Publikasi

Abstract. Harmonis, Rahim A, Hidayat HA, Saud OR, Wilujeng M, Sampe R, Kartika KF, Aminudin, Butar TB. 2022. Diversity of butterflies in the tropical wetland of Kayan-Sembakung Delta, North Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 3303-3312. Butterflies, which belong to the order Lepidoptera, are considered superior biological indicators to evaluate environmental conditions in various types of habitats due to their high richness in biodiversity, short generation time, good movement, and high sensitivity. Since butterflies produce various benefits for the ecosystem, their conservation currently receives significant attention in order to improve human well-being. However, there is still limited research about butterfly diversity in tropical wetlands, especially in Borneo (Kalimantan) Island. Herein, we identify the diversity of butterflies found in the Kayan-Sembakung Delta, North Kalimantan, which is still unexplored so far. The area was dominated by mangroves, peat swamps, and brackish swamps. The research locations inside the Kayan-Sembakung Delta were divided into 20 groups. The specimen was collected by an aerial insect net and bait traps. The diversity index, taxonomy structure, and domination index were further investigated. The results showed that the highest individuals (69) and species (36) had been found in Pembeliangan. Altogether, we found 608 individuals of 92 species in the areas studied. Among others, the family of Nymphalidae was noted as the most dominant. We stated that the diversity of butterflies was also influenced by the type of habitat, as it could be found at the peat swamp forest where the highest species were found. In the meantime, some unique species have been found in the Kayan-Sembakung Delta, including Arhopala overdijkinki, Hypolycaena thecloides, Drupadia johorensis, Idea leuconoe, and Polyura jalysus. The results of this study are expected to give more information for future management and conservation of the wetland areas, especially in the Kayan-Sembakung Delta.

Keywords: Butterfly diversity, conservation, Lepidoptera, unique species, wetland

ABSTRACT

Heath forest is one unique ecosystem in tropical regions. Many biodiversities and their ecological characteristic in this ecosystem are still unknown by science, including butterflies. Therefore, the study was conducted to determine butterfly richness and diversity indices in every site on natural secondary and degraded heath forests. A field study was conducted in two localities in East Kalimantan, i.e. Muara Badak and Sebulu areas. In every locality was located three sites for data gathering. The butterfly data were collected by capturing specimens using aerial insect nets and baited traps in August–September 2017. In general, the species richness in all sites lacked compared to the lowland forest habitat. During the study, only 200 individuals in 34 species were recorded in total. Calculation of Fisher’s alpha showed the diversity of butterflies in study sites in the range 2.28–16.35. Twenty-four main species spread in the study sites. Eight species showed strong fidelity for degraded heath forest habitats, moreover, Neptis hylas prefer fewer trees, and Mycalesis fuscum prefers denser trees. Meanwhile, there was no apparent taxonomical composition pattern, except family Nymphalidae with subfamilies Satyrinae and Limenitidinae, which showed superior in all sites. Other finding showed that the density of trees was affected to the geographic distribution of butterfly species; the denser trees appeared narrow distribution species, more prefer to Sundaland, and the sites with fewer trees appeared more comprehensive distribution species, more prefer to Oriental Region.

Keywords: Butterflies, Heath forest, East Kalimantan

ABSTRACT

The  kelulut  bee  exhibits  different  behaviors  when  building  nests between species. Tetragonula fuscobalteata is a widely cultivated type of kelulut bee. The collection of this bee colony is generally carried out using various techniques, including nest dismantling, grafting, and baiting techniques. This study aims to provide data on the behavior of placing kelulut bee colonies of the T. fuscobalteata species in new nest boxes and measuring the temperature and humidity in new nest boxes sprayed with propolis extract liquid. This study is an experimental study  by  conducting  direct  observation  of  the  behavior  of  the  T. fuscobalteata  kelulut  bee  colony  in  occupying  a  new  nest  and  the microclimate conditions in the new nest; analysis of colony behavior data was carried out by identifying patterns in adaptation time nest arrangement  activities,  and  changes  in  social  behavior while microclimate analysis was carried out on measuring temperature and humidity data in the nest. The results obtained showed that the behavior of the T. fuscobalteata kelulut bee colony in moving from the old nest to the new nest occurred on the third day after the nest repair and nest-making process in the form of making honey sacs, eggs, and bee bread lasted for five days. The ideal temperat

ure in the nest ranges from 27.7 0C-29.70C, and the ideal humidity ranges from 70%-80%. The results of  this  study  can  be  a  reference  for  kelulut  honey  bee  cultivators, especially the T. fuscobalteata species, about the development of kelulut

bee colonies.

