Comparative growth and survival of hatchery-produced oyster seeds' between two culture sites located in West and East Malaysia.

Oysters have been consumed traditionally in Malaysia.The small oysters harvested from the wild stocks served as omelets are favourite local food, especially among the chines community.The production from wild sources was estimated approximately 150 MT per year by the Bay of Bengal Programme of the FAO.Oysters are perceived to be on expensive food and not an everyday dish by most consumers

The Distribution of Sea Cucumbers in Pulau Aur, Johore, Malaysia

Sea cucumbers have been harvested for centuries for human consumption. The high value of some species, the ease with which such shallow water organisms can be harvested, and their vulnerable nature due to their biology, population dynamics and habitat preferences have all contributed to overexploitation and the collapse of fisheries in some locations in Malaysia. Sea cucumbers are susceptible to overexploitation due to their late maturity, density-dependent reproduction, and low rates of recruitment. Although sea cucumbers are generally widely distributed, with some species occurring throughout entire ocean basins, most species have very specific zone within reef habitats. An investigation at the Pulau Aur group (about 65km east of mainland Mersing, Johore, Malaysia; in the Johor Marine Park) has been conducted using wandering transects to re-appraise the local holothuroid biodiversity pattern according to habitat and depth. Preliminary results show that three families, eight genera and 20 species of sea cucumbers were found in the 13 locations surveyed in Pulau Aur, Pulau Dayang, Pulau Lang and Pulau Pinang, during the survey from September 5~12, 2005. The dominant family found was Holothuriidae (12 species) followed by Stichopodidae (5 species). The most dominant species in the four islands were Holothuria edulis and Stichopus chloronotus, found abundantly on sand and rubble substrates from a wide range of depth (4-20m). Eleven of the species found were reported for the first time in the study sites. Pulau Aur, Pulau Dayang and Pulau Pinang islands exhibited a high diversity in sea cucumber population (12 species found in each island) while only 6 species of sea cucumbers were recorded in Pulau Lang. Detail of the coral reefs at the islands is given to provide a better understanding of the habitat preference of sea cucumbers in the main reef areas around the islands. Results of analysis combining habitat and sea cucumber populations show that some species can only be found in specific habitats and depths, for instance Thelenota anax (size: 30-40cm) can only be found in sandy areas at depths below 16m. The distribution patterns and results of data collected in the marine park where the sea cucumber fishery is prohibited and other marine resources are protected, is provided here to further the knowledge of the area and as a model for conservation purposes

Fragmentation Method of Coral (Caulastrea Furcata) for Growth Measured at Controlling Condition

The objective of the research are: (1) to analyze the water quality condition of water circulation system at laboratory and (2) to measure the growth (length and height) and survival rate of Caulastrea furcata which was fragmented at the laboratory. The water quality condition at the laboratory showed that every parameter has normal value in which organism can live and grow. Natural feed such as Copepoda and Nannoclhoropsis were also cultured at the laboratory as food for the coral. Transplantation was done by cutting the colony of coral or by breaking the branch of coral into pieces from every kind of coral spesies and placed those on artificial substrate made from ceramic bricks. Cutting process was done after the acclimatization process. Fragmentation treatment of C. furcata become 1 polyp, 2 polyp, 3 polyp and 4 polyp that was reared on circulation system did not give significant impact on height and length growth after 160 days. Mean of growth length of C. furcata on treatment 1, 2, 3 and 4 polyps in every month after 160 days was 1.64 mm, 1.55 mm, 1.42 mm and 1.08 mm, respectively, whereas mean of growth broad was 0.71 mm, 0.82 mm, 0.51 mm and 0.62 mm, respectively. Fragmentation treatment of C. furcata become 1 polyp was best length if compare other treatment.Tujuan penelitian ini adalah: (1) menganalisis kondisi kualitas air pada system sirkulasi air di laboratorium dan (2) mengukur pertumbuhan (panjang dan tinggi) dan tingkat kelulushidupan Caulastrea furcate yang telah difrakmentasi di laboratorium. Nilai kualitas air menunjukkan bahwa setiap parameter adalah normal dan dapat mendukung kehidupan dan pertumbuhan organisme. Pakan alami seperti Copepoda dan Nannoclhoropsis yang juga dikultur di laboratorium sebagai pakan karang. Tansplantasi dilakukan melalui pemotongan koloni karang pada bagian cabang karang kedalam bagian kecil dari setiap spesies karang dan ditempatkan pada subtrak buatan yang dibuat dari keramik. Proses pemotongan dilakukan setelah proses aklimatisasi dilakukan. Perlakuan frakmentasi C. furcate menjadi 1 polip, 2 polip, 3 polip dan 4 polip kemudian didedahkan dalam air berskirkulasi tidak memberikan efek yang signifikan terhadap pertumbuhan tinggi dan panjang setelah 160 hari. Rata-rata pertambahan lebar pada perlakuan 1, 2, 3 dan 4 polip pada setiap bulan setelah 160 hari adalah 1.64 mm, 1.55 mm, 1.42 mm dan 1.08 mm. dimana rata-rata pertumbuhan tinggi secara berurutan adalah 0.71 mm, 0.82 mm, 0.51 mm dan 0.62 mm. Perlakuan frakmentasi 1 polip pada C. furcate menghasilkan panjang terbaik dibandingkan perlakuan lainnya

