Morphology and genetic variation of manau rattan (Calamus manan, Miq.) in Sumatra, Indonesia

Morphological and genetic variation of manau rattan (Calamus manan, Miq.) studies have been conducted in three provinces in Sumatra, Indonesia, i.e. in Bengkulu, in Jambi, and in West Sumatra Province. Distinctive variations such as the presence of vestigial flagellum and red colour of rachis, as opposed to no vestigial flagellum and the normal green colour of petiole and rachis, were noted in certain individuals in wild manau rattan populations, although the percentage was only 5-60%, depending on the sites. These variations, which were confirmed with isozyme analysis results, are based on 6 enzyme systems, i.e. PGD, PGI, MDH, IDH, PER and EST out of 10 systems analysed. The range of percentage of polymorphic loci was 66.67-76.67%. The highest genetic diversity (He = 0.34) was West Sumatra Province which was mainly contributed by the Siberut Island, followed by Jambi Province (He = 0.28). Based on a dendogram constructed, the relatedness and genetic distance between studied populations in Sumatra could also be determined.