The world's first known warm-blooded fish was found

Since elementary school, Our teachers always taught that birds and mammals are warm-blooded animals, whereas fish, reptiles, and amphibians are cold-blooded animals.

However, the findings published in the journal Science on Thursday, May 14, 2015 will change all. Nicholas Wagner, a biologist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center has found the first known warm-blooded fish in the world, namely Opah (Lampris guttatus).

The Opah (Lampris guttatus). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1TCZxOP)

Warm-blooded animal is an animal that is able to regulate their body temperature by internal mechanisms. There is also the so-called cold-blooded animals whose the body temperature is always changing in accordance with their environment and adapt to temperature with the behavior.

Sharks and tuna are examples of cold-blooded animals. Two fish can dive in depth and cold temperatures, but in a certain period should be returned to the surface to protect the vital organs such as the heart.

In the study, Wagner and colleagues mark a number of opah that live off the coast of California. They track the movement of opah, reading body temperature, as well as the temperature and the depth of their moving place.

Wagner reveals the fact that the fish are sometimes called "moon fish" it has a stable body temperature. Their temperature is about 7-9 degrees Celsius higher than the environment. This fish type maintain its body temperature by moving constantly their chest fins.

"By being endoderm, opah do not need to move to the surface to simply warm their body and can remain at depth close to food sources," said Wagner, as quoted by Al-Jazeera America.

Opah is a pelagic fish that has an average weight of 90 kilograms. The fish body has the equivalent size of a car tire and oval. The fish types which was spending their life at a depth of 50-300 meters in the ocean to hunt squid. And the Opah grow to over 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and can weigh over 150 pounds (70 kg).

According to Owyn Snodgrass of NOAA, opah also can maintain the temperature due to the unique structure of the gills that allow blood to leave the organ warmed before it spread to the entire body. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCI-NEWS]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Seeing Maleo as the native Sulawesi endangered birds

Maleo Senkawor (Macrocephalon maleo) is one of an endemic birds of Sulawesi Island. By the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Maleo included in the endangered category. Formerly, maleo can be found in almost all areas of Sulawesi Island. However, this time maleo only be found in several areas.

Maleo Senkawor (Macrocephalon maleo).
(Picture from http://bit.ly/1VPbcyV)

One area where we can still be found maleo spawn is at ground nesting Libuun, Taima Village, District Bualemo, Banggai, Central Sulawesi. The location for this spawn since 2006 monitored by a nonprofit organization, the Alliance for Tompotika Conservation (AlTO).

The AlTO team worked shoulder to shoulder with the villager to overseeing the bird nesting ground and ensure that the Maleo adults can spawn without disturbance and their eggs remain safe from capture and maleo cheeper can hatch naturally without human intervention.

Maleo has a life story that is very unique. The pair of maleo adult known as the enduring couples (one of anti-polygamy creatures) and primarily live in the native forests of Sulawesi Island. However, when the female is ready to spawn, the maleo couples walk many kilometers to communal nesting site, which is usually located on the coast, or near the hot springs in the forest.

There, the maleo couples dug a big hole in the sand or soil for hours. Inside the hole, Maleo females lay one very large egg. Only one! As information, maleo has body size similar as a chicken, while their egg size six times bigger than chicken eggs.

Maleo couples photographed in their nesting ground, at Libuun, Taima village, Banggai, Central Sulawesi, which is managed by the Alliance for Tompotika Conservation (AlTO). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1MuxX5a)

After it lay eggs in the hole, the maleo couples bury the eggs with sand to a depth of over one meter. Then, they going back to the forest, while eggs are left to be heated by the sun or geothermal.

If not disturbed, after 60-80 days, the eggs hatch in the sand. Once hatched, the maleo cheeper digging up for 24-48 hours to inhaling fresh air. After resting for a few minutes, the maleo cheeper fly to the woods to live independently without the help of its parent.

Now, through public advocacy and awareness of the importance of maleo remain in their habitat, the maleo population numbers had dropped so drastically before AlTO came, but now increasing in very significant numbers.

