BIOTROPIA - The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Biology
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MOLD DIVERSITY OF WREATHED HORNBILL (Rhyticeros undulatus) NEST IN MOUNT UNGARAN
Get PDFWreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulates) is known to build nests in three cavities where they managed to live and breed. This edifice is predicted to contain various molds needed to maintain micro-environmental steadiness. This study was aimed to identify molds diversity in the Wreathed Hornbill’s nest, using samples collected from empty structure with no bird activity. The samples were obtained from the Kalisidi and Nglimut observation stations on two occasions, i.e., in 2016 and 2017. Furthermore, the samples comprised cover soil, wood and inner material, which were collected aseptically and placed in sterile Ziplock plastic bags. These samples were then diluted in sterilized distilled water to attain 10-3 mg/ mL, and subsequently inoculated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Malt Extract Agar (MEA) and Czapek Dox Agar (CDA). The inoculants were incubated at 37 °C, followed by the observation of mold colony after the 11th day. The results identified seven and nine species of molds in the Kalisidi and Nglimut observation stations, respectively. The most abundant species was Penicillium sp. which was found in composted nest materials for the whole observation periods
DIVERSITY AND STATUS OF BUTTERFLIES IN AWASIAN WATER FOREST RESERVE, MT. HILONG-HILONG, PHILIPPINES
Get PDFButterflies are deemed as an essential faunal group in the ecosystem due to their ecological services. However, continuous habitat loss leads to the decline of its population. Thus, this study was conducted to assess its diversity and status in one of the Watersheds of Mt. Hilong-hilong. Sweep netting (336 man-hours) and butterfly trapping (200 trap days) were carried out to document the species. Fifty-seven species of butterflies were recorded with the family Nymphalidae as the most represented group (n = 30). Species diversity (H\u27) was relatively higher in Dipterocarp (H\u27 = 1.49) forest than Agroecosystem (H\u27 = 1.39), a result primarily influenced by favorable ecological support like food availability. Endemicity was 31%, which comprised mostly of rare species. Noteworthy findings are the listing of globally and nationally rare species but locally assessed as common. Based on the results, the area harbors an array of butterfly species and various rare species that requires an effective management plan to conserve the organisms
DRAGONFLIES DIVERSITY AND LAND COVER CHANGES IN THE BATUBOLONG RIVER, WEST LOMBOK DISTRICT
Get PDFWest Lombok District is the second largest district in Lombok Islands. The diversity of dragonflies (Order Odonata) as a bioindicator of environmental quality has not been widely studied in the West Lombok region. This study aimed to determine the species diversity of dragonflies (Order Odonata) found in Batubolong River, West Lombok District and its relation to the occurring land cover changes. This study was carried out by using a descriptive explorative method, where the sampling technique was done by means of line transects. Maps of study and sampling locations as well as land cover changes were made using ArcGIS 10.4.1 software based on primary and secondary data. The results showed that there were 11 species of dragonflies with a Shannon-Wiener diversity index value (H\u27) of 2.212 (medium diversity), a population density index (C) of 0.126 (low dominance), and a species evenness index (E) of 0.923 (high uniformity). Our study also found two rare species of dragonfly in Lombok Island i.e., 3 individuals of Nososticta emphyla (Lieftinck, 1936) with 9% relative abundance and 1 individual of Drepanosticta berlandi (Lieftinck, 1939) with 3% relative abundance. The discovery of D. berlandi in Lombok is the third time after the findings in 1896 and the 19th century. Analysis of satellite data around the sampling area within the period 2013-2020 showed that there has been an increase in land cover of 6,149.29 m2. The increase in land cover changes may have caused the disappearance of several Odonata species in the sampling location
AGEING AND THE AMOUNT OF DNA EXTRACTED FROM BAWEAN DEER (A xis kuhlii ) FECES
