Judul: Daerah penyebaran dan variasi morfologi ular putih (Micropechis ikaheka) di Papua
Abstrak: The objectives of the research were to identify the area of distribution and the specific habitat of the white snake (Micropechis ikaheka) in Papua (Western New Guinea), and also to explain the morphological variation among the populations of that snake. About eight months of field work were taken to conduct the survey (April 2002; June 2006; and March to Augusts 2007) in several areas in the mainland and off-shore islands of Papua. Observation were carried out in the field at night and during the day to collect the snake. Also, studies were done on a collection of specimens that were found in the Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense LIPI in Cibinong, Conservation International in Jayapura and the Biology Laboratory of the Papua State University in Manokwari. The results showed that the white snake Micropechis ikaheka can be divided into three separate groups based on the color of the scales, i.e. Black, Brown and Yellow. The black one is the new group found in this research, and also there was one individual snake with transitional coloration between the brown group and the yellow group. However, M. ikaheka is common and has a relatively wide distribution in New Guinea, but every group has a specific and limited area of distribution. The group with black color is distributed in the islands of Waigeo and Batanta and the group with yellow color is distributed starting from Manokwari, Sorong, upto the islands of Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo. Meanwhile, the brown colored sanke is distributed from the island of Yapen, mainland of waropen, Mamberamo, Jayawijaya, Mindiptana upto Papua New Guinea.
Keyword: The white snake, Micropechis ikaheka, Are of distribution, Morphological variation, Famili Elopidae

Judul: Phylogeography and Species Limits in the Papuan White Snake (Micropechis ikaheka) (Reptilia: Serpentes: Elapidae)
Abstrak: Papua white snake, Micropechis ikaheka, has been distingushed into two subspecies M.i. ikaheka and M.i. fasciatus. However, due to lack of data on their morphology, distribution and ecology, both subspecies often ignored in scintific discussions and refers only byas , Micropechis ikaheka. This study was designed to document the differences between M.i. ikaheka and M.i fasciatus by using scales characteristics and reproductive organ or hemipenes. The study also examine, zoogeography, habitat, diet and cannibalism of both subspecies to better understanding the the ecology of one of the most venomous snakes in the world. This study consists of three topics with method and also different in the size samples, respectively. The first study is the histology and microtopography of the skin were studied using paraffin method and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The second is the hemipenis were examined by following Myers and Cadle (2003), and Zaher and Prudente (2003). The third is the abdominal surgery was carried out to document diet type and the investigate phenomenon of cannibalism in the snake. Specimens for this study came from the collection from Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense (MZB) and Universitas Negeri Papua’s Laboratory (LZU). The research result also indicated that the markers of skin and hemipenis described the same structure and microornamentation in all M. ikaheka groups being compared. Based specimens examined morphological descriptions do not s support the further differentiation in Micropechis. In short, two markers that used in this study could not sufficiently indicate the differences in the level of species and subspecies of M. ikaheka. The study, however, were able to delineate zoogeography and skin color patterns, which fall into four groups: M. i. ikaheka; M. i. fasciatus. M. i. ssp. “intermediate”; and M. i. ssp “black”. This study also revealed that color variations did not overlap in their geographic distribution. It is therefore, it suggested that environmental factors may contribute to the skin color variations. It also assumed that habitat discontinuous and biogeography factors may also cause the loss of the connection between the original populations (vicarians) or follow colonization events (dispersal). The examined of 22 stomach contents of M. ikaheka shows this species is carnivorous, and prey on vertebrates such as amphibians, fish, reptiles, and Mammals. These snakes are opportunistic predators since they prey on all that can be captured, but mainly reptiles (61.5%), followed by mammals and fish (both 15.4%), and amphibians (7.7%). Although categorized as terrestrial animal, the diet study showed that M. ikaheka snakes often go into the water to hunt for fish (the sample from Yapen island), including eel (the sample from Aru island). Based on prey items indentified, there is evidence that M. ikaheka is cannibal. At this time, there still no record on reason for cannibalism, but it is assumed that cannibalism was due to competition between populations and means to control population.
Keyword: geographic variation, white snake, papua

Judul: Katalis Zink Ferit Tersubstitusi Cu untuk Oksidasi Benzil Alkohol
Abstrak: Katalis berperan dalam menurunkan energi aktivasi. Katalis ZnFe2O4 dan ZnFe2O4 tersubstitusi Cu disintesis menggunakan metode kopresipitasi untuk digunakan dalam oksidasi benzil alkohol. Katalis dicirikan dengan spektrofotometer inframerah (FTIR) dan difraktometer sinar-X. Spektrum FTIR menunjukkan puncak serapan dari ikatan Zn-O dan Fe-O masing-masing pada rentang 559‒575 cm-1 dan 419‒447 cm-1. Difraktogram menunjukkan terbentuknya fase tunggal Zn0.6Cu0.4Fe2O4 pada katalis ZnFe2O4 tersubstitusi Cu 20%. Benzil alkohol dioksidasi dengan sistem refluks. Konversi benzil alkohol meningkat dengan meningkatnya suhu. Kadar benzaldehida yang dihasilkan dengan katalis ZnFe2O4 tersubstitusi Cu 20% lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan katalis ZnFe2O4 yang tidak tersubstitusi dan yang tersubstitusi Cu 60 dan 80%. Hal tersebut menunjukkan bahwa katalis ZnFe2O4 tersubstitusi Cu 20% memiliki kinerja yang lebih baik dalam oksidasi benzil alkohol menjadi benzaldehida dengan kadar benzaldehida 8.763%.
Keyword: Benzil alkohol, katalis, oksidasi, ZnFe2O4