Through several programs, the villagers also began to realize that the maleo bird actually was the priceless treasure they have. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KOMPAS SAINS]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Hog nosed rat found in the virgin forest of Sulawesi

A team of scientists from Bogor Zoological Museum, Research Center for Biology Indonesian Institute of Sciences (Pusat Penelitian Biologi Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia/LIPI), Louisiana State University, and the Museum of Victoria reveal a new genus of mice, called hog nosed rat.

Hog nosed rat (Hyorhinomys stuempkei). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1MYfT1O)

The new genus found in the virgin forest at Tolitoli region, Sulawesi, which is rarely touched. Only one of two local rattan searcher reaching the territory. The findings provide knowledge about the spread of gophers that it can reach the area further north and higher than expected. The research result published in the Journal of Mammalogy on the October 2015 edition.

Anang Setiawan Achmadi, Jake Esselstyn, Kevin Rowe, and Heru Handika are conducting research expeditions to the jungle area of ​​Mount Dako when encountered genus rat was in 2012. The team set traps and bait-flops on a plateau in a forest at an altitude more than 1,500 meters. Trap-flops are common devices commonly used to collect wild rodents.

Hog nosed rat found in the virgin forest at Tolitoli region, Sulawesi. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1MYfT1O)

"Kevin who the first discovered these mice. He was screaming. We were still in the camp and heard immediately suspect something is shocking," said Anang. Once Kevin bring specimens to the camp, the whole team for joy. They immediately conduct a brief analysis and believes that the rats are trapped is a new species.

While doing the analysis in the laboratory, the team revealed that rats captured specimens are very distinctive and different from the other so that even deserve to be called a new genus.

Scientifically, this new rat species named 'Hyorhinomys stuempkei'. The genus name "Hyorhinomys" is taken from the word "hyro" which means "pig", "rhino" meaning "nose", and "mys" which means "mouse".

Meanwhile, the species name "Stuempkei" is taken from the pseudonym Gerolf Steiner, Harald Stuempke. He is the fiction author of The Snouter that tells the story of the rats exposed to radiation so that their nose became long.

As told to Kompas on Monday, October 5, 2015, Anang said, "a very prominent characteristic of these mice are nose like a pig nose." The animal was said to be like a pig nose because of its large, flat, and pink.

Another characteristic is the very long hair in the section near the urethra. "We have yet to find gophers have long urogenital hair, reaching 5 centimeters. We do not know what its function." Another unique characteristic of this new mouse is white incisors. Most mice have an orange incisors. Meanwhile, its ears big.

"In Australia, Hyorhinomys look more like Bilby rats, with large hind legs, big ears and long, as well as long and tapered muzzle," said Kevin. It is one of the hallmark characteristics of carnivores rodents that eat earthworms, beetle larvae and small insects.

This rat findings challenge the view of scientists about the spread of shrews in Sulawesi today. So far, only spread to shrews said central Sulawesi region and in the lowlands. Tolitoli region already too north. "To get there, there is a barrier that must be overcome. How this shrews get there, this is still a question," said Anang. Meanwhile, shrews until now found only at altitudes below 1,500 meters above sea level. Hog nosed rat was found at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level.

These findings add to the list of unique mice on Earth before. Previously, the presence of a number of mice revealed, the toothless rat (Paucidentomys vermidax) and Mamasa water rats (Waiomys mamasae).

Kevin said, "We're still amazed we could walk to the corners of the forest in Sulawesi and discovered several new species of mammals are very different from known species, or even genus though."

Anang said, the discovery of a new genus of the third within the last 5 years is evidence of the importance of forests and mountains on the island of Sulawesi. There are still many "buried treasure" diversity must be maintained. This shows the importance of conservation for the people of Indonesia. Do not let the biodiversity extinction before revealed and known benefits. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SAINS KOMPAS]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Glowing strange turtle found in the Solomon Islands

The oceanographer was accidentally discovered luminous sea turtles while they are researching and filming the lives of small sharks and coral plants in the Salomon islands, South Pacific.

The scientists succeeded in filming a Hawksbill sea turtle that emit red and green neon colors. The discovery was made last July by David Gruber of the University of the City of New York with the team. The new recording they announced to the public, on Monday, September 28, 2015 last.

