Vertical distribution of marine fungi onRhizophora apiculata at Morib mangrove, Selangor, Malaysia

Studies on the vertical distribution of marine fungi in aRhizophora apiculata mangrove stand in Morib, Selangor were carried out in June 1993 and June to November 1997. Prop roots, subterranean roots and overhanging branches ofR. apiculata were collected from three intertidal levels namely upper (high water mark), middle and lower. Fifty-three species were recorded including 39 ascomycetes, 13 deuteromycetes and one basidiomycete. The most common fungi wereHalocyphina villosa (frequency occurrence 21%),Kallichroma tethys (20%),Lulworthia grandispora (18%),Leptosphaeria australiensis (16%),Julella avicenniae (15%) andMassarina ramunculicola (13%). The fungi were found to be vertically zoned, some were limited to the upper level such asPyrenographa xylographoides, Julella avicenniae andAigialus grandis or lower level such asTrichocladium achrasporum andT. alopallonellum, while only five species showed a broader distribution, being present at all levels:Leptosphaeria australiensis, Halocyphina villosa, Cryptovalsa sp.,Lulworthia grandispora andLulworthia sp. The greatest diversity of marine fungi were collected from the middle level with a Shannon Diversity Index of 5.9 while the Jaccard Similarity Index of 2.25 indicated that the upper and middle levels were the most similar in terms of species composition. Fungi with certain characteristics were also limited to particular levels, for example, carbonaceous and superficial ascomata were confined above mean tide while membranous walls and immersed ascomata were common below mean tide level.     

The ecology of mangrove forest birds in Peninsular Malaysia

The density, distribution and feeding ecology of birds of mangrove forests in Selangor on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia were investigated between February and May 1989. Excluding aerial hunters and wading birds, 47 species were recorded from four mangrove forest sites in Selangor, though undoubtedly some rarer species were missed due to the brevity of the study. The estimated density of birds, using fixed-width transects, ranged from 15 to 26 birds per ha. One quarter of all birds counted belonged to just one species, the Ashy Tailorbird Orthotomus ruficeps. Excluding ground feeders (three species), four foraging guilds were recognized among 17 of the commonest bird species: obligate foliage-foraging insectivores (seven species), bark-foraging insectivores (four), facultative nectar-ivores (five) and aerial hawkers (one). Species within the first and third guilds apparently were partitioned by foraging technique and heights, while those of the second guild (woodpeckers) differed mainly in their selection of plant species. The horizontal distribution of several species corresponded to the zonation of mangroves. Avifaunal differences between sites reflected differences in forest floristics. The greatest number of species occurred at the dry landward edge site, which supported seven bird species not encountered elsewhere in Selangor. This habitat has almost completely disappeared from much of the peninsula owing to land reclamation. Four of the six resident mangrove-specialized bird species in Selangor were regularly recorded at two or more sites, another (Greater Gol-denback Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes lucidus) occurred at only one site and the last (Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda) was never recorded. Two species of sunbirds probably play an important role in the pollination of several species of mangroves. The colonization of anthropogenic habitats by many mangrove-dwelling bird species is attributed partly to their generalized foraging niches, which may have evolved in response to regular fluctuations in food availability and the dynamic physiography of mangrove communities.     

Environmental factors influencing liana community diversity,structure and habitat associations in a tropical hill forest,Malaysia

Background: Although lianas are important in forest ecosystems, information on the environmental factors influencing their diversity, structure and habitat associations is scanty.

Aims: This study had the aim of determining variation in liana diversity, structure and habitat associations across different topographic habitats, and the environmental factors influencing them, in the Penang Hill Forest Reserve, Malaysia.

Methods: Liana diversity, structure and habitat associations were examined in 30 plots, 40 m × 40 m, randomly demarcated within three topographic habitats (flatland, slope and valley). The physico-chemical properties of the soils in the plots were determined and the altitude and slope of the plots recorded.

Results: Liana species richness, diversity and structure varied significantly among the topographic habitats. Liana species richness, diversity and abundance variations were related to soil moisture, phosphorus content, pH and altitude, whereas liana diameter and basal area were associated with soil magnesium and slope. A total of eight species had a positive association with the habitat and a further six showed a negative association. Four species had a positive association with the flatland habitat, but only three and two species, respectively, with slope and valley habitats. The slope habitat gave the highest number of species that showed a negative association.

