Census of the longhorn beetles (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae and Vesperidae) of the Macau SAR, China

An intensive census, extended over a period of approximately three and a half years, October 2017– May 2021, was conducted in the remaining green areas of the Macau SAR in order to provide an updated status of the biodiversity of longhorn beetles in this region. This insect group includes more than 36,000 species worldwide, subdivided into four families of mainly xylophagous or saproxylic insects, the Vesperidae, Oxypeltidae, Disteniidae, and Cerambycidae. They are of key importance in agricultural and forestry science, and are often used as an indicator of forest habitat health. A total of 52 species was recorded during this census, 2.6 times more than previously reported in the literature for this area. However, recorded abundances and frequency of occurrence for the various species were remarkably low, and of the 20 species previously reported for the region, some prominent ones remained unaccounted for. Among others, these include Batocera horsfieldii (Hope, 1839), Apriona rugicollis Chevrolat, 1852 [previously incorrectly reported as Apriona germarii (Hope, 1831)], Aristobia reticulator (Fabricius, 1781) [previously reported as Aristobia testudo (Voet, 1778)] and Imantocera penicillata (Hope, 1831). It is hypothesised that this may be related to the ongoing manipulation of the natural vegetation of the Macau SAR, which is rapidly being converted to plantations, city parks, and gardens. In particular, dead or dying trees and lower tree branches are systematically removed in order to improve the aesthetic appearance of these green areas. However, this process is also depriving xylophagous and saproxylic species of their essential habitats.

MINAT POLITIK REMAJA TIONGHOA PEDESAAN

Youth participation in politics is believed to have a significant and positive impact in the process of democratization.Family, age, and political trust factors are several factors related to adolescent interest in politics. However, teenagers mostly under 17 years old these days have less interest on politics. This study aimed at uncover political interest among Chinese-Indonesian adolescents, particularly those who live in rural area. By using simple survey and quantitative data, this study aims to uncover Chinese youth interest in politics as it relates to several relevant socio-psychological factors. Forty senior high school students who are Chinese descendants from Belinyu, Bangka Island were administered a questionnaire and demographic questions. Quantitative instruments use single-item constructed in collaboration with the Department of Social Psychology, University of Macau, SAR. This study indicates that parents’ political participation and political discussion in the family have significant positive relations with youth interest in politics and political discussion in the family is the strongest predictor. Unlike the two predictors, political trust does not relate to their political interest. These preliminary findings suggest that family may be very influential to civic engagement. Our results contribute to discussion in political psychology research to explain political socialization and political participation. Partisipasi remaja dalam politik diyakini berdampak signifikan dan positif dalam proses demokratisasi. Akan tetapi, saat ini sebagian besar remaja terlebih yang belum berusia 17 tahun kurang memiliki minat dalam politik. Faktor keluarga, usia, dan political trust menjadi beberapa faktor yang berkaitan dengan minat remaja terhadap politik. Penelitian ini dimaksudkan untuk mengungkap ketertarikan terhadap politik di kalangan orang muda Tionghoa dan secara khusus, remaja yang tinggal di pedesaan. Dengan menggunakan survei sederhana dan data kuantitatif, riset ini bertujuan untuk mengungkap minat dalam politik yang berkaitan dengan beberapa faktor sosio-psikologis yang relevan. Empat puluh siswa sekolah lanjutan tingkat atas yang merupakan keturunan Tionghoa di Belinyu, Pulau Bangka diberikan kuesioner dan pertanyaan demografis. Instrumen kuantitatif menggunakan single-item yang dikonstruksi bekerja sama dengan Department of Social Psychology, University of Macau, SAR. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa partisipasi politik orang tua dan diskusi politik dalam keluarga memiliki hubungan positif dan signifikan dengan minat remaja dalam politik di mana diskusi politik dalam keluarga merupakan prediktor terkuat. Berbeda dengan dua prediktor tersebut, kepercayaan politik tidak terkait dengan minat partisipan terhadap politik. Temuan awal ini menunjukkan bahwa keluarga mungkin berperan terhadap keterlibatan remaja sebagai warga negara. Hasil penelitian ini berkontribusi pada diskusi dalam penelitian psikologi politik untuk menjelaskan sosialisasi politik dan partisipasi politik.

Census of the fruit and flower chafers (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) of the Macau SAR, China

The coleopteran fauna of the Macau SAR in southern China has historically received only limited attention and no updated information has been published since the last substantial works produced in the 1990s. An annotated and illustrated review of the fruit and flower chafers (Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) of this region is here presented, in order to provide an account of the current status of the taxonomic diversity and ecology of this important insect group. Eleven species were observed in the SAR during an intense investigation undertaken during the period 2017–2020, with six of these representing new records for Macau and two for the broader region of the Pearl River Delta, also known as the Greater Bay Area. Although this census leads to a substantial increase in the number of species known for the area, it also highlights the threats that the recent escalation in urban development and land-use transformation are posing to a number of species which seem unable to maintain a sustainable population in the region, mainly due to habitat destruction.

Tourism Promotion Through the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy

The research aim is to use Macau, SAR China, as a case study to better understand the role of cuisine in promoting tourism, specifically: (1) identify key attributes for Gastronomia Macaense (Macanese cuisine) from community and industry leaders; (2) raise awareness for the importance of culinary heritage and food branding; and (3) offer a foundation for collective responses among stakeholders to participate in the application of the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Qualitative interviews for investigating Macanese cuisine were undertaken based upon identity, authenticity, image and longevity. The findings suggest that Macanese cuisine serves as a catalyst of change for a new identity amid the influx of tourists from Mainland China. Locals are experiencing a reawakening process of their fusion cuisine; however, it also demonstrates slippery authenticity and poor image of the cuisine amongst industry leaders. The purpose of the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy is to reassert culinary heritage and cultural identity by raising the public awareness and the repackaging of tradition and authenticity for food consumption becomes the priority.

Culture Stress and Difficulties: Lived Stories of Teenaged Mothers in Macau

The traditional Chinese culture influences perspectives toward family, marital status, and living style in Macau SAR, where Eastern cultures meet Western cultures. Although the Western living styles and standards highly influence the daily practices of residents; broken marriage, single parenting, and divorce are considered taboo in the community. The purpose of this study was to understand how teenaged single mothers describe their sources of stress and difficulties in the city. Eight single mothers, who were at different stages in single parenting and broken marriages, were interviewed and asked to share their lived stories. Guided by the Ecological System Theory, analysis of the data indicated that sources of stress and the behaviors of individuals may be highly influenced by surrounding people, environments, and societies. The results of the current study can help social caring providers and policymakers to better understand not only lived experiences of single mothers, but also the social problems, difficulties, and source of stress of the particular groups of people in society.