Leaf micro-morphological characteristics of selected Vatica species (Dipterocarpaceae) from Kubah National Park, Sarawak

Genus Vatica L. is one of the largest groups in the family Dipterocarpaceae with 71 species have been botanically described, distributed from India, Sri Lanka to Myanmar, Indochina, Sumatra, Borneo and the Philippines. Borneo with 35 species has the largest representative. In Sarawak, 32 species have been recorded, occurring especially in mixed and upper dipterocarp forests and also non-saline habitats from sea level up to about 1,800 m altitude. Kubah National Park is among the richest site for genus Vatica in Sarawak with 11 species recorded. The Vatica species are distinguished from other genera of Dipterocarpaceae by the absence of looped intra-marginal nerves on leaf, winged fruits encloses less than half of the nut, glabrous anthers and stout style. However, in term of inter species within its genus, Vatica is the most difficult dipterocarp to be identified, which explains why this common genus so poorly known. This study was conducted to examine leaves characteristics particularly its micro morphology to differentiate some selected Vatica species from Kubah National Park. Leaves samples were observed via Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM). The characteristics and indumentums were compared between each species and noted. Results show that leaf micro morphology characteristics are significantly useful to differentiate the species level and intra-specific level

STUDY ON THE FRUIT MORPHOLOGY OF MAPANIA SPECIES (CYPERACEAE) EASTERN NORTH OF SARAWAK

The study of fruit morphology of Mapania species from Eastern North of Sarawak is presented in this paper. The samples were collected from various localities in the Eastern North of Sarawak, includes Lambir Hills National Park (LHNP), Bukit Sembiling Nature Reserve (BSNR), Ulu Mentawai, Mulu National Park (UMMNP), Long Banga (LB) and Tama Abu Production Forest (TAPF). Matured fruits were obtained by dissecting the spike. Morphological characteristics were observed use USB Portable Microscopes (500x) and parameters were measured use digital caliper. The morphological characteristics were compared and analyzed. Fruits of M. meditensis were the biggest (9 mm long, 4.25 mm diam.) and the smallest fruit was M. debilis (2.45 mm long, 1.5 mm diam.). Overall the fruit morphological was very useful to differentiate the species level particularly the sizes, exocarp appearance and the present of costae

NOTES ON THE GENUS MAPANIA (MAPANIOIDEA; CYPERACEAE) FROM TAMA ABU, SARAWAK

A list of Mapania species from Tama Abu PF of Heart of Borneo (HoB) area is presented in this paper. Tama Abu PF is considered fairly rich with Mapania species. Nine taxa were recorded of which one species is still undetermined

PROVISIONAL CHECKLIST OF GINGERS FROM TAMA ABU PF

Zingiberaceae species are a diverse group of rhizomatous, aromatic perennial herbs with the centre of diversity in South-east Asia. The Zingiberaceae diversity in the Tama Abu Production Forest (TAPF) documented in this paper is a result of the survey during the Heart of Borneo (HoB) Scientific Expedition 2017. A total of 44 species belonging to 12 genera and 2 tribes were collected and recorded. The tribe Alpinieae represented by 8 genera and 30 species whilst tribe Zingiberaea with 4 genera and 14 species. Amomum anomalum, Amomum dimorphum, Etlingera brevilabrum, Etlingera coccinea, Globba atrosanguinea, Hornstedtia havilandii, Plagiostachys strobilifera and Zingiber sp. nov. are considered as common

Mapania meekiongii, a new species of Mapania (Cyperaceae) from Sarawak, Malaysia

Mapania meekiongii Miraadila & Shabdin, a new species from Sarawak is described and illustrated. The appearance of Mapania meekiongii is reminiscent of both M. cuspidata and m. sapuniana but differs by some other morphological characters

MAPANIA (CYPERACEAE) OF HEART OF BORNEO PROJECT AREA, SARAWAK

The occurrences and diversity of Mapania species in the Heart of Borneo (HoB) project areas were presented. Five selected localities namely Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary (LEWS), Ulu Baleh National Park (UBNP), Ulu Mentawai, Mulu National Park (UMMNP), Long Banga (LB) and Tama Abu Production Forest (TAPF) were surveyed during the HoB Scientific Expeditions (2008 - 2017). A total of 27 taxa (25 species) were recorded including new discovery species (M. angustifolia, M. ballehensis, M. kipas, M. mirae, M. obscuriflora and M. sapuaniana) and three undetermined species (Mapania sp.2, sp.4 and sp.9). The LEWS and UBNP that located in Kapit Division shows a greater number of species collected compared others from the eastern north site. The diversity of Mapania species in the HoB areas is considered high with about 67.5% from a total number recorded in Sarawak. As many places are yet to be surveyed, the diversity of Mapania in the HoB areas might be reaching more than 40 taxa