KEYWORDS: Beehive  Microclimate,  Colony  Occupation Behavior, Kelulut Bee Tetragonula fuscobalteata

Gamma-ray irradiation on plant seeds can affect plants’ growth and biochemical content. The application of gamma-ray irradiation can improve the quality of plants. This research aims to investigate the effect of gamma irradiation on the germination, growth, and chlorophyll content of sengon. Sengon seeds were irradiated with gamma rays at 0 (control), 25, 75, 125, and 175 Gy dose. Sengon seeds germinated and rared for four months. The study used a one-factor, completely randomized design (CRD). The parameters observed were the germination percentage, seedling height, diameter, and chlorophyll content. The result showed that gamma irradiation treatment can increase seed germination. Seeds irradiated with a dose of 75 Gy had a higher germination percentage than the other doses. Gamma irradiation with a dose of 25-175 Gy had of height and diameter of the seedlings compared to the control. Seedlings irradiated with a dose of 125 Gy had a higher chlorophyll content than other doses. Seedlings irradiated with a dose of 75 Gy had lower chlorophyll content than other doses. Therefore, in further experiment dose of gamma irradiation 25-175 Gy can be used to improve seeds’ viability. To increase the height and diameter of the seedlings, further research is still needed to investigate the effect of other doses on the growth of the seedlings.

Sengon is commonly developed by community forest farmers because it is a fast-growing species and the demand for wood is quite high. The development of sengon is constrained by the attack of gall rust disease caused by the fungus Uromycladium falcatarium. Efforts to obtain disease-resistant plants can be done through mutation breeding, one of which is using gamma rays. This study aims to assess the resistance of M1 generation sengon to gall rust disease. Sengon seeds were irradiated using gamma rays at doses of 0, 25, 75, 125, and 175 Gy. Sengon seeds that had been irradiated were germinated and sown for up to 2 months of age. Inoculation of U. falcatarium fungus was carried out on sengon seedlings M1 (1st generation mutant) and M0 (control) generations, at 2 months old. The number of seeds used in each dose was five seeds with four replications. This study used a randomized block design (RBD). Observation on seedlings were disease severity, mortality rate, and resistance of seedlings to gall rust disease. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and then analysis of the least significant difference (LSD) was carried out at a level of 5%. The results showed that the dose of gamma irradiation had a significant effect on the severity of gall rust disease at 17, 27, and 37 days after isolation (DAI). The resistance levels of the M0 and M1 generations of sengon seedlings (doses of 25, 75, and 125 Gy) from 7 – 37 DAI were in the very resistant-moderately susceptible category, while the M1 seedlings with a dose of 175 Gy tended to be very resistant-resistant.

Mangrove ecosystemsare considered the most essential areas in the wetland since they sequester carbon more efficiently than terrestrial ecosystems.  Thus, they have received significant attention as a nature-based solution to achieve the Naturally Determined Contributions in the commitment to global climate change mitigation. Currently, the degradation of mangroves has been linked to serious threats, including pest outbreaks. Our primary objective was to assess the pest outbreaks that occurred in the coastal mangroves of the Mahakam Delta, Indonesia. This study was conducted intwo areas in Tanjung (R1 and R2) and one area in Pulau (R3). A total of 19 observation plots with a size of 10 × 10 m2 were made. The water quality was further measured to identify the natural conditions affecting the outbreaks. In the present study, it was found that significant disturbance of the mangrove plants occurred due to invasions by Amphibalanus amphitriteDarwin,1854 and Sphaeroma terebrans Spence Bate, 1866. The dangerous attack from S. terebranshas only been found at the R1 site, where we found environmental conditions such as high dissolved oxygen (DO), high total dissolved solids (TDS), and high salinity. In this area, it could affect the death of adult Avicennia alba Blume and Sonneratia alba Sm. The results obtained from this study are expected to provide preliminary data to design the  best management practices in order to enhance the effectiveness of the mangrove rehabilitation strategy in the Mahakam Delta

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are symbiotic, with more than 80% of plant species in terrestrial and mangrove ecosystems. This study aimed to determine the level of AMF colonization on Avicennia lanata and its correlation with soil chemical properties. Sampling was conducted in Sepatin Village, located in Mahakam Delta. There are four sampling locations, three were mangrove rehabilitation areas (A, B, and C), and one was a mangrove natural forest (MNF). Root samples were taken from four A. lanata seedlings purposively selected at each location. The roots were stained with 0.05% trypan blue, and the mycorrhizal structures of the roots were observed using a compound microscope. The results showed that the percentage of AMF colonization with A. lanata in MNF was higher (97%) than in other locations. Internal hyphae were the dominant structure found in the root of A. lanata in all locations, with a percentage of 76.61%. AMF root colonization negatively correlated with N-total, C-organic, and available P. In contrast, Ca, Mg, K, Na, and CEC positively correlated with AMF root colonization. The colonization of AMF in the root of A. lanata may promote the early growth of seedlings, and the application of AMF can support rehabilitating mangrove degraded.