Two new species of Dendrobium Sect. Calcarifera (Orchidaceae) from Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia

Two new species, Dendrobium ainiae R. Go et E. E. Besi and Dendrobium ruseae E. E. Besi et Dome belonging to Sect. Calcarifera are described and illustrated from Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. These species are so far known from a population in lowland dipterocarp forest. A field key to the Peninsular Malaysian taxa of Dendrobium Sect. Calcarifera including Dendrobium chewiorum is also provided

ORCHIDS OF LONG BANGA

A total of 150 specimens were collected from 6 sites (3 trails and 3 non-trails) in Long Banga forests and they were identified into 118 species. Most of the species documented were epiphytes including an endemic giant orchid, Dimorphorchis lowii and a member of the most appreciated orchid as agricultural crop, Vanilla cf. havilandii. In addition, 15 terrestrials and 3 saprophytes namely Aphyllorchis montana, Cystorchis stenoglossa and Gastrodia javanica were also documented during the study. Seventeen species were identified as new records for Sarawak

Species checklist of wild orchids at Sungai Rawog Conservation Area

The valley of Rawog river is one of the protected compartments areas that serve as safeguarding areas for wildlife corridor connecting Deramakot Forest Reserve and adjacent oil palm plantations. The result from Sungai Rawog Conservation Area (SRCA) Scientific Expedition ver 2.0 will be used as comparison data with previous expedition version 1.0 conducted five years ago. However, the documentation focus on wild orchid in the Rawog valley is first documented here. In this report, we listed orchid species found during the fourday expedition at seven different trails. In total, we identified 17 orchid species including one leafless myco-heterotrophs species, Lecanorchis multiflora J.J.Sm. All the identified species were further classified into two subfamilies: Epidendroideae and Vanilloideae with 16 species belonging to Epidendroideae and one species belonging to Vanilloideae. Although this data is based on only a four-day survey, orchids in the study area are not peculiar compared to other lowland forest areas that have been logged. Besides, the number of epiphytic orchid species is higher than terrestrial orchid species in the surveyed area. This basic information is very important and could contribute to understanding the species and the surrounding ecosystems. However, more details on ecology of the species are needed to make better comparisons among other protected compartment areas in The Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve

Rapid assessment of myco-heterotrophic plants diversity at Sungai Rawog conservation area

Myco-heterotrophic species are plants that lack photosynthetic pigments and relies on symbiotic relationship with fungi to survive. However, little attention has been given to the diversity of myco-heterotrophic species from Sabah, especially at Sungai Rawog Conservation Area. Thus, this study is a preliminary effort to accumulate the undiscovered myco-heterotrophic species diversity in Sabah. A total of seven trails namely Trail 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and Nepenthes trail were explored in four days. Findings were also compared to previous sampling that were done in Borneo. A total of three myco-heterotrophic species confined to three genera were collected from only Trail 3, 4 and 7. The myco-heterotrophic orchid Lecanorchis multiflora were found in Trail 3 and 4. Meanwhile, Gymnosiphon aphyllus was abundant only in trail 4. On the other hand, Epirixanthes confusa was only restricted to trail 7. The preliminary finding obtained from this study suggested that an extensive study is required to inventory the myco-heterotrophic species in the diverse forest types available in Sabah

Preliminary checklist of orchids in the Sungai Kangkawat, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA), Sabah, Malaysia

A study on orchids diversity was carried out in the Sungai Kangkawat, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA), Sabah, Malaysia. The study aimed to record species composition and distribution of orchids in the furtherance of orchid conservation objective in the gazetted conservation area. A total of 95 species and 30 genera were collected from South Rim, Kawang, and Nepenthes trails. The collection consists of 91 epiphytes, two terrestrials, and two mycoheterotrophs. More orchids were found in the riverine than inland areas. Our study on the species composition based on the vegetation types shows that the presence of inconspicuous and achlorophyllous, either mycoheterotrophic or leafless epiphytic orchids, are indicators of the undisturbed vegetation types. Though the finding was preliminary and brief, our encounter of endemic and rare species underlines the importance of Sungai Kangkawat forest area as an orchid biodiversity hotspot

