The species, named Solanum kalimantanense T. Djarwaningsih, E.L.\nAgustiani and M.R. Hariri, was identified by researchers from BRIN\u2019s\nResearch Center for Biosystematics and Evolution and the Research Center\nfor Ecology.<\/p>\n
The name honors the team\u2019s scientists, including Research Center for\nBiosystematics and Evolution researchers Esthi L Agustiani, Tutie\nDjarwaningsih and Muhammad Rifqi Hariri, as well as Research Center for\nEcology researcher Siti Susiarti.<\/p>\n
In a statement issued in Jakarta on Sunday, Research Center for\nBiosystematics and Evolution researcher Muhammad Rifqi Hariri said the\nspecies has distinct morphological traits that set it apart from related\nspecies in the Solanum genus native to Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n
Its characteristics include leaves with nearly equal length and\nwidth, very shallow leaf lobes, sparse fine hairs on mature fruit\nsurfaces and larger fruit than Solanum lasiocarpum, Hariri said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis finding shows Indonesia still holds enormous biodiversity\npotential that has not been fully documented scientifically, including\namong plant groups already known and used by local communities,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said DNA analysis using Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) markers\nconfirmed significant genetic differences between the new species and\nits closest relatives.<\/p>\n
Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution researcher Tutie\nDjarwaningsih said local communities have long known the plant as\n\u201cterong asam\u201d or \u201cterong dayak\u201d and used it as food.<\/p>\n
Its fruit is widely sold at Banjarmasin\u2019s floating markets and\ncommonly cooked as a vegetable dish in South Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
In East Kalimantan\u2019s Kenohan district, local residents also use the\nleaves and young fruit buds in traditional remedies known locally as\n\u201cwikat\u201d for cancer treatment.<\/p>\n
Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution researcher Esthi L\nAgustiani said Solanum kalimantanense grows across sandy loam to acidic\nblack soils at elevations ranging from 9 to 1,700 meters above sea\nlevel.<\/p>\n
The species has been recorded in parts of East and South Kalimantan\nand is found across diverse habitats.<\/p>\n
Initial assessments indicate the species has a limited population and\ncould qualify as vulnerable under criteria set by the International\nUnion for Conservation of Nature.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn integrative approach combining morphological observation and DNA\nbarcoding allowed us to distinguish this species more accurately from\nits close relatives,\u201d Agustiani said.<\/p>\n
The findings were published in Volume 15, Number 1 of Taprobanica in\n2026.<\/p>\n
Related news: Indonesia urges conservation efforts ahead of COP17\nbiodiversity talks<\/p>\n
Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/brin-identifies-new-spiny-eggplant-species-from-kalimantan-1780329456", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }