The species of Thalerosphyrus Eaton, 1881 (Insecta,Ephemeroptera, Heptageniidae,Ecdyonurinae) in Java and Sumatra,with some comments on the diversity of the genus in the Oriental Realm

Three species belonging to the genus Thalerosphyrus Eaton, 1881 are reported from Java and Sumatra. The nymphs of Th. determinatus (Walker, 1853) from Java, Th. sinuosus (Navás, 1933) from Java and Sumatra and Th. lamuriensis Sartori, 2014 from Sumatra are redescribed. The egg morphology of the three species is also presented for the first time. A key to the nymphs is proposed. General considerations on the composition of the genus Thalerosphyrus in the Oriental Realm are given. The distribution of the genus is greatly expended, and currently ranges over the Himalaya and Sumbawa in the Sunda Islands.     

Musaespora,a genus of pyrenocarpous lichens with campylidia,and other additions to the foliicolous lichen flora of New Guinea

Abstract: The new lichen genus Musaespora is described from Java and Papua New Guinea. It is the first known pyrenocarpous lichen genus with campylidia, and appears to belong to the Aspidotheliaceae. Three species are described, two foliicolous species from Papua New Guinea and one corticolous species from Java. In addition, a list is given of the foliicolous lichen flora of the site in Papua New Guinea, where the foliicolous Musaespora species have been found, two more new foliicolous species are described, Echinoplaca hispida and Sporopodium lucidum, and 19 species are recorded for the first time form Papua New Guinea.     

When did Cuon reach Java? – Reinvestigation of canid fossils from Homo erectus faunas

The presence of the genus Cuon during the Pleistocene of Java is attested by the endemic species C. sangiranensis and C. crassidens, sometimes classified as C. alpinus, a species that is also part of the Holocene fauna and has persisted until today. The current study revises the fossil canid material from the Sangiran Dome, previously assigned variously to C. sangiranensis, C. crassidens, C. alpinus, C. javanicus, and C. trinilensis. It aims to reinvestigate the arrival of Cuon in Java, in particular in relation to the late early Pleistocene endemic canid of Java: the Cuon-sized Xenocyon trinilensis, which had evolved in situ on Java from the large X. merriami, and which could be a potential competitor to early Cuon in case of contemporaneity. We found that a mandible fragment from Pandejan (holotype of C. crassidens) shows a morphology typical for C. alpinus. However, a maxilla and a mandible from the Bapang Formation at Sangiran, including the holotype of C. sangiranensis, is here assigned to the early dhole species C. priscus. Our results indicate that Cuon was already present in Java during the early middle Pleistocene and probably arrived as part of the immigration events during the Kedung Brubus faunal stage. Since X. trinilensis and Cuon are both hypercarnivorous medium-sized dogs, similar ecological niches are expected for both species. Thus, X. trinilensis probably was outcompeted and replaced by C. priscus. In turn, the latter species was replaced by the extant species, C. alpinus, during the Nangdong faunal stage, likely as part of the next immigration phase, which then disappeared during the tropical rainforest fauna of the Punung faunal stage and re-entered at the onset of the Holocene.     

Multilocus Sequence Typing as a Replacement for Serotyping in Salmonella enterica

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica is traditionally subdivided into serovars by serological and nutritional characteristics. We used Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) to assign 4,257 isolates from 554 serovars to 1092 sequence types (STs). The majority of the isolates and many STs were grouped into 138 genetically closely related clusters called eBurstGroups (eBGs). Many eBGs correspond to a serovar, for example most Typhimurium are in eBG1 and most Enteritidis are in eBG4, but many eBGs contained more than one serovar. Furthermore, most serovars were polyphyletic and are distributed across multiple unrelated eBGs. Thus, serovar designations confounded genetically unrelated isolates and failed to recognize natural evolutionary groupings. An inability of serotyping to correctly group isolates was most apparent for Paratyphi B and its variant Java. Most Paratyphi B were included within a sub-cluster of STs belonging to eBG5, which also encompasses a separate sub-cluster of Java STs. However, diphasic Java variants were also found in two other eBGs and monophasic Java variants were in four other eBGs or STs, one of which is in subspecies salamae and a second of which includes isolates assigned to Enteritidis, Dublin and monophasic Paratyphi B. Similarly, Choleraesuis was found in eBG6 and is closely related to Paratyphi C, which is in eBG20. However, Choleraesuis var. Decatur consists of isolates from seven other, unrelated eBGs or STs. The serological assignment of these Decatur isolates to Choleraesuis likely reflects lateral gene transfer of flagellar genes between unrelated bacteria plus purifying selection. By confounding multiple evolutionary groups, serotyping can be misleading about the disease potential of S. enterica. Unlike serotyping, MLST recognizes evolutionary groupings and we recommend that Salmonella classification by serotyping should be replaced by MLST or its equivalents.     

