Sumatran Rhinoceros Research Articles

Genomic insights into the conservation status of the world\u2019s last remaining Sumatran rhinoceros populations

Small populations are often exposed to high inbreeding and mutational load that can increase the risk of extinction. The Sumatran rhinoceros was widespread in Southeast Asia, but is now restricted to small and isolated populations on Sumatra and Borneo, and most likely extinct on the Malay Peninsula. Here, we analyse 5 historical and 16 modern genomes from these populations to investigate the genomic consequences of the recent decline, such as increased inbreeding and mutational load. We find that the Malay Peninsula population experienced increased inbreeding shortly before extirpation, which possibly was accompanied by purging. The populations on Sumatra and Borneo instead show low inbreeding, but high mutational load. The currently small population sizes may thus in the near future lead to inbreeding depression. Moreover, we find little evidence for differences in local adaptation among populations, suggesting that future inbreeding depression could potentially be mitigated by assisted gene flow among populations.

KEANEKARAGAMAN JENIS VEGETASI PAKAN BADAK FASE SEMAI DI ZONA KHUSUS KONSERVASI TAMAN NASIONAL WAY KAMBAS

The Sumatran rhinos (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is the smallest of the five species of rhinoceros that still alive. Way Kambas National Park (TNWK) is captivity semi-insitu of Dicerorhinus sumatrensis. The Sumatran rhinos are herbivorous with a preference of young tree (seedling), leaves, fruits, and shoots.The importance of knowledge about study of feed sumatran rhinos for conservationof rhino in TNWK. The purpose of the study is to identifies rhino feed on seedling growth level in the conservation zones TNWK. The research used line transect method. The first line and plot determined randomly then the next line and plots was sistematically. The observation plots had measurement with amount 2m x 2m of seedling growth level in big plot with amount 20m x 20m with spacing between plot in line 500 m with total 98 plots. The results of this study concluded that there were 28 types of seedling rhino feed which was found to be the most abundant and evenly distributed based on the important value index, are Ixora sp. is 16.73 and then Antidesma neurocarpum Miq is 14.4 and Dillenia excelsa is 10.89. Biodiversity index is 3.57 and evennes index is 0.84.

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis for vegetation cover in Leuser Ecosystem area, Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Hartoyo APP, Sunkar A, Ramadani R, Faluthi S, Hidayati S. 2021. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis for vegetation cover in Leuser Ecosystem area, Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 1160-1171. About 2 Mha of 24.3 Mha degraded area in Indonesia is inside conservation area. The Leuser Ecosystem Area (LEA) is the largest conservation area in Malesian forest that plays essential role in biodiversity and ecosystem services conservation efforts. It is the last habitat on earth where Sumatran tigers, elephants, orangutans, and rhinoceros are found together. However, LEA faces many threats, such as infrastructure development, and industrial palm oil plantation. Additionally, vegetation cover data as an approach to monitor forest cover changes in LEA is still lacking and baseline data regarding composition, structure as well as vegetation diversity in LEA is very limited. The objectives of this study were to analyze vegetation cover using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in LEA and its relation to agroforestry structure, composition and diversity in Agusen Village, Gayo Lues District and Alur Durin Village, East Aceh District, Aceh Province belonging to LEA. Based on the NDVI analysis, the largest area in LEA belonged to class 5, meaning that the most area in LEA was dominated by high dense vegetation (1,870,116.40 ha). The average accuracy and standard error of NDVI analysis were 83.33% and 2.62. LEA is an effective buffer for maintaining forest ecosystems and increasing the local communities' welfare through agroforestry system. Agroforestry structures in agroforestry practices, both in Agusen Village and Alur Durin Village did not reflect reverse-J curve, meaning that enrichment planting for increasing numbers of individual and species was necessary. Management of agroforestry system depends on the landowners or managers and their selection of shade tree species with high economic value with market demand such as C. arabica, T. cacao with A. moluccanus, L. leucocephala, H. brasiliensis, D. zibethinus, etc. Trees that produce non-timber products are also an alternative way for conservation strategy and sustainable utilization.

