Article
Genetics & Heredity
Nur Azreen Saidon, Alina Wagiran, Abdul Fatah A. Samad, Faezah Mohd Salleh, Farhan Mohamed, Jaeyres Jani, Alona C. Linatoc
Summary: In this study, the usefulness of ITS1 and ITS2 secondary structure for the molecular identification of Nepenthes species was investigated using three DNA barcodes. The results showed that PCR and sequencing were both successful, and ITS1 and ITS2 had higher efficiency as DNA barcodes compared to rbcL. The secondary structure successfully distinguished between Nepenthes species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Martin Dancak, Lubos Majesky, Vaclav Cermak, Michal R. Golos, Bartosz J. Plachno, Wewin Tjiasmanto
Summary: Nepenthes pudica is a newly discovered species in North Kalimantan, Indonesia. It has unique characteristics such as underground shoots and ventricose lower pitchers. It feeds mainly on ants and other soil-dwelling invertebrates and grows at high elevations on ridgetops. The discovery of this new species highlights the natural richness of Borneo's rainforest and the importance of preserving this ecosystem.
Article
Plant Sciences
Noel E. Lagunday, Sherolai Dela Rosa, Clint Michael B. Cleofei, Romeo Patano, Fulgent P. Coritico, Victor B. Amoroso
Summary: A new endemic species of Nepenthes, known as Nepenthes candalaga, has been discovered in Mt. Candalaga, eastern Mindanao, Philippines. This species is easily distinguished from other species by its unique characteristics, and it is assessed as Critically Endangered. The discovery of this new taxon increases the number of Nepenthes species in the Philippines to 61 and highlights the urgent need for legislative protection to prevent deforestation and habitat loss.
Article
Forestry
Farah Alia Nordin, Akmal Raffi, Rusea Go, Christina Seok Yien Yong, Kartini Saibeh, Ahmad Sofiman Othman
Summary: Seventy-two morphological characters and three ecological characteristics were measured to assess variation and phylogenetic relationships among twelve species and three infraspecific taxa of the genus Spathoglottis from Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. The morphological analyses divided Spathoglottis into two main groups based on the colours of the flower: Purple-Flowered Spathoglottis and Yellow-Flowered Spathoglottis. Species within the two groupings were further classified based on the size of the plants (Large/Dwarf Purple Spathoglottis and Large/Dwarf Yellow Spathoglottis) and the shapes of the labellum (spathulate, bilobulate or narrow/thread-like). The selected morphological characters appeared to support the taxonomic boundaries between two mostly debated taxa in the genus, S. aurea and S. microchilina.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ahmad Yudis Mahardhika, Sri Wahyuni, Hartutiningsih-M Siregar, Mustaid Siregar, Yusuf Sigit Ahmad Fauzan, Andri Yusman Persada, Zulfan Arico, Wendy Achmmad Mustaqim, Iyan Robiansyah, Enggal Primananda
Summary: Nepenthes lavicola, a pitcher plant endemic to Sumatra Island, Indonesia, is Critically Endangered due to its narrow distribution, volcanic eruption, and illegal harvesting. We report two new locations of N. lavicola in Aceh Tengah Regency, along with population data and habitat characteristics. Based on our findings, we propose a new conservation status for N. lavicola as Endangered, indicating a lower threat category but still facing a high risk of extinction. Urgent conservation actions are needed to prevent its extinction.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Zoology
I. Z. N. E. I. L. NASHRIQ, H. A. Y. D. E. N. R. DAVIS, A. A. R. O. N. M. BAUER, I. N. D. R. A. N. E. I. L. DAS
Summary: Three new species of Cnemaspis were discovered in the karst regions of Sarawak, Malaysia. These species can be distinguished from others using mitochondrial DNA and enlarged metatarsal scales on the first toe. The finding suggests that there may be more unrecognized species within the genus in Borneo, especially in relation to karst formations. However, these formations are currently under threat from limestone extraction and deforestation.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Leonora S. Bittleston, Charles J. Wolock, Junko Maeda, Valentina Infante, Jean-Michel Ane, Naomi E. Pierce, Anne Pringle
Summary: Most carnivorous pitcher plants obtain nitrogen through digestion of insects, but some species of pitcher plants in Singapore can also acquire nitrogen by hosting nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their pitchers. By analyzing the metagenomes of pitcher organisms from Singaporean Nepenthes species, we found a high abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in samples that also had positive nifH PCR tests. We further confirmed that nitrogen fixation does occur in pitcher fluids by conducting an acetylene reduction assay using greenhouse-grown Nepenthes pitcher fluids.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Muhammad Mansur, Francis Q. Brearley, Philip J. Esseen, E. Johanna Rode-Margono, M. Rafi'i Ma'arif Tarigan
Summary: The critically endangered Nepenthes clipeata has a very low population in the wild, with only 18 individuals found, highlighting the need for conservation efforts. Despite having higher nutrient concentrations compared to other Nepenthes species, N. clipeata still faces limitations due to nitrogen constraints.