Identification of the terebrantian thrips (Insecta,Thysanoptera) associated with cultivated plants?in?Java,Indonesia

An illustrated identification key is provided to 49 species of Thysanoptera, Terebrantia that have been found in association with cultivated plants in Java. This is the first published identification system to this group of insects from Indonesia, and includes 15 species not previously recorded from Indonesia, and a further three species not previously recorded from Java. A table is provided indicating the plants from which thrips were taken.     

Schistosoma incognitum from Cikurai,West Java,Indonesia

Schistosoma incognitum is reported for the first time from West Java, Indonesia where 84% of ricefield rats, Rattus argentiventer, were infected. Radix auricularia rubiginosa snails were intermediate hosts. The adult stage of the Javanese strain of S. incognitum and lesions in naturally-infected rodents are described. Rattus exulans, Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus were experimentally infected. Epizootiology is similar to that described in other countries.     

Application of west java water sustainability index to three water catchments in west java,Indonesia

This study presents a comparative application of the West Java Water Sustainability Index to Citarum, Ciliwung and Citanduy catchments in West Java, Indonesia. A two-fold comparison is presented, firstly, that of the overall condition of water resources using the final index value and secondly, that of specific water sustainability issues using the comparison of the sub-index values of the indicators. The overall comparison ranks the condition of water resources of Citanduy catchment is slightly better, whereas sub-index values of Education, Health Impact, Water Demand, and Poverty show important differences among catchments. Based on the performance of the catchments identified in this study, priority of actions has been recommended to the authorities.     

Correlation study between gastronomy culture and content of selenium towards prevalence of cardiovascular and diabetes in West Java,Indonesia

Background and aimSelenium (Se) is an important element in the human body. Deficiency or excess of Se can cause harm to human health. A previous study showed an association of Se with cardiovascular and diabetes diseases. One of the food sources of Se is vegetables. In West Java, Indonesia, people consume fresh vegetables such as Garlic, Jengkol, and Petai. This research aims to study the correlation between the gastronomy culture of people in West Java, Se content in Garlic (Allium sativum), Jengkol (Archidendron pauciflorum) and Petai (Parkia speciosa) from several Regencys/cities in West Java, and the prevalence cardiovascular and diabetic diseases.MethodA cultural study was conducted based on a literature review. Cluster sampling was chosen for the sampling method. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in these regencies were obtained from the Ministry of Health of Indonesia. The measurement of Se content in a sample was conducted by the fluorometry method, based on the formation of the piazoselenol complex from the reaction between selenite ion and DAN (2,3-diaminonapthalene).ResultsPeople in West Java prefer to consume garlic, jengkol, and petai as a fresh vegetable as part of their culture. The highest content of Se in Allium sativum was found in Tasikmalaya City with a value of 69.20 ng/g. For Archidendron pauciflorum from Subang Regency values were 498 ng/g. Parkia speciosa found in the Bandung Barat Regency had a mean value 257.9 ng/g. There is a positive correlation between Se-concentration in Archidendron pauciflorum and the prevalence of diabetes while negative correlation with the prevalence of cardiovascular disease. In addition, no correlation was observed for Allium sativum and Parkia Specose might be due to a lower Se-concentration in these vegetables that in the Archidendron fauciflorum.ConclusionDifferent areas have varying concentrations of Se in plants that grow in the region. The gastronomy culture and Se content may play a role to increase or decrease cardiovascular and diabetes prevalence in that area.     

Stone implements from Java and Flores: A history of the discoveries

In 1970, Verhoeven and Maringer found stone implements on the surface of Mengeruda (an area including the sites Boaleza, Lembahmenge and Matamenge) and Ola Bula on Flores, which were similar to those found in Sangiran by von Koenigswald and Ghosh on Java. This, among other things, led von Koenigswald and Ghosh to compare the findings from Flores with those from Java, the Ngebung site. They thought that the Stegodon fossil from Mengeruda was the same species as the one from Java and, therefore, of a similar age. von Koenigswald and Ghosh were the first to accept that the artefact findings of Flores were in situ. They drew the right conclusions regarding the crossing to Flores by Homo erectus. And their ideas have now, almost 40 years later, been confirmed by the find of Homo floresiensis on Flores.     

A carnivorous niche for Java Man? A preliminary consideration of the abundance of fossils in Middle Pleistocene Java

Considering anatomical and archaeological aspects of Homo erectus, it is likely that meat of vertebrates was an important part in its diet. Unfortunately, no or hardly any information is available for Java Man (Homo erectus). Therefore, in this paper, the Number of Identified Specimens (NISP) of five Middle Pleistocene Javanese sites are examined, and the Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI) from two of them are calculated, to acquire information about the possible ecological role of Javanese Homo erectus. Although one has to be extremely careful with the interpretation of fossil bone assemblages in order to try to gain some insight about the abundance of species in palaeocommunities, it is argued that both the NISP and the MNI indicate that the bone accumulations reflect at least two trophic levels in the ecological pyramid, that of primary and secondary consumers. The occurrences of the remains of Homo erectus are comparable with the quantity of secondary consumers, i.e., large carnivores. This could suggest that this species had, as an omnivore, a carnivorous niche, in Java.     

Phytophthora palmivora from Sulawesi and Java Islands,Indonesia, reveals high genotypic diversity and lack of population structure

Phytophthora palmivora is the causal agent of cocoa black pod disease, one of the primary diseases of cocoa in Indonesia. A better understanding of P. palmivora population genetics is needed to aid the development of relevant disease management strategies. This study is the first population genetic study of P. palmivora in Indonesia using microsatellite markers based on the alleles genotyping method. The microsatellite markers were used to determine the genotype of 44 P. palmivora isolates from Sulawesi (24) and Java (20) islands. The total number of observed multilocus genotypes (MLG) from both populations was 34. The genotypic diversity of P. palmivora from Sulawesi (2.90; 16.0; 0.938) and Java (2.76; 14.3; 0.930) islands was high as seen from Shannon's diversity index (H), Stoddart and Taylor's Index (G), and Simpson's Index (λ) respectively. Evenness and Nei's unbiased gene diversity exhibited similarly high levels from both populations. The linkage disequilibrium test indicated that sexual recombination occurred in the Java population (P = 0.312). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and Bayesian clustering revealed five genetic clusters, and isolates from both islands were evenly distributed across the five gene clusters. All genetic diversity was from within individuals. P. palmivora from Sulawesi and Java showed a high genotypic diversity but a lack of genetic differentiation among populations (Fst = 0.006). Both populations formed one highly diverse group. Minimum spanning network analysis showed no particular grouping of MLGs, and shared MLGs from both populations indicated long-distance migration of P. palmivora facilitated by human activities.     

Genetic Diversity of Amylomyces rouxii from Ragi tapai in Java Island Based on Ribosomal Regions ITS1/ITS2 and D1/D2

Amylomyces rouxii is commonly found as amylolytic fungi in tapai fermentation. However, its diversity is rarely reported despite being often used for food production in Southeast Asia. This research aims to analyze the genetic diversity and the distribution pattern of A. rouxii from Ragi tapai in Java Island, Indonesia. We isolated the fungus from samples obtained from Ragi tapai producing centers in Bandung, Sumedang, Muntilan, Blora, Yogyakarta, and Bondowoso. The obtained isolates were molecularly identified based on the ribosomal regions ITS1/ITS2 and D1/D2, then analyzed for phylogenetic tree reconstruction, genetic distance, genetic variation, and haplotype networking. Six isolates showed specific morphological traits of A. rouxii. However, phylogenetic tree reconstruction on the ribosomal genes showed that the isolates were grouped into two different clades related to two species. Clade A included BDG, SMD, and MTL isolates related to A. rouxii, whereas clade B included YOG, BLR, and BDS isolates related to Mucor indicus. The genetic distances between clades for ITS1/ITS2 and D1/D2 were 0.6145 and 0.1556, respectively. In conclusion, we confirmed the genetic diversity of molds from Ragi tapai in Java Island and showed that the isolates are not only related to A. rouxii as reported before.     

