Dna Barcoding Of The Family Scombridae In Malaysia And Phylogeography And Population Structure Of The Indian Mackerel, Rastrelliger Kanagurta For Sustainable Fisheries

This research was conducted to develop a molecular systematic identification of the commercially important family Scombridae as well as to understand the phylogeography and phylogenetics of a member species, the Indian mackerel, Rastrelliger kanagurta for sustainable fisheries in Malaysian waters. DNA barcoding based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, widely known as the barcoding gene successfully identified and delineated 14 species of the family Scombridae sampled in Malaysian waters. The phylogeography and population structure of the pelagic Indian mackerel, R. kanagurta was also investigated among 19 Malaysian populations and one population each from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia (Southeast Asian region) and an Iranian population (West Indian Ocean-WIO) using mitochondrial cytochrome b gene analysis. A parallel investigation was conducted on 11 Malaysian populations and an Iranian population based on eight newly developed microsatellite markers. In this study, the next generation sequencing platform, Ion Torrent PGMTM was used to generate a partial genome survey sequence (GSS) dataset to develop microsatellite markers from R. kanagurta genomic DNA. The data generated included a total of 399,794 sequence reads (81.29 Mbp) of which 16,209 sequence reads were successfully assembled, producing 327 contigs averaging 677 bp in length in addition to the single sequence repeats (SSR) markers

Governance and sustainable development at higher education institutions

© 2020, Springer Nature B.V. Governance issues, here interpreted as the provisions of adequate policy frameworks characterized by reliability and accountability, coupled with resources to support their implementation, are known to be the basis for the implementation of sustainable development measures. This paper discusses the influence of governance in the ways sustainability is perceived and practiced in a higher education context. Apart from due considerations to the role of governance as the basis for regulation and institutional actions and management decisions, this paper reports on an empirical study undertaken in a sample of higher education institutions. This study entailed an analysis of sustainable development policies, certification, organizational structure, budget, reports, team for sustainability, staff training, and challenges for the integration of sustainability and governance. The results suggest that even though there are different opinions and attitudes on the role of governance, it is regarded as an important component in supporting efforts by higher education institutions to include considerations on sustainable development as part of their strategies

A genome survey sequence (GSS) analysis and microsatellite marker development for Indian mackerel, Rastrelliger kanagurta, using Ion Torrent technology

A next generation sequencing platform (Ion Torrent PGM™) was used to generate a partial genome survey sequence (GSS) dataset to develop microsatellite markers from R. kanagurta genomic DNA. Data generated included a total of 399,794 sequence reads (81.29 Mbp) with 16,209 sequence reads successfully assembled. This produced 327 contigs averaging 677 bp in length in addition to the SSR markers. Results based on GSS BLASTx and BLASTn possessed significant similarity (E value −6) with available data in public databases, with the majority matching well to previously reported fish sequences. A total of 7891 SSR-containing motif repeats of which 1688 qualified for primer design were generated. After optimization and testing for reproducibility and polymorphism, eight microsatellite markers were deemed suitable for future population genetic analysis in the target species

Students’ Attitude and Perception towards Sustainability: The Case of Universiti Sains Malaysia

Sustainability awareness is a vital component in ensuring sustainability initiatives as a global effort for the benefit of future generations, particularly in countries with emerging economies, such as Malaysia. In higher education institutions (HEIs), students play an important role in manifesting the sustainability agenda to the campus community, as well as the rest of the globe. However, there is a scarcity of data on Malaysian students’ attitudes and perceptions towards sustainability. The purpose of this research is to establish a baseline for determining the level of positive attitude and perception among USM undergraduate students in regards to sustainability. A survey using a self-administered questionnaire via Google Forms was conducted with 513 undergraduate students between June 2020 and March 2021. The findings revealed that the students’ level of positive attitude and perceptions of sustainability on campus ranged from moderate to high. The study also observed a strong, positive correlation between students’ attitude and perception. The present study illustrated that “Attitudes Towards Sustainability on Campus” helps to explain 45% of the variance in respondents scores on “Perception of the USM Current Sustainability Program”. It could be summarized that USM students were able to relate sustainability issues to current situations and assumed a positive attitude towards the implementation of sustainability programs at USM. It is intended that the research findings will contribute background information that will reflect the strategies of higher education institutions on sustainability

High connectivity in Rastrelliger kanagurta: Influence of historical signatures and migratory behaviour inferred from mtDNA cytochrome b

Phylogeographic patterns and population structure of the pelagic Indian mackerel, Rastrelliger kanagurta were examined in 23 populations collected from the Indonesian-Malaysian Archipelago (IMA) and the West Indian Ocean (WIO). Despite the vast expanse of the IMA and neighbouring seas, no evidence for geographical structure was evident. An indication that R. kanagurta populations across this region are essentially panmictic. This study also revealed that historical isolation was insufficient for R. kanagurta to attain migration drift equilibrium. Two distinct subpopulations were detected between the WIO and the IMA (and adjacent populations); interpopulation genetic variation was high. A plausible explanation for the genetic differentiation observed between the IMA and WIO regions suggest historical isolation as a result of fluctuations in sea levels during the late Pleistocene. This occurrence resulted in the evolution of a phylogeographic break for this species to the north of the Andaman Sea

Mitochondrial markers identify a genetic boundary of the Green Tiger Prawn (Penaeus semisulcatus) in the Indo-Pacific Ocean

A population genetics study of the commercially important Green Tiger Prawn (Penaeus semisulcatus) was conducted in the Indo-Pacific Ocean with a focus on the Indo-Malay Archipelago waters of the South China Sea (SCS), Sulu Sea (SLS), Celebes Sea (CLS) and the Strait of Malacca (SOM), the latter being the main waterway that connects the Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. A 548-base-pair region of mitochondrial COI and 571 base pairs of the control region (CR) were analysed in 284 specimens from 15 locations. Genetic divergences (Tamura 3-parameter) for COI ranged from 0.1% to 7.2% and CR 2.3% to 21.7%, with Bagan Pasir (BGP) in central SOM being the most genetically different from other populations (COI: 3.3–4.2%; CR: 7.1–16.5%). All populations were differentiated into two lineages with a genetic break in the vicinity of BGP; Lineage I comprised populations south of this site (SCS, SLS, CLS and part of SOM) and Lineage II comprised populations north of BGP (part of the SOM). Specifically, most individuals of Bagan Pasir (BGP) and another site just south of it, Batu Pahat (BPT), clustered in Lineage I, while all SOM populations to the north of these sites clustered in Lineage II. The BGP population is believed to be a mixed gene pool between the two lineages. The results could be attributed to the fluctuations of Pleistocene sea levels and a possible influence of the One Fathom Bank in SOM. High genetic diversity was recorded, π (Lineage I: COI: 3.4%; CR: 7.4%) (Lineage II: COI: 3.8%; CR: 12.6%) and, h (Lineage I: COI: 0.81; CR: 1.0) (Lineage II: COI: 0.57; CR: 0.99). Demographic statistics revealed that both lineages underwent a sudden expansion and consequent stabilisation in genetic variability. The findings of this study have wide implications for fisheries in the Indo-Pacific. The increased sampling effort within a narrower geographical scale by the current study permitted a precise locality of the genetic break for this species within the Indo-Pacific Ocean to be identified. The substantial genetic diversity within both lineages should be considered in fishery management and aquaculture development programs of this species in this region

Mitochondrial marker implies fishery separate management units for spotted sardinella, Amblygaster sirm (Walbaum, 1792) populations in the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea

The spotted sardinella, Amblygaster sirm (Walbaum, 1792), is a commercial sardine commonly caught in Malaysia. Lack of management of these marine species in Malaysian waters could lead to overfishing and potentially declining fish stock populations. Therefore, sustainable management of this species is of paramount importance to ensure its longevity. As such, molecular information is vital in determining the A. sirm population structure and management strategy. In the present study, mitochondrial DNA Cytochrome b was sequenced from 10 A. sirm populations: the Andaman Sea (AS) (two), South China Sea (SCS) (six), Sulu Sea (SS) (one), and Celebes Sea (CS) (one). Accordingly, the intra-population haplotype diversity (Hd) was high (0.91–1.00), and nucleotide diversity (π) was low (0.002–0.009), which suggests a population bottleneck followed by rapid population growth. Based on the phylogenetic trees, minimum spanning network (MSN), population pairwise comparison, and FST, and supported by analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and spatial analysis of molecular variance (SAMOVA) tests, distinct genetic structures were observed (7.2% to 7.6% genetic divergence) between populations in the SCS and its neighboring waters, versus those in the AS. Furthermore, the results defined A. sirm stock boundaries and evolutionary between the west and east coast (which shares the same waters as western Borneo) of Peninsular Malaysia. In addition, genetic homogeneity was revealed throughout the SCS, SS, and CS based on the non-significant FST pairwise comparisons. Based on the molecular evidence, separate management strategies may be required for A. sirm of the AS and the SCS, including its neighboring waters

Ichthyofauna of Sungai Merbok Mangrove Forest Reserve, northwest Peninsular Malaysia, and its adjacent marine waters

Sungai Merbok Mangrove Forest Reserve, encompassing the Merbok river estuary, was established as a permanent forest reserve in 1951 and is the second-largest intact mangrove forest patch in Peninsular Malaysia. Despite its importance, few studies have been conducted to assess its aquatic biodiversity. In this study, we surveyed the fish diversity of the Merbok river estuary, and its adjacent marine waters. We recorded 138 fish species belonging to two classes, 18 orders, 47 families, and 94 genera. The richest order is Perciformes, with 32 recorded species, represents 23% of the alpha diversity, followed by Carangiformes with 21 recorded species or 14% of the diversity. Low taxonomic diversity overlaps with previous inventories and indicates that the inventory is still incomplete. All specimens examined are catalogued and deposited in a local museum collection. The fish checklist presented here represents a step forward in the conservation of fish diversity in the Merbok river estuary

Scatter plot of geographical distance vs pairwise <i>F</i>_ST value of <i>R</i>. <i>kanagurta</i> individuals from Mantel test.

<p>The red circle indicates the western Indian Ocean population (Bandar Abbas, Iran).</p

Evolutionary history as inferred using the Neighbor-Joining method (K2P distance) with 1000 bootstrap replicates.

<p>Evolutionary history as inferred using the Neighbor-Joining method (K2P distance) with 1000 bootstrap replicates.</p