Conclusions: Liana diversity and structure varied between habitats. Some liana species showed different associations with specific habitats. Environmental variables were identified that influence liana diversity, structure and habitat associations. The study provides important information about the factors influencing liana success, and these will be of value in liana conservation and management in tropical forests.     

The decomposition of mangrove litter in a subtropical mangrove forest

Decomposition of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. leaf and woody litter (twigs) was studied using litter bag experiments in a subtropical mangrove forest at two tidal levels (high and low) with different inundation regimes and during two seasons (summer and winter). Losses in dry weight were best described by a single exponential model which showed loss rates of both leaves and twigs were significantly higher low down on the shoreline (greater inundation) and in summer. The time (days) required for the loss of half of the initial dry weight (t ₅₀) was summer: high 59, low 44; winter: high 98, low 78. For twigs the values (days) were summer: high 383, low 179; winter; high 1327, low 1207. There is an exponential relationship between leaf litter t ₅₀'s and latitude which indicates the importance of temperature and therefore season, to the dynamics of organic cycling and export in mangrove systems.     

Diversity and conservation of blackwater fishes in Peninsular Malaysia,particularly in the North Selangor peat swamp forest

One of the most extreme freshwater habitats in Peninsular Malaysia is the peat swamp forest, with dark-coloured and highly acidic waters. Surprisingly, little is known about blackwater fishes in Peninsular Malaysia. Until 1968, only 26 fish species were known from blackwaters throughout Peninsular Malaysia, of which only one can be regarded as stenotopic. A recent intensive survey of part of the North Selangor peat swamp forest yielded 47 species, of which 14 are probably stenotopic taxa. These include four undescribed species and several new records for western Peninsular Malaysia. These discoveries are significant in that they include the family Chaudhuriidae which until 1985, was not reported from Sundaic Southeast Asia, and the rare genus Encheloclarias which had not been encountered for over 50 years. The rapid rate of destruction of the peat swamp forest owing to development, forestry and agricultural activities must be halted or slowed significantly to enable the proper zoological surveys and studies to be conducted. Conservation plans and environmental impact assessments based on inadequate sampling and knowledge of species present is acutely dangerous. There are no longer substantial undisturbed blackwater peat swamp forests left in most of Peninsular Malaysia. Conservation of the remaining blackwater biotopes is critically important if extinction of many species, here regarded as economically valuable renewable resources, is to be prevented.     

Insecticide resistance in dengue vectors from hotspots in Selangor,Malaysia

BackgroundIn Malaysia, dengue remains a top priority disease and usage of insecticides is the main method for dengue vector control. Limited baseline insecticide resistance data in dengue hotspots has prompted us to conduct this study. The present study reports the use of a map on the insecticide susceptibility status of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus to provide a quick visualization and overview of the distribution of insecticide resistance.Method and resultsThe insecticide resistance status of Aedes populations collected from 24 dengue hotspot areas from the period of December 2018 until June 2019 was proactively monitored using the World Health Organization standard protocol for adult and larval susceptibility testing was conducted, together with elucidation of the mechanisms involved in observed resistance. For resistance monitoring, susceptibility to three adulticides (permethrin, deltamethrin, and malathion) was tested, as well as susceptibility to the larvicide, temephos. Data showed significant resistance to both deltamethrin and permethrin (pyrethroid insecticides), and to malathion (organophosphate insecticide) in all sampled Aedes aegypti populations, while variable resistance patterns were found in the sampled Aedes albopictus populations. Temephos resistance was observed when larvae were tested using the diagnostic dosage of 0.012mg/L but not at the operational dosage of 1mg/L for both species.ConclusionThe present study highlights evidence of a potential threat to the effectiveness of insecticides currently used in dengue vector control, and the urgent requirement for insecticide resistance management to be integrated into the National Dengue Control Program.     

Monsoonal and lunar variability in microzooplankton abundance and community structure in the Terusan mangrove creek (Malaysia)

This study documents the monsoonal and lunar effects on species composition and abundance of microzooplankton in a tropical estuary. We investigated microzooplankton abundance in relation to the various environmental and biotic parameters, sampled in the Matang mangrove (Malaysia) from April 2013 to February 2014. A total of 39 microzooplankton taxa comprising four major groups, i.e. loricate ciliates (37.72%), aloricate ciliates (29.46%), dinoflagellates (24.33%) and meroplanktonic nauplii (8.49%) were identified. The loricate ciliates were the most diverse group with 31 taxa recorded. Four major species of loricate ciliates were identified, i.e. Tintinnopsis beroidea, Tintinnopsis rotundata, Stenosemella avellana and Tintinnidium primitivum, while Strombidiidae and Strobilidiidae dominated the aloricate ciliates. Although small loricate ciliates were ubiquitous, redundancy analysis shows marked shifts in microzooplankton community structure, from one that was dominated by loricate ciliates during the drier SW monsoon, to aloricate ciliates at the onset of the wet NE monsoon, and then to dinoflagellates towards the end of the drier NE monsoon period. These shifts were associated with rainfall, dissolved inorganic nutrients, salinity, temperature and microbial food abundance. There was no clear lunar effect on abundance of microzooplankton except for Favella ehrenbergii and copepod nauplii, which were more abundant during neap than spring tides.     

The effect of coastline changes on mangrove community structure,Portuguese Island,Mozambique

Changes in coastline configuration and sand movements on Portuguese Island, a small island lying close to Inhaca Island 35 km east of Maputo, Mozambique have resulted in large areas of the Island being eroded away and consequent restricted tidal recharge of the mangrove. Measurements made during 1989 show that flooding of the mangrove occurred on only three occasions. Percentage mortality of the dominant species,Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C. B. Robinson., is high. However, at the time of the study, the co-dominant,Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam., showed no signs of stress. Halophytic conditions are indicated by an invasive spread of salt-tolerant herbs. All species of crustaceans and molluscs have disappeared from the mangrove.Although mortality ofC. tagal is high, the regeneration status of this species is also high, comparable to that in a regularly recharged mangrove on Inhaca Island. It is suggested thatC. tagal propagules were shed under conditions when seedling establishment was favorable i.e. flooding. These seedlings may represent the last cohort which may also suffer stress and death unless tidal recharge is re-established.     

Length‐weight relationship of stingrays in Kuala Selangor,Malaysia

Length‐weight relationships of three sympatric species of stingrays from a coastal mudflat, Malaysia were estimated. A total of 290 individuals (150 Himantura walga, 78 Dasyatis bennetti, and 57 Dasyatis zugei) were sampled using barrier net, gill net and beam trawl. The length‐weight relationship based on disc length and width generally showed positive allometric growth (b > 3) for all species. This study reports the first findings regarding the length‐weight relationships of these stingray species in Malaysian waters.     

Osmoprotectors in some species of Japanese mangrove macroalgae

The macroalgae asSociated with the mangrove vegetation of the Japanese Islands Okinawa, Ishigaki and Iriomote were investigated. The flora includes members of the red algal genera Bostrychia, Caloglossa and Catenella, as well as the brown alga Dictyotopsis propagulifera Troll, which may be considered typical of mangrove forests. The distribution of the low molecular weight carbohydrates sorbitol, dulcitol, mannitol and floridoside was studied in the mangrove algae. Their physiological role as osmoprotectors was assessed by investigating the effect of salinity on the intracellular sorbitol and dulcitol concentration in Bostrychia pinnata J. Tanaka et Chihara and on the mannitol content in D. propagulifera. In both species the polyol values increased with increasing salinity.     

深圳湾福田红树林群落演替

对深圳湾福田凤塘河红树林演替过程中的群落结构、物种组成、多样性变化及演替趋势的研究结果表明:(1)演替各阶段群落均由秋茄(Kandelia candel)、木榄(Bruguiera gymnorrhiza)、桐花树(Aegiceras corniculatum)、白骨壤(Avicennia marina)及老鼠簕(Acanthus ilicifolius)5个种类组成。(2)演替早期(4 a)群落高度增长较快,之后继续保持较快增长,至17 a时趋于稳定,之后增长速度缓慢。(3)4 a和17 a的群落立木级均分布在Ⅱ级—Ⅳ级,56 a和73 a的群落立木均达到最高级Ⅴ级,该两群落立木在Ⅱ级—Ⅴ级均有分布。(4)随着演替的进展,除了73 a群落盖度较56 a群落稍有下降外,其它演替群落盖度逐渐增加;群落胸高断面积表现出与盖度一致的变化趋势;群落个体密度则逐渐下降;群落物种多样性和均匀度不断提高,群落优势度则逐渐下降;群落相似性系数的变化表明在演替过程中群落物种组成结构没有发生明显变化。(5)群落变化及演替为:秋茄+桐花树群落→秋茄群落→白骨壤+秋茄群落→白骨壤群落。     