Evidence of geographical structuring in the Malaysian Snakehead, Channa striata based on partial segment of the CO1 gene

Channa striata, locally known as “haruan”, is economically important in fisheries and aquaculture industries in several Asian countries. DNA sequencing, based on a partial segment of the Cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 (CO1) gene, was used to determine genetic variation in C. striata samples from four different populations on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The highest nucleotide and haplotype diversities were observed in the Linggi population (π = 0.0067, h = 0.835), and the lowest in the Timah Tasoh population (π = 0.0008, h = 0.286). Apart from Kajang-Linggi, which was insignificant, FST values were significant (p < 0.05) in all pairwise-population comparisons. Consequently, it is inferred that genetic structuring C. striata populations in this region was largely shaped by a common origin, with secondary influences from geographical factors and isolation

Diversity of Family Fungiidae in Malaysian Waters

Diversity of the family Fungiidae was investigated in Malaysian waters during an expedition in 2004. From the samples collected on 18 reef locations around Malaysian waters, only 12 locations contained fungiid corals. From the locations that have fungiid corals, 11 species from five genera were recorded. They are Fungia (Ctenactis) echinata, Fungia (Ctenactis) simplex, Fungia (Danafungia scruposa, Fungia (Danafungia) danai, Fungia (Fungia) fungites, Fungia (Pleuractis) paumotensis, Fungia (Pleuractis) scutaria, Halomitra pileus, Sandalolitha robusta, Herpolitha limax and Polyphyllia talpina. The diversity of the fungiid corals at Hempasan Dang Ajar and Terumbu Peninjau far outweighs all other sites with six different species at each location. Other locations have three species on average. Out of 11 species of Fungiidae coral, Sandalolitha robusta and Herpolitha limax are the most commonly found species. They are found on seven sampling locations each. The rarest species are Fungia simplex, Fungia scruposa and Fungia paumotensis which can be found at only one sampling location each. Other available species could be found at three locations on average. This study has reported higher number of fungiid species compared to previous studies done in Peninsular Malaysia but similar with the study done in Singapore

The Diversity and Abundance of the Sea Stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)from Coral Reefs of the Central South China Sea

This research was conducted to determine the abundance and diversity status of the sea stars from the central South China Sea. An account is given of the species collected during The Research on the Seas and Islands of Malaysia (ROSES) Expedition 2004 from Archipelago of Beting Patinggi Ali to Pulau Layang-Layang, South China Sea. Fifteen reefs were surveyed in Malaysian waters. Surveys for sea star abundance and diversity were done using SCUBA diving and reef walks at low tide. High abundance and species richness was observed. In total, 6 families, 12 genera and 20 species of sea stars were recorded at the study sites. The most dominant family was Ophidiasteridae (12 species) and the most common genus was Linckia spp. (four species). Terumbu Siput (Erica Reef) exhibited the highest diversity of sea stars amongst all the reefs surveyed in this expedition. Ten colour patterns and variations of Culcita novaeguineae were observed and specific to each sampling location. Entire sea star species observed in this study was first time recorded in Central South China Sea. Most of the species (18 species) observed during this expedition have been recorded elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific, an indication of the successful larval dispersal along the waters of the South China Sea meanwhile two species are new in South China Sea records, namely Fromia sp. and Leiaster sp