Divers spotted a biofluorescent turtle swimming near the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1VruE4x)

Gruber described the alien ship sea turtles like the first time he saw it. "He was so unbelievably beautiful," said Gruber told CNN on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. The turtle swam toward us when the team was focused to record coral. His arrival was so sudden and surprising our team, "he said.

In recent years, experts became interested in marine habitats biofluorescence, or creatures that absorb light and emit light it again with a different color.

"It's like a mystery novel," adds Gruber. "Starting from jellyfish, corals, and jellyfish and corals glow that made the breakthrough in marine biomedical field. The problem is, corals and jellyfish simply removing one color, while the turtle can be issued more than one color."

Fluorescence has helped provide a marker for scientists to see cells in the body and lead to groundbreaking research in the field of biofluorescence, Gruber explained.

Find reptiles that can emit light brings the question, why turtles could glow? What exactly is the chemical components contained therein.

It is the privilege biofluorescence. So far there are 200 species of sharks and fish were found to be able to process it. In some cases, the experts concluded, corals can perform this process because they absorb sunlight. But for fish and sharks, from where they get light and how it could not be ascertained.

"Fish and sharks are still a mystery to us. Now the sea turtles. This is an example of how the ocean still holds many secrets," Gruber laughter.

Hawksbill sea turtles are endangered species and threatened by climate change. In many areas, the only remaining thousands of females who actively reproducing.

"Their numbers are shrinking and now we are treated to a new fact that they can shine. For me, this is a sign that they are very important to be protected and understood before they become extinct," added Gruber. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIVESCIENCE | CNN]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

5 types of fish often called as the 'Dragon fish'

Often many people call a dragon fish from its physical characteristics. The fish does have some distinctive characteristics of a dragon.

Here are 5 types of fish are often called dragon fish:

1. Palmas fish

Palmas fish, a fish included to the Family Polypteridae (Bichir), it means a lot finned fish. Palmas fish is called dragon fish because it is physically similar to the dragon in Chinese legend.

Palmas fish (tiger delhezi). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1QKniCr)

These fish include primitive fish and often referred to as "snake like fish". The spread of these fish are in West Africa. Palmas fish are predatory fish, Carnivora. Then the fish has the ability to take the air with an organ that has been modified in such a way to resemble the lungs, besides that it was able to creep on the ground by using a strong chest fins.

2. Axolotl

Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is a type of salamander who spent his life in the form of larvae. This unique exotic animals sometimes referred to as "Mexican Walking Fish" because it looks like a fish that has the hands and feet. However, Axolotl is not actually a kind of fish, but a type of salamander found in Mexico City. The body length of Axolotl can reach 30 cm, but the average size of only 15 cm.

Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1FCMN8w)

Their body color are black or brown and average more albino with pink. These funny animal has gills that are outside its body. Gills seems to be on the side of its head so that at first glance looks like a horn.

Eastern people often create a fantasy that is associated with the dragon legend, so they are often referred to as a dragon fish. Axolotl is one animal that has longevity, Axolotl can live up to 10-15 years and can grow up to 60 cm.

In fact, there were ever caught a giant Axolotl in the interior of Mexico that has a body length of up to 1.4 meters, the discovery was really shocking, but after carefully studied by experts that only abnormal rare situations (gigantism).

3. Arowana

Arowana including the "ancestor" fish families, ie fish families Osteoglasidae or "bony-tongue," because the base of the mouth in the form of bone that serves as the teeth. Arowana have various nicknames, such as: Ikan naga (Dragon Fish), Barramundi, Saratoga, PlaTapad, indolent, Siluk, Kayangan, Peyang, Tangkelese, Aruwana, or Arowana, depending on its place.

Arowana. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1YNMrSP)

The shape and appearance arowana is including a gorgeous and unique. Its body elongated, slender, and "stream line", with swimming movements are very graceful. Arowana in nature have a variety of colors such as green, silver, or red. At the lower lip there are two antennae that serve as a vibration sensor to determine the position of prey on the water surface.

