Moluccas Research Articles

Decision Support System for Determining Floating Dock Locations in Maluku Islands Using AHP-TOPSIS

The number of shipyards that can carry out maintenance and repair work in the province of Maluku is very small, causing many docking queues, causing many companies to choose to dock outside the Maluku province, even though Maluku has a large and good area to build a shipyard. To increase the number and capacity of ship docking sites, the floating docking system was chosen to be developed because it is cheaper and very flexible to be moved because Maluku has two different wind seasons that affect the ship docking process. This study aims to determine the right location for the development of floating docking development in Maluku Province. This study uses a combination of two methods namely AHP-TOPSIS. AHP is used to determine the level of importance between criteria, criteria consisting of aspects of meteorology, geography and oceanography, environmental and population aspects, and aspects of facilities and infrastructure. The results of priority analysis through the weighting of criteria from several experts with the AHP approach to the selection of the best alternative regions using the TOPSIS method. The AHP-TOPSIS calculation results give the first priority value in the Dobo region with a total of 41%, the second in the Saumlaki region with a total of 27%, the third in the Tual region with a total of 24%, and the fourth is the Tiakor region around 8%.

Short Communication: Egg harvesting and local conservation of Moluccan Scrubfowl (Eulipoa wallacei) in the Maluku Islands, Indonesia

Abstract. Simanjuntak R, Yusniar M, Samalukang YM, Boleu FI, Mardiastuti A, Widyasari V, Udin JS. 2020. Short Communication: Egg harvesting and local conservation of Moluccan Scrubfowl (Eulipoa wallacei) in the Maluku Islands, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 3018-3024. This study was conducted at four locations in Central Maluku and North Halmahera, which have been used as nesting ground habitats of the Moluccan Scrubfowl (Eulipoa wallacei), an endemic bird of the Maluku Islands, Indonesia. The objective of this study was to record and analyze the egg harvesting and local conservation of Moluccan Scrubfowl in four locations in the Maluku Islands: Simau, Kao, Haruku, and Kailolo. The results showed that a relatively large number of harvested eggs were found in Simau (Halmahera Island) and Kailolo. In Kailolo, the total number of eggs harvested was 21,707 per year. The local community has the initiative to conserve this bird by establishing local regulations, called sasi. The Haruku community gave a portion of the eggs to Kewang, a customary institution authorized to manage the natural resources, to be hatched semi-naturally around the Kewang House. Likewise, the Salabia youth organization in Simau, together with landowners, developed a semi-natural hatchery for the Moluccan Scrubfowl eggs.

Karateristik Fisik Bunga Cengkeh (Syzygium aromaticum)

Cengkeh (Syzygium aromaticum), termasuk dalam famili Myrtaceae dan merupakan salah satu tanaman rempah asli Indonesia yang berasal dari Kepulauan Maluku. Penanganan pasca panen cengkeh di tingkat petani masih dilakukan dengan cara manual, salah satunya pemisahan bunga dari tangkainya yang masih menggunakan tangan. Bunga dan tangkai cengkeh perlu dipisahkan karena mempunyai harga dan mutu yang berbeda. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui daya lekat bunga cengkeh terhadap tangkainya dan karateristik fisik (dimensi, berat dan kadar air) bunga cengkeh pada varietas Zanzibar, Si-Putih dan Si-Kotok. Daya lekat dimaksudkan sebagai gaya yang dibutuhkan untuk melepaskan bunga cengkeh dari tangkainya agar dapat menjadi acuan dan referensi dasar dalam perancangan alat pemisah bunga cengkeh dari tangkainya atau alat processing lainnya. Penelitian ini menggunakan sampel bunga cengkeh varietas Zanzibar, Si-Putih dan Si-Kotok berdasarkan warna bunga (tingkat kematangan). Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa daya lekat yang diperoleh bunga cengkeh varietas Si-Kotok sebesar 0.22 kg, varietas Zanzibar sebesar 0.17 kg dan varietas Si-Putih sebesar 0.15 kg. Dari sisi warna, daya lekat bunga cengkeh warna merah sebesar 0.22 kg, warna merah hijau sebesar 0.17 kg dan warna hijau sebesar 0.16 kg. Daya lekat bunga cengkeh tidak memiliki korelasi yang konsisten dengan parameter sifat fisik bunga cengkeh.

