Research

 

Experiences from the field

My fieldwork started in 2007. I have been managed "and co-managed" dozen international scientific expeditions to New Guinea by involving more than 100 participants originated from 8 countries, 21 disciplines, >20 universities and research institutions. Since 2007, we have explored  more than 50% of surface plus underground water system of the Bird's Head and neck of Papuan Peninsula (Western part of New Guinea). 

Since the initiation of our marine studies in multidisciplinary approach, we have conducted 2017 expedition to the southern coast of New Guinea and commenced to work on reef fishes including environmental (eDNA-12S) and the DNA Barcoding classic using gene Cox-1. Following our ongoing spirit study in marine spectrum, we developed the International Joint Laboratory (partnership between Indonesia and France) embracing more than 20 institutions, and focused on Sentinel Species (Biotas and Ecosystem).

Reef fishes Diversity, Barcoding and eDNA

Reef fishes (Duration: 2017-2025)
Project Leaders: Kadarusman PhD, Laurent Pouyaud PhD, Eng. Regis Hocde, Indra B. Vimono PhD cand.
 
Fishes from Deep Sea (Duration: 2020-2025)
Project Leaders: Kadarusman PhD, Laurent Pouyaud PhD, Eng. Regis Hocde
 
Mullets program (Duration: 2019-2025)
Project Leaders: Kadarusman PhD, Laurent Pouyaud PhD, Eng. Regis Hocde
 
Sentinel species (Biotas and Ecosystem) (Duration: 2021-2025)
International Joint Laboratory
Project Leaders: Hagi Yulia Sugeha PhD, Eng. Regis Hocde, Kadarusman PhD
 
 
 

New Guinean Rainbowfishes

Duration: 2007-2020
Project Leaders: Kadarusman PhD & Laurent Pouyaud PhD 

New Guinea is the world second large island after Greenland, covered by 70% rainforest and believed to home about 10% of the world biodiversity. Politically, The New Guinea is divided into two part, Eastern part is the state of Papua New Guinea while the western part is composed by two Indonesian provinces, Papua and Papua Barat. The western part of New Guinea is home >50% of the total Indonesian biodiversity. Currently, western New Guinea harbours >60% of the member Melanotaenids discovered. Rainbow fishes belongs to Melanotaenoidei composing three families, Bedotiidae is confined in Madagascar, Melanotaeniidae has distribution to Australia, New Guinea and surrounding island, whereas Pseudomugilidae spreads to wide range region, Sulawesi, New Guinea and Australia. The project aims at charaterizing the diversity of rainbow fishes by a couple approach, molecular and morphology analysis.

 

  

Lengguru-Kaimana

Duration: 2010-2020
Project Leaders: Kadarusman PhD, Gono Semiadi PhD & Laurent Pouyaud PhD, Dr. Irma Arlyza

The Lengguru Range is located in the Kaimana Regency (West Papua, Indonesia). It is characterized by series of parallels and oblique folds, with altitude ranging from 600 to 1500 m. These carbonate anticlines are separated by deep valleys sometimes closed and rifted with no outflow of collected water (i.e. endorheic). Lengguru’s topography consists of karsts limestone shaped by uplift or subsidence geologic events and under the dissolving action of water on carbonate bedrocks since a dozen of millions years (cc. 10-12 Myr.). This rough and fragmented landscape displays unusual surface and subsurface features including sinkholes, vertical shafts, lapies, loss-resurgence streams, complex underground systems and caves. These sedimentary outcrops are therefore characterized by a large array of ecological niches afforded by complex terrains and variable climatic conditions. Lengguru research project aims at studying the processes and the interactions between geodynamics and biodiversity in Papuan limestone karsts.

 

Catfishes and Palaemonids of New Guinea

Duration: 2014-2016
Project Leaders: Kadarusman PhD, A. Suhermanto & A. Sofian
 

A total species of freshwaterfishes in New Guinea counted less than 500 species, and  the most diverse family known, are Eleotridae and Gobiidae composing 115 species, following Melanotaeniidae >60 species. As the member of freshwater dweller, Papuan catfishes and giant prawn (Palaemonids) have widely distributed across the island, occupying all spectrum of freshwater bodies: river, swamp, lakes. Nevertheless, study on species diversity and phylogenetic relatedness are scarce, plus their taxonomy remains incomplete and somewhat confused.  The project aims at characterising their diversity by using the molecular and morphological analysis through systematical work. In order to standardize identification, we implement DNA-barcoding method (COI: >750 bp) and we amplify some markers to understand their biogeographical history. To integrate our scientific-work with the campus program for sustainable aquatic production, all live specimen caught during the fieldwork will be transported to domestication trial at iLitbangbiat-Poltek KP Campus West Papua. Since 2014, we have warm welcoming bachelor and master scholars from various universities, coming to our laboratory for studying this fascinating biota. 

Leadership in the fieldwork 

  1. Leader of Expedition, Marine Sentinel Species occurred in Vogelkkop of Papua. IJL SELAMAT Platform. 2022.
  2. Leader of the program, Indonesia's Outer Island program (Ayau archipelago and Mapia islands): Academic, research and community engagement. 2021-2025.
  3. Leader and Founder DIVA Indonesia Network. www.diva.polikpsorong.ac.id. A national research platform composed 50 young scientists from 45 universities across Indonesia archipelago. (since 2019).
  4. Leader, penyusunan Buku Besar maritim Indonesia (BBMI). 2018-2019.
  5. Leader, co-managing, expedition Lengguru-Kaimana III (2017). Focus on Marine site. Organized by Politeknik Kelautan dan Perikanan Sorong, LIPI, IRD France.
  6. Project leader. 2014-2016. Papuan catfishes project. Politeknik KP Sorong, KKP.
  7. Project leader. 2014-2016. Papuan Giant Prawn project. Politeknik KP Sorong, KKP.
  8. Leader, co-managing, expedition Lengguru-Kaimana II (2014). A multidisiplinary expedition. Marine and terrestrial. Organized by Politeknik Kelautan dan Perikanan Sorong, LIPI, IRD France.
  9. Leader, co-managing, expedition Lengguru-Kaimana I (2010). Main visited area: Karts system of Lengguru, Neck of the Bird’s Head of Papua. Multidisciplinary: Ichthyology, Biosystematic, Geomorphology, Archeology, Hydrology, Speleology & Paleontology. Institutions partnership: APSOR, BRKP, LIPI-MZB, ITB Bandung, Diskan Kaimana, ARKENAS, Balai Arkeologi Papua, Museum Geologi Bandung, MNHN Paris, IRD, Univ. Paul Sabatier, Univ. Poitiers.
  10. Leader, co-managing, the Rainbowfish expedition part III (2009). Visited areas: Cendrawasih Bay (Bintuni to Yapen Islands). Institutional partnership: APSOR-BPSDM.KP; BRKP.DKP; IRD Indonesia & Agency for Marine National Park of Teluk Cendrawasih.
  11. Leader, co-managing, the Rainbowfish expedition part II (2008). Visited areas: Northern & Southern parts of the Bird’s Head of Papua. Institutional partnership: APSOR-BPSDM.KP; BRKP.DKP; IRD Indonesia.