THE Meliau range is a treasure chest awaiting researchers to unlock the secrets of its diverse tropical flora and fauna. A group of 60 researchers and students from the Tropical Biology and Conservation Institute of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (IBTP UMS), the Sabah National Park, the Sabah Biodiversity Centre (SBC) and Forest Research Centre (FRC) took part recently in the second phase of an expedition to document the plants and animals in the reserve.

The expedition was sponsored by Keindanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF) of Japan with the cooperation of Sabah Forestry Department (SFD), Global Environment Centre (GEC) and TSH Resources Berhad. The study covered an area of 5,203 hectares, 3,600 metres above sea level, at the west coast of the range. It took them three hours to reach the place from Sandakan town, using four-wheel drive vehicles.

The study focused on rare plants or those endemic to the area, apart from birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and insects. The study also delved into the medicinal values of wild plants and insects used by locals.

Meliau Range Exclusively For Study

FRC research officer Anuar Mohd who was coordinator of the trip said the forest reserve around Meliau range, covering an area of 33,135 ha, is strictly reserved for research. Research work here is not as easy. The researchers had to work in chilly conditions to collect samples, or wade through the Meliau river that cuts through the range to find what they came for. When collecting biological specimens, patience is a virtue -- the waiting game can go on and on. Animals are very sensitive to the presence of human beings and would go into hiding.

However, the beauty of nature around the range provides some comfort after a hard day’s work. The second phase is not restricted to botany and insects only. In the first phase 336 species were identified, including 12 endemic species. The study
this time identified 13 orchids including two rare species. Pensioner Tony Lamb, who joined the expedition on his own interest, said overall there are about 1,200 orchid species in Sabah, of which 800 can be found in Kinabalu Park and the other 400 in other forest areas in the state.Tony joined the expedition to collect material for an academic book that would expose the hidden treasures of the Meliau range.

Ways To Trap Small Insects

According to researcher Sukarman there are two ways to collect ant specimens, that is, the “Winkler Bag” and the “Hole With Bait”. The Winkler Bag method involves putting soil and leaves from the forest floor inside a bag made of netting material.

“The netting would then be suspended in a white bag with alcohol at the bottom. The whole process may take up to 72 hours but at every 24 hours the bag needs to be inspected for insects in the alcohol,” he said.

The hole with bait method needs several baits suspended from an aluminium pole with a glass at the bottom, containing detergent solution to kill the ants. Another method is to look for ants in holes on tree trunks. The ants normally live in symbiosis with the trees as they protect the trees from other insects in return for shelter.

Beetles Lose Their Senses

Insects are caught by the “Light Trapping” technique: a piece of white cloth is spread vertically in an open area and bright lights are set behind the cloth to attract insects. On seeing light, the beetles lose their senses and fly in the direction of the light, some going vast distances to reach the light.

From the hundreds of beetle species, the male Hister beetle (Chalcosoma Moellenkampi) with its three antennas and shiny jet black sheen is most attractive. Collecting lichens and ferms method may be tiresome, walking along or across the river. A lecturer in IBTP UMS, Dr Iris Mod Said, chose ferns as his research subject due to the uniqueness of the organism.

“The ferns are parasites and destroy the host, but there are some which are no more than passengers. Their unique characteristics interest me and fuel my research,” he said.

Dr Idris said that some fern species like Tunjuk Langit (Helmintho Stachys Zeylanica) are sometimes used by rural folks who are aware of its healing powers.

“In this jungle I have yet to locate the species but the ordinary species like Resam and Tanduk Rusa, often used as decorative plants, are easily available,” he said.

All the specimens collected were brought back to Sandakan Herbarium for identification; findings from the expedition will be presented at a workshop to be held next March. - Bernama