Island migration and foraging behaviour by anatomically modern humans during the late Pleistocene to Holocene in Wallacea: New evidence from Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Maritime migration and island adaptation by anatomically modern humans (AMH) are among the most significant issues in Southeast Asian anthropology and archaeology, and directly related to their behavioural and technological advancements. A major research hotspot is Wallacean Archipelago located between the past Sunda and Sahul continents during the late Pleistocene. The gaps between the Wallacean islands and both landmasses are very likely the major factor for the relative scarcity of animal species originating from Asia and Oceania and the high diversity of endemic species in Wallacea. They are also considered as a barrier for hominin migration into Wallacean islands and Sahul continent. We report about new archaeological research on the eastern coast of Sulawesi, which could have been the most potential location for the early AMH migration by sea crossings from the Maluku Islands along the northern routes towards Sahul. Based on the new findings, we discuss the evidence and timeline for migrations of early modern humans into the Wallacean islands. This includes an overview of the excavated stone and bone artefacts and faunal remains in the region in the context of changes in human foraging behaviour as well as the technological and cognitive aspects of human adaptation as a response to rapidly changing ecological conditions during the late Pleistocene to Holocene periods.

SISTEM FONOLOGI BAHASA MELAYU DIALEK AMBON

The Malay Ambonese language is a that is classified as a family or dialect of standard Malay language spoken by the people residing in Ambon Island, Lease Islands, Saparua, Haruku Nusa Laut, Buano Island, Manipa Island, Kelang Island and Seram Island . Malay Ambones language is also used as a trading language in Kei, Banda, Watubela Islands, Buru Island, Southeast Maluku to Southwest Maluku. The Malay Ambonese language has 245.020 million speakers spread throughout the Maluku Islands. Malay Ambonese language is included in the Polynesian Malay family. One way to preserve Malay Ambonese language is needed phonological research including the characteristics and distribution in the word. This study aims to determine the number of Malay language phonemes of Ambon dialect and its distribution in the word. Methode this research is qualitative-descriptive method. The analysis shows that the phoneme contained in Malay Ambonese language consists of five vowel phonemes and nineteen consonant phonemes.

Diversity and threats to endemic birds in the Wallacean region, Indonesia

Wallacean region, which covers Sulawesi and its satellite islands, Lesser Sunda islands, and Maluku islands, has the richest endemic birds. It contributes 70.1% (366 out of 510) of the total Indonesian endemic bird species. Sulawesi and its satellite islands have the highest number of endemic species (150) followed by the Lesser Sunda Islands (126) and Maluku islands (90). On the other hand, many species in the region are threatened. The number of critically endangered (CR) and endangered (EN) in Sulawesi (7 and 10 species) is higher than Maluku (2 and 4 species) or Lesser Sunda (1 and 6 species). There are two types of threats: direct and indirect threats. Direct threats can be caused by the biological character of the species such as low reproductive rate, long-term parental care; high utilization i.e. hunt (egg, nestling, adult): consumption, trade (pet, hobbies and other uses); and natural predation. Indirect threats include habitat loss, fragmented forest, land conversion, and restricted range because of requiring a very specific habitat type. Although Indonesian wildlife including some endemic birds has been protected by law (P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018), illegal trade has been the most important threat. Recent illegal bird trade was recorded from East Java in 2018 and 2019. Confiscated birds were parrots and hornbill from the Wallacean region and Papua, though all of those species are protected.

EKSPLORASI DAN IDENTIFIKASI CENDAWAN ANTAGONIS TERHADAP JAMUR AKAR PUTIH (Rigidoporus lignosus) PADA TANAMAN PALA (Myristica fragrans Houtt)

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) is a multipurpose plantation commodity crop that almost all parts of the plant have strategic economic value to be cultivated. In Indonesia there are the largest nutmeg commodity centers, including the Maluku islands, North Sulawesi and Aceh. The biggest problem with nutmeg plants is the attack of pests and diseases. One of the most severe diseases in nutmeg is white root mushroom (Rigidoporus lignosus). This study aims to 1) determine the fungus of white root fungus antagonists (Rigodoporus lignosus) from the Aceh nutmeg rhizosphere (Myristica fragrans Houtt), 2) identify the content of antibiotic fungus JAP antagonist compounds in Aceh nutmeg plants. The study was conducted by taking soil samples from nutmeg plants at three nutmeg plantations in South Aceh. The antagonist fungus isolation activity uses a dilution method. Isolation of JAP from infected roots using direct planting method. Furthermore, it is identified macroscopically and microscopically. The antagonist test was carried out using the dual culture method with RAL. From the rhizosphere in the nutmeg area, 5 candidate antagonist isolates were obtained, having high in vitro antagonism ability to the pathogen R. lignosus. Identification results showed that isolates 1, 2 and 3 were Trichoderma spp, and isolates 4 and 5 were Gliocladium virens. Keywords: In vitro, the content of antibiotic compounds, Aceh nutmeg, Rigidoporus lignosus, antagonistic test

Mineral Analysis and Physical Characteristics of Beach Sands in Latuhalat and Suli Village to Support the Beach Geotourism of the Maluku Province

From the aspect of the earth, the Maluku islands are a unique formation. Because Maluku is at the confluence of four world plates (Indo-Australian plate, Pacific plate, Philippine sea plate and Eurasian plate) so it has an interesting geological structure. One of unique formation is having thousands of islands with charming white sand beaches. White sand beaches are part of the geotourism diversity in Maluku, so research is conducted at Latuhalat (Santai and Namalatu beaches) and Suli (Natsepa beach) which aim to identify the shape and size of beach sand, analyze mineral content using the X-RD and X-RF methods. The results showed the shape of sand grains in the Santai and Namalatu beaches of Latuhalat Village were identified as oval-shaped irregularly with an average size of Santai sand grains of 0.12 mm and Namalatu sand of 0.21 mm. While the shape of sand grains in Natsepa beach, Suli Village was identified as spherical with an average grain size of 0.10 mm. Beaches in the three locations are classified as types of sandy beaches (sand sediments) with sandstone rock types. Sand on the Namalatu beach, Santai beach, and Natsepa beach has very fine to medium grain size andcontains Aragonite (CaCO3) and Quartz (SiO2) minerals that are dominant. The shape and size of the grains of sand and its constituent minerals are very good to support the Namalatu and Santai beach geotourism in Latuhalat Village and Natsepa beach in Suli Village.

The Relationship of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) Tidore, Ternate and Bogor Based on Morphological Marker

<em>Banda Nutmeg (</em>Myristica fragrans<em>), is one of Indonesia's main spices commodities. Maluku Island, North Maluku, Siau, and Papua are the center of origins and center of nutmeg diversity; whereas, Bogor is the largest nutmeg cultivation area in West Java. The diversity and relationship between Bogor nutmeg with Maluku nutmeg have not been studied, even though it is crucial for local varieties selection and seeds provision. The study aimed to determine the diversity and relationship of nutmegs from Tidore, Ternate, and Bogor. The experiment was conducted in eight locations: Tidore (Gurabunga and Jaya), Ternate (Marikurubu), and Bogor (Cigombong, Ciawi, Leuwisadeng, Sukajadi, and Tamansari) from November 2017 - December 2018. Materials used were 46 nutmeg accessions of 8 – 30 year old plants with good growth and known of their origin. The experiments were performed using direct observation methods on habitus, leaf, fruit, seed, mace, and flower followed IPGRI descriptor. The results showed that qualitative diversity was</em> <em>observed in the fruit shape, shape of fruit-based and fruit-tip, fruit color, and tree shape. Mace thickness was the most substantial diversity for the quantitative character (50.38 %). The difference within intra-population in all aspects observed was low, except for the fruit character and mace weight. The genetic relatedness of the Bogor population was closer to Ternate (60 %) than Tidore (46 %). The genetic relationship amongst five Bogor populations found to be very close. Further, Leuwisadeng, Tamansari, and Sukajadi populations were found to have the highest genetic relationship and similarity (80 %).</em>

Genetic characterization and phylogenetic study of Indonesian cuscuses from Maluku and Papua Island based on 16S rRNA gene

Background and Aim:Indonesian cuscuses are now becoming scarce because of the reduction of habitat and poaching. Further, molecular characterization of Indonesian cuscuses is still very lacking. This study aimed to determine genetic markers and phylogenetic relationships of Indonesian cuscuses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences.Materials and Methods:This study used 21 cuscuses caught from two provinces and 16 islands: 13 from Maluku and eight from Papua. Cuscus samples were taken by biopsy following ethics guidelines for animals. The genome isolation was done using gSYNC DNA Mini Kit (Geneaid Biotech Ltd., Taiwan). The 16S rRNA gene was amplified by primers (16SKUSAF and 16SKUSAR), and the polymerase chain reaction product obtained was 1875 base pair (bp). The analysis of genetic characterization and the phylogenetic relationship was performed usingMEGA version X software (https://www.megasoftware.net/).Results:16S rRNA gene sequencing attained 1598 bp for all samples. Based on the 16S rRNA nucleotide sequences, cuscuses from Papua and Maluku belong to the genus Phalanger and Spilocuscus. Phalanger spp. and Spilocuscus spp. from Papua can be distinguished from Phalanger and Spilocuscus from Maluku, except Spilocuscus from Ternate has a very close relationship with cuscus from Sentani, Papua.Conclusion:Indonesian cuscuses were derived into two clades based on 16S rRNA gene sequence, one group to genus Phalanger and another group to Spilocuscus.

