Burseraceae in Kuala Keniam and Surrounding Area at Taman Negara Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia

A preliminary survey on Burseraceae diversity was conducted in Kuala Keniam and surrounding area at Taman Negara Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. The data from recent scientific expedition in early September 2020 were compiled with the previous collections lodged in the Herbarium of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKMB), Herbarium of Forest Research Institute Malaysia (KEP), Herbarium of University of Malaya (KLU) and Herbarium of Singapore Botanic Gardens (SING). A total of 19 taxa of Burseraceae from five genera were listed in this area. Santiria and Dacryodes represented the highest species with six (6) taxa each followed by Canarium with five (5) species. The common species that we have counted around Kuala Keniam are Canarium littorale and Dacryodes rostrata. From the flora survey, we counted Canarium littorale, C. pilosum, D. costata, D. rostrata, D. rugosa, Santiria griffithii, S. laevigata and Triomma malaccensis. Meanwhile, in the plot study, we counted Canarium littorale, C. pilosum, Dacryodes rostrata, D. rugosa, Santiria laevigata, S. tomentosa and Scutinanthe brunnea.


Introduction
Burseraceae is widely found in the tropics and subtropics, with about 18-19 genera and more than 700 species recorded [1] [2]. The largest genus is Commiphora with c. 185-190 species [3] followed by Protium (with c. 160-180 species) [2]. In Peninsular Malaysia, six genera and 38 species are recorded [4]. Meanwhile in Pahang, a total of 28 species from five genera are recorded [5] not including a rare species of Dacryodes multijuga from Tekam Forest Reserve [6]. As there is no report of Burseraceae in any particular forest in Pahang as well as Taman Negara at Kuala Keniam, the aim of this paper is to IOP Publishing doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1019/1/012027 2 present the preliminary results of Burseraceae composition of Taman Negara at Kuala Keniam and its surrounding area.

Materials and Methods
During the scientific expedition to Taman Negara at Kuala Keniam in early September 2020, voucher specimens of Burseraceae were collected. Floristic notes on the abundance and habit of every species were recorded. Additional data were obtained from ecological plots and the previous collections lodged in the Herbarium of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKMB), Herbarium of Forest Research Institute Malaysia (KEP), Herbarium of University of Malaya (KLU) and Herbarium of Singapore Botanic Gardens (SING). Leaf samples were collected for identification purpose. Fresh specimens of leaves were pressed between newspapers and then preserved in 70% alcohol. The specimens were kept in tied plastic bags to form an air-tight condition. In the laboratory, the specimens were transferred to dry newspapers. The pressed specimens were then oven-dried at 60 ºC for seven to ten days depending on the type, thickness of the leaf and also the presence of fruits or flowers. The method for pressing the specimens was based on [7]. Identification was carried out with the keys of [4] and [8]. The list of species names, brief descriptions and ecological distribution are also included in this paper based on Turner [5].

Results and Discussion
A total of 19 taxa from five (5) genera of Burseraceae has been recorded in Kuala Keniam and surrounding area of Taman Negara Pahang. Santiria and Dacryodes has recorded the highest species with six (6) taxa each, followed by Canarium with five (5) species. The total number of species in this study is similar to other studies in Peninsular Malaysia. For instance, a study by Ahmad Fitri et al. [9] have listed 20 species in five (5) genera in the lowland forest of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Permanent Forest Reserve, Selangor. However, in a study in lowland and hill dipterocarp forest at Gunung Tebu Forest Reserve, Terengganu, Ahmad Fitri et al. [10] only listed 11 taxa from three (3) genera of Burseraceae. The similar result was also reported by Ahmad Fitri et al. [11] in lowland dipterocarp forest in Ulu Sat Forest, Kelantan with 11 species from three (3) genera.
The common species that we have counted in Kuala Keniam are Canarium littorale and Dacryodes rostrata. From the flora survey, we counted Canarium littorale, C. pilosum, D. costata, D. rostrata, D. rugosa, Santiria griffithii, S. laevigata and Triomma malaccensis. Meanwhile, in the plot study, we counted Canarium littorale, C. pilosum, Dacryodes rostrata, D. rugosa, Santiria laevigata, S. tomentosa and Scutinanthe brunnea. The complete checklist for Burseraceae species that are found in Taman Negara at Kuala Keniam and its surrounding area is given below. Pictures of some selected species of Burseraceae are shown in Figures 1-5.
The checklist of all species of Burseraceae found in Kuala Keniam and its surrounding area at Taman Negara Pahang are as follows:

Conclusion
From this study, forested area in Kuala Keniam and surrounding area at Taman Negara Pahang harboured many species of Burseraceae. A total of 19 taxa from five (5) genera of Bursearceae were recorded. All taxa were commonly found in other lowland and hill forests in Peninsular Malaysia.

Acknowledgements
The authors expressed their appreciation to PERHILITAN for their technical support to this scientific expedition and the curators of the following herbaria; L, KEP and UKMB to examine their specimens.