Scientists Find New Species of Invertebrates and Plants in Borneo
Primaeval Forest Tree Frog
Photo: Tomáš Kuras
One of the results of an expedition of students and teachers from the Faculty of Science to the tropical rain-forest of Borneo was the discovery of several new, previously unknown species of invertebrates and plants. Their main focus was an ecological survey in the pristinewild, which they carried out together with colleagues from the University in Ostrava in February. A biologist’s dream came true for the participants of the expedition, when they reached the rainforest with immensely rich fauna and flora.
According to Tomáš Kuras, the leader of the expedition from the Department of Ecology of the Faculty of Science at Palacký University in Olomouc, the new species have to be specially classified, which may even take several years. “We discovered new species of beetles, spiders, tiny butterflies and flies. We found very rare myco-heterotropic plants in decaying leaves,“ stated Kuras.
Joined ecological research of two universities
The main task of the expedition was ecological research. “We were categorising demands of various species on the environment and studying population characteristics of several species, e. g. locusts and large butterflies,” said Kuras. Students also measured parameters of woody species on steady botanic areas, which is helpful for understanding the natural dynamics of the tropical rainforest, and they collected bountiful material for molecular-biological analyses.
The expedition took place during three weeks in February, with the participation of ten students from the Faculty of Science in Olomouc and five students from the University of Ostrava. Due to the joint project of the two universities, the expedition could be funded by the EU. Master’s and doctoral students of biological courses could apply and they were selected on the basis of a research project they had prepared before.
More students to Borneo next year
Students led by experienced teachers travelled to the lowland rainforest in the Ulu Temburong National Park in Brunei. The Sultanate of Brunei is located on the island of Borneo in South-East Asia. Starting co-operation with Brunei University allowed them to use the base of a local field research station, the vicinity of which abounds in life.
“There are various kinds of trees towering up to 60 meters, with rare gibbons and other kinds of monkeys gracefully swinging in their treetops. During the night, masses of sundry insects fly on and often become food for geckos, bats and huge mantises. Vari-coloured butterflies fly to drink from a muddy river bend, together with a symbol of South-Asian nature, Brooke’s Birdwing (Trogonoptera brookiana). You commonly come across tree frogs, flying dragons (Draco volans) and snakes, including the cobra,” says Kuras, describing the area.
According to the leader, the expedition exceeded expectations for research and teaching. The Department of Ecology will send another 15 students to Borneo next year.
