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Background:Variations in body size and body melanization are thought to be important features for local adaptation of environmental stresses in many insects and latitudinal clines of such variation have been found many taxa. When two species share similar resource, ecological divergence and niche partitioning may further evolve as the consequence of competition. Here, we examined the distribution, host plant usage, and body size variation of two closely-related species, Drosophila elegans, which has two discrete body color morphs, and D. gunungcola on three islands. Results:The brown morph of D. elegans has a similar distribution to D. gunungcola in Java and Sumatra, whereas the black morph of D. elegans is exclusively found in Taiwan. A significant correlation between latitudes and altitudes was found in sites where D. gunungcola was found in Sumatra south of equator. The brown morph of D. elegans was found to be smaller in body size and tends to live in warmer habitat compared to the black morph of D. elegans and D. gunungcola. A significant genetic correlation between body color and body size was found in recombinant inbred lines derived from hybrids of brown and black morph strains.Conclusions:The restricted distribution of D. gunungcola in Southern hemisphere coincides with the lack of highland habitat near the equator. Four plant species were found to be exclusively utilized by D. elegans only in Taiwan whereas the same flower species are shared by both fly species in Java and Sumatra, suggesting the presence of inter-specific competition for breeding sites in overlapping zones. Darker body coloration with larger body size appears to have evolved twice in this lineage, reflecting similar patterns of natural selection in Indonesia and postglacial Taiwan.

The emergence of Java and Sumatra islands at the end of Miocene, has impact to the diversity of fauna that living in the islands. Amphibia, as one of a genetic information series, can be used as a good phylogenetic comparison. Genus Megophrys (Anura: Megophryidae), is a member of amphibians that live isolated at an altitude of 1000 ASL (Above Sea Level) or more. The purpose of this research is to analyze the phylogenetic patterns of genus Megophrys in Java and Sumatra based on the analysis of 16s rRNA gene. We also analyzed the zoogeography to understand the history of relationship and the establishment of these islands. We took samples on 12 localities: 10 areas of Sumatra and 2 areas of Java. We used Qiamp Blood and Tissue Kit to extract the DNA from tissues. Qualitative analysis of DNA was done by running electrophoresis on 1% agarose gel. Qualitative analysis of DNA was done by running electrophoresis on 1% agarose gel. Results show that Clade A has 2 subclasses: I and II. Subclade I consists of Sumatran specimens, whereas subclade II consists of Javanese specimens. Subclaude I and II have paraphyletic connections. Clade B classified as politomy clade consists of Megophrys sp. from West Pasaman, Megophry s sp. from West Sumatra and Megophrys sp. from Pasawaran, Lampung. The result shows that Megophrys sp. of subclade I (clade A) and clade B, belongs to the same group, both of them were originated from Sumatra. Megophrys sp. subclade I (clade A) originated from Tanggamus (Lampung) and West Lampung (Lampung) separated with 2 species of Megophrys sp. of clade B originated from Pasawaran (Lampung). Keywords: 16s rRNA, Java, Megohprys , Sumatra, zoogeography

Greater Green Leafbird (GGL) Chloropsis sonnerati is one of the favorite songbird in Indonesia and live harmoniously among local people. However the increasing human needs creates a vulnerable situation, both to socio-economic and bird sustainability. This study aims to reveal the GGL tradi-tional hunting method in two villages within the national park. In addition, this study also aims to reveal the trading plot from the initial supply to the local traders and the fluctuation of GGL population in their natural habitat. We conducted two approaches: an explorative interview on bird traders in Malang, Jember, and Banyuwangi, and a deep interview on the national park rangers, society, and bird hunters. Local people generally use two methods for GGL hunting. Pikat method, was used to catch specific birds that mostly live on trees. The other method, net method, was not widely used by the traditional hunter. Population of GGL was considered as abundant in the past, when the demand was low and the hunting activity only conducted seasonally using pulot method. The high of demand, modernization of method, and regeneration of hunters shifted the sustainable harvest into exploitation. During 2001-2003, the trend of hunting began to decline the GGL population in nature.

