The Zombie as a Mirror of Modern Mass Culture

Zombies were and still are one of the most important symbols of modern mass culture. The zombie discourse originated among African slaves brought to the sugar plantations in the Caribbean. In many ways, the narratives of the “living dead” were a reaction to the crisis phenomena of plantation life. This is evidenced by the rich comparative material presented on many peoples of the world. Such notions of invulnerability after formal death proved to be an important tool of resistance to new conditions caused by external threats. Termed “revitalization,” they were an important element of the Millennialist movements. While initially the sorcerers who could bring themselves back to life were central to these beliefs, in the following period the focus shifted to the victims of various manipulations, transformed into soulless beings. Leaving the environment of their original “habitat,” zombies took on a new life, occupying a firm place in modern mass culture. Having become a symbol of ruthless exploitation of man, relegated to the level of a machine appendage, zombies proved to be one of the most “productive” symbols. They reflected the main trends in the development of society and even began to function as instruments of philosophical reflection. All this allows us to consider zombies as an indicator of altered society, producing new “walking dead”. The metaphors associated with zombies allows us to conclude that the comprehension of zombies makes modern man begin to perceive them constructively, creating a new image, demonstrating the movement towards humanization.

​An Evaluation of the Reproductive Performance of Sahiwal Heifers in the High Humid Climatic Condition of Assam

Background: An evaluation of the reproduction performance of Sahiwal heifers was carried out outside of their original habitat due to the unavailability of performance record in the north-eastern part of India as this region being different from others because of possessing high humidity. Methods: Eighteen numbers of Sahiwal heifers maintained at the Sahiwal Cattle Farm in College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam were utilized for a period from August 2017 to January 2020. The resultant mean for different reproduction traits were carried out with the help of simple analysis technique of mean. Conclusion: The results for different reproduction traits were found to be in the normal range. This study confirmed that the Sahiwal breed can thrive well in the high humid climatic region of Assam.

Comparison of the Genetic Structure of Invasive Bigheaded Carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) Populations in Central-European Lacustrine and Riverine Habitats

Bigheaded carps (bighead carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and their hybrids play an important ecological and economic role in their original habitat, while their introduced stocks may pose serious ecological risks. To address questions about the persistence and invasiveness of these fish, we need to better understand their population structures. The genetic structures of bigheaded carp populations inhabiting Lake Balaton and the Tisza River were examined with ten microsatellite markers and a mitochondrial DNA marker (COI). The Lake Balaton stock showed higher genetic diversity compared with the Tisza River stock. Based on hierarchical clustering, the Tisza population was characterized only by only silver carps, while the Balaton stock included hybrid and silver carp individuals. All COI haplotypes originated from the Yangtze River. Based on the high genomic and mitochondrial diversity, along with the significant deviation from H–W equilibrium and the lack of evidence of bottleneck effect, it can be assumed that bigheaded carps do not reproduce in Lake Balaton. The present stock in Balaton may have originated from repeated introductions and escapes from the surrounding fishponds. The Tisza stock consists solely of silver carp individuals. This stock appears to have significant reproductive potential and may become invasive if environmental factors change due to climate change.

A Preliminary Study: Marine Biogeography of Nautilus in the Bangka Belitung Seas, Indonesia

Nautilus is the only surviving genus whose members were numerous and widely dispersed in the oceans throughout the Jurassic and Miocene times. It represents the only living member from the Family Nautilidae and is often considered as a living fossil. Nautilus is found with high biodiversity in Ambon, Indonesia, and were in special cases even found in Bangka Belitung, far from their original habitat. This study aimed to understand the historical component of the habitat and distribution of Nautilus in Bangka Belitung and to determine the depth, temperature, current, and environmental heterogeneity relate to Nautilus. Nautilus samples were found in Bangka Belitung Seas nearby a crack region at 50–75 m deep while the optimal depth of the Nautilus was 150–300 m, depending on the local area. The locations in the Bangka Belitung Seas where Nautilus found have sea surface temperatures between 30-31°C and 27-28°C during the East Monsoon and the West Monsoon respectivelly. The implications of temperature as a limiting factor are fairly significant, as it restricts the upper limit of the living habitat to predictable depths, which vary both geographically and seasonally during the West Monsoon when surface temperatures approach habitable levels. Sea currents at the Bangka Belitung Seas move at 0–0.6 m.s-1 during the East Monsoon and speed up near the North Natuna Sea. During the West Monsoon, currents predominantly flow from the Natuna Sea to the Java Sea at 0–0.5 m.s-1. Large-scale deep-water currents and the effects of smaller currents on scent dispersal influence the directional movements of Nautilus.

Unicellular versus Filamentous: The Glacial Alga Ancylonema alaskana comb. et stat. nov. and Its Ecophysiological Relatedness to Ancylonema nordenskioeldii (Zygnematophyceae, Streptophyta)

Melting polar and alpine ice surfaces frequently exhibit blooms of dark pigmented algae. These microbial extremophiles significantly reduce the surface albedo of glaciers, thus accelerating melt rates. However, the ecology, physiology and taxonomy of cryoflora are not yet fully understood. Here, a Swiss and an Austrian glacier dominated either by filamentous Ancylonema nordenskioeldii or unicellular Mesotaenium berggrenii var. alaskanum, were sampled. Molecular analysis showed that both species are closely related, sharing identical chloroplast morphologies (parietal-lobed for Ancylonema vs. axial plate-like for Mesotaenium sensu stricto), thus the unicellular species was renamed Ancylonema alaskana. Moreover, an ecophysiological comparison of the two species was performed: pulse–amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry confirmed that they have a high tolerance to elevated solar irradiation, the physiological light preferences reflected the conditions in the original habitat; nonetheless, A. nordenskioeldii was adapted to higher irradiances while the photosystems of A. alaskana were able to use efficiently low irradiances. Additionally, the main vacuolar polyphenol, which effectively shields the photosystems, was identical in both species. Also, about half of the cellular fatty acids were polyunsaturated, and the lipidome profiles dominated by triacylglycerols were very similar. The results indicate that A. alaskana is physiologically very similar and closely related but genetically distinct to A. nordenskioeldii.

