Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation 17: 49–63, 2020 ISSN 1823-3902 E-ISSN 2550-1909 Short Notes Preliminary Checklist of Orchids in the Sungai Kangkawat, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA), Sabah, Malaysia Edward Entalai Besi1, Dome Nikong4, Vanilie Terrence Justine5, Farah Alia Nordin2, Ahmad Asnawi Mus3, Heira Vanessa Nelson3, Nurul Najwa Mohamad3, Nor Azizun Rusdi3, Rusea Go1* 1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia 2School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia 3Unit for Orchid Studies, Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia 4No.5, Bangunan PMINT, Kg Sungai Tong, 21500 Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia 5Research and Education Division Sabah Parks, Lot 45 & 46, 1st-5th Floor, Block H, Signature Office, KK Times Square, Coastal Highway, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia *Corresponding author:
[email protected] Abstract A study on orchids diversity was carried out in the Sungai Kangkawat, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA), Sabah, Malaysia. The study aimed to record species composition and distribution of orchids in the furtherance of orchid conservation objective in the gazetted conservation area. A total of 95 species and 30 genera were collected from South Rim, Kawang, and Nepenthes trails. The collection consists of 91 epiphytes, two terrestrials, and two mycoheterotrophs. More orchids were found in the riverine than inland areas. Our study on the species composition based on the vegetation types shows that the presence of inconspicuous and achlorophyllous, either mycoheterotrophic or leafless epiphytic orchids, are indicators of the undisturbed vegetation types. Though the finding was preliminary and brief, our encounter of endemic and rare species underlines the importance of Sungai Kangkawat forest area as an orchid biodiversity hotspot.