1Strategic Resource Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 12301, General Post Office, 50774, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2Forest & Plant Conservation Research Office, Department of National Park Wildlife & Plant Conservation, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
3Department of Agriculture, Bangkok, Thailand
4Indonesian Centre for Horticulture, Research and Development (ICHORD), Jalan Ragunan 19, Pasar Minggu-12520, Jakarta, Indonesia
5Indonesian Tropical Fruit Research Institute, Solok, West Sumatra, Indonesia
6Department of Agriculture, Trang, Thailand
7Economy and Technology Management Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research Institute, Serdang, Malaysia
8Agriculture Research Centre, Semenggok, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
9Department of Agriculture, Alor Star, Kedah, Malaysia
10Department of Agriculture, Bukit Gantang, Perak, Malaysia
11Department of Agriculture, Tuaran, Sabah, Malaysia
12Strategic Resource Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research Institute, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
13Bioversity International, Bioversity-Nepal Office, 93.4 Dharahara, Ward # 11, Pokhara, Nepal
14Bioversity International, Rome, Italy
*Author for Correspondence: E-mail: salma@mardi.gov.my
The diversity of Nephelium species in the home gardens, orchards and forests from 12 selected sites in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia were studied. A total of 20 Nephelium species including four unidentified species were recorded in the three countries. The highest number of species was recorded in Malaysia (12 including one unidentified species), followed by Thailand and Indonesia each with six species, with two unidentified species in Thailand and three unidentified species in Indonesia. Most of the Nephelium species were found in the forest: Malaysia (seven), Thailand (four) and Indonesia (five). Using the four cell analysis, Shannon Diversity Index was highest at Sijunjung (H’=1.386) followed by Sibuti, Serian and Papar each with H’= 1.099; and followed by Nakhon Sithamarat and Sisaket, H’=0.693. Although Sibuti and Papar had three species each but the Shannon Diversity Index was higher in Sibuti (H’=0.558) compared to Papar (H’=0.400) due to the uneven number of the trees for the species. In Sisaket and Nakhon Sithamarat, Shannon Diversity Index showed highest H’=0.693. Lambir Forest Reserve showed the highest number of species (seven), followed by Sijunjung (five) and Kota Belud (three). Similarly, Shannon Diversity Index was highest at Lambir Fores Reserve H’=1.946, followed by Sijunjung (Sumatera) H’=1.609 and Kota Belud H’=1.099. The commercial species, N. lappaceum is widely cultivated in all the three countries. N. ramboutan-ake and N. maingayi can be considered as rare while the other species are threatened. In order to capture enough genetic variability for conservation it requires to select many home gardens and large areas of forest reserves. It is recommended to intensify the survey of the cultivated and wild Nephelium species in other areas in order to obtain comprehensive data pertaining to species diversity and distribution. The genetic materials of the wild Nephelium species also need to be collected and planted in the field genebank at various government institutions for ex situ conservation.
Nephelium ramboutan-ake, N. maingayi, N. cuspidatum var. robustum, Species richness, Shannon diversity index
