Roesma DI, Chornelia A, Mursyd A, Kamsi M. 2016. Short Communication: Fish diversity of the Batang Toru River System, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra. Biodiversitas 17: 634-641. A rapid survey on fish diversity was carried in the Batang Toru river system. The survey was carried out in the wet season between 8-14 February 2015 and 15-21 of March 2015 along various tributaries on the east (10) and west (1) side of the main Batang Toru river system. We obtained 427 individuals fish samples consisting of 24 species, from 10 families. These consist of Cyprinidae (11 species), Balitoridae (2), Channidae (2), Gobiidae (2), Nemacheilidae (2), Aplocheilidae (1), Bagridae (1), Cichlidae (1), Mastacembelidae (1), and Sisoridae (1). Four Sumatra fish species were encountered during the surveys, namely Neolissochilus sumatranus, Nemacheilus pfeifferae, Homaloptera gymnogaster and H. heterolepis. N. sumatranus and Puntius binotatus were the most frequently found in all of sampling sites.

Albinism, a congenital disorder that results in a lack of melanin deposition, is common in domesticated animals but rare in nature. Among the ∼2500 species of rodents worldwide, only 67 have published reports of albinism. Here we report the capture of an albino murid (Muridae: Rodentia) from Mt. Singgalang in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The specimen is an adolescent but sexually mature male Maxomys hylomyoides, a montane Sumatran endemic. To our knowledge, this specimen represents the first reported albino rodent from Indonesia and Sundaland, and only the second from Southeast Asia.

Background Occupational exposure to various neurotoxic chemicals has been shown to be associated with colour vision impairment. It seems that this can occur at low exposure levels, sometimes well below the recommended occupational threshold limits. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of exposure to petroleum derivatives (polyethylene, polystyrene) and solvents (perchloroethylene) on colour perception. Methods: Colour vision was assessed using the Ishihara plates, the D-15 test and the Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue test. Two factories using petroleum derivatives and three dry cleaning premises were chosen at random. A total of 93 apparently healthy employees were recruited from the five workplaces. Two age-matched control groups comprising 56 people, who were support staff of the university with no exposure to petroleum, solvents or their derivatives, were also recruited. Results: All subjects passed the Ishihara test, showing that none had a congenital redgreen defect. Some of the exposed employees failed the D15 and had abnormally high F M l O O Hue scores. All control subjects passed all the colour vision tests. The D15 test showed that 28 per cent (26 of 93) of exposed employees had a colour vision defect whereas the FM 100 Hue test found that 63 per cent (59 of 93) had a colour vision defect. Most defects were of the blue-yellow type (22.6 per cent) when using the D15 test. However, with the FM 100 Hue test, most defects were of the nonpolar type with no specific axis (50.5 per cent). Mean total error scores calculated from the F M l O O Hue test for exposed employees were statistically significantly higher than those of the control subjects. Conclusion: Employees directly exposed to petroleum derivatives and solvents have a higher risk of acquiring colour vision defects compared to subjects who are not.

A Phenotype analysis of Neolissochilus sumatranus (Cyprinidae) which is an endemic species to Sumatra Island has been carried from five tributaries of Batang Toru based on 23 morphometric and 14 meristic characters. The result showed the significance of characters differentiation in morphometric characters but no differentiation in meristic characters detected. Using Kruskal Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney U Test, the characters which showed significantly different among population related to body width and body depth, as well as to fin and eye diameter. Plot Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated the distinction clearly for each population. Phenotype variation between N. sumatranus in North Sumatra proving the local adaptation ability of fishes in different environments, and it probably related to the ability of morphological plasticity.

English has become crucial to be acquired by the second or foreign language (ESL/EFL) learners to assist them with their academic life. In addition, it is essential for one to be able to speak in English. However, it is not easy for second or foreign language (ESL/EFL) learners to acquire good speaking skills. EFL learners in Asia; not to mention in Thailand are also facing similar problem. This study is aimed to how the use of cue cards as media to teach English can improve the EFL learners in Thailand. The study was conducted in one of junior high schools in Thailand. Classroom Action Research (CAR) was employed in this study. Observation and test were applied to collect the data. The result of the study revealed that this media is able to improve the speaking ability of the learners.