Molecular Characterization of Motile Serovars of Salmonella enterica from Breeder and Commercial Broiler Poultry Farms in Bangladesh

Contaminated poultry and poultry products are a major source of motile Salmonellae for human salmonellosis worldwide. Local circulation of any motile Salmonella serovar in poultry has a wider public health impact beyond its source of origin for being dispersed elsewhere through poultry trades or human travels. To investigate the status of motile Salmonella serovars in breeder farms in Bangladesh, multiple flocks of two breeder farms were observed for a period of six months. In addition, a cross-sectional survey was carried out to determine the prevalence and serovar distribution of motile Salmonella by randomly selecting 100 commercial broiler poultry farms. Five pooled faecal samples representing an entire housed flock of breeders or broilers were screened for presence of motile Salmonella following conventional bacteriological procedures. The Salmonella isolates obtained were subsequently serotyped, and characterized by plasmid profiling and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The results revealed that both the breeder farms were positive with three Salmonella serovars: S. Virchow, S. Paratyphi B var Java (S. Java) and S. Enteritidis. Eleven of the 100 broiler farms investigated were positive for motile Salmonella, giving a farm-level prevalence of 11% (95% confidence interval 5–17%). S. Virchow and S. Kentucky were the two predominant serovars isolated from the broiler farms. The PFGE genotyping demonstrated that the isolates belonging to the same serovars were closely related due to variation in only 1–4 bands. All the S. Virchow and S. Java isolates, irrespective of breeder or broiler farm origin, were plasmid-free, except for one S. Virchow isolate from a broiler farm that harboured a 9.7 kb-sized plasmid. The S. Kentucky isolates belonged to three plasmid profiles having plasmids of four different sizes, ranging from 2.7 to 109 kb. This is the first report of any motile Salmonella serovars from breeder and commercial broiler poultry farms in Bangladesh.     

The identity of Tetracyclus constrictus (Bacillariophyceae) and a description of Tetracyclusbradburyii, a new miocene species

The siliceous valves from species of Tetracyclus (Bacillariophyceae) have variable but characteristic shapes. In this paper, species characterised by having valves with a central constriction are discussed. This distinctive shape occurs during only a period of its lifecycle. Tetracyclus constrictus and Tetracyclus celatom have been applied to fossil specimens occurring in deposits from the west coast of the USA and the east coast of Russia. Do these names apply to two closely related species or are they one and the same taxon? Two further species, Tetracyclus javanicus and Tetracyclus peragalli, have been involved in the identity of T. constrictus–T. celatom. T. constrictus M. Peragallo is the correct name and author for specimens of the extinct Miocene, circum-Pacific (or northern) fossil species with valves panduriform with rounded poles; T. javanicus refers to a species found living on Java only; fossil specimens usually referred to T. javanicus (Java) belong to a new taxon, Tetracyclus bradburyii (USA); T. peragalli is an extinct Miocene fossil, with a northern hemisphere distribution; small (≤10 μm) circular/elliptical fossil specimens, found alongside other specimens, are difficult (if not impossible) to determine to species level.     

Resurrection and redescription of Pomponia bullata Schmidt, 1924 stat. rev. (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadini)

Pomponia bullata Schmidt, 1924 stat. rev. from Java is resurrected from junior synonymy with Pomponia picta (Walker, 1870) from Sumatra and redescribed. The only male specimen out of three syntypes is designated as the lectotype.     