PLANT ECOLOGY & DIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sunya Nuanlaong, Maruay Mekanawakul, Potjamarn Suraninpong
Summary: Two new species of Nepenthes, N. bracteosa and N. hirtella, from Southern Thailand, were described and identified using morphological and molecular techniques.
Article
Plant Sciences
Raymond J. Ritchie, Suhailar Sma-Air, Chaturong Kongkawn, Jinda Sawattawee
Summary: Pitcher plants, which are insectivorous plants, have modified leaves that act as traps for insects. They have low photosynthetic activity and are often found in nutrient-poor environments. The chlorophyll content in the pitchers is very low, resulting in reduced photosynthetic electron transport. The pitchers have low optimum irradiances and a higher ETRmax on a chlorophyll basis, indicating their adaptation to low light conditions.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katie L. Spencer, Nicolas J. Deere, Muhammad Aini, Ryan Avriandy, Gail Campbell-Smith, Susan M. Cheyne, David L. A. Gaveau, Tatyana Humle, Joseph Hutabarat, Brent Loken, David W. Macdonald, Andrew J. Marshall, Courtney Morgans, Yaya Rayadin, Karmele L. Sanchez, Stephanie Spehar, Suanto, Jito Sugardjito, Heiko U. Wittmer, Jatna Supriatna, Matthew J. Struebig
Summary: Indonesia is relocating its capital to Kalimantan, Borneo, and this development may have potential impacts on wildlife. Using camera trap data from 11 forested landscapes, the study analyzed the effects of the capital relocation and road expansion on medium-large mammals' habitat. It was found that distance to primary roads, forest quality, and poverty conditions influenced habitat use and biodiversity. The study highlights the need to consider and mitigate both direct and secondary impacts of infrastructure development on critical habitats.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Muhammad Mu'izzuddin Zulkapli, Nur Syatila Ab Ghani, Tiew Yik Ting, Wan Mohd Aizat, Hoe-Han Goh
Summary: The study utilized the PIT approach combined with Iso-Seq and LC-MS to compare protein compositions in the pitcher fluids of different Nepenthes species, revealing that the hybrid Nepenthes x hookeriana is more similar to Nepenthes rafflesiana. In addition to previously reported hydrolytic proteins, many new proteins with diverse predicted functions were identified.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Muhammad Aqil Fitri Rosli, Ahmed Mediani, Kamalrul Azlan Azizan, Syarul Nataqain Baharum, Hoe-Han Goh
Summary: This study conducted a metabolomics analysis of pitchers from two Nepenthes species with different dietary habits and their hybrid, revealing that the hybrid is chemically closer to one of the parent species. Phenols were identified as the most abundant secondary metabolites, with unique metabolites present in the hybrid.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Goro Hanya, Henry Bernard
Summary: The study suggests the absence of active and consistent polyspecific associations in an Asian primate community, with some species pairs showing avoidance behavior.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eve Bohnett, Benoit Goossens, Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar, Tommy Rowel Abidin, Hong-Ye Lim, David Hulse, Bilal Ahmad, Thomas Hoctor, Penny Gardner
Summary: The study used camera trapping data to assess mammalian biodiversity in forest reserves in Sabah, Borneo. It found that the reserves had a significant difference in mammal composition and various levels of functional and phylogenetic clustering or dispersion. The study also highlighted the importance of sustainable forest management and long-term conservation programs for maintaining high species richness and diversity.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
