New species discovered in E. Kalimantan

New species discovered in E. Kalimantan

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Pa'Raye, East Kalimantan

The forests of Kalimantan are famous for being home to over
3,000 types of plants and hundreds of animals. A recent
expedition of Indonesian and Malaysian scientists at the Kayan
Mentarang National Park discovered some more species to add to
the list.

The expedition that took place April 1 to April 23 in the
Pa'Raye area in Nunukan regency, convinced experts that there is
an even greater variety of species in the park than was
previously believed.

"The discovery added evidence to the belief that the park is
one the most important protected areas in the region, and
probably one of the most important in the world," said plant
taxonomist, and expedition member Harry Wiriadinata of the
National Institute of Sciences (LIPI).

The expedition was organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature
Indonesia's Kayan Mentarang Project, the East Kalimantan's
Coordinating Agency for Natural Resources Protection (BKSDA) and
the Kalimantan Forestry Research Agency.

Deep in the park the expedition found a cluster of an unknown
species of the Rafflesiaceae family. The parasite is smaller than
the Rafflesia arnoldi found in Bengkulu province, Sumatra. It is
bright maroon and has white spots all over its petals.

Mamalogist Ibnu Maryanto and Malaysian ichthyologist Mohd.
Azian Jayasilan were the first to see the blooming parasites
during the second week of the expedition.

One of the parasite species was taken to Malaysia for further
examination, while another one is now at the LIPI's Research
Center for Biology in Bogor. Researchers will determine if the
species is endemic to Kalimantan.

Around the area where the Rafflesia sp was found, the
scientists also discovered a new species of large, long-tailed
rodents from the Sundamys genus.

The scientists also recorded four of the seven species of
honey bees found in Indonesia.

"We saw another species in the park, but we were unable to get
a specimen. So I can confirm that 80 percent of Indonesia's honey
bee species can be found here in the park," said Indonesian
entomologist Sih Kahono.

According to lower-plant taxonomist Wiriadinata, his group
recorded at least 120 plant species, including a variety of
orchids, rhododendrons and insect eating plants (Nepenthes) in
the Tristamyopsis forests (healthy forests whose soil resembles
silica white sand), and a suspected new species of begonia.

High-plant taxonomist Kade Widiyasa said the park is rich with
valuable trees such as ulin hardwood, reddish meranti and nyatoh,
a local name for a species of the Pallachium family which are
used as the main pillars for the house of the Dayak people who
live in and around the park.

The native Dayaks mostly use non-timber forest products, said
Kade. "pakis (edible fern) is an important part of their diet,
and they use damar (resin collected from the trees) for lamp
fuel," he added.

He added that there are many other plants used by the Dayaks
for traditional herbal medicines, but not all can be recognized
by the botanists.

Langurs and orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) are rarely seen, while
the pigtail macaque is reportedly found in several parts of the
park. Long-tailed macaque, gibbons, and tarsier also exist.

The expedition also reported the existence of the Sumatran
rhinoceros in the park, as well as elephants. Some scientists
consider the big mammals individuals from a small population in
Malaysia's Sabah. Banteng (Bos javanicus) are found in the
grasslands on the Bahau river upstream from the village of Apau
Ping.

Leopards (Neofelis nebulosa), flat-headed and marbled cats,
and even the rare Bay cats are said to be found only in the park.

The park is also a haven for endemic and other birds, about
337 species of them. Many of the endemic birds, including the
critically endangered Borneo peacock pheasant (Polyplectron
schleirmacheri) and the Straw-headed bulbuls, are protected by
law.

The park is also home to at least seven species of hornbills,
which the Dayaks believe are messengers of gods. Unfortunately
the birds are hunted for their beautiful feathers.

With the plan to convert some areas of the park into
ecotourism and educational sites, the new discoveries are
expected to earn the attention of the central government, the
private sector, tourists, and local communities on the importance
of the park and its ecosystems.

For further information on the national park and how to get
there, please contact IGNN Sutedja, executant of World Wide Fund
for Nature (WWF) Kayan Mentarang Project, at Jl. Gunung Belah No.
188, Pamusian, Tarakan regency, East Kalimantan. Tel. +62 551
21723, fax. +62 551 21507, email sutedja@smd.mega.net.id