSITY IN DIFFERENT VEGETATION COMPOSITIONS IN TEGHARI COMMUNITY FOREST, KAILALI, WEST NEPAL
Get PDFMacrofungi are high-value forest resources that have functionally significant roles in the forest ecosystem. The macrofungal community of three different vegetation compositions, i.e., Sal (Shorea robusta) Forest, Tropical Deciduous Riverine Forest, and Tropical Evergreen Forest of Teghari Community Forest were investigated. Systematic random sampling was made where 60 plots (10 x 10 m) were laid in all different forest types (20 plots in each). A total of 102 macrofungi species were reported belonging to 36 families. Polyporaceae (17 species) was the largest family followed by Tricholomataceae (13 species) and saprophytic fungi were more frequent than mycorrhizal and parasitic fungi. The tropical evergreen forest was rich in macrofungi (59 species) followed by sal forest (40 species) and tropical deciduous riverine forest (38 species). Macrofungal diversity was directly related to surrounding host species. Similarly, increased soil moisture and canopy cover intensified the abundance of saprophytic fungi. The species richness was increased with increasing organic carbon, canopy, moisture, pH, and litter cover. However, soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were less significant in affecting species richness. Also, the disturbance was negatively correlated with the species richness of macrofungi. This study highlights the hidden diversity which is necessary for the conservation of macrofungi, to optimize forest ecosystem integrity and resilience against biotic and abiotic agent
MACROZOOBENTHIC COMMUNITY STRUCTURES IN SEAWEED CULTURE PONDS IN MUARA GEMBONG ESTUARY, BEKASI , WEST JAVA PROVINCE, INDONESIA
Get PDF The study of macrozoobenthic in seaweed culture in Muara Gembong Estuary, Bekasi District, West Java Province, was conducted in May to July 2018. The study was aimed at understanding the roles of macrozoobenthic organisms as ecosystem engineering in seaweed habitat by identifying macrozoobenthic community structures using various biological indices. Sampling sites were conducted at three selected intertidal ponds used for seaweed culture at different distances and perpendicular to the coastline. Samples of macrozoobenthic organisms were collected using an Ekman grab during low tide periods. The study results showed that the macrozoobenthic community from the three ponds were consisted of 9 major benthic families and 14 genera with a total of 139 individuals. The results also showed that gastropod of the genus Cerithiidae was the dominant taxa found in every pond which contributed to 42.45% of the total macrozoobenthic found in the three ponds and became the main contributing taxa to the macrozoobenthic community structure. In addition, genus Platynereis of the Polychaeta Class was found to be another important taxon which contributed to 14.39% of the total macrozoobenthic found in the three ponds. The genus Platynereis were mostly found in the second pond with muddy coarse sandy sediment substrate containing more silt compared to the other two ponds. The rare taxon was the genus Lithophaga from family Mytilidae represented by 1 individual. Our study concluded that the macrozoobenthic community structure in the three ponds was categorized as poorly diverse indicating that the pond system was unstable. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H’) was only 0.87 on average with the highest diversity index (H’=1.47) was found in the third pond located at the farthest area of the coastline. Meanwhile, the average of Evenness Index was 0.34 indicating that the distribution of the taxa was uneven with a tendency of being dominated by certain taxa
PREGNANT AND LACTATING Macaca nigra: BEHAVIOR AND FOOD SELECTION
Get PDFPregnancy and lactation are reproductive phases that require large amounts of energy. Females in the reproductive period need good quality and quantity of food to provide nutrition for the fetus, milk production and child care. The mother will adapt to changes in behavior patterns and food type to meet these needs. The influence of parity and environmental conditions can affect the behavior patterns of females. During pregnancy, the Macaca nigra is known to have different proportion of activities in each period, while the behavior during the lactation phase in each mester is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the behavior patterns in each mester and the food selection of Macaca nigra during the pregnancy and lactation phases, as well as the influence of female parity and environmental toward the behavior patterns. There were 39 females Macaca nigra observed from two groups from August 2018 to July 2019. An instantaneous focal sampling method was performed to observe females’ daily activities, continuous focal sampling to monitor food types and a selectivity index to analyze food type preferences. The results showed that the female Macaca nigra pattern was influenced by the reproductive phase, female parity and environmental conditions. Females at the end of the pregnancy and lactation phases had a high proportion of feeding and eat more arthropods. Primiparous females mostly performed resting activities. Food preference was influenced by reproductive factors and food availability. The choice of fruit could be affected by fruit availability, and their favorite food was D. mangiferum and Euginia sp.
CHARACTERIZATION AND POLYPHASIC IDENTIFICATION OF NOVEL RHIZOBACTERIA STRAIN ISOLATED FROM SAND DUNES ECOSYSTEM
Get PDFThe coastal sand dune ecosystem at the Parangtritis Coast of Yogyakarta, Indonesia has unique characteristics such as low moisture sandy soil, high salinity and low nutrient content. Fimbristylis cymosa is one of the plant species having the capability to survive in that unique ecosystem. In this study, rhizobacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of F. cymosa were isolated to be further analyzed on their phosphate solubilizing and antagonistic properties against Fusarium oxysporum which cause the Wilt disease. The isolates of Phosphate Solubilizing Rhizobacteria (PSR) having the most potential capabilities were then polyphasically identified based on phenotypic and genotypic characters followed by 16S rDNA sequencing. The results showed that four PSR isolates (I8, I11, I12 and I24) have high phosphate dissolution indices. The highest indices were observed in isolates I11 (3.08) and I12 (3.44), respectively. Analysis of the dual plate experiments for PSR I11 and PSR I12 isolates against the growth of F. oxysporum also showed quite high inhibitory activities, i.e., isolate PSR I11 was 42.40%, while isolate PSR I12 was 42.08%. The two isolates were polyphasically identified as Burkholderia dolosa. This study clearly showed that PSR I11 and PSR I12 isolates are very potential and prospective to be used as marginal land inoculants and as providers of phosphorus. This study also showed that the isolates are useful as biocontrol agents against F. oxysporum in plants
NEUSTON DIVERSITY AND DENSITY AS BIOINDICATOR FOR WATER QUALITY
Get PDFLakes and waterfalls are freshwater ecosystems having important roles in ecology, tourism and economic aspects. Among living organisms existing in lakes and waterfalls is neuston. Neuston lives on the surface and below the surface of the waters. Neuston can be used as a bioindicator for water quality due to the neuston’s high level of sensitivity toward pollutants. The purpose of this study was to determine the density and diversity of neuston as a bioindicator for water quality in the lake and waterfall. The methods used were survey and observation. The study was carried out by using purposive sampling at two locations, namely the lake and waterfall of Situ Gunung, Sukabumi, with a sampling area of 1 x 1 m2. The samples obtained were put into bottles containing 70% alcohol to be identified in the laboratory. Environmental parameters measured were air and water temperature, water pH, water depth, turbidity, water flow velocity, dissolved oxygen, substrate and weather conditions. The results obtained indicated that the lake and waterfall of Situ Gunung, Sukabumi had highest neuston densities were shown by Gerris lacustris and Dineutus assimilis. The lowest neuston densities were shown by Metrobates hesperius, Gerris comatus, Aquarius remiges and Trepobates pictus. This study showed that the environmental parameters of the lake and waterfall of Situ Gunung, Sukabumi can still support the survival of the existing neustons