Benthic mollusc assemblages in subtidal coastal waters of Penang National Park, Malaysia

Benthic molluscs were sampled bimonthly from October 2010 to September 2011. Four sampling sites were selected (Teluk Bahang, Teluk Aling, Teluk Ketapang and Pantai Acheh) based on difference human activities in surrounding coastal waters of Penang National Park. Sampling activities were done starting at 200 m from the subtidal shoreline until 1200 m offshore. A total of 432 benthos samples were collected using 6’ X 6’ Ponar grab. From this study, 25 species from 21 families and 25 genera were identified. Particle size analysis was done and revealed Penang National Park coastal waters is a muddy area with more than 80% of the sediment samples diagnosed as mud. Whereas, in Teluk Bahang and Teluk Aling, the starting transects (200 m to 400 m) were consisted mixture of particle size but the proportion of particle size gradually changed to mud towards the shore. Based on Pearson’s Correlation, it was found that Nuculanidae, Megastomia sp., and Timoclea sp. showed positive correlations with sandy particles (1000 ;m-250 ;m) with r values ranging 0.88 to 0.96 at p0.01. The density of benthic molluscs was found highest in Teluk Bahang followed by Teluk Aling, Teluk Ketapang and Pantai Acheh with overall mean value 613.6 molluscs/m2. Penang National Park coastal waters are all considered shallow as the depth never exceeding 10 m

Visitors and physical development carrying capacity in Malaysian Marine Parks

Over the years, the emphasis of tourism development in protected areas is changing from providing quantity in the development of facilities to the provision of quality that are appropriate and compatible for visitors. This concern for quality focuses on issues that include maintaining the intrinsic appeal of the area, the promotion of compatible tourism facilities at a scale that is appropriate to the designated area, its carrying capacity, and the way of life among the local communities. Tourism planning in protected areas such as marine parks is about managing its visitors and the type of physical development that would eventually be about maximizing the benefits while minimizing its cost. Planning should identify strategies that would render the development of tourism as less of a spontaneous process, but more of a coordinated vehicle for development. The aim of this paper is to explore the approaches that can be taken by the authorities managing the marine parks of Malaysia on the alternative and sustainable solutions in managing this type of protected areas. The findings and discussion segment propose the Visitors Management for managing the visitation and Physical Development Management for managing the physical development of these protected areas. To adhere to the carrying capacity of these two elements is crucial as marine parks require extensive monitoring to ensure its sustainability and preservation. The researcher has list the approaches of carrying capacity practices with regards to visitors’ management and development carrying capacity in Malaysian Marine Parks as recommendations

UGROŽENE VRSTE RIBA U SVIJETU: Labeo bata (Hamilton, 1822) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

Minor carp Labeo bata is an endangered fish species in Bangladesh. This fish is one of the commercially and nutritionally valuable food fish in Asian countries including Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. L. bata is an important target species for small scale fishermen in Bangladesh who use a variety of traditional fishing gears. However, natural populations are seriously declining due to loss of habitat, siltation in the river basin, indiscriminate killing of fry and fingerlings, water pollution by industrial and domestic waste, agrochemicals and overexploitation. This paper recommends the sustainable conservation measures of this endangered fish species in Bangladesh and neighboring countries.Bata, Labeo bata, je ugrožena vrsta ribe u Bangladešu. Ova vrsta je od komercijalne važnosti te nutritivno vrijedna hrana u azijskim zemljama, uključujući Bangladeš, Indiju i Pakistan. L. bata je važna lovna vrsta za male ribare u Bangladešu koji pritom koriste razne tradicionalne ribolovne alate. Međutim, prirodne populacije ozbiljno opadaju zbog gubitka staništa, zamuljenja riječnih korita, neselektivnog ubijanja mlađi i mladunaca, onečišćenja voda industrijskim i kućnim otpadom, agrokemikalijama i prekomjernim iskorištavanjem. U radu se preporučuju održive mjere očuvanja ove ugrožene vrste riba u Bangladešu i susjednim zemljama

The Distribution and Zonation of Barnacles Around Intertidal Shores of Penang Island

The intertidal shores around Penang Island were surveyed for the distribution of barnacles from 14th November 2011 to 31st January 2012. The sampling was done by using 20 cm x 20 cm transect to count the barnacles. Three replicates were taken for each zonation available of the intertidal areas; i.e. upper, middle, and lower zonations, at every sampling site. From the result, three species were identified, including Euraphia withersi and Chthamalus malayensis from Family Chthamalidae, and Balanus amphitrite amphitrite from Family Balanidae. Chthamalus malayensis was found to be most abundant among the three species with 44.24% of total population; and Tg. Tokong recorded the highest abundance of this species (28.22%). This was followed by Euraphia withersi with 38.77%; which was found to be densely populated at Gelugor (21.92%). Balanus amphitrite amphitritewas least abundant with only 16.99% and mostly found at Gurney Drive (26.24%).The distribution of the three species of barnacles also varied among the sampling locations. Gertak Sanggul recorded the highest relative abundance of all three species of barnacles at 18.01%; while the location with the least relative abundance of barnacles is Queensbay with 0.33%.Based on ‘Non-Supervised Artificial Neural Network' (ANN), distinct zonation was observed where Chthamalus malayensis was more dominant on the upper zonation; Euraphia withersi on the middle zonation; and Balanus amphitrite amphitrite on the lower zonation. The interaction betweenbarnacles with other barnacles leads to competitive exclusion and niche partitioning which created zonations among the species. Interspecies interaction that brought by predation also played a part in the distribution of barnacles. Apart from that, the distribution was affected by the sampling sites and humanactivities; such as embankment, land reclamation, and residential development