Physico-chemical properties of clove oil from three forest clove accession groups in Maluku

Forest cloves (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L. M. Perry.) are classified as wild and endemic clove to Maluku islands. So far, the studies on utilization of clove oil as an essential oil are still limited. This study aims to provide information on the physicochemical properties of clove oil from three clove accession groups in Maluku. Clove oil is obtained through the distillation of parts of the plant such as flowers bud, flower stalks, and leaves. The physicochemical components of clove oil in this study were compared to those of the standard type of cultivated clove oil, for there is no standard for forest clove oil. The results of the characterization of the physicochemical properties of clove oil revealed that the oils of the three clove accession groups met the standard of clove oil in several parameters, namely color (yellow to dark brown), specific gravity (0.9559-1,101 g ml−1), refractive index (1.5075-1.5467), β-caryophyllene (0.74-11.79%). However, they did not meet the standard of clove oil solubility in ethanol 70% (1:10) and total eugenol (20-28%). The clove accession groups had high oil content (in the distillation) from the flower bud section (1.33-3.00%), followed by the flower stalks (0.40-1.0%), and leaves (0.44-0.93%).

Geomorphological impact of Palu earthquake

Sulawesi and Maluku islands are tectonically under a collision area of four earth crust plates, those are Eurasia, Philliphines Islands, Pacific Ocean and Australian-India Ocean. Palu city in Central Sulawesi island in particular is geologically an area of complex structure. A fault zone of north-west to south-east direction has formed Palu area as a block being squeezed by Palu-Koro strike-slip fault zone. The aim of this research is to know the impact of earthquake happened on October 28, 2018 has caused the fault to activate of being dynamic movement of the area. Using hand camera photos, a morphological survey and analysis show the landslides and slumps could be clearly identified. Rock and soil slide and movement was also strengthened by liquefaction of hydrological fluid content within the Palu block. Morphology of Palu-Koro fault plane was also affected significantly causing landslides and slumps on the fault plane exposed in the earth surface.

Spectrofluorometric determination of L-tryptophan in canary (Canarium indicum L.) seed protein hydrolysate

Canary (Canarium indicum L.) is an indigenous plant of Indonesia, which mainly grows in the eastern part of Indonesia, especially in the Maluku, North Sulawesi, and Seram islands. We believe that no scientific reports have been conducted about L-tryptophan content in Canarium indicum. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the presence and quantitate the aromatic amino acid (L-tryptophan) in the canary protein hydrolysate by the spectrofluorometric method. The protein hydrolysate was prepared by two hydrolysis methods, enzymatic and alkaline hydrolysis. L-tryptophan can be differentiated from tyrosine directly without using any reagent by excitation of the sample at 295 nm in order to avoid tyrosine emission. The equation of calibration curve correlation using standard in the range 0.5-5 ppm was y = 6632.3x - 845.42 and correlation coefficient of 0.9997, while the coefficient of variance in linear regression was 1.29%. The detection limit and quantification limit obtained were 0.116 ppm and 0.35 ppm respectively. The recoveries of the accuracy test were obtained in the range of 95-96%. The relative standard deviation of intra-assay precision tests were obtained in the range of 0.5-1.8%, while the intermediate precision in the range of 2.18-3.74%. L-tryptophan was detected in all samples (papain, pepsin, and alkaline hydrolysate), with concentrations 5.6, 5 and 1.53 mg/100mg of protein respectively. The used fluorometric method complied with the validation requirements and can be used to analyze L-tryptophan in samples containing tyrosine without overlapping of spectra and without the use of any specific reagent.

A new genus and species of catshark (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from eastern Indonesia.

