Traditional ecological knowledge and plant utilization by Mpur tribe’s in Kebar, West Papua Province, Indonesia

Traditional ecological knowledge has an important role in the preservation of biodiversity. The ability of traditional communities in managing the natural resources and the environment was based on the experiences that slowly grow within a long span of time. The aim of this research is to reveal the traditional ecological knowledge of the Mpur tribe in interacting with the environment around where they live in order to survive. The method used is ethnodirected sampling. To determine the level of importance of environmental units used the Pebble Distribution Method (PDM), in addition to assessing useful plants based on the culture of the Mpur tribe, the calculation uses the Cultural Significance Index (ICS) formula. The result of the observation has found nine types of units there were closely related and effected on the life aspect of Mpur tribe. The nine types of units were: forest (nirau), the new farms (bain bak), old farms (bain sunu), former farms (bain tub), grasslands (niku), rivers (war), swamp (yawau), yards (jandir), and village. Among the environment unit types, the old farm became the area with the highest level of importance as a food source for Mpur tribe. The results of the ICS assessment of various types of plants showed that the Arenga pinnata is a plant that has the highest value of cultural interest compared to other types

Mingkuen and Kuak: The Hatam People’s Practice of Local Wisdom in Sustainable Natural Resource Management in West Papua Province, Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to reveal the use of mingkuen and kuak in the traditional management of natural resources. The method employed in this study is the ethno-directed sampling method. Mingkuen and kuak are types of plants used as the main material in making prohibition signs. Mingkuen is the local name of Scizostachyum lima (Poaceae), while kuak is the local name of Polyscias nodosa (Araliaceae). The local name of these two species is used as the name for the prohibition signs made. The tradition of using mingkuen and kuak is a form of natural resource management practice that has been perfomed by the Hatam people from generation to generation. Both prohibition signs serve as a means to prevent the outsiders from accessing the owners’ resources. For the Hatam people, the two prohibition signs have significant historical and cultural values. Therefore, the existence of mingkuen and kuak is highly appreciated and respected by the Hatam people. Traditional knowledge is an important part of sustainable development, and therefore it must be preserved

Traditional Knowledge on The Animal Utilization by The Hatam Tribe of Manokwari, West Papua Province

Animal utilization in traditional community life is an integral part of traditional knowledge itself. This research aims to reveal the Hatam people’s traditional knowledge about the utilization of animals in their lives. The method used is the exploratory survey method. The respondents were determined purposively using the snowball sampling technique. The results showed that there are at least 55 species of animals commonly used by the Hatam people. Based on the forms of utilization, the animals can be divided into six groups: consumption, traditional medicine, specific meanings, traditional technology and arts, significant value, and traditional purposes. Wild animals are most widely used for the living needs of the Hatam people. The traditional hunt that is limited and the communal land ownership system (ulayat system) practiced by the Hatam people have indirectly helped preserve and ensure the availability of wildlife for the Hatam people’s needs. In addition to being a form of documentation of Hatam people’s traditional knowledge, the results of this research also have significance for the development of science especially in the field of ethnozoology. The form of interaction between Hatam people and animals revealed in this research can also serve as a reference for designing development policies related to the presence of Hatam people in the Arfak mountains. </p

Mitochondria and the success of somatic cell nuclear transfer cloning: from nuclear–mitochondrial interactions to mitochondrial complementation and mitochondrial DNA recombination

The overall success of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) cloning is rather unsatisfactory, both in terms of efficacy and from an animal health and welfare point of view. Most research activities have concentrated on epigenetic reprogramming problems as one major cause of SCNT failure. The present review addresses the limited success of mammalian SCNT from yet another viewpoint, the mitochondrial perspective. Mitochondria have a broad range of critical functions in cellular energy supply, cell signalling and programmed cell death and, thus, affect embryonic and fetal development, suggesting that inadequate or perturbed mitochondrial functions may adversely affect SCNT success. A survey of perinatal clinical data from human subjects with deficient mitochondrial respiratory chain activity has revealed a plethora of phenotypes that have striking similarities with abnormalities commonly encountered in SCNT fetuses and offspring. We discuss the limited experimental data on nuclear–mitochondrial interaction effects in SCNT and explore the potential effects in the context of new findings about the biology of mitochondria. These include mitochondrial fusion/fission, mitochondrial complementation and mitochondrial DNA recombination, processes that are likely to be affected by and impact on SCNT cloning. Furthermore, we indicate pathways that could link epigenetic reprogramming and mitochondria effects in SCNT and address questions and perspectives for future research