Get PDFNoninvasive genetic sampling is the most reliable approach to collect endangered species which are typically rare and elusive. However, the approach is hampered by poor quality and quantity of DNA amount, and therefore, a pilot study is required. Our current short communication article reports the first noninvasive genetic sampling approach using feces of critically endangered Bawean deer (Axis kuhlii) to test the effect of aging on the amount of DNA extraction. Fecal samples of the Bawean deer were collected from the Bawean Deer Captive Unit in Sangkapura Village, Bawean Island, East Java. The samples were grouped into two different categories, namely: 1) New samples: for feces that had just been expelled for less than a day and 2) Old samples: for feces that were estimated to have been expelled for more than a day. There were 11 New samples and 16 Old samples. The samples were extracted using the QIAGEN Mini Stool Kit. The DNA quantification was carried out by using a fluorometer. The results of the extraction between the two categories were analyzed by the Kruskal Wallis test. The results showed that the mean rank value of the New samples was better (15.27) than the Old samples (13.13). The P value of the Kruskal Wallis test, however, was higher than the Asymp significant value, indicating that there was no meaningful differences (P = 0.49) between the two samples categories. The work described in this short communication article is a preliminary result and an important step in the study of Bawean deer population genetic
INCREASING RISK OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN SILVOFISHERY PONDS
Get PDFThis research aimed to determine the concentration of organic matter, Pb, and Cd found in a silvofishery pond, to assess the toxicity level, to analyze changes in their concentrations within a one-year period, and to analyze the correlation between these concentrations and their changes. The research was conducted through five field observation activities and laboratory analyses from May 2016 to July 2017. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and correlation tests. The concentration of organic matter, Pb, and Cd increased across all five observations. Throughout the research, the concentration ranges were 1.60–3.30 mg/kg for organic matter, 3.130–8.230 mg/kg for Pb, and 1.089–2.820 mg/kg for Cd. In all observations, the toxicity assessment showed that Cd concentration in the sediment exceeded the standards recommended by the US EPA (≤1.0 mg/kg) and ANZECC & ARMCANZ (≤1.5 mg/kg), while Pb concentration remained within the safe limits (≤21 mg/kg and ≤50 mg/kg, respectively). Moreover, the concentration and accumulation of Pb and Cd were strongly correlated, indicating the possibility of originating from the same pollutant sources. Therefore, a better management plan is recommended to prevent heavy metal accumulation in silvofishery ponds, including arranging mangrove plants along inlet canals and implementing periodic pruning to prevent heavy metals from re-entering the environment through litter fall
OMEGA-3 CONTENT OF BLACK SOLDIER FLY PREPUPA (Hermetia illucens) FED WITH MARINE FISH OFFAL AND TOFU DREG
Get PDFOne of the materials with great potency for future nutrition source for animal feed is prepupae of black soldier fly larvae (BSFP) (Hermetia illucens) which is fed on organic wastes. This study was designed to observe the accumulation of specific substance (omega-3) of organic wastes (marine fish offal and tofu dregs) inside harvested biomass of BSFP. A total of 150 gram food consist of marine fish offal and tofu dreg with different proportion (10:90, 25:75, 50:50, and 100% tofu dregs) was fed to black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) for 21 days.At the end of feeding trial, all BSFL were harvested, weighed, and then analyzed for omega-3 fatty acids content. Fatty acid content was analyzed using Gas Cromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). Result of the experiment showed BSFL reared with 25% marine fish offal produced highest biomass (8.1 g / 50 larvae) with least development time (19 days). The total of omega-3 recorded from application of 0%, 10%, 25%, and 50% of marine fish offal was 0.02%, 0.87%, 2.16% and 2.61% in 100 g of dry weight, respectively. This result showed the possibility of transferring specific nutrient from organic wastes biomass of BSFP which provides base knowledgement for further application in design of specific animal feed from BSFP
HARVESTING TIME AND VIABILITY OF Ixora coccinea \u27DWARF RED COCCINEA\u27 POLLEN
Get PDFThe cultivated variety of the non-native I. coccinea, cv. ‘Dwarf Red Coccinea’ (DRC), is the most popular and widely distributed throughout Thailand. However, knowledge regarding its pollen morphology and fertility for plant breeding purposes remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the quantity, viability, and germinability of pollen grains collected from the flowers of DRC at different times during a summer day, specifically from 8 AM to 4 PM. Pollen quantity was determined using a haemacytometer, while pollen viability and germinability were examined after staining with 1% acetocarmine and germinating the pollen on a modified agar-gelled germination medium, respectively. Pollen collected at 10 AM exhibited the highest pollen density (53.3 × 10⁴ pollen mL⁻¹) and viability percentage (72.05%). When these pollen grains were germinated on an artificial medium supplemented with various sucrose concentrations, the highest in vitro pollen germinability was observed on a medium containing 10% sucrose. Therefore, the optimal time to collect I. coccinea, cv. ‘Dwarf Red Coccinea’ pollen is at 10 AM. Nevertheless, further investigations are recommended to examine the effects of daily or hourly environmental variations, particularly ambient temperature and humidity, on the quantity and quality of harvestable pollen, as well as on pistil phenology, in order to develop a more comprehensive breeding strategy for Ixora species
