Orientation and navigation in Bufo bufo: a quest for repeatability of arena experiments

Research on navigation in animals is hampered by conflicting results and failed replications. In order to assess the generality of previous results, male Bufo bufo were collected during their breeding migration and translocated to two testing sites, 2.4 and 2.9 km away, respectively, from their breeding pond in the north of Vienna (Austria). There each toad was tested twice for orientation responses in a circular arena, on the night of collection and four days later. On the first test day, the toads showed significant axial orientation along their individual former migration direction. On the second test day, no significant homeward orientation was detected. Both results accord with findings of previous experiments with toads from another population. We analysed the potential influence of environmental factors (temperature, cloud cover and lunar cycle) on toad orientations using a MANOVA approach. Although cloud cover and lunar cycle had small effects on the second test day, they could not explain the absence of homeward orientation. The absence of homing responses in these tests may be either caused by the absence of navigational capabilities of toads beyond their home ranges, or by inadequacies of the applied method. To resolve this question, tracking of freely moving toads should have greater potential than the use of arena experiments.

Budidaya Ikan Air Tawar di Lingkungan Pesantren

This activity aims to 1) utilize rainwater catchment areas in Pesantren Somba Opu District, Gowa Regency as freshwater fish ponds; 2) create a freshwater fish breeding pond, 3) build a fishing house, and 4) provide marketing management training for freshwater fish. The specific target to be achieved is the Nur Fadhilah pesantren to be independent and have a regular income from the freshwater fish business by utilizing rainwater catchment areas as freshwater fish ponds. The method implemented in this activity is education and training through counseling, accompanied by practices and demonstrations which include the introduction of intensive aquaculture, introduction of local feed ingredients and preparation, as well as the production and production of freshwater fish species that allow them to be maintained in this area. Counseling is an educational system outside of school, where adults and youth learn while working. The results of the activity show that 2 ar plots of freshwater fish ponds were made to maintain 10,000 fish. Maintenance of fish for 3 months produces an average of 4-5 fish per kilo. From the evaluation of the activities it was concluded that the respondents' understanding of freshwater aquaculture was very good up to 86.67%. However, understanding of making brochures, promotional materials as well as the ability of product marketing and preparation of business plans is not optimal. The entrepreneurial spirit of the respondents was very good, even though only 73.33% of the respondents achieved it. Overall, respondents gave positive opinions on the benefits of activities which reached 93.33% with Very Good responses.

Leucosolenia qingdaoensis sp. nov. (Porifera, Calcarea, Calcaronea, Leucosolenida, Leucosoleniidae), a new species from China

A new species of Leucosoleniidae, Leucosolenia qingdaoensissp. nov., is described. This new species was collected in a scallop-breeding pond from the Yellow Sea and preserved in 75% ethanol. This sponge consists of a dense reticulation of ascon tubes, with the surface minutely hispid and the consistency soft and fragile. Spiculation of the new species consists of diactines, which are smooth, straight or sometimes slightly curved, triactines of two types, and tetractines with short and curved apical actines; spiculation also slightly overlaps and is somewhat irregularly assembled. Together these form a thin layer of skeleton, with a small number of cells, which results in a transparent, white sponge. As a typical asconoid feature, all internal cavities of the sponge are lined with choanocytes, and there is no fully developed inhalant system. Comparisons with other Leucosolenia reported from the Pacific Ocean are also made.