JARAK GENETIK DAN KEKERABATAN TIGA JENIS BADAK DI DUNIA BERDASARKAN ANALISIS MtDNA

The family Rhinocerotidae is distinct and well defined, but systematic relationships among the four genera evaluated on the basis of geographical distribution of the different genera. The purpose of the research is to find out the genetic distance of rhinos in the world. Samples of Sumatran rhinoceros (Indonesia) are from SRS (Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary) Way Kambas National Park, while for Indian rhinoceros and white African rhinos. Amplification of cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) genes in mitochondrial DNA ( mtDNA) uses a specific primer for COI. The two primary pairs are Primer to amplify the partial CO1 sequence (RHCO1F & RHCO1R). CO1 amplification process PCR conditions used are: predenaturation at 940C, followed by the main cycle denaturation stage at 940C for 45 seconds, primary annealing stage (annealing) at 580C. analyzed provides genetic distance ranging from (0.016) to (0.147) for each species. Analysis of 711 bp of rhino DNA sequences can be shown in the form of a matrix of genetic differences. The genetic distance of the white African rhinoceros (Ceratorium simum) with the Sumatran torgamba rhinoceros is (0.142), while with the Indian rhinoceros (0.147) and the genetic distance between the Sumatran rhinos themselves there is a difference that the Sumatran rhino Bina differs by (0.136-0.147) with the other three individuals, while Torgamba has a genetic distance with Rosa of (0.014) but with a very close genetic distance (0.007), and Andalas (0.017), while the genetic distance is close to Bina (0.014) with Rosa (0.014).

Таксономическое положение двурогого носорога из подпуск-лебяжьинского фаунистического комплекса Западной Сибири

Таксономическое положение двурогого носорога из подпуск-лебяжьинского фаунистического комплекса Западной Сибири

Anti-Müllerian hormone in managed African and Asian rhino species

Serum collected across the lifespan of four managed rhino species: black (Diceros bicornis, n = 16), white (Ceratotherium simum simum, n = 19), greater one-horned (GOH, Rhinoceros unicornis, n = 11) and Sumatran (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, n = 6) were validated and analyzed in an anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) enzyme- linked immunoassay. Concentrations of AMH were examined over time, between sexes and throughout different reproductive states which included n = 3 female white rhinos immunocontracepted with porcine zona pellucida (pZP). Across species, males produced higher AMH concentrations compared to females. Among males, AMH concentrations varied by species aside from comparable values secreted between black and white rhinos. The GOH and Sumatran rhino secreted the highest and lowest male AMH concentrations, respectively. However, within each species, AMH concentrations were similar across male age categories. Preliminary insight into male AMH changes from birth to sexual maturity suggest its potential as a marker for onset of testicular maturation. Female black, GOH and Sumatran rhinos secreted comparable AMH concentrations which were higher than those in white rhino. Within each species, inter-individual variation in AMH secretion occurred among females of similar age. While AMH secretion did not differ across the ages sampled for female white (4->26 yr) and GOH (4–26 yr) rhinos, black and Sumatran rhinos >26 and <4 yr, respectively secreted lower AMH compared to conspecific females 7–26 yr of age. Two idiopathic infertility cases corresponded to low (outside species range) AMH values. The establishment of normative AMH concentrations in managed African and Asian rhinos provides an additional metric beyond traditional sex steroids to assess gonadal function. Further work is needed to determine if AMH can predict fertility potential in rhinos.

Ramifications of reproductive diseases on the recovery of the Sumatran Rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis (Mammalia: Perissodactyla: Rhinocerotidae)

The Sumatran Rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis is on the edge of extinction. The decline of this species was initially attributed to poaching and habitat loss, but evidence presented here indicates that reproductive failure has also been a significant cause of loss, and continues to affect wild populations. Indonesia’s remaining populations of Sumatran Rhino are small and scattered, with limited access to breeding opportunities with unrelated mates. This leaves them subject to inbreeding and isolation-induced infertility, linked to fertility problems analyzed here. Sumatran Rhino females in captivity showed high rates (&gt;70%) of reproductive pathology and/or problems with conception, which has significantly hindered the breeding program. Technological advances enabling examination immediately after capture revealed similarly high rates and types of reproductive problems in individuals from wild populations. The last seven Sumatran Rhino females captured were from areas with small declining populations, and six had reproductive problems. Going forward, capturing similarly compromised animals will take up valuable space and resources needed for fertile animals. The high risk of infertility and difficulty of treating underlying conditions, coupled with the decreasing number of remaining animals, means that the success of efforts to build a viable captive population will depend upon utilizing fertile animals and applying assisted reproductive techniques. Decades of exhaustive in situ surveys have not provided information relevant to population management or to ascertaining the fertility status of individual animals. Thus the first priority should be the capture of individuals as new founders from areas with the highest likelihood of containing fertile rhinos, indicated by recent camera trap photos of mothers with offspring. In Sumatra these areas include Way Kambas and parts of the Leuser ecosystem.