The evolution of sexual traits often involves correlated changes in morphology and behavior. For example, in Drosophila, divergent mating displays are often accompanied by divergent pigment patterns. To better understand how such traits co-evolve, we investigated the genetic basis of correlated divergence in wing pigmentation and mating display between the sibling species Drosophila elegans and Drosophila gunungcola. Drosophila elegans males have an area of black pigment on their wings known as a wing spot and appear to display this spot to females by extending their wings laterally during courtship. By contrast, D. gunungcola lost both of these traits. Using Multiplexed Shotgun Genotyping (MSG), we identified a ∼440 kb region on the X chromosome that behaves like a genetic switch controlling the presence or absence of male-specific wing spots. This region includes the candidate gene optomotor-blind (omb), which plays a critical role in patterning the Drosophila wing. The genetic basis of divergent wing display is more complex, with at least two loci on the X chromosome and two loci on autosomes contributing to its evolution. Introgressing the X-linked region affecting wing spot development from D. gunungcola into D. elegans reduced pigmentation in the wing spots but did not affect the wing display, indicating that these are genetically separable traits. Consistent with this observation, broader sampling of wild D. gunungcola populations confirmed that the wing spot and wing display are evolving independently: some D. gunungcola males performed wing displays similar to D. elegans despite lacking wing spots. These data suggest that correlated selection pressures rather than physical linkage or pleiotropy are responsible for the coevolution of these morphological and behavioral traits. They also suggest that the change in morphology evolved prior to the change in behavior.

The evolution of sexual traits often involves correlated changes in morphology and behavior. For example, in Drosophila, divergent mating displays are often accompanied by divergent pigment patterns. To better understand how such traits co-evolve, we investigated the genetic basis of correlated divergence in wing pigmentation and mating display between the sibling speciesDrosophila elegansandD. gunungcola.Drosophila elegansmales have an area of black pigment on their wings known as a wing spot and appear to display this spot to females by extending their wings laterally during courtship. By contrast,D. gunungcolalacks both of these traits. Using Multiplexed Shotgun Genotyping (MSG), we identified a ∼440 kb region on the X chromosome that behaves like a genetic switch controlling the presence or absence of male-specific wing spots. This region includes the candidate geneoptomotor-blind(omb), which plays a critical role in patterning theDrosophilawing. The genetic basis of divergent wing display is more complex, with at least two loci on the X chromosome and two loci on autosomes contributing to its evolution. Introgressing the X-linked region affecting wing spot development fromD. gunungcolaintoD. elegansreduced pigmentation in the wing spots but did not affect the wing display, indicating that these are genetically separable traits. Consistent with this observation, broader sampling of wildD. gunungcolapopulations confirmed the wing spot and wing display are evolving independently: someD. gunungcolamales preformed wing displays similar toD. elegansdespite lacking wing spots. These data suggest that correlated selection pressures rather than physical linkage or pleiotropy are responsible for the coevolution of these morphological and behavioral traits. They also suggest that the change in morphology evolved prior to the change in behavior.

This research was aimed to explore and inventory the plant diversity, especially medicinal plants in Nature Reserve of Mount Mutis. Data were collected in Fatumnasi Village, Fatumnasi District of South Central Timor Regency in October 2011 through plant exploration and interview the local people. Plants inventory was conducted along the tracks during exploration. Herbs vegetation analysis was conducted among the tree stands of Eucalyptus urophylla. In addition, orchid vegetation analysis was only conducted to orchids that have been found attaching to Eucalyptus urophylla trees. Results showed that there were about 52 family, 78 genera and 84 species of plants in the observed area. Tree species was dominated by 'ampupu' (Eucalyptus urophylla), while orchid species was dominated by Eria retusa. Herbaceous plant communities were dominated by Centella asiatica, Cyperus sp. and Cynodon dactylon. There were about eight plant species of medicinal plants and one food plant species found in the forestthat have been known by local people.

Indonesia is known as one of the highest supplier on animal illegal trading, especially reptile. The objectives of this study are to reveal the preparation proccess of reptiles in the wholesaler and the flow of illegal trade through deep interview and observation in Kebumen Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. The results showed that wholesaler did some specific processes towards reptile. As much as 289 reptiles were observed to be traded in various conditions. Dry season affect the amount of animal sold. Chinese Ratsnake ( Ptyas korros ) and Reticulated Python ( Malayopython reticulatis ) became the most traded commodity within reptile trading, and is reported to be exported to other countries. Trafficking of adult reptiles could threaten their wild population, yet the level of exploration and monitoring toward reptile’s wild population are still low. Keywords: Kebumen, reptile, trade, population, wholesaler