Commercial and bycatch market fishes, of Panay Island Republic of the Philippines

The Philippines is part of the Coral Triangle in the western Pacific Ocean. This region is believed to be hosting from 2,000 to 3,000 fish species as well as the center of marine fish diversity. Yet there is hardly a good reference to guide field researchers working on fish taxonomy and fisheries. The publication of this field guide of fishes, which is a product of a 5-year collaborative effort involving scientists from the Philippines, Thailand and Japan through the Coastal Area Capability Enhancement of Southeast Asia Project, is based on a regular collection of fish specimens from fish markets in Iloilo City and adjacent landing sites in Panay Island, Central Philippines. It puts together 911 color photographs of specimens representing 597 species in a single volume, including at least 19 previously unrecorded species in the Philippines, simply confirming high fish diversity in this area

Complete mitochondrial genome of six Cheilinusundulatus (Napoleon Wrasse): an endangeredmarine fish species from Sabah, Malaysia

We report here the complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of six individuals of Cheilinus undulatus (Napoleon Wrasse), an endangered marine fish species. The six mt DNA sequences had an average size of 17,000 kb and encoded 22 tRNA, two sRNA, 13 highly conserved protein coding genes and a control region. The polymorphic variation (control region) in these six individuals suggests their potential use as a specific marker for phylogeographic conservation. Moreover, the sequence polymorphism within the control region (D-loop) suggests that this locus can be applied for phylogenetic studies

Himantura lobistoma, a new whipray (Rajiformes: Dasyatidae) from Borneo, with comments on the status of Dasyatis microphthalmus

A new long-snouted whipray, Himantura lobistoma, is described on the basis of seven specimens collected from the southeastern sector of the South China Sea, off western Borneo. It belongs to a subgroup of Himantura species provisionally defined herein as the “uarnacoides” complex that includes five nominal species: H. chaophraya, H. granulata, H. hortlei, H. pastinacoides, and H. uarnacoides. These whiprays all have a similar lateral disc shape (i.e., pectoral-fin apices broadly rounded rather than narrowly rounded or angular), a plain colouration (i.e., usually uniform light to dark brown dorsally, and pale or whitish ventrally with or without a dark margin), a long and slender whiplike tail, and plate like denticles in a broad dorsal band in adults. Himantura lobistoma can be distinguished from the superficially similar H. hortlei by its highly protrusible mouth and pelvic girdle with prominent lateral prepelvic processes. It differs from other members of the “uarnacoides” complex by a combination of internal and external morphological characteristics (e.g., having an extremely elongate snout and very small eyes). Another long-snouted stingray from the region, Dasyatis microphthalmus Chen, inadequately described and known only from the lost holotype, is considered a nomen dubium. It had been assigned to Himantura based on the absence of an obvious ventral cutaneous tail fold but may be conspecific with D. acutirostra

Distribution of Mangrove Red Snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus in response to hydrodynamic condition at the reef patches of Lankayan, Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia

The species Lutjanus argentimaculatus is a prized food-fish in the tropical and subtropical fisheries, as well as the aquaculture industry. This study investigated the distribution of L. argentimaculatus at three patch reefs of Lankayan Island, within the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area. Fish surveys of this species were conducted 12 times at each of the selected patch reefs, from August 2016 until March 2017. In addition to taking underwater video footages, hydrodynamic parameters, i.e. water current direction and current speed were recorded during each survey. The distribution patterns of the fish were then plotted against these parameters to determine any correlation, in response to these parameters. As a result, we found a significant relationship between the current direction and the position of L. argentimaculatus at the reef where the schoolings were found to occur. We found that regardless of the current speed, the schools of L. argentimaculatus were always present at the reef slope facing the incoming current. This finding is important for the management and conservation of this species, which is a targeted species in the Live Reef Fish Food Trade (LRFFT), and is useful for the manager of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in general. This finding is also important as it provides useful insights into the ecology of Lutjanus spp

Surface sediment particles structure of Marudu Bay, Sabah, Malaysia

Sediment can be classified into three major categories: sand, silt and clay, which has a crucial impact on bottom marine life. In other words, different marine organisms prefer different sediment particle structure and texture, reflecting energetics of transport and deposition processes in the water column. The aim of this study is to determine the surface sediment particle structure and its texture in Marudu Bay. Surface sediments were collected from 10 stations which covered the coastal (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST6 and ST10) and the middle (ST4, ST5, ST7, ST8 and ST9) areas of the bay by using the Ponar© (WILDCO®, 6 inch) grab sampler. Subsequently, the sediment samples were then analysed with LISST-Portable Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyser (Sequoila, WA). The results show coastal areas near river mouths have a coarser particle structure with very slightly clayey silty sand texture compared to stations away from river mouth. The pattern is consistent with the resuspension of finer particles from the sand, silt and clay within shallow turbulent coastal water, and transport across the deeper area of the bay. This finding can contribute to baseline information, and suggests that further understanding of the sediment hydrodynamic across the bay is required for management of the system