Ecological distinctiveness of birds and mammals at the global scale

Ecologically distinct species - species with distinct trait combinations - are not directly prioritized in current conservation frameworks. The consequence of this blind spot means species with the most distinct ecological strategies might be lost. Here, we quantify ecological distinctiveness, based on six traits, for 10,960 bird and 5,278 mammal species, summarizing species-level ecological irreplaceability. We find that threatened birds and mammals are, on average, more ecologically distinct. Specific examples of ecologically distinct and highly threatened species are Great Indian Bustard, Amsterdam Albatross, Asian Elephant and Sumatran Rhinoceros. These species have potentially irreplaceable ecological roles and their loss could undermine the integrity of ecological processes and functions. Yet, we also identify ecologically distinct widespread generalists, such as Lesser Black-backed Gull and Wild Boar. These generalist species have distinct ecological strategies that allow them to thrive across multiple environments. Thus, we suggest that high ecological distinctiveness is associated with either high extinction risk or successful hyper-generalism. We also find that ecologically distinct species are generally charismatic (using a previous measure of public perceptions of charisma). We thus highlight a conservation opportunity: capitalizing on public preferences for charismatic species could provide support for the conservation of the most ecologically distinct birds and mammals. Overall, our prioritization framework supports the conservation of species with irreplaceable ecological strategies, complementing existing frameworks that target extinction risk and evolutionary distinctiveness.

Wildlife diversity and identification of potential zoonosis around the Sumatran Rhino (Dicerorhinus Sumatrensis Harrissoni) sanctuary, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Emergency rescue for the Sumatran rhino in East Kalimantan is through consolidation into a sanctuary. This study aimed to analyse wildlife diversity and to identify potential zoonosis in the Sumatran rhino sanctuary located in Hutan Lindung Kelian Lestari (Kelian Lestari Protection Forest).Wildlife diversity observation was done by installing some devices (camera traps, small trap mammals, mist nets) and establishing transects. Zoonosis data was carried out by collecting blood samples and faeces of wildlife and domesticated animals. Our findings showed that there were 18 species of wildlife belonging to 13 family and 16 genus. Bearded pigs, malayan porcupines, and southern red muntjak were among animals with the highest RAI (Relative Abudance Index). Identification of potential zoonosis revealed that Salmonella was commonly found in faeces of both wildlife and domesticated animals. Furthermore, the most noticeably helminth parasites found in domesticated animals were Paramphistomum, Fasciola, and Emmeria, whilst Toxocora and Trichostrongylus were more common in wildlife. Theileria was blood parasites only detected in domesticated animals.

Observations on the ex situ management of the Sumatran Rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis (Mammalia: Perissodactyla: Rhinocerotidae): present status and desiderata for conservation

The Sumatran Rhinoceros is approaching extinction. A few dozen animals remain, dispersed in dwindling Indonesian rainforest with only a few years of likely survival time. Eight rhinos belonging to two subspecies are in controlled breeding centres. The Sumatran Rhinoceros differs markedly from the other four species of Rhinocerotidae and requires management according to specific protocols. Several Sumatran Rhinoceros have died in zoos, owing to lack of knowledge concerning their particular dietary requirements and their high sensitivity to anthropogenic activities. Recently more positive results, including successful births, have been achieved with the aid of scientific research, which continues to examine factors required for successful conservation and accommodation efforts.

Daily behavior Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinos sumatrensis) in Sumatran Rhino sanctuary Way Kambas National Park

The Sumatran rhino is one of Indonesia’s endemic species. The decreasing number of its population made the sanctuary project become more important to maintain the population’s existence. Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary is one of the breeding projects to keep the existence of Sumatran rhinoceros. For successful management in a sanctuary, it is necessary to understand how wildlife daily behavior so it can be adjusted with any management steps that will be applied. The purpose of this research is to understand and to analyze the daily behavior of Sumatran rhinoceros in Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary at Way Kambas National Park. This research was conducted in July 2017. The data was collected by using Focal Animal Sampling and was analyzed with quantitative descriptive technique. The result showed that Sumatran rhinoceros behavior in the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary was not significantly different from their natural behavior. The dominant behavior in the morning was feeding and at noon was resting, while the moving behavior constantly occurred between that behavior.

