Study on cuscus hunting as a form of wildlife utilization by Biak ethnic group surrounding the North Biak Strict Nature Reserce (CABU) was carried out through direct observation and interview with hunter respondents and other key respondents among four villages that purposively chosen i.e. Inswambesi, Kayomi, Wasani, dan Sansundi at the Warsa District of Biak Numfor, Papua. Two species of cuscus occurs in the study site were common cuscus (Phalanger orientalis) and spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus) and they were observed as hunting target in CABU. Hunting was performed partly as routine activity used various traditional tools (slash blade, trap, spear, and calling cuscus) and modern weapon (firearm). Cuscus hunting was done to supply animal protein for households, inspite some hunting results raised for consumption and market purposes. For one period of hunting 3–4 cuscus were caught and it was lower than five years ago. It was indicated that the population condition was vulnerable on overharvest and at the present time cuscus population tend to decreased. Traditional wisdom of Biak ethnic group should be explored and practiced again as the form of local law in order to manage cuscus hunting for the future cuscus conservation program.

The ability to mature and fertilize oocytes of endangered species may allow us to sustain genetic and global biodiversity. Epididymis sperms may be the last chance to ensure preservation of genetic materials after injury or death of a valuable animal. Studies have been conducted to determine wether both epididymis sperms and oocytes can be used to produce viable embryos and offspring. The purpose of this study was to determine how long cats sperms contained in epididymis were remain motile and had intact membranes when preserved at 4 ° C, and to determine whether such those preserved sperms are able to fertilize oocytes. Epididymis was preserved immediately in phosphate buffer saline at 4 ° C for 1, 3, and 6 days. The observation of sperm quality and viability after preservation was performed by vital staining acrosom and Hoechst-Propidium Iodine. Biological functions of sperms were evaluated by in vitro culture technique for fertilization, micro fertilization and embryonic development rate in CR1aa medium. The results showed that average motility of sperms collected from ductus deferens, cauda and corpus epididymis decreased not significantly (P > 0.05) from 0, 1, 3, and 6 days of preservation times (from 83.0%, 80.2%, 79.0%; 80.9%, 75.0%, 75.5%; 52.0%, 63.2%, 55.0% to 34.6%, 34.6%, 33.3%, respectively). The general results showed that sperms from epididymis preserved for 1, 3, and 6 days can be used for IVF. The rate of embryonal cleavage produced by IVF technique using sperms collected from epididymis preserved for 1-, 3- and 6-days were 33.3, 26.7, and 20.0%, respectively and significantly different (p < 0.05) from that of controll (50.0%). In conclusion, sperms contained in epididyimis preserved at 4 ° C in PBS (Phospate Buffer Saline) for 1-6 days can be used to IVF and in vitro production of cat embryos.

Mangroves have evolved several adaptations to swampy and saline environments. It is situated at the inter-phase between marine and terrestrial environment, which is highly productive providing nutrients to surrounding micro biota. Similar adaptive characteristics in the form and function may occur with the associated microflora in such environments. Several free living and symbiotic microorganisms occurred in such saline habitats and some of them are reported for their beneficial activity in mangrove ecosystem like biomineralization of organic matter and bio-transformation of minerals. In view of this, 106 fungi isolated from rhizosphere and phyllosphere of mangrove plants grown in Bhitarkanika, Orissa were screened on plate culture containing Pikovaskaya medium for the phosphate solubilization. Selected fungi were evaluated for their phosphate solubilization potential under different cultural conditions. A total of 36 fungi were isolated that showed variable halo zone on medium containing tricalcium phosphate when grown under different pH and temperature. The highest zone was formed by Aspergillus PF8 (63 mm) and Aspergillus PF127 (46.5 mm). The observation on tricalcium phosphate solubilization activity of Paecilomyces, Cladobotrytis, Helminthosporium is rare. However, a detailed and elaborative studies are needed to confirm better mineral solubilization potential of these fungi.

The essential oil of Kaempferia pandurata consist of terpen and oxygenated terpen that exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. It's mode of action against the gram-negative bacterium E. coli K1.1 has been investigated using a range of treatments. The mode action of the essential oil were analyzed by it's ability to leakage E. coli K1.1 cell, to change permeability of the cell, and to alter salt tolerance of the cell. Ion leakage from the cell were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Salt tolerance assays was conducted by investigating the ability of E. coli K1.1 treated with temu kunci essential oil to grow on NA supplemented with NaCl. Protein and acid nucleic leakage were analyzed by UV spectrophotometer. There were inorganic compound leakage (potassium, calcium ion) and organic compound leakage (nucleic acid, protein) from cytoplasmic membrane, after exposing this organism to essential oil of Kaempferia pandurata. The more concentration of oil added, the more leakage was observed due to the loss of absorbing material such as nucleic acid (260 nm) and protein (280 nm), the loss of potassium and calcium ion, and loss of the salt tolerance of E. coli K1.1.