In nature they swim near the water surface to hunt for prey. Arowana can accept all types of feed for carnivorous fish, but often they are so very fond of one type of feed only, and reject other types.

4. Arapaima 
These fish include close relatives with arowana, the Amazon arapaima which is sometimes regarded as the largest freshwater fish in the world. According to the initial description, this fish can grow up to 4.5 meters in length, but now, individuals are very big like this is rare and the average adult arapaima found that only 2 meter length.

Arapaima. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1KK8uCz)

The slow-moving predators and eat small fish, and anything that small could fit their mouth. An interesting feature of this fish is that they need the oxygen from the air, in order to survive. Arapaimas harmless to humans and are often hunted for their meat, unfortunately, they are very rare nowadays. Although arapaima seem to appear in the Miocene, but they get much older relatives, namely Osteoglossidae, and its origins can be traced back to the age of dinosaurs.

5. Oarfish

Oarfish include to the family Regalecidae which has four species. One of the species Regalecus Glesne, ever get into the Guinness Book of World Records since been found in living conditions with a body length of up to 11 meters (36 feet).

This fish has a single fin is red and includes fish loner. But when these fish are sick or dying, it looks like the loner does not want to die in loneliness. So it went up to the sea surface and survived there until the death. Perhaps to draw the attention of the sailors, or just want to look at the sun for the last time.

The sailors of the past may have seen this fish on the surface and perceive it as a sea monster. For example, in 1860, when a 5-meter long Oarfish beached in Bermuda, the residents immediately linked with the legendary sea monster. Some scientists believe that it is likely there an Oarfish whose size exceeds 11 meters, but until now no one has proved it. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Acquainted with one of the beautiful creatures of seabed

You must already know the name of sea horses, small animals that come from the ocean. But do you also recognize the name of pygmy sea horse or a Pygmy Seahorse? Yes, Pygmy Seahorse is real, and in Indonesia too, we can find it in some places, such as Bali, Sulawesi and Papua. Pygmy Seahorse and also has several types, one of which is Bargibanti pygmy seahorse.

Hippocampus bargibanti (these images were captured in North Sulawesi, Indonesia). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1OBKx45)

Hippocampus bargibanti, also known as a bargibanti sea horse or dwarf hippocampus, is the seahorse of the family Syngnathidae which can be found in the west central Pacific Ocean, including Indonesia.

Hippocampus bargibanti.  
(Picture from: http://bit.ly/1OBKx45)

A unique animals has a small size, typically less than 2 cm, and live attached to the sea fans (gorginians). There are two color variations are known, which is gray with red tubercles, and yellow with orange tubercles.

Similar to the sea fan coral where they lived, and camouflaged, in order to defend themselves from the predators. And because their camouflage also, the species is not found, until finally its host gorgonian examined in the laboratory. Large, rounded tubercles covering the body and in accordance with the color and shape of gorgonian coral polyps its host species, while the body according gorgonian stem.

But it is not known whether the individual can change colors if they change residence or not. Although the ability to change color according to their surroundings, there are seven species of sea horses, such as Hippocampus whitei.

Pregnant Hippocampus bargibanti. (Picture from:
http://bit.ly/1OBKx45)

The Pygmy seahorse characteristics together with other sea horses, including meat that has a head, body, very short snout, and a long tail that can be wrapped around the landlady. This Bargibanti is also one of the smallest species of sea horses in the world.

An adult Bargibanti, usually found in pairs or groups of pairs, even record that ever recorded on camera, is up to 28 pygmy seahorses on a single gorgonian, and may be monogamous. Their breeding occurs throughout the year. Females lay eggs in its mother's pouch in her pocket. They will be fertilized by the male, and incubated until birth with an average gestational age of two weeks. Even in one birth, the male expel the female parent from their children numbering 34 bargibantis.

Very little data are known about the amount of pygmy seahorses, population trends, distribution, or primary predator. Therefore seven pygmy seahorses has been classified by the IUCN as an undescribed species as a whole (data deficient/less data). This classification means that not enough is known about the population and their lifestyle to make judgments about their conservation status information.