Distribution Patterns of Exotic Plant Chromolaena odorata, in Rehabilitation Zone at Donglo Block, Resort of Wonoasri, Meru Betiri National Park

Exotic plants are plants that are introduced intentionally or unintentionally from their original habitat to a new habitat. One of the exotic plants that is potentially invasive is Chromolaena odorata. These plants are found a lot especially in the rehabilitation zone at Donglo Block Resort of Wonoasri, Meru Betiri National Park (MBNP). An initial effort to determine whether this exotic plant was potentially invasive was to use the distribution pattern of a plant population. This study aimed to determine the distribution pattern and area of cover of exotic plants C. odorata in rehabilitation zone at Donglo Block, Resort of Wonoasri MBNP. The sampling of C. odorata used the transect plot method systematically, which carried out in Donglo Block Resort of Wonoasri MBNP. Data analyzed using Morisita index. The map of distribution pattern of C. odorata was created using the Geographic Information System (GIS). Based on the results of the Morisita index, the value (Iδ) = 12.39, which means that C. odorata has a clumped distribution pattern. The distribution pattern of C. odorata can also be seen from the visualization of the spatial distribution map, which shows that the growth of C. odorata in plants or overlaps with each other, hence that it looks clustered. The coverage area of C. odorata in the study location was 596,5 m2 or 29.24% of the total area of the study (20,400 m2). Based on the results of the coverage area of C. odorata, it was indicated that this exotic species is not yet classified as an invasive species in the area.

Dispersal of free-living nematodes.

This chapter considers the possible reasons underlying the ubiquity of nematodes and their high abundances in nearly all of their habitats. It discusses three phases of dispersal. The first section considers the drivers and mechanisms of the emigration of nematodes from their original habitat. The second section outlines active and passive modes of transfer and provides estimates of transfer distances. In the last section, immigration is addressed, including an overview of the density and species composition in developing nematode communities during colonization.

Ecological Awareness Reconstruction in Kuntowijoyo’s Novel Mantra Pejinak Ular

Environmental issues have become a topic of discussion in the last few decades. Kuntowijoyo, a well-known novelist in Indonesia, also pays serious attention to the environmental issues through his literary works. This study uses a critical discourse analysis method with an ecocritical approach to reveal and explain the forms of ecological awareness reconstruction which are contained in Kuntowijoyo's novel Mantra Pejinak Ular. The results are as follows. Reconstructions are carried out from a perspective, a way of behaving, a mode of transportation, a model of recreation, and an investment model towards the environment. (1) The reconstruction of the perspective is carried out by rebuilding human consciousness to build harmony with nature. (2) The reconstruction of how to behave is carried out by prioritizing actions to preserve nature. (3) The reconstruction of transportation mode is carried out by warding off the bad social stigma of natural transportation modes. (4) The reconstruction of the recreation model is carried out by enjoying the beauty of animals without cutting them off from their original habitat. (5) The reconstruction of the investment model is carried out by applying an investment model with an ecological perspective that prioritizes environmental sustainability as a legacy for future generations.

A World for Reactive Phenotypes

Humans currently occupy all continents and by doing so, modify the environment and create novel threats to many species; a phenomenon known as human-induced rapid environmental changes (HIREC). These growing anthropogenic disturbances represent major and relatively new environmental challenges for many animals, and invariably alter selection on traits adapted to previous environments. Those species that survive often have moved from their original habitat or modified their phenotype through plasticity or genetic evolution. Based on the most recent advances in this research area, we predict that wild individuals with highly plastic capacities, relatively high basal stress level, and that are generally shy—in other words, individuals displaying a reactive phenotype—should better cope with sudden and widespread HIREC than their counterparts' proactive phenotypes. If true, this selective response would have profound ecological and evolutionary consequences and can therefore impact conservation strategies, specifically with respect to managing the distribution and abundance of individuals and maintaining evolutionary potential. These insights may help design adaptive management strategies to maintain genetic variation in the context of HIREC.

Biological Aspect of Betta raja of Wild Type at Bandar Tinggi Village

Betta raja is endemic wild Betta fish whose habitat is found in Sumatera Island. One of the habitat found in Desa Bandar Tinggi, Kecamatan Bilah Hulu, Kabupaten Labuhanbatu. Population B. raja is increasingly diminished due to illegal logging and land conversion. The purpose of this research is to know the biological aspects of Lakepe fish (B. raja) in their natural habitat in Bandar Tinggi Village, Labuhan Batu Regency. Monitoring of biological aspects of B. raja in its original habitat needs to be. Considering B. raja as the biological wealth of endemic fish species that needs to be preserved. Methodology: The study uses exploratory methods with the determination of purposive sampling observation stations. Samples of fish captured using a fishing rod. The results of the study showed the value of b < 3, then the pattern of fish growth is negative allometric, the population density of average fish is 0.33 – 0.40 Ind/m², and and sex ratio of females and males (1:1 ) Keywords: Betta raja, Biological Aspect, Desa Bandar Tinggi