Management framework for sustainable development indicators in the State of Selangor, Malaysia

The perception that better information on environment and development is the determinant of effective rational decision- and policy-making processes provide the impetus for global interest in the use of sustainable development indicators (SDIs). Accordingly, proposals for SDIs are framed either on organisational goals or on disciplinary and multidisciplinary theories—aiming to reduce uncertainties in choosing the best alternative among a set of options concerning sustainability. Despite the fact that many SDI initiatives are explicitly aimed at improving policy-making, it is not apparent that political settings and organisational realities are taken into consideration in designing the framework for sustainability assessment. Ignoring the realities of policy-making dynamics can result in poor institutionalisation of the SDI development process, and therefore reduced impact of indicators. Linkage of SDIs to policy processes must also take into account the complex role of information in policy processes. The importance of societal values, cultural contexts and behaviour of bureaucracies must be understood and used to assist the assessment of progress towards sustainability using SDIs. Essentially, objective knowledge must be tampered with pragmatism in governance. This paper highlights the case of SDI development in the state of Selangor where the notion of instrumental rationality is balanced with the ‘incrementalism’ of the policy process that provided the foundation for institutionalising the reporting and use of SDIs. The ideals and paradoxes of participatory decision-making, the principles of the rational model and decision-making processes within a state government are critically examined.     

Temporal patterns in shore fly (Diptera, Ephydridae) community structure in a salt marsh habitat

Abstract.  1. An ecological investigation of the shore fly community was carried out in a salt marsh in Novosedly in the Czech Republic.
2. Sampling was carried out in 1997 and 1999 at approximately 14-day intervals during the seasonally active period, using yellow water traps.
3. Altogether 14 374 specimens of the family Ephydridae were collected (6040 in 1997 and 8334 in 1999), belonging to 48 shore fly species (37 in 1997 and 41 in 1999).
4. Community structure, species richness, species diversity, evenness, and seasonal and inter-annual changes were studied. The species richness, species diversity, and evenness of the shore fly community in 1999 were higher than in 1997 but inter-annual difference in species diversity was not statistically significant. Paracoenia fumosa , Scatella tenuicosta , and Hydrellia albilabris were found to be the most abundant species in both study years.
5. Seasonal patterns and phenology of the most abundant species are discussed. Hydrellia albilabris showed similar seasonal distribution of abundance in 1997 and 1999, whereas seasonal distribution of P. fumosa and S. tenuicosta varied between the study years. Paracoenia fumosa , Hydrellia griseola , H. albilabris , Scatella paludum , S. tenuicosta , and Philotelma defecta were found to occur throughout the whole observation period from March until November while Notiphila cinerea , Hydrellia ischiaca , and Psilopa nigritella appeared in a limited period only.     

The distribution and abundance of barnacles in a mangrove forest

Abstract The grey mangrove tree, Avicennia marina, forms a hard substratum in an area otherwise dominated by soft-sediment. Various intertidal organisms attach to and move about on the trees. The abundant barnacles Elminius covenus, Hexaminius popeiana and Hexaminius foliorum live on a variety of substrata in mangrove forests. Their patterns of distribution and abundance were recorded and models proposed to explain these patterns. Densities of barnacles on bark, leaves and twigs of A. marina were estimated in a locality near Sydney. Elminius covenus were more abundant on bark than on leaves or twigs of A. marina. Hexaminius popeiana, although less abundant on bark than E. covenus, were not found on twigs or leaves. In contrast, H. foliorum were more abundant on twigs than leaves and were not found on the bark of A. marina. Densities of barnacles were greater in the seaward than in landward parts of the forest. Elminius covenus were the most abundant barnacles, H. foliorum were less abundant and H. popeiana were virtually absent in the landward zone. Barnacles in the seaward zone were most abundant at mid-tidal levels, less at high and low tidal levels of trunks and more abundant on lower than upper surfaces of trunks and leaves. The densities of barnacles differed according to the orientation of the bark or leaf. Models are proposed to explain the patterns of distribution and abundance of these barnacles. Each involves larval supply, settlement and post-settlement mortality. It is concluded that similar processes determining patterns of distribution and abundance for sessile organisms living on rock platforms may be applicable to sessile organisms living in the very different habitats of mangrove forests.     

