Ramentae are hair-like structures found on the perigone tube and diaphragm in species of Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae). Although ramenta morphology provides an important taxonomic character, a consistent terminology has not been used in species descriptions. As such, morphological comparisons among species as well as among populations within a species are difficult. We used a variety of resources to document the morphology including the location and density of ramenta among 18 species of Rafflesia and between populations and/or sexes of two species. We identified five types of ramenta: tuberculate, filiform, swollen apex, toadstool, and fence-like and recognized several variations within each type. Ramenta types characterize four species complexes: R. patma (tuberculate), R. arnoldii (filiform), R. pricei (mostly swollen apex), and R. hasseltii (mostly toadstool). Our classification of ramenta offers a tool for using consistent terminology to re-evaluate previously described species and to define new species of Rafflesia.
Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP) as a conservation area posses a strategic role as a source of medicinal plants. This research on the potential of medicinal plants as one of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in the MADAPI Forest in Rejang Lebong Region of KNSP, in Bengkulu Province, aimed to determine the species richness, abundance, and spatial distribution of medicinal plants in the forest. This research is important to find out the potential of KSNP in providing medicinal plants. Sampling of plants was conducted in 80 plots, each measuring 20x20m in four sections of MADAPI Forest. From 80 plots, 33 species of medicinal plants were found, representing 27 families. Mostly the plants were herbs and the most dominant families found in the sites were Asteraceae and Moraceae. Based on its relative abundance, all of medicinal plant species were categorized as rare with clumped distribution; only a few species were spread randomly or uniformly.
Irawati W, Yuwono T, Ompusunggu NP. 2018. Growth characteristics and copper accumulation of bacterial consortium Acinetobacter sp. and Cupriavidus sp. isolated from a wastewater treatment plant. Biodiversitas 19: 1884-1890. Pollutant treatments are part of the human calling, as the crown of creation, to subdue, preserve, and cultivate the earth in bringing goodness for all creatures. Bioremediation of copper using indigenous bacteria is well known as the best water treatment for polluted environment recovery. Acinetobacter sp. and Cupriavidus sp. are indigenous bacteria isolated from industrial sewage in Indonesia. Bioremediation in environment is a process involving community of bacterial consortium for heavy metal or any other polluting materials accumulation. The purposes of this research were: (i) to characterize growth of Acinetobacter sp. and Cupriavidus sp. consortia in sewage medium, enrichment medium, and medium supplemented with copper, (ii) to establish the potency of bacterial consortia to accumulate copper. The growth of bacteria was observed based on cell turbidity using spectrophotometer at wavelength of 600 nm. Cells pellet was destructed by nitric acid at 100oC and copper concentration was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer as copper accumulation value. The results showed that the growth of bacterial consortia in medium containing copper was better than that of single bacterium. The best bacterial consortium was the mixture of Acinetobacter sp. IrC1 and Acinetobacter sp. IrC2. The use of sewage as cultivation medium decreased bacterial growth by up to 25% but still resulted in the same level of logarithmic phase in enrichment medium. The highest accumulation capability was of a consortium of Acinetobacter sp. IrC1 and Acinetobacter sp. IrC2 at a level of 6.45 g/mg copper/g cells dry weight, suggesting that 5.09% of copper were accumulated by cells. It was concluded that the best composition of consortia in growth and copper accumulation capability was the mixture of Acinetobacter sp. IrC1 and Acinetobacter sp. IrC2. These results may be due to the fact that both bacteria belong to the same genus that allowed them for synergistic interactions.
Rafflesia kemumu is a new species described from Northern Bengkulu in Sumatra, Indonesia. The species resembles R. gadutensis in size of the open flower, but differs from it with regard to the color and wart ornamentation on the upper surface of the perigone lobes, color and presence/absence of warts on the upper surface of the diaphragm, blots pattern on the two concentric rings of windows near the diaphragm opening, types and distribution of ramenta, number and shapes of processes, and number of anthers. The new species has orange to dark orange perigone lobes with warts of two sizes, in which smaller warts are often merged, and surround larger ones, and 23 slender, conical processes with rounded apex, arranged in two concentric rings (15 and 7 processes each) and a single process in the center of the disc. Rafflesia kemumu has no warts at its upper surface of diaphragm, simple and compound toadstool ramenta on its upper perigone tube and the lower part of the lower surface of its diaphragm and broccoli-like ramenta distributed from the base to the upper part of the perigone tube.
Rafflesia is the most magnificent and largest flower in the world. In Southeast Asia, the species becoming endangered due to anthropogenic activities such as logging, conversion of forest into large-scale agricultural areas, urbanization and unsustainable ecotourism. This paper has specifically highlighted the efforts that have been taken by the Kelantan State Forestry Department (KFD) in ensuring the sustainability and survival of this gigantic flower in its natural habitat. A survey by Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) shows that many populations of Rafflesia were situated in the forest reserves under the administration of KFD, such as in Lojing, Mt. Chamah, Mt. Basor and Mt. Stong. A lot of initiatives have been implemented by KFD such as organising scientific expeditions and the establishment of the High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF). In July 2011, the State Government of Kelantan declared an area of 404 ha (1,000 acres) bordering Sg. Berok Forest Reserve in Lojing Highlands as the Rafflesia Preservation Area. This recognition by the state government resulted from collaboration efforts of UMK, KFD and South Kelantan Development Authority (KESEDAR). To date, KFD has established a total of two HCVFs in Kelantan and a new area of 50 ha in Compartment 1, Lojing Forest Reserve has also been dedicated for the protection of Rafflesia. This paper was also briefly discussed several issues and challenges in conserving Rafflesia in Kelantan such as the expansion of large-scale agricultural plantation, participation of local community, tourism and income generation, international and internal funds for conservation works, and provide an integrated tourism and management plans. Hopefully, this effort will lead to the establishment of a centre of excellence in nature conservation, ecotourism and scientific research of Rafflesia in Kelantan.
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