The use of otolith morphometrics in determining the size and species identification of eight mullets (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) from Malaysia

Sagittal otolith morphometric measurements from Malaysian Mugilidae species were selected to investigate their possible role in species identification, due to the Mugilidae species’ morphological similarities, and age determination. Fish standard length (cm), otolith length (μm), width (μm) and mass (g) measurements were taken from eight species: Chelon macrolepis, C. melinopterus, C. subviridis, Ellochelon vaigiensis, Moolgarda cunnesius, M. seheli, Mugil cephalus and Valamugil engeli. Otolith aspect ratio, OAS (otolith length divided by width), was calculated and compared between species. The four homogenous groups based on their OAS were C. melinopterus (mean=1.65) and V. engeli (1.66) and M. cunnesius (1.89) and E. vaigiensis (1.89); M. seheli (2.08), C. macrolepis (2.14) and M. cephalus (2.17); and the latter two with C. subviridis (2.43). The relationships between fish standard length and otolith length/mass showed positive correlations for both, with otolith length providing the stronger correlation (rs = 0.897, P < 0.001) than otolith mass (rs = 0.795, P < 0.001). It is concluded that the more morphologically similar species have similar otolith aspect ratios, related to head shape; however, otolith shape is also affected by a variety of other environmental factors that have to be taken account of

Assessment parameters for coal-fired generation plant site selection

In order to meet future demand for electricity, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is committedto the long-term strategic planning in locating suitable sites for future development of power stations.Site selection is an important process in the early planning stage of any power plant development asit will have significant implications on the capital investment, operational as well as the environmentand socio-economic costs of the power plant.The aim of this presentation is to briefly describe the ten (10) main assessment parametershaving the most profound effects on the selection of potential coal-fired generation plant sites.These assessment parameters were derived based on a survey of approximately 40 experts, comprisingfrom various specialists such as engineers from TNB, senior officers from Department Of EnvironmentMalaysia (DOE), scientist from University Malaya (UM) and a number of other independentconsultants

Meiofauna of a mangrove shore on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia

The meiofauna (size range 53 to 1000 !-lm) of the mangrove shore sediments in Malaysia consist predominantly of free-living nematodes, harpacticoid copepods, oligochaetes and kinorhynchs, increasing in abundance with decreasing tidal height where water stress is minimal. The highest density of 1l09±27 individuals per 10 cm-2 occurred in the Avicennia station of the lower shore, while a density of 583±186 individuals per 10 cm-2 was obtained at the mid-tide level Rhizophora station, and the high shore Bruguiera station had the lowest density of 407±188 individuals per 10 cm-2• The meiofaunal biomass was 6.16 mg, 7.54 mg and 0.96 mg w.w. per 10 cm-2 in the Avicennia, Rhizophora and Bruguiera stations respectively. The reduction in meiofauna numbers and biomass on the high shore is attributed to habitat instability arising from intense salinity fluctuations, infrequent tidal cover and water stress. The fauna was unevenly constituted with the nematodes forming 80 to 93% of the meiofauna community, and the harpacticoids being the next abundant group. Most meiofauna live in the upper 2 cm layer of the sediment. It may be concluded that the greatest abundance of meiofauna occurred in the lower shoreAvicennia forest and the lowest abundance in the high shore Bruguiera forest

Food and Feeding Habits of the White Prawn Penaeus merguiensis

Stomach-content analyses revealed that the white prawn Penaeus merguiensis de Man, in the Angsd Bank-Klang Strait waters (Straits of Malacca), feed on a variety of food - depending on the locality and availability of food items. In the nursery ground, newly-arrived pelagic postlarvae are carnivores, feeding largely on copepods. Epibenthic postlarvae and juveniles are carnivorous detriti-vores, consuming mainly organic detritus; they also prey on small animals like foraminiferans, copepods, larval bivalves and brachyuran larvae. In the maturation ground, subadults are detritivorous carnivores, feeding mainly on large crustaceans, like species of Acetes and mysids; in lesser amounts, on organic detritus. In the spawning ground, adults are detritivore-cdrnivores consuming equal amounts organic detritus and a variety of large crustaceans, polychaetes, molluscs and fishes. However, there are indications that the prawn prefer animal food if available. Organic detrltus is considered a food supplement; its utilization as a food source becomes important to the maturing prawn when it assumes a benthic existence

A survey of the flora and fauna of mangrove forests in Bachok, Kelantan, Malaysia

The flora and fauna of mangrove forests in nine localities in Bachok, Kelantan were investigated from 16th to 19th June 2008. Though much of the mangroves have been reclaimed, remnant mangroves were found in the estuary of Semerak River. Nypa fruticans colonized the banks of the estuary, while Rhizophora apiculata dominated much of the upper shore. Elsewhere, there were small stands of Sonneratia alba, Avicennia marina and Bruguiera spp. The benthic fauna was dominated by 18 species of gastropods, 5 species of bivalves, 13 species of crustaceans (mostly sesarmine crabs), a sipuncula and 3 species of small fishes. East coast mangroves are estuarine in nature as they are located in sheltered situations, and thus not subjected to strong wave action or tidal currents. Accumulation of leaf litter on the forest floor seems to have encouraged high numbers of detritus feeding gastropod, Neritina violacea, to flourish in the high shore mangrove forest

Distribution and abundance of marine wood borers on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Twenty one species of marine wood borers were recorded in this study. There are seventeen species of bivalves of which sixteen are from the family Teredinidae and one from the family Pholadidae. The crustaceans comprised the family Sphaeromatidae with three species and the family Limnoriidae with one species. Seven of the fourteen known genera of the teredinids were recorded. The bivalve wood borers were widely distributed in the local mangroves. Martesia striata was the most abundant wood borer at the Degaussing Range jetty, Lumut. Lyrodus pedicellatus was the most abundant shipworm in wooden panels. Shipworms were abundant on the subtidal panels where the genus Bankia, was most common while M. striata was abundant on the intertidal panels. M. striata numbers were higher on the top surfaces as compared to the under surfaces of wooden panels