Estimation of forest degradation distribution using landsat sattelite imagery in Besitang forest landscape

Sumatra rain forest is a hot spot for flora and fauna biodiversity in the world and also habitat for many endangered species. Of the mammal species, four key species were found here those were Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatrensis), Orangutan (Pongo abelii) and Sumatran Rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). Forest degradation has been a global phenomenon and while being an important indicator to further forest loss, decreasing habitat quality of wild animal and species extinction. Besitang Forest is the habitats for three key mammal species in North Sumatra. Forest conversion, forest disturbance, and human activities in this site threaten the existence of this species. The objective of this research was to determine the spatial model of forest canopy cover and spatial distribution of forest degradation in Besitang Forest in period 2008 - 2016. Forest canopy cover value was estimated through Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) value from satellite Landsat imagery using the regression model. Forest degradation was measured by comparing the spatial distribution of forest canopy cover in 2008 and forest canopy cover in 2016. The result showed that NDVI approaches could estimate the forest canopy cover with R2 value 79.0. Forest degradation in Besitang landscape was classified into high (527.85 ha), medium (9,763.83 ha) and low (28,898.73 ha).

Perilaku Makan Badak Sumatera di Suaka Rhino Sumatera, Taman Nasional Way Kambas, Lampung

Research on the feeding behaviour, feeding plants and the way to access the plants has been conducted on Sumateran rhinos at and in collaboraton with Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, Way Kambas National Park, Lampung, by scanning and rapid assessment methods. Feeding activity is done during day time, especially in the morning (05.00-10.00) and in the afternoon (14.00-18.00). Plants consumed include saplings (42%), followed by trees (30%), seedlings (20%) and liana (8%). Cutting (86%) is the most common way to access the food sources, followed by pulling (9%), pushing by its head and holding in between front legs (4%) and twisting by its horn (1%).

Reduced Gut Microbiome Diversity and Metabolome Differences in Rhinoceros Species at Risk for Iron Overload Disorder.

Iron overload disorder (IOD) affects many wildlife species cared for ex situ. Two of the four rhinoceros species in human care, Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) and black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), are susceptible, whereas the other two, white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and greater one-horned (GOH) rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), are relatively resistant to IOD. Complex interrelationships exist between mammalian hosts, their indigenous gut microbiota, metabolome, physical condition, and iron availability. The goal of this study was to gain insight into these relationships within the family Rhinocerotidae. Specific objectives were to (1) characterize the gut microbiome and metabolome of four rhinoceros species; (2) compare the microbiome and metabolome of IOD-susceptible and IOD-resistant rhinoceros species; and (3) identify variation in the microbiome and metabolome associated with compromised health or disease in IOD-susceptible rhinoceroses. Fecal samples were collected from 31 rhinoceroses (Sumatran rhinoceros, n = 3; black rhinoceros, n = 6; GOH rhinoceros, n = 9; white rhinoceros, n = 13) located at five facilities, and matched fecal aliquots were processed for microbiome and metabolome analyses using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, respectively. Despite the phylogenetic disparity and dissimilar zoo diets of the hosts, the structure of the fecal microbiota of the two IOD-susceptible rhinoceros species were more closely related to each other than to those of the two IOD-resistant species (Bray–Curtis dissimilarity; IOD-susceptible vs. IOD-resistant p-value < 0.001). In addition, IOD-susceptible rhinoceroses exhibited less microbial diversity than their IOD-resistant relatives (Shannon diversity; p-value < 0.001) which could have health implications. Of note, the black rhinoceros was distinct among the four rhinoceros species with the most divergent fecal metabolome; interestingly, it contained higher concentrations of short chain fatty acids. Neither age nor sex were associated with differences in microbial community composition (p = 0.253 and 0.488, respectively) or fecal metabolomic profile (p = 0.634 and 0.332, respectively). Differences in the distal gut microbiomes between IOD-resistant and IOD-susceptible rhinoceroses support hypotheses that gut microbes play a role in host iron acquisition, and further studies and experiments to test these hypotheses are warranted.