A Species Checklist of Wild Orchids in Selected Sites in Kadamaian, Kota Belud, Sabah

A brief orchid diversity study was conducted from 14th to 19th October 2019 in Kadamaian, located northwest of Kinabalu area, through a scientific geographic expedition. A convenience sampling method was employed with only the flowering individuals collected and preserved as herbarium specimens. A total of 58 species and 32 genera were identified during the field visits to the Mount Nopungguk, Melangkap Noriou, Ulu Sungai Melawa, and basecamp site. The finding comprises of 43 epiphytes, 13 terrestrials, and two mycoheterotrophs. Appendicula congesta, Bulbophyllum disjunctum, Dendrobium kiauense, and Goodyera rostellata are species endemic to Borneo found during the expedition along with Crepidium multiflorum, a hyper-endemic species to Kinabalu area. Several rare species which narrowly distributed to primary forest habitat were discovered, including jewel orchids; Cystorchis variegata var. variegata and Anoectochilus geniculatus, and two mycoheterotrophs; Aphyllorchis pallida and Lecanorchis multiflora var. multiflora

A preliminary survey and chemical profiling of wild ginger species in Kadamaian, Kota Belud, Sabah

A preliminary survey of the diversity of gingers (Zingiberaceae) was conducted in Kadamaian, Kota Belud from 14th to 19th October, 2019. Wild ginger species is utilized widely as one of the most important material in traditional medicine among indigenous people of Sabah. However, few of these plant species have been studied for their chemical constituents and beneficial properties. In order to investigate the compound composition, the essential oil from Etlingera brevilabrum, Alpinia nieuwenhuizii and Hornstedtia havilandii were screened. The essential oil was obtained from leaves, stems and rhizomes of the plant through hydro-distillation and analysed for their chemical composition through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The result of this study indicated that the chemical constituents of all three parts for all species are similar; all have terpenoids (monoterpene and sesquiterpene), aldehyde, hydrocarbon, ketone and alcohol in the essential oil extracts. GC-MS analyses of the oils led to the identification of 35 compound constituents from the leaves, stems and rhizomes of E. brevilabrum, which is the highest. Meanwhile, A. nieuwenhuizii displayed 34 chemical compositions from all parts (leaf, stem and rhizome) of the plant. H. havilandii showed the lowest number of volatiles from all plant parts (24 compounds). Monoterpene is dominant in all wild ginger studied, except for rhizome of E. brevilabrum. On the contrary, E. brevilabrum showed sesquiterpene as the most abundant compound in its composition. This shows that the volatile oil composition of wild ginger species is extremely variable. This study provides preliminary key chemical information for evaluating the quality of local wild gingers in Kadamaian, Kota Belud, Sabah

Orchid diversity in disturbed forests of Terengganu and Kelantan, Malaysia, as inference for conservation

The uncontrolled logging in Peninsular Malaysia and the resulting mud floods in the lowland areas has been perilous, not to just human but also to other biodiversity, including the wild orchids. Their survival in these highly depleted areas has been minimally outweighed due to the inaccessibility and harsh environment. In relative to their uses commercially and their inclusion as one of the conservation objective, a detailed research on the diversity and ecology of orchids in the disturbed forest is crucial in strengthening the conservation framework. A botanical rescue missions within the Terengganu and Kelantan regions were done from November 2016 until May 2018, including study site selection, from existing logging sites in the Kenyir Lake area and disturbed secondary forests (DSFs) in the Kuala Koh and Tanah Merah areas. The herbarium specimens were processed and the living plants were rescued to ex-situ conservatory, and cultivated for further identification and phenological study. A total of 109 orchid species belonging to 39 genera was saved from their extremely disturbed habitats. The DSFs had a higher orchid density than the logging sites as the habitat conditions and energy productions were more reliable. However, the logged forests harboured higher diversity of orchids (H = 4.50 and D = 0.99) with 11 rare species were found along with four endemic species, and dominated by epiphytic orchids, which this was determined to be strongly influenced by the densities of fallen trees, durations of exposure to the dryness stress and unfavourable soil conditions. From this current study, 38 species are recorded as new records to Terengganu, four species are new records to Kelantan. A total of 280 orchid species from earlier collections from the disturbed forests of the Terengganu region are also listed in the checklist with a total of 86 species are new records to Terengganu, and one species is a new record to Malaysia; Dendrobium agamense; and another one species is a new record to Peninsular Malaysia; Crepidium oculatum. Foremost is the discovery of nine new species to science with five species are successfully described as Bromheadia petuangensis, Dendrobium ainiae, Dendrobium ruseae, Dendrobium mizanii, and Pinalia domii. This study also aimed to evaluate the resilience of wild orchids towards the environmental anthropogenic disturbances. The wild orchids employed two water-balance mechanisms in their reactions to the dryness-heat stress and water deficit in the disturbed forests; the 'drought avoidance' and 'drought escape' mechanisms. The wild orchids rescue mission to ex-situ conservatory was proven effective as all the rescued orchids were recovering well with 70.6% of them been recorded flowering or fruiting with an indication of a possibility of cross-pollination occurrence amongst them. Ten rare species were proposed under threatened categories according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria version 13 (March 2017). A conservation strategy was drafted for the orchids of disturbed forests with recommendations on the sustainable practices to avoid their local extinctions

Diversity, taxonomy and conservation of orchids in Peninsular Malaysia

As an attempt to examine the causes of forest disturbance and degradation of the orchid community, a comparative study on diversity and ecology in eight undisturbed (Padang 7, Bukit Rongkit, Taman Rimba Komanwel, Bukit Batu Kapal, Lata Kekabu, Lata Lawin, Lata Tanjung Kala, Bukit Pedu) and ten disturbed (Bukit Sekayu, Gunung Perlis, Bukit Batu Kapal, Tanah Merah, Hulu Setiu, Kuala Koh, Logging Bukit Batu Kapal, Bintang Hijau, Gawi, Petuang) forests in Peninsular Malaysia was conducted. The study reported 239 orchid species belonging to 65 genera, inclusive of not just the rare and endemic species, but also five new record species. Species richness, abundance, density and diversity of orchids varied across the localities. A higher density of orchids (2.433 plants/km2) occurred exclusively in the undisturbed forests than in the disturbed forests (0.228 plants/km2). As with the character of undisturbed forests, the temperature was between 27.8±0.3 oC and 31.2±0.2 oC, humid (77.1±1.2 %–89.6±0.9 %) and low light intensity (23.8±3.3 μmol m-2s-1–171.7±18.8 μmol m-2s-1) thus supporting the high density of the plants. Disturbed forests harboured higher diversity (H=4.934 and 1-D=0.990) and abundance (183 species of 57 genera) that determined to be highly influenced by the higher abundance of epiphytic orchids on the fallen trees and ease of accessibility in the logged forests. The lower diversity of orchids in the undisturbed forests supported by the higher dominance (D=0.015) of most abundant species. However, terrestrial and mycoheterotroph orchids were lower in density and abundance in the disturbed habitat indicating a gradual reduction in their niche availability following the disturbance. Also, the ecology data shows the microclimate conditions of the canopy-covered forest influenced by proximity to the logged area. Furthermore, the results show the composition of orchid communities in the undisturbed and disturbed forests associated with the host plant characteristics. Host types and bark texture preference were apparent for the epiphytic orchid species with certain types and textures hosting more orchid species than others. To further obtain an accurate estimate of the orchid floristic composition, integrative methods of macromorphology, micromorphology and molecular genetics are necessary to solve the taxonomic uncertainty and resolve species complexes at the infrageneric level. Floral micromorphology of three critically endangered Paphiopedilum were analysed concerning either infrageneric taxonomy or physioecological demands. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface of the dorsal sepal, synsepal, lateral petals, pouch or labellum, and staminode were investigated. Amongst the investigated features were epicuticular waxes, epicuticular ornamentation, trichome distribution and type, pustular glands, and papillae. The finding supports the distinction of P. barbatum from P. callosum var. sublaeve, which belong to subgenus Paphiopedilum, and from P. niveum, a species belonging to subgenus Brachypetalum, a separated monophyletic clade. From the physioecological view, the absence of glandular trichomes, and the low occurrence of papillae and stomata on the floral parts explain the unscented flowers of P. barbatum and P. callosum var. sublaeve. In this study, other than morphology, efficacy of the nuclear and chloroplast regions in discriminating the uncertain taxa of Dendrobium Sect. Calcarifera species were examined. For barcoding, nrITS, rbcL, matK, and psbAtrnH regions of 60 samples, including six samples of unknown identity, were sequenced except for D. corydaliflorum where only rbcL was reproducible. Amongst the single barcode regions, nrITS showed a high sequence quality (100%), high discriminatory power (99.7%), clear resolution of species in Maximum- Likelihood phylogenetic tree, and high congruence with the morphology data. Combined markers showed a high species resolution with the conspecific individuals all grouped together, especially any combinations with nrITS, due to the added sequence variation. Eighteen species were assessed using the internationally accepted IUCN criteria and categories. Of the 18 species, eight are classified as threatened (Endangered, Critically Endangered, or Vulnerable). Furthermore, 30 species are included in a poster on Endangered, Threatened and Rare Wild Orchids of Malaysia (Part 1 and 2) in collaboration with the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia as an effort to increase awareness on the importance of orchid conservation between the public and the effectiveness of the current monitoring on illegal trade. The monitoring effort is now supported by DNA barcoding work which has so far included 74 entries for four barcode markers belonging to 43 endemic and rare species

Habitat Ecology, Structure Influence Diversity, and Host-Species Associations of Wild Orchids in Undisturbed and Disturbed Forests in Peninsular Malaysia

As an attempt to examine the causes of forest disturbance and degradation of the orchid community, a comparative study on diversity and ecology in eight undisturbed and ten disturbed forests in Peninsular Malaysia was conducted that varied in areas, elevations, vegetation types, and disturbance regimes. Density and individual-based rarefaction curves were used to describe the abundance. Univariate and multivariate analyses were also performed to explore the associations of species abundance with biotic and abiotic factors. The study reported 239 orchid species belonging to 65 genera. Species richness, abundance, density, and diversity of orchids varied by locality. Higher density of orchids (2.433 plants/km2) occurred in the undisturbed forests than in the disturbed forests (0.228 plants/km2). As with the character of undisturbed forests, the temperature was between 27.8 ± 0.3 °C and 31.2 ± 0.2 °C, humid (77.1 ± 1.2%–89.6 ± 0.9%), and with low light intensity (23.8 ± 3.3 μmol m−2s−1–171.7 ± 18.8 μmol m−2s−1), thus supporting the high density of the plants. Disturbed forests had higher diversity (H = 4.934 and 1-D = 0.990) and abundance (183 species of 57 genera) but were determined to be highly influenced by the higher abundance of epiphytic orchids on the fallen trees and ease of accessibility in the logged forests. Terrestrial and mycoheterotroph orchids were much lower in density and abundance in the disturbed habitat indicating a gradual reduction in their niche availability following the disturbance. Additionally, the ecology data show that the microclimate conditions of the canopy-covered forest was influenced by proximity to the logged area which had eventually reduced the orchids’ habitat quality. Furthermore, the results show that the abundance of epiphytic orchid communities was associated with the host plant characteristics. Host types and bark texture preference were apparent for the epiphytic orchid species, with certain types and textures hosting more orchid species than others. Overall results show that extreme temperature, humidity, and light intensity caused by the canopy opening inflicted damages to the habitat conditions and bark textures of the host plants and limits recolonisation of the orchids in the disturbed forests. The species diversity and density patterns of orchids in undisturbed and disturbed forests revealed in this study provide a baseline for conservationists, policy makers, and forest authorities in expanding the understanding of the forest ecology and vegetation along the disturbance gradient, forest regeneration, and criteria for plant selection for forest restoration in Peninsular Malaysia