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Helmeted hornbills (Rhinoplax vigil, J.R. Forster, 1781) are ‘Critically Endangered’ due to illegal hunting for their casques which are carved and traded for ornamental purposes. DNA species identification techniques can aid enforcement efforts, and validated wildlife forensic techniques for the species identification of R. vigil are needed. Here we tested multiple methods for sampling and extracting DNA from R. vigil casques and a validated a previously published assay using cytochrome B (cytB) primers to identity species and origin of traded casques. Phenol-chloroform: isoamyl alcohol extractions resulted in samples with higher quantity and quality of DNA than those extracted using the commercial Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue kit. Samples collected from the caudal side of the casque yielded higher DNA quantity and quality than rostral and lateral sides, regardless of sampling method. We then assessed the repeatability, reproducibility, robustness, sensitivity, specificity, and phylogenetic resolution of a previously published species identification assay. We confirm the ability of this method to phylogenetically distinguish between R. vigil and closely related hornbills with high bootstrap support (99%). We also report the first genetic evidence of illegally traded R. vigil in Hong Kong using confiscated casques and provide more reference samples of R. vigil for future work. Overall, we provide multiple protocols for sampling and extracting DNA, and a validated species identification assay for amplifying DNA from R. vigil casques with potential to aid law enforcement in illegal wildlife crimes.

Natural history museums are vital repositories of specimens, samples and data that inform about the natural world; this Formal Comment revisits a Perspective that advocated for the adoption of compassionate collection practices, querying whether it will ever be possible to completely do away with whole animal specimen collection.

Abstract Background Empirical field studies allow us to view how ecological and environmental processes shape the biodiversity of our planet, but collecting samples in situ creates inherent challenges. The majority of empirical vertebrate gut microbiome research compares multiple host species against abiotic and biotic factors, increasing the potential for confounding environmental variables. To minimize these confounding factors, we focus on a single species of passerine bird found throughout the geologically complex island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. We assessed the effects of two environmental factors, geographic Areas of Endemism (AOEs) and elevation, as well as host sex on the gut microbiota assemblages of the Sulawesi Babbler, Pellorneum celebense, from three different mountains across the island. Using cloacal swabs, high-throughput-amplicon sequencing, and multiple statistical models, we identified the core microbiome and determined the signal of these three factors on microbial composition. Results The five most prevalent bacterial phyla within the gut microbiome of P. celebense were Proteobacteria (32.6%), Actinobacteria (25.2%), Firmicutes (22.1%), Bacteroidetes (8.7%), and Plantomycetes (2.6%). These results are similar to those identified in prior studies of passeriform microbiomes. Overall, microbiota diversity decreased as elevation increased, irrespective of sex or AOE. A single ASV of Clostridium was enriched in higher elevation samples, while lower elevation samples were enriched with the genera Perlucidibaca (Family Moraxellaceae), Lachnoclostridium (Family Lachnospiraceae), and an unidentified species in the Family Pseudonocardiaceae. Conclusions While the core microbiota families recovered here are consistent with other passerine studies, the decreases in diversity as elevation increases has only been seen in non-avian hosts. Additionally, the increased abundance of Clostridium at high elevations suggests a potential microbial response to lower oxygen levels. This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating multiple statistical models and abiotic factors such as elevation in empirical microbiome research, and is the first to describe an avian gut microbiome from the island of Sulawesi.

The biodiversity loss in Southeast Asia indicates an urgent need for long-term monitoring, which is lacking. Much attention is being directed toward bird diversity monitoring using remote sensing, based on relation to forest structure. However, few studies have utilized space-borne active microwave remote sensing, which has considerable advantages in terms of repetitive observations over tropical areas. Here, we evaluate threatened bird occurrence from L-band satellite data explaining forest structure in Sumatra, Indonesia. First, we identified L-band parameters with strong correlations with the forest layer structure, defined as forest floor, understory, and canopy layers. Then, we analyzed the correlation between threatened bird occurrence and L-band parameters identified as explaining forest structure. The results reveal that several parameters can represent the layers of forest floor, understory, and canopy. Subsequent statistical analysis elucidated that forest-dependent and threatened bird species exhibit significant positive correlations with the selected L-band parameters explaining forest floor and understory. Our results highlight the potential of applying microwave satellite remote sensing to evaluate bird diversity through forest structure estimation, although a more comprehensive study is needed to strengthen our findings.