Carbon pools and fluxes in Bruguiera parviflora dominated naturally growing mangrove forest of Peninsular Malaysia

Estimation of carbon pools and fluxes were conducted in Bruguiera parviflora dominated naturally growing protected mangrove forest in Kuala Selangor Nature Park of Peninsular Malaysia. Above and below-ground carbon pools in seedlings were estimated from destructive methods. While, carbon pools and fluxes in saplings and trees were estimated from the derived allometric biomass equations. Carbon concentrations in different parts of seedlings, saplings and trees; and litter were measured during the dry, wet and intermediate seasons. Soil cores up to 1 m were analyzed to measure carbon concentrations and bulk densities at different depths. Litter standing crop of the study area was measured at the dry, wet and intermediate seasons and the range of total amount of litter standing crop was from 0.66 to 0.88 Mg/ha. Carbon concentration found to vary with the plant and litter parts; and also with the seasons and the range of mean weighted carbon concentration was 40.19 ± 0.87–56.52 ± 1.01 %. The carbon pools in seedling, sapling, tree and litter were 0.69, 0.51, 82.62 and 0.41 Mg C/ha respectively. However, 13.95 Mg C/ha/year of carbon flux was associated with saplings, trees and litter. The estimated carbon pool in the soil (up to 1 m) of the study area was 488.04 Mg C/ha. The findings of this study are the first estimation of carbon pools and fluxes in B. parviflora dominated sites and suggests the potential of this site as a carbon pool.     

厦门凤林红树林湿地大型底栖动物群落

为摸清厦门集美凤林红树林湿地的大型底栖动物群落结构及其多样性现状,2002年1、4、7和10月在厦门集美凤林红树林区进行大型底栖动物调查,4个季度共获得大型底栖动物42种。生物量优势种是软体动物门的珠带拟蟹守螺(Cerithideacingulata)和节肢动物门的弧边招潮(Ucaarcuata)。密度优势种是软体动物门的短拟沼螺(Assimineabrevicula)和环节动物门的沼蚓(Limnodriloidessp.)。集美凤林红树林区大型底栖动物年平均密度和年平均生物量分别为1,990ind./m2和139.0g/m2。密度的季节变化是:1月>4月>10月>7月,生物量的季节变化是1月>10月>4月>7月。聚类分析和数量分布表明,优势种珠带拟蟹守螺、短拟沼螺、弧边招潮和沼蚓的季节变化各不相同。与2002年10月深圳湾福田红树林区大型底栖动物群落的物种多样性指数平均值(0.56)比较,厦门凤林红树林区的平均值较高(2.66)。文中分析了影响大型底栖动物多样性的环境因素。     

嵊泗列岛潮间带大型海藻群落结构的季节变化

于2010年8月-2011年8月对嵊泗列岛潮间带大型海藻进行调查.结果表明:共有大型海藻114种,隶属3门53属,其中红藻门33属75种,占总数的65.8％,褐藻门13属21种,占18.4％,绿藻门7属18种,占15.8％;枸杞最多(87种),金平其次(42种),马关最少(26种);79.8％海藻分布在低潮带,62.3％分布在中潮带,种类组成相似性指数中、低潮带为0.57,高、中潮带为0.15,高、低潮带为0.06;种类组成夏季(57种)＞冬季(55种)＞春季(52种)＞秋季(46种),春季优势种有裙带菜、孔石莼、长石莼和厚膜藻等,夏季优势种为瓦氏马尾藻、粗枝软骨藻、鼠尾藻和麒麟菜等,秋季优势种为江蓠、小杉藻、鼠尾藻和石莼等,冬季优势种为萱藻、圆紫菜、鼠尾藻和日本多管藻等.