A new species of the Cyrtodactylusquadrivirgatus complex (Chordata, Reptilia, Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Sumatra Barat, Indonesia.

Among the six species of Cyrtodactylus occurring in Sumatra, two species were described based on non-Sumatran type series, C.consobrinus and C.quadrivirgatus. The latter species was described originally from Thailand thus the wider distribution in Sumatra should be clarified taxonomically. Cyrtodactylusquadrivirgatus from Sumatra Barat was examined using both morphology and the Natrium Dehydrogenase Subunit 2 (ND2) gene to clarify its taxonomic status and phylogenetic placement. It was found that these specimens form a sister clade to all other species of the sworderi group from Peninsular Malaysia and the genetic distance ranges from 20-24.3%. This subset is herein described as a new species. The new species is readily distinguished from C.quadrivirgatus and other Sumatran species by a combination of characters: small size SVL 37.5-53.78 mm; longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles 16-19; paravertebral tubercles 31-41; ventral scales 32-43; 24-49 enlarged precloacal and femoral scales; precloacal pores rarely present; no precloacal depression; two postcloacal tubercles on each side; 14-19 subdigital lamellae on forth toe; 9-15 supralabial scales; 9-12 infralabial scales; three or four internasal scales; and 3-6 gular scales that border the first pair of postmental scales. This work underscores the importance of clarifying widely distributed species for taxonomic validation.

Variation of Protein Band Pattern on the Skin Secretions of Chalcorana chalconota (Schlegel, 1837) Complex.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i> Chalcorana chalconota </i>is a complex frog species in West Sumatra which has been revised and designated as <i>Chalcorana parvaccola</i> and <i>Chalcorana rufipes</i> based on several studies such as morphology and genetics. Other studies such as protein band patterns can be a marker to differentiate species. This research was done to determine and prove the variations of protein band patterns found in skin secretions of the <i>C. chalconota </i>species complex. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Frog samples were collected in the Pasia Laweh area, Pesisir Selatan, West Sumatra. The standard length measurement of the frog was carried out to determine the voltage that will be applied to the frog using an electric shock device (TAS/transcutaneous amphibian stimulator) in the process of removing the frog's skin secretions. Frog skin secretions were taken and used to see the pattern of protein bands using the SDS-PAGE method. <b>Results:</b> The protein band patterns of skin secretions of <i>C. chalconota</i> species complex were different between <i>C. parvaccola</i> and <i>C. rufipes</i>. In the skin secretions of <i>C. parvaccola</i>, there were eight protein bands with a molecular weight ranging between 12-103 kDa while for <i>C. rufipes</i> there were seven protein bands with a molecular weight ranging between 12-102 kDa. There were six protein bands shared by these two species. Two bands were only found in the skin secretions of <i>C. parvaccola</i> and one band was only found in <i>C. rufipes</i>. <b>Conclusion:</b> Pattern and molecular weight of protein in <i>C. parvaccola</i> and <i>C. rufipes</i> skin secretions can be used as protein markers to distinguish the two species.

Isolation, Screening and Characterization of Ureolytic Bacteria from Cave Ornament.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Ureolytic bacteria are bacteria capable of hydrolyzing urea. In construction, these bacteria are known to help improve soil stability. One of the habitats of ureolytic bacteria is cave ornaments such as gourdam, flowstone, stalagmite and stalactite. This study aims to find isolates and characterization of ureolytic bacteria in cave ornaments. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Urea-CaCl₂ was used as the isolation medium and urea agar medium was used as a qualitative urease test for cave ornament bacteria isolate. This study applied a survey method and tested for gram staining, spore staining, mannitol test, catalase test and lactose test for characterization. <b>Results:</b> There were 17 isolates positive for urease from 30 isolates from the isolates of cave ornament bacteria. The characteristics of 17 ureolytic bacteria isolates were 2 isolates gram-negative basil with negative lactose test and 1 isolate positive glucose and 1 isolate negative glucose. Total 15 isolates gram-positive basil with spore staining results, 14 isolates spore-positive with 2 isolates positive mannitol and 12 isolates negative mannitol and 1 isolate spore-negative with negative catalase. <b>Conclusion:</b> Total 17 ureolytic bacteria isolates were found from cave ornaments. Biochemical characterization showed 1 isolate of <i>Proteus</i> spp., 1 isolate of <i>Pseudomonas</i> spp, 2 isolates suspected of being <i>Bacillus megaterium</i> or <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>, 12 isolates of <i>Bacillus cereus</i> and 1 isolate of <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp.