COMPARATIVE MICROMORPHOLOGY LEAF SURFACE OF SELECTED HOYA SPP. (APOCYNACEAE) FROM SARAWAK

Traditionally, morphological parameters have been used for several taxonomic and ecological identifications. The morphological characteristics alone would be difficult to distinguish the evidence for species identification. Hence, a study of leaf anatomy was conducted to compare the structural characteristics which focused on the epidermal cells, stomata, and trichomes by using a Compound Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Four selected species of Hoya from various localities within western of Sarawak were studied: H. caudata, H. coronaria, H. omlorii, and H. verticillata. The results showed stomatal types of Hoya species have stephanocytic stomata, except for two species which have slightly significant differences: H. coronaria has anomocytic stomata and H. omlorii has paracytic stomata. Meanwhile, in terms of the stomatal presence, all species possessed hypostomatic stomata, only H. verticillata has amphistomatic stomata which stomata presence on both sides of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Highest stomatal density was recorded in H. omlorii whereas the lowest were recorded in H. coronaria. Stomatal index were calculated and H. caudata has the highest with 12.80% and H. coronaria has the lowest value which is 6.28%. All four species were completely absence of trichomes except for H. coronaria which has simple unicellular non-glandular trichomes. The result indicates that the anatomical characteristics provide additional information and could be a great assist in the distinction within Hoya species

TWO NEW SPECIES AND ONE NEW GEOGRAPHICAL RECORD FOR SARAWAK, MALAYSIA (CYPERACEAE: MAPANIOIDEAE)

MIRAADILA, M. I., SHABDIN, Z. & MEEKIONG, K. 2016. Two new species and one new geographical record for Sarawak, Malaysia (Cyperaceae: Mapanioideae). Reinwardtia 15(2): 129 – 135. — Mapania hidiriana and M. sembilingensis, two new species from Sarawak, Malaysia are described and illustrated. Mapania hidiriana can be differentiate from M. meditensis by elongated lanceolate inflorescences. Whilst, M. sembilingensisis differ from M. multiflora and M. hispida by the floral and fruit morphologies. In additional, M. spadicea Uittien, a new geographical record for Sarawak is also presented

COMPARISON ON THE OCCURRENCES OF THE GENUS MAPANIA AUBLET (CYPERACEAE) FROM THE HEART OF BORNEO (HoB)

A comparison on the occurrences of the genus Mapania, family Cyperaceae from four selected areas of the Heart of Borneo (HoB) Project; namely Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary (LEWS), Ulu Mentawai, Mulu National Park (UMMNP), Ulu Baleh National Park (UBNP) and Long Banga, Ulu Baram, Miri were conducted from the year 2008 until 2016. A total of 29 taxa representing by 24 species and 3 in-determined species were collected and identified from the four selected areas. The number recorded was considered high with 58.5% of the total number recorded for Sarawak. Only three taxa, viz. M. cuspidata var. cuspidata, M. meditensis and M. palustris were recorded occurred in all four selected sites. Whilst, M. sapuniana, M. ballehensis, M. kipas and M. mirae were identified as hyper-endemic; M. sapuniana from LEWS and the following three were from UBNP

A revision of genus Vatica L. (Dipterocarpaceae) in Borneo, III: Stigma variant of some selected Vatica species from Sabah and Sarawak

The family Dipterocarpaceae is an important tropical forest tree with 15 genera and over 600 species worldwide. The genus Vatica was first described by Linnaeus in 1773 and was the third-largest genus in the family with approximately 80 species in the world. About 71 species are distributed in Malesia and 44 of them are recorded in Borneo. Those make Borneo island the best representative and considered an epicentre of the species. Vatica is the most difficult genus in Dipterocarpaceae to study as it has excessive variation in-term of habit, habitat, morphological and anatomical features. Informally the genus has been divided into three sections; Sunaptea, Vatica and Pachynocarpus based on the calyx morphology. An inclusive study on the stigma was piloted on 13 selected Vatica taxa to examine disparities in shapes that may be useful in the classification and identification of species. Eight types of stigma shapes were observed on the 13 selected Vatica species, viz. cordate, hexagonal, ovoid, perigonal, semispherical, stars, quadrogonal and ovolanceolate. The tremendous stigma variants of the Vatica flowers resulted that the stigma types could be a good supportive characteristic for species identification. Keywords: Vatica, stigma type, dipterocarpaceae, dipterocarp

EVALUATING THE ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF SURVIVAL FOR MAPANIA CUSPIDATA (MIQ.) UITTIEN (CYPERACEAE) TRANSPLANTATION

