Sains Malaysiana 54(10)(2025): 2403-2417

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2025-5410-06

 

Taburan dan Ekologi Spesies Buah-buahan Nadir Famili Sapindaceae di  Malaysia

(Distribution and Ecology of Rare Fruit Species of Sapindaceae Family in Malaysia)

 

MOHD NORFAIZAL GHAZALLI^1,*, NORAINI TALIP² & A. LATIFF MOHAMAD²

 

¹Pusat Penyelidikan Agrobiodiversiti dan Persekitaran, Ibu Pejabat MARDI Serdang, Persiaran MARDI-UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
²Jabatan Sains Biologi dan Bioteknologi, Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,
43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

 

Received: 28 May 2025/Accepted: 15 August 2025

 

Abstrak

Famili Sapindaceae merangkumi beberapa spesies buah-buahan nadir yang mempunyai nilai ekologi dan ekonomi yang tinggi. Walaupun kepentingannya diakui, maklumat lengkap mengenai taburan, habitat dan status pemuliharaan di Malaysia masih terhad, khususnya bagi takson yang kurang digunakan atau kurang dikenali. Kajian ini mendokumenkan jurang pengetahuan tersebut dengan menilai taburan geografi dan ciri ekologi spesies terpilih di Semenanjung Malaysia melalui tinjauan lapangan, analisis spesimen herbarium dan tinjauan kepustakaan. Objektif kajian adalah untuk mendokumentasi dan memetakan taburan spesies Sapindaceae di Malaysia serta menilai kesesuaian taksa terpilih bagi penanaman ex situ pada masa hadapan. Spesies utama yang dikaji termasuk Nephelium ramboutan-ake, Dimocarpus longan ssp. malesianus dan Lepisanthes rubiginosa yang kebanyakannya terdapat di hutan dipterokarpa tanah pamah dan bukit dengan taburan dipengaruhi oleh jenis tanah dan altitud. Julat taburan yang terhad dan pergantungan kepada habitat khusus menjadikan spesies ini sangat terdedah kepada kehilangan habitat dan perubahan iklim. Keputusan kajian menekankan bahawa strategi pemuliharaan masa hadapan perlu memfokuskan kepada perlindungan habitat, integrasi dalam sistem agroperhutanan, pembangunan koleksi ex situ, serta penglibatan komuniti bagi memelihara kepelbagaian genetik dan memastikan kelangsungan spesies dalam jangka panjang.

 

Kata kunci: Buah-buahan langka; ekologi; pemuliharaan; Sapindaceae; Semenanjung Malaysia; taburan

 

Abstract

The Sapindaceae family comprises several rare fruit species of high ecological and economic value. Despite their importance, comprehensive data on their distribution, habitat preferences, and conservation status in Malaysia remain limited, particularly for underutilised or lesser-known taxa. This study addresses this gap by assessing the geographical distribution and ecological characteristics of selected species in Peninsular Malaysia through field surveys, herbarium specimen analysis, and literature review. The objectives of this study were to examine and map the distribution of Sapindaceae in Malaysia, as well as to evaluate the suitability of selected taxa for future ex situ cultivation. Key species include Nephelium ramboutan-ake, Dimocarpus longan ssp. malesianus, and Lepisanthes rubiginosa, most of which occur in lowland and hill dipterocarp forests, with distribution influenced by soil type and altitude. Their restricted distribution range and reliance on specific habitats render these species vulnerable to habitat loss and climate change. Observations indicate that future conservation efforts should prioritise habitat protection, integration into agroforestry systems, development of ex situ collections, and community engagement to maintain genetic diversity and ensure long-term conservation success.

 

Keywords: Conservation; distribution; ecology; Peninsular Malaysia; rare fruits; Sapindaceae

 

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*Corresponding author; email: mnfaizal@mardi.gov.my