Distributional patterns of the genus Folioceros Bharad. in India

The genus Folioceros Bharad. is represented in the Indian subcontinent by 12 species: F. assamicus Bharad., F. appendiculatus (Steph.) Udar et Singh, F. dixitianus (Mahabale) Bharad., F. glandulosus (L. et L.) Bharad., F. indicus Bharad., F. kashyapii Sriv. et Asthana, F. mangaloreus (Steph.) Bharad., F. paliformis Singh, F. physocladus Bharad. ex Schiffn. et Pande, F. satpurensis (Sriv.) Bharad. et Srivastava, F. amboinensis (Schiffn.) Piippo and F. udarii Asthana et Sriv. The greatest concentration of species has been observed in the moist subtropical evergreen as well as deciduous forests of the eastern Himalaya and south India, possessing 6 and 4 species, respectively. Western Himalaya and central India host one species each while the Andaman Islands possess two species. All species are endemic to their bryogeographical zones except F. appendiculatus, F. glandulosus and F. amboinensis, as F. appendiculatus occur in Samoa, Java, Sumatra and New Guinea while F. glandulosus occurs in New South Wales, Australia and F. amboinensis in Java beyond the Indian subcontinent. Folioceros indicus, F. physocladus and F. satpurensis are restricted to slightly higher altitudes, whereas F. mangaloreus, F. assamicus, F. paliformis and F. amboinensis are restricted to comparatively lower altitudes.     

A review of Cheilothela (Ditrichaceae)

Cheilothela Lindb. is recognized as a monotypic genus forC. chloropus (Brid.) Lindb. The South American and New Zealand taxa are considered to be synonymous and placed in the resurrectedChrysoblastella Williams asC. chilensis (Mont.) Reim.Chrysoblastella is segregated fromCheilothela on the basis of numerous sporophytic characters as well as their phytogeography.Cheilothela longirostre Fleisch., from Java, is misplaced in either genus and a new genus,Strombulidens, is erected to accommodate it.Strombulidens is considered most closely related toWilsoniella on the basis of their unique peristomes.     

A new species of Paratachardina Balachowsky (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Kerriidae) related to the lobate lac scale,P. pseudolobata Kondo & Gullan

A new species of lac insect, Paratachardina javanensis Kondo and Gullan, sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Kerriidae), is described and illustrated from a collection on Myrica rubra Siebold and Zucc. (also called Morella rubra Lour., Myricaceae) in West Java, Indonesia. This lac insect species is most similar morphologically to the pestiferous lobate lac scale, Paratachardina pseudolobata Kondo and Gullan. A comparison of the two species and an updated taxonomic key to all named Paratachardina species are provided.     

Multiple transgressions of Wallace's Line explain diversity of flightless Trigonopterus weevils on Bali

The fauna of Bali, situated immediately west of Wallace''s Line, is supposedly of recent Javanese origin and characterized by low levels of endemicity. In flightless Trigonopterus weevils, however, we find 100% endemism for the eight species here reported for Bali. Phylogeographic analyses show extensive in situ differentiation, including a local radiation of five species. A comprehensive molecular phylogeny and ancestral area reconstruction of Indo-Malayan–Melanesian species reveals a complex colonization pattern, where the three Balinese lineages all arrived from the East, i.e. all of them transgressed Wallace''s Line. Although East Java possesses a rich fauna of Trigonopterus, no exchange can be observed with Bali. We assert that the biogeographic picture of Bali has been dominated by the influx of mobile organisms from Java, but different relationships may be discovered when flightless invertebrates are studied. Our results highlight the importance of in-depth analyses of spatial patterns of biodiversity.     

Diurnal and climatic influences on allogrooming behaviour in a captive group of Java monkeys

This study was aimed at evaluating diurnal and climatic influences on allogrooming in a small captive group of Java monkeys (Macaca fuscicularis). Allogrooming showed a definite diurnal cycle similar to those preeviously reported for other Macaca species. The major amount of allogrooming was recorded between 1300 hours and 1500 hours with a second minor peak occurring between 1100 hours and 1200 hours. The lowest mean levels were recorded in the early morning and in the late afternoon. Climatic factors were shown to influence allogrooming: more allogrooming was done under conditions of high temperature and low relative humidity. On the basis of the discrepancy between this latter finding and that previously reported for Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) living under similar conditions, it is suggested that the sensitivity of Java monkeys to climatic factors may be a species-specific trait.