New record of an estuarine polychaete, Neanthes glandicincta (Annelida, Nereididae) on the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia

An estuarine species of Nereididae (Annelida), Neanthes glandicincta (Southern, 1921) has been newly recorded on the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia located in the South China Sea based on 23 specimens collected from three estuaries (Tumpat, Kelantan Delta, Kelantan; Setiu Lagoon, Terengganu; Kuala Ibai, Terengganu). The morphological characteristics of the Malaysian specimens agree well with those of the previous original description and the redescription of N. glandicincta based on Indian, Myanmar and Singapore specimens. The number of paragnaths in all groups on the proboscis of our Malaysian specimens is within the range of the intraspecific variation of N. glandicincta as shown in the previous descriptions. An identification key to species of the Neanthes glandicincta species complex, which includes two morphologically similar species, is provided

New record of an estuarine polychaete, Neanthes glandicincta (Annelida, Nereididae) on the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Volume: 831Start Page: 81End Page: 9

Seasonal benthic species composition linked to coastal defense structures (CDS) in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

Background The natural hydrodynamic process of Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, has changed since the extension of Sultan Mahmud Airport runway in 2008. Consequently, severe coastal erosion has occurred in the area, particularly during the northeast monsoon season (NEM). Numerous types of coastal defense structures (CDS) have been constructed to protect the coastline. Despite the loss of esthetic values, the effect of CDS construction on marine organisms in the area remains unknown. Hence, this study aims to assess the ecological aspects of macrobenthic compositions at the CDS area of Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, based on the differences between the southwest (SWM) and northeast (NEM) monsoon seasons. Methods Macrobenthos were collected from the sediment in July (SWM) and December 2021 (NEM) using the Ponar grab at 12 substations from five sampling stations. Results The density of macrobenthos was higher in SWM (48,190.82 ind./m2) than in NEM (24,504.83 ind./m2), with phylum Mollusca recording the highest species composition (60–99.3%). The macrobenthos species had a low to moderate level of diversity (H’ = 1.4–3.1) with the species were almost evenly distributed (J’ = 0.2–0.8). Windward substations exhibited coarser grain sizes (38.56%–86.84%), whereas landward substations exhibited very fine grain sizes (44.26%–86.70%). The SWM season recorded a higher organic matter content (1.6%–6.33%) than the NEM season (0.4%–3.1%). However, metal concentrations in the surface sediment were within the safe range and permissible limits for both seasons, inferring that the macrobenthos composition was unaffected. Discussion This study demonstrated that the CDS associated with the monsoon system has controlled the hydrodynamics and nearshore sedimentary processes in the Kuala Nerus coastal zone, thereby affecting the macrobenthos population, in terms of richness and density. The ecological and energetic effects of the coastal structures in different seasons have resulted in a more significant result, with the SWM exhibiting a higher macrobenthos composition than the NEM

Water | Bite-Size Climate Action.pdf

Bite-Size Climate Action has teamed up with COASTAR (Empowering Malaysia's Future Leaders in Coastal Ocean Actionable and Sustainable Teaching and Research) to develop this new BSCA module on WATER.</p