215 new seed plant species recorded for Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

We provide a checklist of new seed plant species (Angiosperms and Gymnosperms) in Brunei Darussalam with detailed information. The plant database for Brunei, extracted from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) was compared with the existing plant checklist for Brunei and plant holdings of the UBD herbarium (UBDH). 215 species of seed plants, belonging to 59 families, were found in the GBIF list that were absent in both the Brunei checklist and UBDH collections. The plant family that recorded the highest number of new plant species was Orchidaceae, but overall, tree species dominate the list. Only 8% of the new species were IUCN Red-List evaluated. Most new species collections came from Tutong district, but the highest number of new species was from Temburong district. Almost all new species collections came from areas with easy access such as near roads and around the Kuala Belalong Field Study Centre. As much of the Brunei rainforest remains unexplored, new discoveries are likely to occur.