JANUARYMAY 2016 NEWSLETTER

Special Alert Page 5: Palms New to Science!

Sarawak: Through the Lens Nature Photography by Ch’ien C. Lee

With the 2016 Biennial in Sarawak and Singapore just one month away, this issue highlights the rich flora and

fauna of Sarawak as seen through the lens of photographer Ch’ien C. Lee. Mr. Lee moved to Sarawak in 1996, and his hobby became a professional endeavor in 2003. “Borneo is a fantastic place to live if you’ve got an insatiable interest in nature. It’s easy for a photographer to get spoiled by the overwhelming diversity of subjects every time you’re out. Of course working in the tropics presents some real obstacles for photography, but it’s always worth the effort.” IPS Members, ready your cameras for the trails!

All images and captions property of Ch’ien C. Lee, used with permission, all rights reserved.

Rhacophorus pardalis; the enlarged webbed feet of the gliding Harlequin Tree Frog enable it to maneuver in mid­air and slow its descent from a higher perch towards a safe landing.

Follow this link to Wild Borneo and expect to spend a ridiculous amount of time gasping at the stunning photographs. Use the search option to narrow your selection to Sarawak, palm, frog, snake, beetle, or the special interest of Mr. Lee, Nepenthes. Try “Sarawak, insect” for the most sublime photos. Train your eye to seek out these often­camouflaged plants and creatures along the trails. Happy hunting! Special thanks to IPS member Mike Lock for the introduction to Ch’ien C. Lee in Mike’s own pictorial in PalmTalk: Borneo Palms in Habitat.

Volume 4.5 ∙ May 2016 ∙ Newsletter of the International Palm Society

Raffelsia tuan­mudae; The parasitic Raffelsia has the largest single flowers in the world, sometimes measuring more than a meter across. There are over 21 distinct species occurring throughout the wet regions of Southeast Asia. The species shown here is endemic to Sarawak. Right, Boiga nigriceps; the Black­headed Cat Snake is an arboreal predator of birds and other snakes. Below left, Cynopteris brachyotis. A Short­nosed Fruit Bat flies off with a ripe fig (Ficus fistulosa) it has selected. Rather than eating on the spot, the bat will carry the fig off to a favorite perch where it can dine in safety, thus helping to spread the tree’s seeds. Below right, the Blue­winged Leaf Bird, Chloropsis cochinchinensis, is a widespread species in Southeast Asia, found in both primary and secondary forests. This male is consuming a fig (Ficus variegata).

Below, l­r, Chrysopelea paradisi, the ‘flying snake’, a young Bornean Orangutan at rest; a male Red­crowned Barbet searching for figs.

Volume 4.5 ∙ May 2016 ∙ Newsletter of the International Palm Society

Certain palms are readily seen in Sarawak: Licuala valida and Pinanga rivularis (below). But certain forest mammals are extremely rare or shy, and venture out only under cover of darkness. Ch’ien Lee proves they do exist in his images, l­r, Small­toothed Palm Civet, Bornean Clouded Leopard, and the Western Tarsier. Follow the links for interesting facts about each animal.

Volume 4.5 ∙ May 2016 ∙ Newsletter of the International Palm Society

PEOPLE The Sarawak Cultural Village website states, “The population comprises (several) local ethnic groups, namely Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Melanau and other minor tribes plus the Malays, Chinese and Indians living together in harmony for more than a century.”

Left: Traditional tattoo designs are worn by this Iban man from central Sarawak. Top right, Rattan vines are used for a wide variety of crafts. Here an Iban woman is preparing split vines for making fish traps. Bottom right, an Iban fisherman casts a jala net into the clear waters of Delok River. This technique is the preferred fishing method in much of the interior of Sarawak but requires great skill to master.

“The Iban form the largest percentage of Sarawak’s population, making up some 30%. Reputed to be the most formidable headhunters on the island of Borneo, the Ibans of today are a generous, hospitable, and peaceful people. Because of their history as pirates and fishermen, they were conventionally referred to as the “Sea Dayaks”. The early Iban settlers migrated from Kalimantan, (the Indonesian part of Borneo south of Sarawak) and set up home in the many river valleys. The Ibans dwell in longhouses, a stilted structure comprising many rooms housing a whole community of families. The Ibans are renowned for their Pua Kumba (traditional Iban weavings), silver crafting, wooden carvings, beadwork, and high­quality rattan baskets and mats.” ­­mymalaysiaparadise.com ~ End

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Volume 4.5 ∙ May 2016 ∙ Newsletter of the International Palm Society

Exciting News Hot off Twitter!

Bill Baker further added: “@IPS_PalmSociety we are writing a piece for #Palms in which it will feature. Fieldwork funded by IPS!” On an adventurous IPS­funded expedition to the eastern side of the Masoala Peninsula in Madagascar, Bill Baker and Wolf Eiserhardt from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Mijoro Rakotoarinivo from the University of Antananarivo, and their collaborators recently collected several palm species new to science. These include three large canopy palms that are either locally common or widespread in north­eastern Madagascar. Eastern Masoala is hard to access and had not been visited by palm experts since 1996, and the recent expedition merely scratched the surface of this botanically underexplored treasure trove. A full feature on the expedition and the palm diversity it encountered will soon be published in PALMS. ­­ Wolf L. Eiserhardt and

William J. Baker

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Is your IPS membership up to date? Visit www.palms.org and renew your membership.

Volume 4.5 ∙ May 2016 ∙ Newsletter of the International Palm Society

Supplies, Songs, and Smiles Delivered by the IPS by Heather Martin photos by Marise Hobbs

While strolling down the streets and stopping in some of the small shops during the last few biennials, several of the "palm widows" discussed how we would like to improve the conditions we often see in the countries we visit. This discussion led to our next board meeting location in Ile. Ste. Marie, a small island off the coast of Madagascar.

Knowing that this area was very poor and that education was a privilege, assisting with school supplies was deemed appropriate. I contacted Toby Spanner, the organizer for this meeting, about the possibility of visiting a school and delivering the supplies would be feasible. He sent out an email to the board members attending the meeting and invited them to bring various school supplies. Upon arrival on the island. the owner/manager of Princess Bora provided assistance in contacting the school down the street. Five of us arrived with composition books, pencils, pens, glue sticks, rulers, crayons, markers, construction paper, scissors, writing paper,

notebooks, folders and hand sanitizer. First we visited a first­grade classroom of 50 noting 3 or 4 children to a bench, using individual chalkboards. The room had one large chalkboard for the teacher to use for assignments. The walls were devoid of posters or charts or children's artwork. Next we visited a 5­6 grade classroom where the children had individual composition books. Again, one chalkboard for the teacher. As in the first classroom, no books were present. At recess, the children were beautiful, happy, respectful and loved shaking our hands. Their smiles were so very contagious. At the preschool across the street, we sang a song, shook hands and the children smiled and giggled. It was a wonderful experience and one that certainly made our visit unique. This was a small beginning. Hopefully we can continue giving back to the local schools in the countries we visit.

Volume 4.5 ∙ May 2016 ∙ Newsletter of the International Palm Society

Shirley Lai making lots of new friends; Heather Martin (in cap) and Lauri Spanner holding Claire, Alexander beside her in blue shirt.

Below: Kathleen Grant teasing a shy smile from a young student

Only Kathy knows what she may have said or signaled to this lilittle little girl, but it appears to have drawn a giggle and a smile. Everyone received a bit of education this particular day, children and adults! Well done!

Volume 4.5 ∙ May 2016 ∙ Newsletter of the International Palm Society