A Comparative Ecological Study Of The Aroids In Hau River, Vietnam And Perak River, Malaysia
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Date
2015-08
Authors
Duong, Minh Truyen
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Abstract
The Araceae is a monocotyledonous family and is one of the largest families in
the world after the orchids, grasses and sedges. The aroids play important roles in
human life such as supplement of food source, ornamentals and medicine. Hence, a
study was conducted on the distribution of aroids along the Hau River in the Mekong
Delta, Vietnam and the Perak River, Peninsular Malaysia. The Hau River is in the
Indochina while the Perak River is in the Sunda Shelf. Field surveys were conducted
from April to May and from September to November 2013 in the Perak River and
from June to August 2013in the Hau River. The sampling stations were selected from
zones based on human population density and land use for both the Hau River and
Perak River. A stratified sampling method was used in the study. A total of 35 aroid
species from 23 genera were identified from both study areas. Out of this number, 22
species are classified as ornamentals, 13 species as weeds and 3 species as food
crops. A total 27 species were recorded along the Hau River as compared to 24
species along the Perak River. Sixteen species are recorded present at both the Hau
and Perak Rivers. Eleven species were recorded present exclusively in the Hau
River, while only eight species occur exclusively in the Perak River. Three endemic
species, namely Cyrtosperma merkusii, Homalonema pontederifolia and Scindapsus
pictus were found in the Perak River while no endemic species were recorded in the
Hau River. Among the aroid species, Colocasia esculenta was commonly recorded at
the Hau and Perak Rivers. It isused as food by the local communities along both
rivers. In conclusion, the aroid distribution along the Hau River is influenced by human activities and the use of aroid species for food, ornamental and medical uses.
In contrast, the distribution of aroid species at Perak River is more natural and less
influenced by human activities. The present of three endemic aroid species in the
Perak River proves this point. Perak
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Keywords
Natural History