Judul: Impact of Dietary Variation on Gut Microbiota  Composition of Macaca fascicularis at the Primate Research Center, IPB  University
Abstrak: Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis; LTMs), also known as crab eating macaques, are widespread in Southeast Asia and exhibit distinct dietary patterns in captivity and the wild. Captive LTMs, often fed commercial monkey chow and cultivated fruits, are prone to health issues like obesity and diarrhea due to dietary and habitat changes. In contrast, wild LTMs consume a diverse, natural diet that supports a healthier gut microbiome. This research aims to explore the relationship between different diets and gut microbiota profiles of LTMs in two locations: the Dramaga Captive Breeding Facility and Tinjil Island. The study was involving feeding treatment only for LTMs in Dramaga Captive Breeding Facility, then fecal sample collection from LTMs in both the Dramaga Captive Breeding Facility and Tinjil Island. Molecular activities were performed to extract DNA, followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatic analyses to identify and compare the gut microbiota composition. Captive LTMs exhibited higher gut microbiota diversity than semi-wild LTM. The results showed that Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Proteobacteria were dominant in the gut microbial communities of LTMs from both environments, with significant variations at the genera levels. The findings highlight significant differences in gut microbiota between wild and captive LTMs, influenced primarily by their diets. Wild LTM had a higher presence of Proteobacteria, particularly the genus Succinivibrio, associated with the digestion of high-fiber diets typical of their natural food sources. In contrast, captive LTMs, especially LTM in individual cage, exhibited higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio, which are often linked to carbohydrate-rich diets and potential obesity. Captive LTM in the group cage showed a slightly more balanced gut microbiota, likely due to a more varied diet and greater physical activity. The study emphasizes the need for high-fiber food supplementation in captive LTM diets to maintain gut health and prevent metabolic disorders. The distinct differences in gut microbiota composition between wild and captive LTMs underscore the importance of dietary management in maintaining a healthy gut microbiota balance and overall health in captive LTMs. This research provides valuable insights into the gut microbiota of LTMs in different environments, underscoring the significant impact of diet on their microbial composition and health. The results suggest that more comprehensive dietary strategies should be implemented for captive LTMs to mimic their natural diet as closely as possible. Future research should increase the number of animals studied and integrate comprehensive assessments of LTM behavior, physiological parameters, and microbiota composition for a more holistic understanding of their health dynamics. This approach would offer a broader perspective on how diet and environment shape the gut microbiota and overall health of LTMs, ultimately contributing to improved welfare and management practices for these primates in captivity.
Keyword: 16S rRNA gene sequencing, captive and semi-wild breeding, fecal  samples, natural diets, long-tailed macaques

Judul: Variasi Regional dalam Pola Makan Monyet Ekor Panjang dan Faktor Ekologi yang Mempengaruhinya
Abstrak: Dietary composition and activity budgets are important aspects of primate ecology, and habitat quality often affects them and makes a regional variation in the behavior of target species. This study describes the variations in activity budgets and dietary habits of free-ranging long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in original habitats through a web-based survey. Then, the relationships between the behavioral aspects and geographical/ environmental variables were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation. Activity budgets of the macaques were stable regardless of the habitats, except for social behavior which showed a positive correlation with elevation. Percentages of primary foods (fruits, seeds, flowers, and leaves), on the other hand, were stable across habitats, while of non-primary foods (fungi, soil, and others) showed negative relationships with temperature. In several study sites, percentages of anthropogenic diets were remarkably higher. The lack of regional variations in activity and primary dietary composition is likely due to higher food availability in the tropical habitat, which is contrasting to those in the macaques inhabiting temperate regions that show drastic behavioral plasticity in response to regional variation in food environment. Percentage of fungi and soil showed positive relationship with human population, which is likely to contribute to neutralize nutritional compounds obtained from anthropogenic foods.
Keyword: Activity budgets, Daily Behavior, Feeding Behavior, Food habits, Food Preference, Meta-analysis, Regional variation

Judul: Karakterisasi optik lapisan semikonduktor Cu2O yang dibuat dengan metode deposisi kimia
Abstrak: Semikonduktor Cu2O telah dipertimbangkan sebagai material yang digunakan untuk membuat sel surya dengan biaya rendah dan mudah dibuat dengan metoda deposisi kimia. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terjadinya perubahan sifat optik pada sampel dengan ketebalan yang berbeda dan pada sampel yang diberi perlakuan pemanasan (annealing). Ketebalan lapisan memberikan pengaruh terhadap beberapa sifat optik material antara lain absorbansi, transmitansi, reflektansi dan indeks bias. Semakin tebal lapisan akan menyebabkan nilai absorbansi, reflektansi dan indeks bias semakin besar, dan nilai transmitansi semakin kecil. Perlakuan panas juga merubah beberapa sifat optik yang dipelajari. Semakin panas suhu annealing yang diterapkan, menyebabkan nilai absorbansi, reflektansi dan indeks bias semakin kecil, sedangkan nilai transmitansi semakin besar. Pendugaan band gap menggunakan kurva (αhυ)2 vs. hυ menunjukkan bahwa sampel semikonduktor Cu2O berada di antara 2,35 – 2,42 eV.
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