Orchid diversity studies have been conducted at the Sorong Nature Park, Sorong City, West Papua. There are 84 collection numbers consisting of 69 epiphytic orchids, 14 terrestrial orchids, and 1 holomycotrophic orchid. This number belongs to 34 genera and 84 species, which are native species with at least 36 endemic species.  Dendrobium, Bulbophyllum, and Taeniophyllum are the three genera with the highest numbers of species. Key words: Orchid, Diversity, Sorong National Park, West Papua.

Background To compare two methods of preoperative traction (Cotrel traction exercises and skull tongs femoral traction) in severe scoliosis treatment. Methods We collected retrospective data of severe (>80°) and rigid scoliosis patients who underwent preoperative traction before correction surgery from 2016 to 2018. The first group consisted of patients who underwent Cotrel traction exercises and second group underwent continuous-progressively increasing Skull Tongs Femoral Traction (STFT) traction. Posterior fusion was performed in all patients. Intraoperative parameters (blood loss, operation time and level instrumented) and radiologic change (initial, post-traction and postoperative Cobb Angle) was evaluated and analyzed. Results Thirty consecutive case of severe and rigid scoliosis were included (15 in each group). Despite Cotrel group having larger initial Cobb angle, the amount of post traction correction was statistically similar in both groups (16.4 ° and 11.8 ° , in STFT and Cotrel group respectively). Mean traction duration was 14.0 days for Cotrel group and 12 days for STFT. There were also no significant differences in postoperative curve correction rate between two groups, although STFT group had a slightly higher correction rate (69.3 ° vs 55.0 ° ). No major/neurologic complication were found in our series. Conclusions Both preoperative traction methods were found safe and beneficial to reduce preoperative curve degree before definitive scoliosis correction surgery. Although, no statistical difference were found between two methods, STFT may provide better correction rate. Level of evidence 3.

With about a dozen species, Dendrobium section Fugacia Smith (1905: 343) is one of the smaller but also one of the more distinctive clades within the large genus Dendrobium Swartz (1799: 82) (Schuiteman 2014). The plants have unbranched, tufted, clavate and usually distinctly angular stems of several internodes, of which only two or three of the uppermost ones carry a non-sheathing leaf. The inflorescences are subsessile and one- or few-flowered and arise singly from the swollen upper internodes. Flowers are ephemeral, generally opening early in the morning, often before sunrise, and withering in the afternoon. Unusually in Dendrobium, the lip is mobile and delicately hinged to the short column-foot, a character-state more commonly found in the sister genus Bulbophyllum Thouars (1822: t. 3). The lip is often broader than long and can be broadly obreniform in outline.

Dendrobium moiorum Saputra, Schuit., Wanma & Naive (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae; Dendrobieae), a new endemic species from West Papua, Indonesia, is described and illustrated. The new species resembles Dendrobium isthmiferum and the diagnostic differences are discussed. Information on distribution, ecology, phenology and conservation status are provided.