Judul: Distribution and Diversity of Ectoparasite Mites on Geckos in Indonesia
Abstrak: Data on the diversity and dispersal of parasitic mites on house geckos in Indonesia are very scarce. In this work, the distribution and diversity of mites living on three species of house geckos, namely Cosymbotus platyurus, Hemidactylus frenatus, and H. garnotii collected throughout Indonesia, has been elaborated. Geckos and mites were captured and immediately preserved in 70% ethanol. Whole mount of the mites was prepared by clearing in lactophenol followed by mounting on polyvinyl lactophenol solutions. The SEM preparation was conducted to examine the detail morphological characters of the mites. The results showed that among 448 individuals of geckos, 221 geckos were infected by Geckobia mites. Prevalences of C. platyurus, H. frenatus, and H. garnotii infested by mites were 14.8%, 50.69%, and 79.6%, respectively. Three different spesies of Geckobia (G1, G2, and G3) could be differentiated; and based on similarities of their morphological characters to ones described in published literatures, Geckobia G2 is Geckobia glebosum and Geckobia G3 is Geckobia bataviensis while G1 could not be identified to the species level. The highest mean intensity of Geckobia G1 infestation was found on H. garnotii (I=7.0), G. glebosum infestation on H. frenatus (I=3.5), and G. bataviensis infestation on H. garnotii (I=11.8). In general, C. platyurus was infested by the least number of mites. Geckobia G1 were found living on the skin folds on the claws, G. glebosum were found mainly on the body and thigh, and G. bataviensis were found on almost all parts of the host’s body. Geckobia mites are distributed randomly throughout Indonesian Archipelago, following the pattern of distribution of their hosts. So it is concluded that Geckobia G1, G. glebosum, and G. bataviensis are sympatric.
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Judul: Inventarisasi dan Identifikasi Tungau Ektoparasit pada Cicak di Kabupaten Cianjur
Abstrak: Ectoparasite mites are parasitic organisms that live on the surface of the host, sucking the blood or feed on hair, fur, skin, or skin secretions. This research aim to inventarisation and identification of mites ectoparasites on gecko in Cianjur areas. The research was conducted from January 2012 until July 2012. Gecko and mites were collected and preserved in 70% alcohol. Whole mount of the mites was prepared used polyvinyl alcohol media. The result showed that there are three species of gecko (Cosymbotus platyurus, Hemidactylus frenatus, and Gehyra mutilata) was infested by Geckobia mites. There are new seven spesies of Geckobia (G4, G5, G6, G7, G10, G11, and G12). Analysis of the presence of mites done by calculate the value of prevalence (P), the average intensity of infestation (I), and the total intensity (It). The prevalence in C. Platyurus gecko (P = 74.38%) is higher than G. mutilata (P = 50%), and H. frenatus (P = 33.33%), while the average infestation intensity (I) and total intensity (It) is the highest found in G. mutilata (I = 10 and It = 11). Geckobia G4 and Geckobia G10 were found only on C. platyurus; Geckobia G5 and Geckobia G12 were found on C. platyurus and G. mutilata; Geckobia G6 were found on whole infected gecko; Geckobia G7 were found on C. platyurus and H. frenatus; and Geckobia G11 were found on H. frenatus and G. mutilata. So it is concluded that the new seven species mites has not a specific distribution pattern of their hosts.
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Judul: Konversi Asam Stearat Menjadi Stearonitril Dengan Dipandu Teknik Termodegradasi
Abstrak: Nitril merupakan senyawa antara penting dalam industri bahan kimia. Kajian secara komprehensif terhadap suhu dan waktu konversi asam lemak menjadi senyawa nitrilnya perlu dilakukan karena berpengaruh pada hasil sintesis. Pemantauan melalui teknik termodegradasi merupakan salah satu solusi dalam mengatasi masalah suhu reaksi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mendapatkan informasi suhu dan waktu reaksi yang akurat menggunakan sifat termodegradasi dari konversi asam lemak menjadi stearonitril. Stearonitril disintesis dengan memanaskan bahan baku asam stearat, urea, dan akuades di dalam tanur. Suhu pemanasan didasarkan pada hasil analisis termal bahan baku. Kondisi optimum untuk reaksi ini adalah pada 300 °C selama 3 jam yang ditunjukkan dengan termogram kalorimetri pemayaran diferensial, analisis termal diferensial, analisis termogravimetri, dan spektrum inframerah transformasi Fourier. Produk pemanasan tidak diperoleh dalam keadaan murni karena masih terdapat asam stearat. Senyawa amida didapati sebagai senyawa antara konversi ini.
Keyword: analisis termal, asam stearat, FTIR, nitril, urea