Archipelagoes serve as important ‘natural laboratories’ which facilitate the study of island radiations and contribute to the understanding of evolutionary processes. The white-eye genus Zosterops is a classical example of a ‘great speciator’, comprising c. 100 species from across the Old World, most of them insular. We achieved an extensive geographic DNA sampling of Zosterops by using historical specimens and recently collected samples. Using over 700 genome-wide loci in conjunction with coalescent species tree methods and gene flow detection approaches, we untangled the reticulated evolutionary history of Zosterops, which comprises three main clades centered in Indo-Africa, Asia, and Australasia, respectively. Genetic introgression between species permeates the Zosterops phylogeny, regardless of how distantly related species are. Crucially, we identified the Indonesian archipelago, and specifically Borneo, as the major center of diversity and the only area where all three main clades overlap, attesting to the evolutionary importance of this region.

A numerical model of wave trajectory using shoaling and refraction formula was proposed in the coastal waters of Lhoknga, Aceh Besar, Indonesia. The developed model used a two dimensional (2D) numerical methods for wave trajectory with the input of wave height and period; 0.62 m and 8 second for high tide and 0.47 m and 6 second for low tide. This model was tested on site during low tide and high tide conditions for verification. The purpose of this numerical study is to trace the distribution of wave trajectory because of shoaling, wave breaking, and wave refraction. The model determines the wave height and crest pattern of the ray wave trajectory. The simulation result shows the pattern of the wave propagation at Lhoknga beach moves from the northwest to the east and south of the coast. The model also informs that the maximum wave height during high tide condition is 1.72 m and 1.31 m during low tide condition. The result indicates that the coast of Lhoknga has moderate wave conditions caused by a gentle beach bathymetry slope.

A numerical model of wave trajectory using shoaling and refraction formula was proposed in the coastal waters of Lhoknga, Aceh Besar, Indonesia. The developed model used a two dimensional (2D) numerical methods for wave trajectory with the input of wave height and period; 0.62 m and 8 second for high tide and 0.47 m and 6 second for low tide. This model was tested on site during low tide and high tide conditions for verification. The purpose of this numerical study is to trace the distribution of wave trajectory because of shoaling, wave breaking, and wave refraction. The model determines the wave height and crest pattern of the ray wave trajectory. The simulation result shows the pattern of the wave propagation at Lhoknga beach moves from the northwest to the east and south of the coast. The model also informs that the maximum wave height during high tide condition is 1.72 m and 1.31 m during low tide condition. The result indicates that the coast of Lhoknga has moderate wave conditions caused by a gentle beach bathymetry slope.

Based on writer observation, there are few works on work ethic. There is no sole theory could explains all phenomena and how to make weak to become stronger and better. Sometimes work ethic influenced by belief, like a religion. Sometimes it is affected by economic growth in a community. As a complex religion, Islam explains about work ethic in adequate manner. At least, this could be understood through worship concept that poses unlimited meanings, which work ethic is included in.

Etos kerja menggambarkan segi-segi etos kerja yang baik pada manusia, bersumber dari kualitas diri, diwujudkan berdasarkan tata nilai sebagai etos kerja yang diimplementasikan dalam aktivitas kerja. Ajaran Islam sangat mendorong umatnya untuk bekerja keras, dan bahwa ajaran Islam memuat spirit dan dorongan pada tumbuhnya budaya dan etos kerja yang tinggi. Kalau pada tataran praktis, umat Islam seolah-olah beretos kerja rendah, maka bukan sistem teologi yang harus dirombak, melainkan harus diupayakan bagaimana cara dan metode untuk memberikan pengertian dan pemahaman yang benar mengenai watak dan karakter esensial dari ajaran Islam yang sesungguhnya. Etos kerja dalam Islam terkait erat dengan nilai-nilai (values) yang terkandung dalam al-Qur‟an dan al-Sunnah tentang “kerja” – yang dijadikan sumber inspirasi dan motivasi oleh setiap Muslim untuk melakukan aktivitas kerja di berbagai bidang kehidupan. Cara mereka memahami, menghayati dan mengamalkan nilai-nilai al-Qur‟an dan al-Sunnah tentang dorongan untuk bekerja itulah yang membentuk etos kerja Islam.