Reproductive biology of estuarine catfish, Arius argyropleuron (Siluriformes: Ariidae) in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia

A preliminary study on reproductive biology of estuarine catfish, Arius argyropleuron was conducted using samples collected from Merbok estuary which is located in the northern part of peninsular Malaysia. The fish samples were collected in March-December 2009 using a barrier nets deployed on mudflat opposite vegetation of mangroves. Testes and ovaries were classified base on volume relative to abdominal cavity, gonad forms, size of gonad, colors and oocytes diameter. The gonado-somatic indices showed that the fish matured throughout the year with major spawning peak for females occurred in April and minor peak in July, whereas males recorded a higher peak in November. Absolute fecundity of mature ovary was ranged from 19 to 87 eggs and was linearly related to fish length and power function to fish body weight. Three groups of eggs for the ovary in stage II and two groups in stage III were recorded. The length at first maturity for both males and females was approximately 22.5 cm in fork length. Keywords: Arius argyropleuron, Merbok estuary, peninsular Malaysia, reproductive biolog

Species composition, richness, and distribution of molluscs from intertidal areas at Penang Island, Malaysia

A fundamental baseline study for integrated coastal management of tropical intertidal areas was conducted. The present study describes the species composition and distribution of molluscs in the intertidal areas of Penang Island. Five selected sites, that comprised Teluk Aling, Pulau Betong, Jelutong, Teluk Kumbar, and Batu Feringghi, were sampled based on a stratified random design from May 2015 to January 2016. High in species diversity (H’ = 1.21±0.22) and species evenness (J’ = 0.92±0.10) were recorded at Teluk Kumbar. Meanwhile, Pulau Betong was high in species richness (S = 6.60±6.47). The intertidal area of Teluk Aling, that was characterized by fine sand, favored the abundance of Umbonium vestiarium and thus had the highest total abundance of 2,535 individuals/m3 . Zeuxis sp. and Diplodonta asperoides were the most common species found at all sites except in Batu Feringghi. Environmental parameters, such as soil temperature, soil salinity, organic matter and sediment type, were significantly different among the five sites (ANOVA, P<0.05). The sites which were heavily impacted by anthropogenic activities had very low species diversity, for example Jelutong, and there was an absence of molluscs at Batu Feringghi throughout the study period

Length-weight Relationships of Some Important Estuarine Fish Species from Merbok Estuary, Kedah

Merbok estuary, located in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia, was inhibited by 81 species that are representatives of 45 genera and 36 families of fish. The length-weight relationship of 23 fish species belonging to 18 families was presented. The b values varied between 2.7928 for Butis gymnopomus and 3.6001 for Sillago sihama. Nine species exhibited positive allometric growth, 10 species were negative allometric growth, 3 species had isometric growth and 1 species was Gompertz form of growth. The length-weight relationships for some species from the Merbok estuary are hereby publish for the first time, and most of the fish specimens were juveniles. Keywords: Estuarine fishes, length, weight, fisheries management, Merbok estuar

A rare case of non-neutropaenic typhlitis in immunocompetent patient – case report

Introduction: Typhlitis is necrotizing inflammation of the caecum manifested by febrile right lower quadrant abdominal pain. All cases in literature have been described in immunocompromised such patients with neutropenia, haematological or solid malignancies, and following immunosuppressive therapy. We believe this case represents an example of typhlitis in non-immunocompromised patient, among the first such case reported. Clinical case: We would like to highlight a case of a 49-year-old Malay lady, with unremarkable clinical background. She initially presented with sudden onset of progressively worsening right lower abdominal pain associated with high grade fever and tachycardia. Abdominal examinations revealed a palpable mass and localised tenderness in the right iliac fossa. Blood investigations showed leucocytosis without any significant neutropenia. Ultrasound showed thickening of surrounding mesenteric fat with an irregular tip appendicolith suggested a diagnosis of perforated appendix. Intraoperatively, revealed an inflammed pre-ileal appendix and perforated caecum 3cm from the base of the appendix. Her post-operative recovery was uneventful. Pathological findings: Gross examinations of the specimen showed an acutely inflammed appendix with a suspicious area of perforation noted at the caecum measuring 10mm with surrounding ischaemic areas covered with slough and grossly oedematous. Histopathologically, there is acute appendicitis with acute perforated caecitis or otherwise known as typhlitis. Conclusion: Typhlitis may present in immunocompetent patients and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients exhibiting febrile right lower quadrant abdominal distress. Early and appropriate diagnosis allows management at an early stage and prevents complications and mortality

UGROŽENE VRSTE RIBA U SVIJETU: Botia dario (Hamilton, 1822) (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae)

Bengal loach Botia dario is a valuable food fish in South Asian countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. However, the wild population is declining due to heavy harvest, habitat loss and its ecological changes. This paper suggests actions for the conservation of the lasting isolated populations of B. dario in Asian countries.Benegalski vijun, Botia dario, u južnim azijskim zemljama, uključujući Bangladeš, Butan, Indiju i Nepal, ima visoku važnost u prehrani. Međutim, divlje populacije su u opadanju zbog teškog iskorištavanja, gubitka staništa i ekoloških promjena. U ovom članku se predlažu akcije za očuvanje posljednjih izoliranih populacija B. dario u azijskim zemljama