Because their unique color is an interesting and unusual, these tiny sea horse is much sought after as ornamental fish. But all seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) Which is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), and effective as of May 2004, restrict and regulate their international trade. Whereas in Australia, has been tighter regulation, the animals included in the Act Australian Wildlife Protection, so that now the necessary export licenses. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | INDAH.COM]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The new species of venomous snakes found in Australia

Scientists have discovered a new species of venomous snakes in the Kimberley region of northwestern Australia. The newly discovered species is included in Acanthophis, a genus of highly venomous snakes commonly found in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and on some islands of Indonesia.

Acanthophis cryptamydros, a new deathly snake species discovered in the Kimberley region of Western Australia uses its tail like a lure. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1FoVmmU)

The snake is called 'Acanthophis cryptamydros,' which has a length of 60 cm and a diamond-shaped head. This is a typical predator species were silent and waited, constantly camouflaged until it can catch frogs, lizards or small mammals that pass in front of him.

Simon Maddock and his colleagues from the Natural History Museum and University College London identified Acanthophis cryptamydros while researching the genetic and ecological characteristics of snakes that live in Kimberley.

The Kimberley death adder’s diamond-shaped head has a distinctive scale formation. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1FoVmmU)

The range of the species known stretching from in the Wotjulum region in the west to Kununurra in the east. This species is also found several offshore islands including Koolan, Bigge, Boongaree, Wulalam, and an unnamed island in the Gulf of Talbot.

"It is unclear how many species of these snakes in the wild. But they may be very rare," said Maddock. Based on the number of several new species were discovered in Kimberley recently, the species seems to be just one of many types of snakes that have not been identified in the western part of Australia. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE GUARDIAN]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The answer of the riddle of mysterious fish of Banda Sea

A Fish found by fishermen in the Banda Sea was not as mysterious as alleged. The type abundant in the waters of Indonesia and the world. As reported by Kompas.com on Monday, September 28, 2015, a fisherman of Kampung Baru, Banda Subdistrict has caught a mysterious fish while looking for fish in the waters of Pulau Pisang.

The fish is orange, prickly, scaly hard, and has a unique appearance. The fish was similar to a shark, but no teeth, had six fins, big mouth and beard, as well as the tail-like crocodile or stingray. "I was surprised to catch fish because the fish's face like a fighter, while the body like a shark and a tail like a crocodile," said La Erna, a fisherman who catch the fish.

La Erna, a fisherman from Kampung Baru, Banda Subdistrict, Central Maluku district shows a mysterious fish that he caught on Monday, September 28, 2015. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1iK0jwm)

When contacted on Tuesday, September 29, 2015, a researcher of marine fish from Indonesian Institute of Sciences (Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia/LIPI), Fahmi said that the fish is already known.

Fahmi said further the fish included into the Peristediidae category. "The main characteristic of crustaceans, the main part of the muzzle there is a kind of rostrum forward like horns, in the jaw there is a sort of fringe," he said.

In general, the fish known as armored sea robin. Fahmi said there has been no local term for the fish because it is rarely caught by fisherman. Although the group of fish is known, is still difficult to ascertain the type of fish. "For the species level must be calculated the dorsal fin spines, the number of scales, and others," said Fahmi.

Satyrichthys welchi. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1iK0jwm)

There are many types of armored sea robin found in Indonesia. One type is a robust armored sea robin (Satyrichthys welchi). The types are common in the central of Indonesia and eastern of Australia waters.

Peristedion barbiger. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1iK0jwm)

The other type is the bearded armored searobin (Peristedion barbiger), armored gournard (Peristidion lyorhynchus). There's more. Fahmi said what is clear, a fish found in the Banda Sea is a deep sea fish species. The type could live at depths greater than 250 meters. We'll wait for the further research results... !! *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SAINS KOMPAS]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The 'living fossil' fish has lungs

When an angler pull coelacanth from the sea in 1938, scientists stunned. Fish weighing scale with lobes are remnants of bygone era, where when dinosaurs still rule the earth. Scientists previously have the coelacanth fossils that living at the hundreds of millions of years ago, and until the day on which the coelacanth was found alive, a living fossil is thought to have become extinct along with the dinosaurs.