BIOCONTROL POTENTIAL OF ENDOPHYTIC Aspergillus spp. AGAINST Fusarium verticillioides
Get PDFFusarium verticillioides is the causal agent of ear, stalk and root rot of maize that results in the severe reduction in yields and quality of infected products. Endophytic fungi have been purported as potential candidates in controlling pathogens since they are considered strong plant mutualists that confer disease resilience to their host. The present study was carried out to determine the in vitro antagonistic activity and biocontrol potential of endophytic Aspergillus spp. associated with P. amboinicus leaves against F. verticillioides. Three fungal endophytes from the genus Aspergillus were isolated and identified from the leaves of P. amboinicus, namely A. flavus, A. terreus and A. niger. The fungal isolates were tested for antagonism against F. verticillioides in dual culture plates. Results indicate that the Aspergillus endophytes can restrict growth of F. verticillioides and employ varying mechanisms of antagonism. A. niger inhibited F. verticillioides by 47.37%, followed by A. flavus (41.02%) and A. terreus (27.91%) respectively. Observations of dual culture plates revealed that A. flavus and A. niger antagonized the pathogen via overgrowth mechanism while A. terreus employed antibiosis to restrict the growth of F. verticillioides. The varying degrees of antagonism exhibited by the Aspergillus endophytes show their potential as biocontrol agents and source of bioactive compound
ANTAGONISTIC EFFECT OF YEAST, ACETIC ACID BACTERIA AND MANGOSTEEN RIND EXTRACT ON AFLATOXIGENIC Aspergillus flavus IN UNFERMENTED COCOA BEANS
Get PDFYeasts and bacteria are two of common biocontrol agents to control mycotoxigenic fungi, meanwhile the mangosteen rind exract has xanthone and gartanin compounds for antioxidant, antiproliferation, antiinflammation, antimicrobial, and anticancer. The objectives of this research are to test the effects of yeasts, acetic acid bacteria (AAB), and mangosteen rind extract on the aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production in unfermented cocoa beans. Four yeast isolates, i.e. Issatchenkia orientalis (Io) BIO 211291, 286 and 288, and Endomyces fibuliger (Ef) BIO 132219; one bacteria isolate of Acetobacter aceti (Aa) FNCC0016; and mangosteen rind extract (MRE) were tested for their capabilities in inhibiting an aflatoxigenic A. flavus (Af) BIO 3361/747 growth using the well method (in vitro). Two yeast (Io BIO 211291 and 288) were combined with Aa and MRE in cocoa beans (in vivo). Aflatoxin production was analyzed using Thin Layer Chromathography (TLC). The result showed that interaction of Io BIO 211291 and 288, and Ef BIO 132219 on aflatoxigenic Af were interaction with inhibition zone ≥ 2 mm (type D), while the interaction type of Io BIO 211286 on Af were mutual intermingling growth, where both fungi grew into each other without any macroscopic sign of interaction (type A). The best treatment in agar media (in vitro) was Io BIO 211288 + Aa on Potato Dextrose Agar + 12 g/l MRE. The highest Io population was 5.88 log cfu/g on cocoa beans inoculated by Io BIO 211291 + MRE in 1 day after inoculation, while the highest A. aceti population was 4.74 log cfu/g on cocoa beans with Io BIO 211291 + BIO 211288 + Aa in 3 days after inoculation. Two best treatments were Io BIO 211288 + Aa + MRE and Io BIO 211291 + BIO 211288 + Aa + MRE, because there were no A. flavus population since 3 until 11 days after inoculation. Aflatoxin in all samples treatment was lower than limit detection B1 (< 2.20 ppb), B2 (< 3.50 ppb), (G1 < 0.54 ppb), dan (G2 < 1.00 ppb).
ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS ON THE REPRODUCTION OF NON-HUMAN PRIMATES
Get PDFThis paper aims to review some highlights on the effects of environmental stress on the non-human primate population, particularly climate change and food limitation, which may have resulted in poor reproductive performance. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists more than a third of the world’s primates as critically endangered or vulnerable. Non-human primates, which are the closest biological relatives of humans, are threatened with extinction due to human activities and environmental stress. Deforestation is the main problem that intercalates with climate change. Either indirectly or directly, those extinction factors could interrupt the physiological basis of reproduction among non-human primates. Research on other species has shown that high ambient temperature causing heat stress has harmed reproductive performance by interfering with the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. Therefore, the survival, conservation, and sustainability of non-human primates growing in captivity and in the wild require more work and research to be done