A new genus and species of catshark is described based on a single specimen collected off Ambon in the Maluku Islands of eastern Indonesia. Akheilos suwartanai belongs to the subfamily Schroederichthyinae which differs from the other catsharks in a combination of: similar sized dorsal fins, supraorbital crests present, pseudosiphon present on claspers, broad subocular ridges under eyes, posterior nasal flaps present, tips of rostral cartilage fused into a rostral node. It represents the first record of this subfamily outside of the Americas. Akheilos differs from the other genus in the subfamily, Schroederichthys in a combination of: clasper groove not fused dorsally, ventral lobe of caudal fin produced, more intestinal valve turns, anal fin slightly larger than second dorsal fin, and in colour pattern.

Effectivity of rearing with difference composition of feed toward body weight gain of mud crab Scylla olivacea in the mangrove area, Tuhaha Village, East Saparua, Central Maluku-Indonesia

This study was aimed to determine the level of weight gain of adult mud crabs given different doses of feed at the front of the mangrove area in Tuhaha Bay, Central Maluku Indonesia. Mud crabs (Scylla olivacea) with average initial body weight (BW) of 100.36±8.35g g were placed in a plastic basket measuring 50 x 25 x 17 cm³ which hanging on bamboo raft. Prior to measurement, the crabs were acclimatized for one week at the location with 3% feeding/BW. Treatment with three different fish feed doses i.e., 5% trash fish: 5% mashed raw papaya (Treatment A), 7.5% trash fish: 2.5% mashed raw papaya / BW (Treatment B) and trash fish 10%/BW (Treatment C). Each treatment consisted of 6 individuals as replicates. Data collection includes absolute BW and Specific Growth Rate (SGR). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic and displayed in tables and graphs. The results showed that mud crabs given treatment A, B and C had an average BW of 95.03±2.84g, 100.22±3.81g and 114.83±2.55g, respectively. Relative BW gain and SGR of treatment B was higher than those of treatment A and treatment C. These results indicated that treatment B is quite effective in meeting the energy needs for increasing the body weight of individual crabs at this location.

Shell Adzes, Exotic Obsidian, and Inter-Island Voyaging in the Early and Middle Holocene of Wallacea

The environmental extremes of the Last Glacial Maximum and the subsequent warming and sea-level rise into the Holocene had profound implications for human behavior across much of the world. In northern New Guinea, the Maluku Islands, and the Philippines, shell adzes appear during this period alongside contact between islands. In this paper we present new data from the site of Asitau Kuru, Timor-Leste, to show that the creation of shell adzes and greater inter-island connectivity also characterizes the early and middle and early Holocene in the Nusa Tenggara archipelago of southern Wallacea. We suggest that one of the functions of these shell adzes was in making dugout canoes enabling regular access to neighboring islands; the import of exotic stone materials; long-term occupation of very small islands; and, with new hook and line technology, the capture of more fish. This evidence predates the Neolithic in the region and corroborates a linguistic hypothesis that there was a pre-Austronesian interaction sphere covering much of Wallacea.

Harvesting ocean energy with a small-scale tidal-current turbine and fish aggregating device in the Indonesian Archipelagos

Indonesia has many archipelagos with long and complex coastlines that connect to the Pacific Ocean in the northeast and to the Indian Ocean in the southwest. Several species of fish in this area are easily attracted to fish aggregating devices (FADs), which are a type of environmentally friendly artificial ocean infrastructures. We investigated characteristics of tidal currents in the Indonesia archipelagos and suitably designed a small-scale tidal-current turbine with an FAD to independently supply electric power to the archipelagos. Moreover, we estimated the amount of electric power generated by the setup. The results indicate that the tidal currents in narrow straits are considerably higher in archipelagos, such as the Maluku and Nusa Tenggara Islands including Bali Strait. Lombok Strait also exhibited the maximum tidal-current velocity of 4 m/s. The small-scale tidal-current turbine was theoretically and numerically designed to utilize the tidal current specific to the Indonesian archipelagos. We estimated the amount of electric power generated by the 2.2-m-diameter turbine with 10-kW class to adjust to the specific archipelagos.

