Search

Enggano Island of Indonesia has Psittacula parakeet bird; namely Psittacula longicauda modesta. Phylogenetically, the position of the bird has not been studied yet. The present study used DNA sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene to analyze phylogenetic relationships within Psittacula parakeet birds; especially to reveal the phylogenetic position of Psittacula longicauda modesta. Blood samples were collected from two Psittacula species; Psittacula alexandri from Jawa island, and Psittacula longicauda (Psittacula longicauda modesta from Enggano island and P. l. defontainei from Natuna island). Blood samples were taken from each bird and DNA was extracted from each blood sample. PCR was performed to amplify a single fragment of cyt b gene, by using a pair of nucleotide primer. The DNA targets were then be sequenced. Totally 868-bp of cyt b was used to calculate genetic divergence within and between Psittacula parakeet, and to construct phylogenetic trees. DNA sequence data from others Psittacula species were taken from GenBank. Columba livia, Accipiter, and Cacatua were used as outgroup species. The mean genetic divergence within Psittacula longicauda was 2.16% for P. l. modesta vs P. l. defontainei, 2.37% for P. l. modesta vs P. l. longicauda, and 1.51% for P. l. defontainei vs P. l. longicauda. The mean genetic divergences within Psittacula were 0.0512 ± 0.0051. Both Phylogenetic (NJ and ML) trees showed that P. l. defontainea (Natuna is.) and P. l. longicauda grouped together and to be sister group, while the position of Psittacula parakeet from Enggano island (P. l. modesta) was distant from and as a sister group of (P. l. defontainei and P. l. longicauda). P. longicauda and P. alexandri group together and appeared to be sister group.

A survey on bird diversity was conducted along coastal areas of Bachok, Kelantan. The aim of the study is to document avian species diversity in the proposed site for UM Marine Field Station. Field visits were conducted five times over a period of 12 months from June 2008 until May 2009. The direct observation technique was applied to record bird species. A total of 70 species of birds from 30 families were recorded in the study area. Of this, three species were introduced species, 45 were residents, 11 were migrants, and 11 species have both migrants and residents populations. Forty-eight of the recorded species are either totally protected or partially protected (two species as game birds and other two species as licence caged birds) under Protection of Wildlife Act 1976. In term of conservation status, two species (Grey-breasted Babbler, Malacopteron albogulare and Longtailed Parakeet, Psittacula longicauda) are classified as Nearly Threatened by the IUCN Red Data Book. Fifty-two recorded species are commonly found throughout Peninsular Malaysia but ten species are uncommon, seven are abundant, and a single species (Javan Pond-Heron, Ardeola speciosa) is rarely found. Bird distributions and species diversity recorded during each visit varied depending on sampling site. Generally, Bachok district possesses a wide variety of birds and can contribute significantly towards biodiversity conservation and management.