Thismia kelabitiana (Thismiaceae), a new unique Fairy Lantern from Borneo potentially threatened by commercial logging

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203443
• Publication Date: 2018-10-03T13:52:46Z
• Authors: Martin Dančák; Michal Hroneš; Michal Sochor; Zuzana Sochorová
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Conservation of Natural Resources; Genetic Speciation; Science; Q; R; Malaysia; Biodiversity; Forests; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; Magnoliopsida; Borneo; Seeds; Medicine; Research Article

Thismia kelabitiana, a new unique species from the Sarawak state of Malaysia in the island of Borneo is described and illustrated. This new species is not similar to any species of Thismia described so far especially by having a unique form of mitre and outer perianth lobes deeply divided into 8-10 acute lobes and forming striking fringe around perianth tube opening. The species appears to be critically endangered due to ongoing logging activities in the region. It may potentially become a surrogate species for lower montane forests of the region and thus help protect them against further destruction.