Withaningsih S, Noorahya F, Megantara EN, Parikesit, Husodo T. 2018. Nest existences and population of Pangolin (Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822) at the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 153-162. Pangolin (Manis javanica) is one of the unique mammals found in Indonesia, which is categoryzed as protected species. However, the scientific information regarding with the population and distribution of this species is still low. Therefore, the study aimed to estimate the total population, distribution, and potential threat to Pangolin in the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower, West Java. Study was conducted using three methods; direct observation (survey) of animal signs (nest, footprint, tail print, claw marks, and feed left over), camera traps placement, and semi-structure interviews. The result shows that the active and abandoned (inactive) nests were found within the study site, and could be classified as tree nest, rock nest, and ground nest. The total population of Pangolin in Cisokan hydropower project site was estimated around 6-20 individuals. This population was distributed in five different areas; first areas were Pasir Gagak, Cigintung, Batu Nunggul, and Batu Sahulu; second area was Batu Wulung; third areas were Curug Japarana and Curug Walet; fourth areas were Hutan Gowek and Cadas Gantung; fifth area was Pongpok. The potential threats experienced by Pangolin were from illegal hunting activity and habitat fragmentation caused by infrastructure development and field clearing for crops plantation.

Abstract. Husodo T, Shanida SS, Febrianto P, Pujianto MP, Megantara EN. 2019. Mammalian diversity in West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1846-1858. Protected forests in West Java are wider than conservation forests, whereas mammalian diversity in protected forests is as high as mammalian diversity in conservation forests. Mammals in protected forests are not protected by regional protection regulations, while anthropogenic factors in Java are quite high. This is possible that mammals who have high conservation status will experience local extinction. This study aims to determine (i) the composition of mammalian species and (ii) the species that are always found in studies of mammalian diversity in West Java. The study was conducted through a qualitative approach by combining several methods such as interview, camera trapping, sign survey, observation and transect, and collapsible traps. Mammalia in West Java found 54 species, 21 families, and nine orders with details of three species of Artiodactyla, 12 species of Carnivores, seven species of Chiroptera, one species of Dermoptera, one species of Euphotyphla, one species of Pholidota, five species of Primates, 21 species of Rodentia, and three species of Scandentia. The species that are always found in all study locations are nine species, including wild boar, Javan leopard, leopard cat, Javan mongoose, oriental small-clawed otter, Asian palm civet, grizzled leaf monkey, Javan langur, and Javan tree shrew. The results presented here may facilitate improvements in the mammalian diversity database, especially in the non-conservation area.

Partasasmita R, Shanida SS, Iskandar J, Megantara EN, Husodo T, Malone N. 2016. Human-Leopard Conflict in Girimukti Village, Sukabumi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 17: 783-790. Populations of leopards continue to decrease over time. This decline is caused by many factors, such as decreasing animal prey and habitat loss. Due to a lack of animal prey, leopards frequently enter villages to find food, including livestock. Therefore, some conflicts between human-leopard have frequently occurred, and in many cases the leopard has been hunted by the villager. Consequently, the abundance of leopard in some areas of West Java have decreased. The aim of this research is to investigate: (i) local knowledge of the Girimukti Village on morphological variation of leopard; (ii) conflict between leopard and the people of Girimukti Village based on local knowledge; (iii) local knowledge on the hunting of leopard; and (iv) utilization of leopard resulting from human-leopard conflict in Girimukti Village, Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia. Mixed methods and field observation were applied in this study. The result of this study shows that the village people of Girimukti recognize variations of leopard and their behavior; conflict between humans and leopard has increased; hunting leopard is been undertaken by both traps and shotgun; and leopard are used for various purposes, such as trading skin and other body parts, food, traditional medicines, and as amulets. Based on this study, it can be inferred that many drivers of environmental changes that impact faunal and floral communities are social in origin and strongly related with peoples' activities. As a result, in addition to biological properties, the social, economic and political systems must be considered and integrated into the conservation program of Javan leopards.

Abstract. Partasasmita R, Atsuary ZIA, Husodo T. 2017. The use of forest canopy by various bird species in tropical forest montana zone, the Nature Reserve of Mount Tilu, West Java,. Availability of vertically or horizontally space on a habitat is needed by birds for their activities. Forest is the habitat that provides vertical space strata more numerous and tends to be inhabited by various species of birds more diverse. Strata of trees canopy provide the resources needed by various species of birds, therefore allowing each canopy strata is utilized by certain bird species. This research aimed to study the use of strata of trees canopy by various species of birds in a tropical forest montana zone, Mount Tilu Nature Reserve, West Java, Indonesia. Opportunistic spot observation of individual was used to study the activity and the use of space by birds. The results showed that the use of layers of the forest canopy by birds that Emergent: 4 species, Canopy: 29 species, Sub-canopy: 16 species, understorey: 25 species and Ground: 11 species. The use of space position on plants by birds was space on canopy by eight species, space at the edge of canopy by 33 species, space in canopy by 34 species, space under canopy by 19 species and on the ground by 11 species, with seven species capable of using three space positions on plants. The highest similarity index of canopy layers uses was between canopy and sub canopy layers, with percentage 57.63%. The highest similarity index of position uses was between position of space at the edge of canopy and space in canopy with percentage 53.73%.

