Saturday 28 December 2013

Zoological & Ecological Network in Progress (ZENP)

The ZENP seminar is held annually at the end of the year focusing on biological diversity which were presented by postgraduate students from Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya. The aim is to present research findings and to train young researcher to be able to confidently present in front of the crowds.


The topics are divided into four categories:
1. Entomology
2. Arachnology & Ecology
3. Parasitology & Genetics
4. Mammals & Ornithology

Tuesday 17 December 2013

IPPP Research Grant University of Malaya

I applied for IPPP University of Malaya research grant and got it last year. The requirement that I had to fulfill was to publish only 1 of tier 1 or tier 2 impact journal. Its a good thing that it only needs to publish ONLY 1 journal.

However, sometimes the impact journal will increase to higher tier or drop to lower tier, so be careful on this when you wish to publish to fulfill the IPPP research grant.


Thursday 5 December 2013

Membedah alat jantina labah-labah (Dissecting spider genitalia)

Spiders are amazing creatures and to determine their species is not by observing their coloration or shape, but their genitalia organ. The genitalia is like a specific key-lock where the key is fitted only to a specific lock.

Sketch the genitalia / Lukis genitalia

Here is a simple step to observe the spider genitalia.

Male spider
1. If the spider is facing you, cut the right hand part of the palp (or left palp).
2. Put under slide and observe under compound microscope.
3. Look for the placement of the embolus, conductor,

Female spider
1. Cut around the genitalia plate using a needle under dissecting microscope (40x)
2. Clean the tissue with Potassium Hidroxide (KOH) for few minutes, needle will help.
3. Merge under 70% ethanol for observation (can use olive oil to brighten the part)
4. Draw the outer and then inner part of the genitalia, without drawing you will not see the differences.


Forceps, needles, petri dish and microscope

Labah-labah merupakan benda hidup yang unik, dan melihat kepada warna atau bentuknya tidak dapat menentukan spesies, tetapi kepada bahagian alat jantina (genitalia). Genitalia adalah seperti kunci-mangga di mana hanya kunci specifik kepada pintu specifik.

Cara mudah untuk melihat genitalia

Labah-labah jantan
1. Potong belah kiri palpi
2. Letakkan pada slit kaca dan lihat di bawah mikroskop kompound
3. Lihat pada kedudukan embolus, konduktor

Labah-labah betina
1. Potong keliling bahagian plat genitalia menggunakan jarum di bawah mikroskop dissect (40x).
2. Bersihkan tisu dengan Kalium Hidroxida (KOH) untuk beberapa minit. Jarum boleh membantu.
3. Rendamkan dalam 70% ethanol untuk meneliti (boleh menggunakan olive oil)
4. Lukis bahagian luar dan dalam genitalia. Mesti lukis untuk lihat perbezaan yang ketara.