Objective-To assess dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for evaluating effects of diet and environment on bone mineral density in Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni). Animals-26 Hermann's tortoises within 1 month after hatching. Procedures-Group 1 was housed in an artificial setting and fed naturally growing vegetation. Group 2 was housed in an artificial setting and fed vegetables grown for human consumption. Group 3 was maintained in an outside enclosure and fed naturally growing vegetation. After 10 months, pyramidal growth, body weight, and adverse conditions were assessed. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the axial and appendicular skeleton, shell, vertebral column, and pelvis was measured via DXA. Results-Group 2 had the highest mean +/- SD body weight (65.42 +/- 30.85 g), followed by group 1 (51.08 +/- 22.92 g) and group 3 (35.74 +/- 7.13 g). Mean BMD of the shell varied significantly among groups (group 1, 0.05 +/- 0.03 g/cm2•m; group 2, 0.09 +/- 0.15 g/cm2•m; and group 3, undetectable). The BMD of the axial and appendicular skeleton, vertebral column, and pelvis did not differ significantly among groups. Pyramidal growth was highest in group 1 and not evident in group 3. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Tortoises raised in artificial conditions did not have deficits in BMD, compared with results for outdoor-housed hibernating tortoises. Supplemental calcium was apparently not necessary when an adequate photothermal habitat and plant-based diet were provided. Higher BMD of captive-raised tortoises was morphologically associated with a higher incidence of pyramidal growth in captive-raised groups.

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Hout) is a leading commodity from Aceh Province. The high yield of nutmeg oil and its distinctive aroma makes it in demand by the world market. The production of nutmeg plants is currently decreasing due to the disturbance of nuisance organisms so that nutmeg plants get sick and die. Appropriate agro eco-management of the nutmeg system is thought to overcome these problems. Such as by conserving the diversity of arthropod communities. Information regarding the presence of arthropods in nutmeg cultivation is very limited in South Aceh District. This study investigates the abundance of arthropods in nutmeg cultivation in different vegetation to detect the causes of the decline in nutmeg production in the South Aceh district. Sampling was carried out at 2 locations with different vegetation conditions, using the determining sub-samples. Each location consisted of 200 individual nutmeg plants, and at each location, several 20 individual nutmeg plants were assigned as samples. The results showed that the total collection of arthropod populations at the location I found nine orders, namely Araneae, Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Diptera, Homoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Isoptera, and Orthoptera. Location II found 12 orders, namely Araneae, Blattodea, Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Diptera, Embioptera, Homoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Isoptera, Orthoptera, and Phasmatodea). The class of insects and arachnids found at these two locations is part of the Phylum Arthropoda.