Mangroves have evolved several adaptations to swampy and saline environments. It is situated at the inter-phase between marine and terrestrial environment, which is highly productive providing nutrients to surrounding micro biota. Similar adaptive characteristics in the form and function may occur with the associated microflora in such environments. Several free living and symbiotic microorganisms occurred in such saline habitats and some of them are reported for their beneficial activity in mangrove ecosystem like biomineralization of organic matter and bio-transformation of minerals. In view of this, 106 fungi isolated from rhizosphere and phyllosphere of mangrove plants grown in Bhitarkanika, Orissa were screened on plate culture containing Pikovaskaya medium for the phosphate solubilization. Selected fungi were evaluated for their phosphate solubilization potential under different cultural conditions. A total of 36 fungi were isolated that showed variable halo zone on medium containing tricalcium phosphate when grown under different pH and temperature. The highest zone was formed by Aspergillus PF8 (63 mm) and Aspergillus PF127 (46.5 mm). The observation on tricalcium phosphate solubilization activity of Paecilomyces, Cladobotrytis, Helminthosporium is rare. However, a detailed and elaborative studies are needed to confirm better mineral solubilization potential of these fungi.

The essential oil of Kaempferia pandurata consist of terpen and oxygenated terpen that exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. It’s mode of action against the gram-negative bacterium E. coli K1.1 has been investigated using a range of treatments. The mode action of the essential oil were analyzed by it’s ability to leakage E. coli K1.1 cell, to change permeability of the cell, and to alter salt tolerance of the cell. Ion leakage from the cell were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Salt tolerance assays was conducted by investigating the ability of E. coli K1.1 treated with temu kunci essential oil to grow on NA supplemented with NaCl. Protein and acid nucleic leakage were analyzed by UV spectrophotometer. There were inorganic compound leakage (potassium, calcium ion) and organic compound leakage (nucleic acid, protein) from cytoplasmic membrane, after exposing this organism to essential oil of Kaempferia pandurata. The more concentration of oil added, the more leakage was observed due to the loss of absorbing material such as nucleic acid (260 nm) and protein (280 nm), the loss of potassium and calcium ion, and loss of the salt tolerance of E. coli K1.1.

Motor vehicles release carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matters to the air as pollutants. Vegetation can absorb these pollutants through gas exchange processes. The objective of this study was to examine the combination of the relative growth rate (RGR) and physiological responses in determining tolerance levels of plant species to air pollutants. Physiological responses were calculated as air pollution tolerance index (APTI). Eight roadside tree species were placed at polluted (Jagorawi highway) and unpolluted (Sindangbarang field) area. Growth and physiological parameters of the trees were recorded, including plant height, leaf area, total ascorbate, total chlorophyll, leaf-extract pH, and relative water content. Scoring criteria for the combination of RGR and APTI method was given based on means of the two areas based on two-sample t test. Based on the total score of RGR and APTI, Lagerstroemia speciosa was categorized as a tolerant species; and Pterocarpus indicus, Delonix regia, Swietenia macrophylla were categorized as moderately tolerant species. Gmelina arborea, Cinnamomum burmanii, and Mimusops elengi were categorized as intermediate tolerant species. Lagerstroemia speciosa could be potentially used as roadside tree. The combination of RGR and APTI value was better to determinate tolerance level of plant to air pollutant than merely APTI method.

Morphological and genetic variations within Salvia japonica (Lamiaceae) and its related species in Japan were analyzed for clarifying their taxonomic significance. The genetic variations were explored through chloroplast and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences and allozyme polymorphisms. Since chromosome numbers characterized the genus of Salvia, we also examined whether the karyotypes were different. We examined 58 populations of S. japonica and 14 populations of others species of Salvia. Among the populations of S. japonica represented four forms (f. japonica, f. longipes, f. lanuginosa and f. albiflora). The size of chromosomes were various among Salvia spp. Based on the allozyme as well as the DNA sequence, the populations of S. japonica separated from the others Salvia species. The populations of S. japonica exhibited four combinations of the morphological characters. However, these combinations did not correlate to the four forms of S. japonica. In addition, the morphological variations did not correlate to the allozyme and DNA sequences. It is suggested that the four morphological variations as well as the four form of S. japonica should not considered to be a taxonomic unit; accordingly, S. japonica were considered to be still at the early stage of speciation process.

Populations of Aedes aegypti in South Kalimantan, which have been discriminated by their cuticular components, were further studied in search for differences in their wing morphometry. Female mosquitoes were collected from five towns in the province of South Kalimantan, and Cartesian coordinates of terminal and branching points of individual wing were determined. Relative interpoint Euclidean distances were used as variables (characters) in statistical analyses. One-way ANOVA found significantly several different characters (P < 0.01). Stepwise discriminant analysis using these characters selected five discriminators which, by cross validation, could identify female A. aegypti from Barabai and Marabahan with 75 and 77.8% of success rate, respectively. On average, 57.7% of wing specimens were successfully allocated to their original populations. The study revealed differences in wing measurements among populations of A. aegypti in South Kalimantan and confirmed genetic divergence of the species in the province.

Yellow latex is the main problem in mangosteen agribusiness, because it is one factor lowering the fruit quality. The structure of yellow latex secretory ducts in the flower and fruit as well as in the root, stem and leaf of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) seedling and the qualitative phytochemistry of yellow latex were studied. The ducts were branched, canal-like type. They were found in the exocarp, mesocarp, endocarp, aril of the fruit, flower, stem, and leaf. In the fruit, the biggest diameter of the secretory ducts was found in the endocarp. There were continuous secretory ducts from fruit stalk to the fruit. Ultrastructural observation showed that the ducts surrounded by specific epithelial cells, which were living cells containing dense cytoplasm with plastid, mitochondria and golgi apparatus organelles. The qualitative test indicated that the yellow latex collected from stem bark, outer part of fruit, young fruit pericarp, mature aril and young aril contained terpenoid, flavonoid and tannin, but not alkaloid, saponin and steroid, except in the young aril containing the steroid.