Eye Fatigue on Employees of Computer Users at PT. Bank X in Ambon, Maluku Indonesia

Using computers for long periods of time can cause eye fatigue. The ILO, AOA, NIOSH and CVS Statistics data show that eye fatigue is common among computer users. Therefore, this study aims to determine the factors that related to eye fatigue. The research design used observational-analytic with cross-sectional method. The number of samples in this study as many as 25 employees of computer users, used total sampling. Research data obtained by using questionnaires filled by employees to know the length of time, work and eye fatigue sufferers, roll meter to measure the distance of the monitor to the eye and Lux meter to measure the room lighting. Data analysis is done by univariate and bivariate analysis with chi square test. The result of the research shows that the length of working time using computer obtained p value 0.003, the monitor distance obtained result p value 0.245 and room lighting obtained result p value 0.042. So it can be concluded that the length of time working using computers and lighting the room related to eye fatigue. ABSTRAK Penggunaan komputer dalam jangka waktu yang lama dapat menyebabkan kelelahan mata. Data ILO, AOA, NIOSH dan CVS Statistic menunjukan bahwa kelelahan mata sering terjadi pada karyawan pengguna komputer. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor yang berhubungan dengan kelelahan mata. Rancangan penelitian yang digunakan adalah observasional-analitik dengan metode cross-sectional. Jumlah sampel dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 25 karyawan pengguna komputer, penarikan sampel menggunakan total sampling. Data penelitian didapat dengan menggunakan kuesioner yang diisi oleh karyawan untuk mengetahui lama waktu kerja dan penderita kelelahan mata, roll meter untuk mengukur jarak monitor terhadap mata dan lux meter untuk mengukur pencahayaan ruangan. Analisis data dilakukan dengan analisis univariat dan bivariat dengan uji chi square. Hasil penelitian menunjukan lama waktu kerja menggunakan komputer memperoleh p value sebesar 0.003, jarak monitor memperoleh p value sebesar 0.245 dan pencahayaan ruangan memperoleh p value sebesar 0.042. Maka dapat disimpulkan bahwa ada hubungan antara lama waktu kerja menggunakan komputer dan pencahayaan ruangan dengan kelelahan mata serta tidak ada hubungan antara jarak monitor dengan kelelahan mata.

Development of observing dolphin population method using Small Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial System (AUV)

Indonesia has a very high diversity of Cetacean, observation with good accuracy and precision must be a priority in every observation. Several methods have been developed to help calculate the marine mammal population, one of them by using Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). VTOL UAS is flown at a certain height to capture photos that contain the number of individuals in a pod, while also mapping the movements and recording their behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the ideal angle to capture the photos. Several observation angles, 30°, 60°, and 90° were tested Observations were conducted in three sites in Indonesia (Sepa Island, Thousand Islands, Kepulauan Seribu National Park (TNKS); Liang Beach, Maluku Island; and Nai Island Kei Achipelago). The results showed that the angles greatly affected the number of objects in the photograph. For example, on the Island of Sepa, at the angle 30°, 60°, and 90°, the number of dolphins obtained were 3, 9 and 14, respectively. This study did not find any object rejection during observation with VTOL UAS. This study suggests that higher angle of photograph from VTOL UAS increases the accuracy of the observation of marine mammals.

A new species of Indo-Papuan groundsnake, genus Stegonotus Duméril et al., 1854 (Serpentes, Colubridae), from the Bird's Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesia, with comments on differentiating morphological characters.

We describe a new species of Indo-Papuan groundsnake (Stegonotus) from a single adult male specimen collected in 1953 near Kamro, a village in Maybrat Regency, West Papua, Indonesia. The specimen had been considered a member of S. batjanensis, a well-defined species from the northern Maluku Islands over 500 km to the northwest with which it shares the key characteristic of having the 3rd, 4th, and 5th supralabial scales touching the eyes. The new species can be differentiated from S. batjanensis as well as all other species of Stegonotus by having its 5th supralabial scale projecting forward from behind the eye to form a narrow contact zone with the eye. In addition, it is differentiated by the combination of the following characteristics: seven supralabials, the 3rd-5th touching the eye; eight infralabials, the 1st-4th touching the anterior genial; four scales separating the posterior genial and the first gastrostege; dorsal scales in 17 rows, diminishing to 15 posteriorly; a low number of ventrals (181 in the holotype) combined with a high number of subcaudals (105 in the holotype), the latter comprising 37% of the scales on the ventral surface, the highest proportion in the genus. The description of this species is of interest beyond adding to the species diversity of Stegonotus: it allowed us to explore additional characteristics to resolve taxonomic questions in a morphologically conservative genus, it illustrates the need for additional herpetological survey work on the Bird's Head Peninsula, and its initial misidentification serves as a reminder of the continued relevance and importance of natural history collections as repositories for specimens and data that influence our knowledge today by reaching out from the past.