SHABDIN, Z., NORI, H., MEEKIONG, K. & FAIZ, M. F. M. 2021. Evaluating the ecophysiology of survival for Mapania cuspidata (Miq.) Uittien (Cyperaceae) transplantation. Reinwardtia 20(2): 69–75. — This study aimed to investigate the ecology of the sedge Mapania cuspidata at three different locations in East Malaysia, namely Gunung Gading, Matang and Bengoh, and the survival of M. cuspidata transplanted in pots exposed to different light intensities in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, East Malaysia. The highest species density was recorded in Matang with a total density of 1.98 individuals/ha followed by Bengoh (1.42) and Gunung Gading (0.96). In these locations, the soil pH ranged from 4.9 in Bengoh to 5.7 in Matang where as soil organic matter content was between 3.47% in Bengoh and 8.68% in Gunung Gading. The highest light intensity was recorded in Matang with 0.94 kLux, and produced plants with the highest chorophyll content (64.8 SPAD value). This study found that the transplanted M. cuspidata had 90% survival over a four month experiment, produced ~ 8 new leaves, took an average of 15.8 days to produce a new leaf and had a chlorophyll content of ~30.3 SPAD value regardless of the intensity of light where the plants were exposed to. The findings of this study suggests that M. cuspidata can grow well in any light conditions and therefore it is also possible to transplant and re-establish other Mapania species in new location. It is hoped that the initiative to relocateother Mapania species of concervation concern will be effective if adequate post-harvest handling methods are practiced

A REVISION OF GENUS VATICA L. (DIPTEROCARPACEAE) IN BORNEO II:VATICA ABANG-ZOHARII, A NEW SPECIES FROM SARAWAK

A new species Vatica abang-zoharii Meekiong, Latiff & Yahud is described and illustrated. This new species is quite similar to V. elliptica but can be readily distinguished by its bark greyish brown, small lenticels scattered along the stem, low buttress and shorter petioles that turned black when dry. V. abang-zoharii displays unequal fruit calyx (three long and two short) thus belongs to sect. Sunaptea. With the discovery of this new species, the number of species of Vatica in Sarawak has now increased to 34

Sulettaria meekiongii, A new Zingiberaceae species from western Sarawak, Borneo

Sulettaria meekiongii Ripen & S.P. Teo, a new Zingiberaceae species is described herein. The new species is close to Sulettaria polycarpa. The new species can be differentiated by the pure white flower and fruits enclosed by the bract, (vs S. polycarpa) flower is white with a yellow band at the median of the labellum and the fruits are exposed. With the discovery of the new species, the number of Sulettaria species in Sarawak now has increased to 14 species. Keywords: species, Sarawak, Borneo, zingiberacea

The Heart of Borneo Series 15: Fruits of 100 Angiosperms Plants of the Heart of Borneo

This book is one of a series of publications under the Heart of Borneo Project Initiative for Sarawak. "The Heart of Borneo Series 15: Seeds of 100 Angiosperm Plants in the Heart of Borneo" highlights the fruits or seeds of 100 selected Angiosperm plants that were recorded or observed in the Heart of Borneo areas, with a wealth of photographs and information to assist the reader in identifying and learning about the plants. For the scientific names and families found in this book, we used current classification. Where we did not have certain information to complete the description, we adopted it from the references. It must be noted that several species that are not native to Sarawak or common pioneer species of secondary forests are also treated in this book. All flowering plants are considered, as long as they are found in Sarawak’s Heart of Borneo areas (including cultivated and introduced species). In this series, we only focus on the fruits and seeds that might be useful for identification and as self-contained as possible. Some of the terms related to and used in this book are also briefly defined in the glossary. We also do not encourage self-medication with the plant species with medicinal value described here. Also, the plant parts are usually prepared as a concoction with instructions from traditional practitioners

FLORISTIC COMPOSITION, STAND STRUCTURE, DIVERSITY AND BIOMASS OF TREE SPECIES IN LIMESTONE FORESTS AT GUNUNG PAYANG, SARAWAK, MALAYSIA

A study was conducted to determine the tree species composition, stand structure, diversity and to estimate biomass at Gunung Payang in the Serian-Padawan-Tebedu limestone areas, Sarawak. Twenty-five plots of 20 m x 20 m (1 ha) were established and all trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) of ≥5 cm were enumerated. A total of 607 individual trees was enumerated and identified to 37 families, 89 genera and 109 species. Euphorbiaceae is the largest family comprises 10 genera and 13 species. Based on stem density, Euphorbiaceae recorded the highest density with 206 individuals/ha. The Importance Value Index (IVi) of Euphorbiaceae was 23.81%. The Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (H’) indicated a value of 3.81. The total above-ground biomass of trees was estimated at 278.59 t/ha. This study showed that three species were listed as vulnerable by IUCN Red Data Book and their population trends decreased. The floristic composition implies that the study area can serve as a conservation site for the threatened plant species