Coral reef fish population in the western extremity of the Coral Triangle

The central and north west coast of Sabah lies along the western extremity of the Coral Triangle, within which are situated several marine protected areas (MPAs). In the present study we determined in situ coral reef fish populations in several localities along the west coast of Sabah, by exploring species abundance, richness and diversity of ten economically important fish species. The underwater surveys were conducted from May to December 2015. During this eight- month period, surveys at each site were undertaken once every two months. Dives were conducted during the daylight hours. A total of 171 individuals from the targeted fish species were enumerated from the 349 still images and 220 minutes of video footage. Abundance was observed mainly in the semi-protected MPA (n=110) with only one fish species recorded with more than 2 individuals at protected MPA and unprotected sites. We observed a correlation between fish species richness and coral topographic complexity, with study sites at the semi-protected MPA having the most complex topography landscape, and accordingly recording the highest Shannon-Wiener index (H= 2.85). Higher abundance recorded at study sites in the unprotected sites and semi-protected MPA indicate that such areas could potentially become de facto MPAs. A long-term monitoring, assessment and evaluation of the multiple degrees of variables involved such as length-weight relationship, type of habitat, variation in depth, and species behaviour are recommended in order to understand better the relationship and dynamics between these variables

Effects of physicochemical parameters on the reproductive pattern of sea cucumber Holothuria scabra in Sabah

Sea cucumber Holothuria scabra is one of the species that can produce high quality beche-de-mer. It has been overexploited and overfished nowadays due to high demand from the local and international markets. It is one of the most valuable species and has become a source of income for small scale fishermen in Sabah, Malaysia. This study aimed to describe the influence of physicochemical parameters on the reproductive biology of H. scabra at two sites, Kudat and Kunak, Sabah, Malaysia. The study was conducted for 14 months and samples were collected monthly, between July 2015 and August 2016. Gonad index and data on the physicochemical parameters (temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, and organic matter) were recorded to determine the relationships that can affect the reproduction of H. scabra. An annual reproductive pattern was recorded in Kudat with the spawning period from July to November 2015. A continuous pattern in Kunak was recorded with a maximum gonad index in September 2015. The gonad index showed no significant (P>0.05) correlation with the selected physicochemical parameters in either Kudat or Kunak. Since maturity is influenced by environmental parameters, other environmental parameters that may regulate reproduction should be studied

Preliminary result of population structure of reef fishes in coral reef restoration sites in Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Semporna, Sabah

Restoration of coral reefs at the Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP) started in 2009. Various methods are adopted, although the Coral Frame method is preferred mainly due to the low maintenance cost and its durability and is currently still being used. However, since the beginning of its deployment, there has been little study on the effectiveness of the coral restoration project. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the population structure of indicator coral reef fish around the coral frames. Two study sites (Site 1: Bohey Dulang; Site 2: Mantabuan) with existing coral frames within the TSMP were selected. At each site, a baited remote underwater video system (BRUVS), was deployed, and each was set to capture approximately one-hour footage. The first BRUVS deployment of this 24-month project was made on 21 July 2020, during the peak of the Southwest Monsoon. A total of 20 families (32 species) and 19 families (42 species) were recorded at Site 1 and Site 2, respectively. The Small-tooth whiptail, Pentapodus caninus (MaxN:14) and fusilier, Caesio sp. (MaxN: 101) are the most abundant species at Site 1 and Site 2, respectively. The preliminary findings reveal a low abundance and diversity counts of indicator reef fish (Serranidae, Labridae, Scaridae and Lutjanidae) at the coral restoration sites within TSMP. However, it is suspected that opportunistic local fishermen try their luck to fish in restricted parts of the park (pers. Observ.), while local fishermen try to play the game of 'mouse and cat' with the Park's Law Enforcement

An Assessment of the Carrying Capacity of Sipadan Island Park, Sabah, Malaysia

Sipadan Island is a small oceanic island in Malaysia, and renowned as one of the world’s top ten dive destination. However, it was only recently that the island was gazetted as a Marine Protected Area. The aim of this study is to assess the carrying capacity of Sipadan Island Park. The objectives are to enumerate diver and dive frequency, and to record the presence and sighting rate of iconic fishes in each of the 11 established dive sites on Sipadan. The study was carried out monthly over a 12-month period in 2011 and 2012. In that period, we recorded a total of 66,243 dives, of which, more than one third (35%; n=23,215 dives) was in Barracuda Point alone. In comparison, the least popular dive site - West Ridge–North Point - recorded just 154 dives. Thus, Barracuda Point, along with three other sites are found to have greatly exceeded the carrying capacity of a dive site. Iconic fishes are present throughout the year, and their sighting rate was similar in all months (p>0.05). However, our data showed a significant correlation between popular dive sites and sightings of iconic fish (p<0.05)