Mauled by a rhinoceros: the final years of Alfred Duvaucel (1793-1824) in India

Alfred Duvaucel, stepson of Georges Cuvier, collected animals for the Museum d'Histoire naturelle de Paris, France, during visits to India and South-East Asia from 1817 to 1824. In early 1823, he set out from Chandernagor traveling upstream on the Ganges, intending to reach Nepal or Tibet. During a short stop near Sakrigali in the Rajmahal Hills of Bihar, he was attacked by a rhinoceros and badly hurt on 24 January 1823. After receiving medical treatment in Bhagalpur, he reconsidered his plans and returned to Calcutta. He succumbed to his wounds aggravated by attacks of dysentery on his homeward journey, in Madras in August 1824. His letters written in the Rajmahal Hills were published by Jean-Jacques Coulmann in 1862. The zoological material collected was reviewed by his uncle Frederic Cuvier, who inserted many details in the Histoire naturelle des mammiferes, to which he added biographical notices. The presence of rhinoceros in the Rajmahal Hills (until about 1850) is often recorded, but the specific identity of these animals is uncertain in the absence of any surviving specimens. A mounted rhinoceros in the Zoological Museum of Strasbourg was said to be the one which killed Duvaucel, but as it is a two-horned Sumatran rhinoceros, unknown anywhere near Bihar, this needs further investigation.

Study on sumatran rhinoceros based on ecological game model

In this paper, the survival status of the sumatran rhinoceros was studied, the ecological game of the sumatran rhinoceros was put forward according to the critically endangered status, the differential dynamical system model of the sumatran rhinoceros and food was established, and the relationship between the parameters in the model and the land and environmental conditions was discussed. According to the value range of the four indicators, the ecological environment was divided into three conditions of food abundance, food shortage and critical state, so as to obtain the impact and requirements of the sumatran rhinoceros on the ecological environment. The results show that the sumatran rhinoceros lives in cycles under different land area conditions. Analysis from the perspective of the evolution of the ecological environment, the sumatran rhinoceros and food together form an ecological system, the abundant of food can cause sumatran rhinoceros populations, the number of the sumatran rhinoceros too much then can reduce the quantity of food, after reducing the number of the sumatran rhinoceros and will cause the increase in the number of food, this phenomenon is called ecological cycle, namely three environmental situation circulation phenomenon over time. Finally, according to the differential equation, migration is one of the ways that the sumatran rhino can continue to survive when the ecological environment changes.

Dental microwear textures and dietary preferences of extant rhinoceroses (Perissodactyla, Mammalia)

Rhinoceroses were conspicuous elements in Cenozoic ecosystems, and studying the ecological behavior of extant species might unravel the ecology of their fossil kin. Microwear as a short-term recorder may detect subtle variations in the diet. Dental microwear texture analysis (DMTA) is extensively used to infer paleodiets. Yet, regarding ungulates, most microwear studies have been conducted on artiodactyls, and more particularly on ruminants (i.e., foregut fermenters), which may not be good models for hindgut fermenters, such as rhinoceroses. Moreover, rhinoceroses display a specific enamel ultrastructure with vertical Hunter–Schreger bands and a peculiar mastication cycle likely to impact tooth response to wear. Here, we studied the DMTA of the five extant rhinoceros species (17 specimens of Ceratotherium simum, four of Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, 21 of Diceros bicornis, 14 of Rhinoceros sondaicus, and 5 of Rhinoceros unicornis) and built up the present dataset. In parallel, we also compiled a taxon-based dataset of consumed plants for each rhinoceros species. Accordingly, we propose to reclassify the Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) from mixed-feeder to variable grazer. Significant discrepancies were found between grinding and shearing facets on molars and between species on a given facet. Plotting the percentage of anisotropic specimens against that of complex specimens for each species discriminated well the different diets on both facets. This unprecedented dataset on rhinoceros texture microwear confronted to detailed diets appears critical for future diet reconstruction of fossil rhinocerotoids.

Measuring the surrogacy potential of charismatic megafauna species across taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity on a megadiverse island

