Nur Fadli

Acehnese Reefs in the Wake of the Asian Tsunami

The Sumatra-Andanaman tsunami was one of the greatest natural disasters in recorded human history. Here, we show that on the northwest coast of Aceh, Indonesia, where the tsunami was most ferocious, the damage to corals, although occasionally spectacular, was surprisingly limited. We detected no change in shallow coral assemblages between March 2003 and March 2005, with the exception of one site smothered by sediment. Direct tsunami damage was dependent on habitat and largely restricted to corals growing in unconsolidated substrata, a feature unique to tsunami disturbance. Reef condition, however, varied widely within the region and was clearly correlated with human impacts prior to the tsunami. Where fishing has been controlled, coral cover was high. In contrast, reefs exposed to destructive fishing had low coral cover and high algal cover, a phase shift the tsunami may exacerbate with an influx of sediments and nutrients. Healthy reefs did not mitigate the damage on land. Inundation distance was largely determined by wave height and coastal topography. We conclude that although chronic human misuse has been much more destructive to reefs in Aceh than this rare natural disturbance, human modification of the reef did not contribute to the magnitude of damage on land.

The role of habitat creation in coral reef conservation: a case study from Aceh, Indonesia

We describe the successful creation of new reef habitat on Pulau Weh, Indonesia. Coral cover on artificial reef modules increased from a mean of 24±SE 2.4% 1 year after the initial attachment of Acropora spp. coral fragments to 64±SE 4.8% after 3 years. The artificial reef modules were also rapidly colonized by coral recruits. Recruit densities were 53±SE 3.2 m⁻² on modules that had been submerged for only 1 year, nearly twice as high as recruit densities on natural reef substratum (31±2.8 m⁻²). Consequently, the original Acropora assemblage had increased to include at least 23 coral taxa, including 10 additional Acropora species. The artificial reefs also supported at least 29 reef fish species, from 11 families. Unfortunately, this initial success in habitat creation was abruptly halted by a rapid rise in sea temperature in May 2010 that killed almost all corals on the artificial reefs and on nearby natural reefs. Notwithstanding the general view that reef rehabilitation is yet to deliver ecological and conservation benefits at meaningful scales, other benefits of this project included raising the awareness of reef conservation in the local community, promotion of tourism on Pulau Weh and job creation. We conclude, therefore, that habitat creation has a legitimate role as part of an integrated marine conservation strategy.

The Coral Triangle Initiative: What are we missing? A case study from Aceh

The Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) is an ambitious attempt to conserve the marine biodiversity hotspot known as the Coral Triangle (CT). However, the reef fauna in many nearby regions remains poorly explored and consequently, the CT focus risks overlooking other areas of high conservation significance. One region of potential significance, Aceh, Indonesia, has not been visited by coral taxonomists since the Dutch colonial period. Here, we document the species richness of scleractinian corals of Pulau Weh, Aceh, an important component of biodiversity. In addition, we also quantitatively compare the species richness of the Acropora at 3-5 sites in 9 regions in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. While dominated by widespread Indo-Pacific species, the coral fauna of Pulau Weh is also the eastern and western boundary for many Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean species, respectively. We identified a total of 133 scleractinian species; of these three were previously recorded only in the western Indian Ocean and five are presently undescribed. The mean species richness of the Acropora at Pulau Weh was similar to regions within the CT. This high species richness plus the high proportion of endemics suggests that the Andaman Sea is of similarly high conservation value to the CT. We suggest that an international initiative similar to the CTI is required to conserve this region that includes the territorial waters of six countries.

Growth performance and feed utilization of keureling (Tor tambra) fingerlings fed a formulated diet with different doses of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)

Abstract The objective of the present study was to determine the optimum dosage of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in the diet of keureling, Tor tambra (Val.) fingerlings for optimal growth performance and feed utilization. Five doses of vitamin E were tested: 0 mg kg−1 feed (control); 150 mg kg−1 feed; 300 mg kg−1 feed; 450 mg kg−1 feed; 600 mg kg−1. The feed ratio was 5% body weight, which was delivered twice daily at 08:00 and 17:00 for 60 days. The results showed that higher growth performance, feeding conversion ratios, feed efficiency, protein retention, and protein digestibility were obtained at 600 mg kg−1 feed, but the value was not significantly different from the other doses. The optimal dose in terms of the hepatosomatic index and survival rate was 300 mg kg−1. Hence, it was concluded that the optimum, most economical dose of vitamin E supplement for keureling (T. tambra) was 150 mg kg−1 feed, because this value was not significantly different from the doses of 300 and 600 mg kg−1 feed.