A coelacanth in the waters off South Africa. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1KpMY2o)

Coelacanth survived studied by scientists for decades. We already know the characteristics strangely, such as the existence of a pair of fins in the chest, pelvic fins, fleshy like limbs, etc. But, there is one thing that the new unknown. These fish have lungs.

In a study published in Nature Communications today, scientists discovered that the modern coelacanth also have a structure that looks like the lungs, which is also owned by the previous fossils. Lungs appear when the fish is still embryonic, but the lungs stopped growing when the fish continues to grow into adulthood, making it difficult to be seen, unless you can access the high-powered X-Ray to see it.

The coelacanths vestigial lungs at different stages of development. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1KpMY2o)

Scientists know that in the coelacanth fossil has a strange organ, but they thought that the organ no longer exists along the species that change from year to year. Although, coelacanths have lungs, it does not mean they breathe through the lungs. Scientists found that the lung does not function or the rest of the organ.

Scientists believe that the existence of such lungs could be indications of coelacanth ancestors may have lived in shallow water with a thin oxygen level. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | POPSCI]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

A glowing squid found on the seabed

Oceanographers have recently discovered a strange squid in the depths of the ocean in the Hawaiian Islands. These animals appear to glow in the dark water.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association scientists spent the summer investigating and recording the waters near and in two marine national monuments in Hohonu Moana, Hawaii. The location is one of the areas where there are many mysterious ecosystems, such as quoted by Time on September 6, 2015.

A squid, Walvisteuthis youngorum, is imaged at 2,952 feet during today's mid-water transects off Northeast Gardner Pinnacles in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. (Picture from: http://ti.me/1L3INyx)

When diving in August last, a squid are rarely exposed, and then recorded. Marine animals was known by the name 'Walvisteuthis youngorum,' look 1 kilometer below sea level.

The appearance was the first recorded by oceanographers. They also take two examples to be taken to their mother ship - Okeanos Explorel, to be studied. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TIME]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Turns the Blue bastard is a new species of reef fish

Long been a debate among Australian fishermen, the type of fish called 'blue bastard' was believed to be a new species. A scientist from the Queensland Museum, Jeff Johnson, disclose it in his publication in the journal Zootaxa in July 2015.

Johnson identifies the fish by looking at a television programs and photos taken by a fisherman named Weipa last month. Identification can be done through photographs because Weipa clear shots so that the analysis could be done.

The blue bastard’s 12 dorsal spines make it utterly different from a sweetlips species it had previously been confused with. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1NYxQjv)

Johnson named the fish was 'Plectorhinchus caeruleonothus', meaning 'blue bastard,' just like the fishermen call. "Caruleo means blue and nothus means bastard. It was the name given to fishermen for a long time and I thought, why should I change it? It was the perfect name for the fish," Johnson said as quoted by The Guardian on Tuesday, September 8, 2015.

A juvenile blue bastard fish. Its name comes from fishing folklore – it turns blue as a adult and it’s a bastard to catch. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1NYxQjv)

According to Johnson, the 'blue bastard' fish is different from other types because 12 of its dorsal spines. The reef fish are yellow-black when the baby, but turns blue when mature. "Blue bastard" is also known for its aggressiveness, sometimes encountered were "fighting" with their males fellow.

In addition to morphology, Johnson and his colleagues, Worthington Wilmer, also doing the DNA analysis to identify the type. By comparing with the fish compatriots from Africa, Japan, and the Middle East, Johnson revealed that the 'blue bastard' was unique.

So, what kind of the flavor of 'blue bastard' fish when we eat it? Johnson claimed to have never felt it. He also did not ask it to the fishermen. However, he suspected the fish taste was mediocre. The fish findings as a shock to scientists at the Queensland Museum in the span of the last 1.5 years have uncovered more 120 new species. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE GUARDIAN]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The new species of round pupils rock gecko of Lampung

The discovery of a new species of rock gecko with round pupils occurred in Lampung. Awal Riyanto, a reptile expert from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia/LIPI) discovered a new species of rock gecko named 'Cnemaspis Rajabasa,' its name according to the name of the mountain where the gecko was found.