AbstractConservation organisations and governments often use charismatic megafauna as surrogates to represent broader biodiversity. While these species are primarily selected as “flagships” for marketing campaigns, it is important to evaluate their surrogacy potential, i.e. the extent to which their protection benefits other biodiversity elements. Four charismatic megafauna species are used as surrogates in the megadiverse island of Sumatra: the Sumatran tigerPanthera tigris sumatrae, Sumatran elephantElephas maximus sumatranus, Sumatran orangutanPongo abeliiand Sumatran rhinocerosDicerorhinus sumatrensis. We examined how well each of these species performed in representing the distribution of all co‐occurring terrestrial mammal species on the island, and the priority areas for the conservation of three facets of mammalian biodiversity (taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional).We used habitat suitability models to represent the distribution of 184 terrestrial mammal species, 160 phylogenetic groups and 74 functional trait groups. We then identified priority conservation areas using the spatial prioritisation software Zonation.We found that the habitat overlap between each of the four charismatic species and the other mammal species varied, ranging from a mean of 52% (SD = 27%) for the tiger to 2% (SD = 2%) for the rhino. Combining the four species together improved the representation levels only marginally compared to using the tiger only. Among the four charismatic megafauna species, the extent of suitable habitat of Sumatran tiger covered the highest proportion of priority conservation areas. The Sumatran tiger also outperformed most of other mammal species with similar range sizes.We found that some of the top‐ranked conservation areas for taxonomic (28%), phylogenetic (8%) and functional diversity (19%) did not overlap with any of the charismatic species’ suitable habitat.Synthesis and applications. Wide‐ranging charismatic species can represent broader mammalian biodiversity, but they may miss some key areas with high biodiversity importance. We suggest that a combination of systematic spatial prioritisation and surrogacy analyses are important in order to determine the allocation of conservation resources in biodiversity‐rich areas such as Sumatra, where an expansion of the protected area network is required.

The Dynamic of Habitat Carrying Capacity Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus Sumatrensis) in Development Area Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary Way Kambas National Park

The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary is the only place where semi-Sumatran rhinos in Indonesia have been conservation, located in Way Kambas National Park which has never been revealed through systematic research on its capacity to support its function as a conservation site for rare species such as the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). This study was conducted in August 2015 which aims to determine changes in the type and potential of natural feed, palatability of feed, potential water availability, and the cover of Sumatran rhinoceros habitat. This study uses a sample plot method. Data on carrying capacity of the collected habitat are data on the potential of feed plants, the level of rhino preference for feed types, water availability and habitat cover. The results showed that the number of feed species in the understorey phase increased, in the liana phase, seedlings, stakes and poles decreased, whereas in the tree phase there was no change because the number of species found was the same. Palatability of food has changed, in 2001 the rhinoceros favoured was a species of Psychotria sclerophylla while in 2015 it was a species of Planchonia valida. Changes occur in the potential for water availability, in 2001 14 water sources were found while in 2015 8 were water sources. In environmental factors, there is an increase in the intensity of light in the puddle, under the canopy, and the river, but in the swamp, there is a decrease in the intensity of sunlight, the average air temperature increases, and the average air humidity decreases. Keywords: development areas, habitat carrying capacity, sumatran rhino, Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary.

Kajian Genetika untuk Konservasi Badak Sumatera (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis Gloger, 1841)

ABSTRACT The Sumatran rhinoceros is one of the most critically endangered species of large mammals due to habitat loss, fragmentation and illegal hunting so that the population of this species drastically decreased. At present, reproductive problems with a limited population are also a threat and require an appropriate solution. Therefore, data on molecular genetic information is very important as a basis for conservation management in maintaining long-term persistence of this species. Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of CO1, 12SrRNA, and Cytochrome b gen from mitochondrial DNA genomes using neighbor-joining and genetic distance matrix calculations with the Kimura 2-parameter model (K2P) were implemented in pairwise distance calculations in the Mega (Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis) program version 6.05. The study results show the genetic distance of Sumatran Rhinos from Sumatra and Kalimantan respectively 0.2 ± 0.00%, 0.8 ± 0.4%, and 0%. These results were reconfirmed that the Sumatran Rhino species in Sumatra and Kalimantan were taxonomy is no different. The study of genetic diversity based on D-loop of mitochondrial DNA contained 5 haplotypes, namely haplotypes 1 and 2 originating from the island of Sumatra and haplotypes 3, 4, and 5 originating from the island of Borneo. The genetic distance between individuals in this study ranged from 2.54 ± 1.4%, haplotype diversity (Hd) was 0.8 ± 0.172, nucleotide diversity (Pi) was 0.02269, Fu’s Fs value was 2.523, and Tajima’s test was 0.69497. The positive value (Fu’s Fs and Tajima’s test) indicated low genetic diversity and population expansion in the Sumatran rhino. In the study using 10 microsatellite loci, where the average number of allel/loci in Kalimantan (1.68) was higher than in Sumatra (1.22). Data from this study show that genetic variation between Sumatran rhinoceros from Sumatra and Kalimantan can be used as a basis for alternative that the populations of Sumatra and Borneo be considered as a single management unit. Keywords: Sumateran Rhinoceros, Mitochondrial DNA, Microsatellite