Abstract. Permana S, Iskandar J, Parikesit, Husodo T, Megantara EN, Partasasmita R. 2019. Changes of ecological wisdom of Sundanese People on conservation of wild animals: A case study in Upper Cisokan Watershed, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1284-1293. In the past Sundanese rural people had a very close relationship with the environment. They utilize natural resources based on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and is strongly influenced by their perception of nature. This article elucidates the mythology of Sundanese rural people on wild animals and the changes of rural people perceptions and their behavior to wild animals in the rural ecosystem based on a case study in Bojong Salam and Sukaresmi villages, Rongga district, West Bandung, the upper Cisokan watershed, West Java. Method used in this study was qualitative, while some techniques, including observation, participant observation, and semi-structured interview were applied. The result of study showed that in the past Sundanese the rural people of Upper Cisokan watershed, West Bandung, West Java owned myths on some wild animals that is inherited from their ancestor through oral and using mother language. The influence of these myths on wild animals caused the rural people had prohibited to kill these animals and important role for traditional conservation. Nowadays, however, some myths on wild animals of rural people have not eroded or not recognized by young generations. Consequently, some taboos in hunting and catching animal based on myths on wild animals have tended not been applied to conserve wild animals traditionally. Therefore, to develop appropriate nature conservation, the biophysical, the socio-economic and cultural aspects must be holistically considered.

Abstract. Mustikasari IA, Withaningsih S, Megantara EN, Husodo T, Parikesit. 2019. Population and distribution of Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica F. Cuvier, 1823) at designated area of Cisokan Hydropower, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20:  762-769. One of the endemic species of Indonesia is the Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica). Sunda porcupine is a big rodent which has unique defense mechanism behavior using its quills. This research was conducted in the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower (PLTA Cisokan), in West Java, Indonesia. The method in this study is qualitative to determine the total population and distribution. Data collection techniques were carried out by sign surveys (burrow, footprints, quills, food sites, and feces), camera traps, and semi-structured interviews. The result shows the number of porcupine populations in the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower is 6-29 individuals. Porcupine population is distributed in five regions, namely the first region consisting of Pasir Gagak, Cigintung, Batu Sahulu and Batu Nunggul; the second region is Batu Tumpeng and Batu Wulung; the third region is Curug Japarana; the fourth region consists of Sarongge and Cadas Gantung; and the fifth region is Pongpok. Based on the type of land cover, the porcupine population is commonly found in the types of shrub/huma /ladang, talun, and natural forests.

Shanidah SS, Partasasmita P, Hudoso T. Parikesit, Febriato P, Meganatara EN. 2018. Short Communication: The existence of Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas Cuvier, 1809) in the non-conservation forest areas of Cisokan, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 42-46. There is no accurate data about the number of individual leopards in Java Island in both conservation and nonconservation areas. In West Java, deforestation for plantations and agriculture is widespread, although it is unknown if leopard uses these human-altered habitats. Therefore, it is important to research the existence of leopards in Non-Conservation Forest Area (NCFA) in western Java, Indonesia. The aim of this research is to investigate: (i) evidence of leopard’s existence (ii) encounter rate of leopard’s existence; and (iii) estimation of individual leopards in NCFA, Cisokan, Cianjur, and West Java. Indirect data were obtained from sign surveys for feces, scrapes, footprints, and residual prey. We also obtained direct data with camera traps. We found 13 footprints, 2 feces, 4 scrapes, and 2 direct encounters by observers. The camera trap data recorded 12 independent leopard events and 8 leopard photos/100 trap days. Estimated number of leopards in Cisokan ranged 1-3 individuals.

Abstract. Husodo T, Febrianto P, Megantara EN, Shanida SS, Pujianto MP. 2019. Diversity of mammals in forest patches of Cisokan, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1281-1288.  Most species on Java, Indonesia are ecologically associated with or dependent on forests, the island’s high deforestation rates are a major threat to its species. Until now, various efforts to conserve mammals are still focused on natural ecosystems, such as forests. There has not been much research on mammals carried out specifically in non-conservation forest areas, whereas many regions in Indonesia have extensive community lands in the landscape and are directed to be areas that have a conservation function, besides still functioning as a production system. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the diversity of mammals that are still found in Cisokan especially those that have high conservation status and their habitat. Combination of several research methods applied, such as semi-structured interview, sign survey, direct observation, camera trapping, and collapsible trap. Mammalian diversity in the Cisokan forest patched is found in 26 species and among them are endangered species, such as Javan Leopard, Pangolin, and Slow Loris. These three species occupy diverse land cover from natural forest to human lands, such as production forests, settlements, rice fields, and agroforestry or mixed gardens. The existence of these species on human land has the potential for human-wildlife conflict, so it needs to be studied further in wildlife management in Cisokan.