The rock gecko with round pupils were active at night. Awal's research based, along with several other researchers such as Thasun Amarasinghe, a herpetology expert from the University of Indonesia, Michael Harvey of Broward College, and Eric Smith of the University of Texas, it is known that the gecko lives in the granite rocks.

The new species of round pupils rock gecko of Lampung named Cnemaspis Rajabasa. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ENQJmt)

The characteristics that distinguish Cnemaspis Rajabasa of another species in Cnemaspis family, such as adult body size reached 58.7 millimeters, labial scales above 13 or 14, under the labial scales 11 or 12, tricarinate shaped belly scales, have holes or pores precloacal, backs with jinjot tubercular randomly scattered, tubercular surrounds the tail, the tail scales at the bottom of the rough (keeled) and ranks in the middle without enlarged scales on each side have two lumps on postcloacal tubercular and the tail has a striped pattern of dark-light.

Awal says, very little of Cnemaspis species found in Indonesia. Most geckos of the genus are found in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, as well as small islands around Malaysia Peninsular. "Therefore, the findings Cnemaspis Rajabasa is very important and meaningful," said Awal as told to CNN Indonesia.

Awal said further, the findings increase knowledge about the distribution of Cnemaspis to the west and south. In addition, still need to be investigated whether this gecko also reach northern Sumatra or even cross over to the island of Java.

The Cnemaspis Rajabasa specimen itself actually been collected since June 1996. Recently, the results are published in the journal Herpetologica. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CNN INDONESIA]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Three Javan rhino calves born in Ujung Kulon

The Ujung Kulon National Park Authority (Balai Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon) discovered three new Java rhinos throughout March to August 2015 by a hidden video cameras. The findings were very rare. In fact, a number of field surveys have never met a physical encounter, just a trace.

"The birth of these calves shows the rhino population in Ujung Kulon National Park (Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon) still gives hope for the survival of endangered species," said Moh. Haryono, Head of Ujung Kulon National Park Authority on Monday, September 7, 2015 in Jakarta.

• The first rhino calf (female) recorded by hidden video camera for the first time on April 9, 2015 at 17:29 in Citengah Block (east Ujung Kulon). The calf with her mother named Desy which known in 2012 have a male calf named Arjuna. Throughout 2014, Desy recorded always alone. The last recorded on August 13, 2014 at 19:22 in Cigenter Block encountered in conditions of allegedly big belly is pregnant.
• The second calf (male) was first recorded on May 25, 2015 at 18:24 in Cijengkol Block/foot of Mount Kendeng (west of Ujung Kulon). His mother named Siti. In 2011, Siti also have a male calf named Dwipa. Throughout 2014, Siti always alone and the last recorded recorded December 3, 2014 at 06:13 in Hulu Cidatahan Block, about 3 kilometers from the Cijengkol Block in conditions of allegedly big belly is pregnant.
• The third calf (male) was first recorded July 8, 2015 at 13:16 in Rorah Daon Block/Cikeusik (south of Ujung Kulon), with the mother named Ratu. Throughout 2014, Ratu last recorded by September 13, 2014 at 03:48 in Citadahan Block in pregnant condition.

Through these findings of three Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) calves, then the population of endangered species in Ujung Kulon National Park increased to 60. Previously, based on monitoring by 2014, the number of Javan rhinos in Ujung Kulon National Park totaled 57, includes 31 males and 26 females.

The Javan rhinos in Ujung Kulon have three new calves. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1g8kylF)

There are two issues related to the future of the Javan rhino, the larger ratio of males and vulnerable natural habitats affected by the eruption of Krakatoa Mountain and minimal supply of feed.

Previously there discourse of Hadi Alikodra, a professor of Wildlife Ecology at Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), who recommended the Nature Reserve Cikepuh (Cagar Alam Cikepuh) in Sukabumi, West Java, as the next habitat of Javan rhino. One of the main requirements of Rhino habitat is the availability of natural feed (Kompas, October 1, 2014). *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KOMPAS SAINS]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.