tropical forests. Let
the numerous other problematic timber species in

Oscar (Escuela de Biologia, Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad ' ;
Universitaria, COSTA RICA) or me know if we can provide any additiona

information about this.

Ahak Qi

Deborah A.’ Clark *.

Co-Director
La Selva Biological Station

cc. .0. Rocha

Chae

——

LA SELVA BIOLOGICAL STATION
> ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES
Apartado 53-3069, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqu{, Provincia Heredia, COSTA RICA
Telephone: Voice and FAX: (506) 71-68-97, 71-64-81, 71-65-80
E~matl:: MCI: 327-9995 INTERNET: 327-9995@mcimai 1. com BITNET: LASELVA@UCRVM2

 

14 April 1992

Dr. Joshua Lederberg

The Rockefeller University
1230 York Avenue

New York, New York 10021-6399

Oear Or. Lederberg:

I enjoyed your follow-up note to Dr. Clark (female), and was pleased to
hear you enjoyed the La Selva visit.

Re the need for research on Propagation techniques for Terminalia oblonga
~ yes, any leads/ideas about how to approach the problem, funding
sources, etc., would be greatly appreciated. As I mentioned when you
were here, this species produces highly valued timber (e.g., beautiful
flooring). It has not been included in any reforestation Projects in
Costa Rica due to its lack of viable seed crops (the abundant fruits are
nearly totally lacking in viable seeds). The cause of this isn’t known -
could be genetic impoverishment due to forest fragmentation and/or very
effective seed predators. Mycorrhizae could well Play a role in the
Overall performance of the species (another poorly studied issue re
tropical trees), but are unlikely to be directly connected to the seed
Viability problem. ~
I waited to respond to your note until I had a chance to check with a
Costa Rican researcher who’s already expressed interest in this problem.
Dr. Oscar Rocha is a new professor at the Department of Biology of the
University of Costa Rica with particular interest in developing a
research program on issues related to reproduction and genetics of native
timber species. His doctoral work while a Fulbright fellow at Penn.
State was on issues of gamete and seed competition in fruits. In the
last year Oscar has been laying the groundwork for collaborative work in
micropropagation techniques for timber trees, with DOr. Hector Flores, a
spectalist in plant biotechnology at Penn. State.

Oscar just returned a few days ago from a two month trip to molecular
biology and biotechnology Jabs in Mexico, and I was able to talk with him
this morning. He continues to be very interested in developing a project
with Terminalia and other “recalcitrant” native timber trees, and would
greatly appreciate any suggestions you might have re funding sources or
Strategies for this type of research,

Oscar and I are very interested in seeing this line of research get
going. At the same time that it addresses a concrete problem involving a
valuable timber Species, it could also serve as & model for studies of