DNA barcoding of freshwater fishes from Lake Laut Tawar, Aceh Province, Indonesia

Modern taxonomic work regularly employs internal anatomy, physiology, behaviour, genes, isozymes, geography, and morphological characters, which remain the cornerstone of taxonomic treatments (Ward et al. 2009). However, there are difficulties in relying primarily on morphology when attempting to identify fishes during various stages of their development for example larvae or when examining fragmentary-, partial-, or processed remains. Even when intact adult specimens are available, the morphological characters used to discern species can be so subtle that identification is difficult, even for trained taxonomists (Ward et al. 2009). It is well recognised that DNA-based identification system or commonly known as DNA barcoding (Floyd et al. 2002, Hebert et al. 2003a), can aid the resolution of the vast diversity of life with its millions of species (Hebert et al. 2003a, 2003b, Tautz et al. 2003). It has much to offer ACTA ICHTHYOLOGICA ET PISCATORIA (2013) 43 (1): 21–29 DOI: 10.3750/AIP2013.43.1.04

Exploration of Natural Cryoprotectants for Cryopreservation of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus , Burchell 1822 (Pisces: Clariidae) Spermatozoa

Toxicity is a major limitation to successful spermatozoa cryopreservation of fish. Due to this problem, it is critical to find potential cryoprotectants which are more environmental-friendly, non-toxic, easily prepared, and available at affordable prices. Hence, the objective of the present study was to investigate several natural cryoprotectants for optimal cryopreservation of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, Burchell

Ichthyofauna of Tripa Peat Swamp Forest, Aceh province, Indonesia

The Tripa Peat Swamp Forest (TPSF) suffers from deforestation due to agriculture, this habitat degradation potentially has a negative impact on fish biodiversity and community assemblages. The objective of this study was to develop an inventory of the fish fauna, evaluate the spatial variation in assemblage structure, document alien species, and quantify the economic value of fish species found from the area. Fish assemblages from the main rivers and tributaries of TPSF were sampled on May to June 2013. A total of 764 individuals were sampled during the survey, constituting 34 families, 47 genera, and 73 species where 46 species are categorized as fish consumption, 17 have potential for aquaculture, and 10 species have potential for ornamental, and three are non native. Cyprinidae is the predominant fish family within the TPSF. Fish assemblages were generally characterized by small population size for each species and low similarity among sites, reflecting the distinctive nature of each sampling site.

Genetic variation and taxonomy of Rasbora group (Cyprinidae) from Lake Laut Tawar, Indonesia

There were three presumed form of Rasbora found in Lake Laut Tawar, i.e. Depik, Eas and Relo. However, their phylogenetic status was remaining unclear. For this purposes the genetic data were utilized to resolve the taxonomic ambiguity of Rasbora group in Lake Laut Tawar. Approximately 655-bp were amplified from the 5′ region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene using the primer pairs (Fish F1 and Fish R1). A total of 14 haplotype sequences were produced from the ingroup where haplotypes 1 to 8 were shared by Eas and Depik, and haplotypes 9 to 14 were belonging to Relo. The genetic divergence varied from 0.2 to 9.6% i.e. between Eas and Relo, 9.6% and between Depik and Relo, 9.5%. The genetic data strongly indicated that Eas and Depik should be regarded as the same species of Rasbora tawarensis.

Assessing the species composition of tropical eels (Anguillidae) in Aceh Waters, Indonesia, with DNA barcoding gene cox1 .

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the species diversity of eels native to Aceh waters based on genetic data. Sampling was conducted in western coast waters of Aceh Province, Indonesia, from July to August 2016. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples, a genomic region from the 5’ region of the cox1 gene was amplified and sequenced, and this was then used to analyse genetic variation. The genetic sequences were blasted into the NCBI database. Based on this analysis there were three valid species of eels that occurred in Aceh waters, namely Anguilla marmorata, A. bicolor bicolor, and A. bengalensis bengalensis.

Growth performance and feed utilization of keureling fish Tor tambra (Cyprinidae) fed formulated diet supplemented with enhanced probiotic.

Background The objective of the present study was to determine the optimum dosage of probiotic in the diet of keureling fish ( Tor tambra) fry. Methods Lactobacillus casei from Yakult® was used as a starter, and enhanced with Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Kaempferia galanga and molasses. The mixture was fermented for 7 days prior to use as probiotic in a formulated diet containing 30% crude protein. Four levels of probiotic dosage; 0 ml kg -1 (control), 5 ml kg -1, 10 ml kg -1 and 15 ml kg -1 were tested in this study. The fish was fed twice a day at 08.00 AM and 06.00 PM at the ration of 5% body weight for 80 days. Results The results showed that growth performance and feed efficiency increased with increasing probiotic dosage in the diet from control (no probiotic) to 10 ml kg -1 of probiotic dosage and then decreased when the dosage was increased up to 15 ml kg -1. Conclusions The best values for all measured parameters were recorded at the dosage of 10 ml kg -1. Therefore, it was concluded that the optimum dosage of enhanced probiotic for T. tambra fry was 10 ml kg -1 of feed.