Marine Ecology and Biodiversity

Over the last 15 years marine scientists in Europe have come together to work on a range of scientific problems related to the geological, physical, chemical, and biological processes that control the functioning of the ocean margin system, the most important area for our natural marine resources. These projects have been commissioned due to the increasing need to understand the offshore environment, especially since its exploitation by the hydrocarbon, telecommunication cable, and fishing industries is increasing rapidly. The most recently funded projects have been brought together by two overarching projects that create clusters of related science activities. The EU-funded OMARC (Ocean Margin Deep Water Research Consortium) project links 13 EU-funded projects on continental margins. The European Science Foundation (ESF)-funded EUROMARGINS (for example Slope Stability on Europe’s Passive Continental Margins) program includes 14 projects that study a range of European margin setting...

Seaweeds, or marine macroalgae, are primitive, non-flowering photosynthetic organisms that inhabit intertidal and subtidal zones and constitute an important renewable marine resource. This study explored the diversity of seaweeds and the physicochemical characteristics of coastal waters in Kovalam (Hawaii) and Ernakulam (Nayarambalam and Kuzhupilli), Kerala. Understanding coastal water quality in relation to seaweed assemblages is crucial for biodiversity conservation and sustainable coastal resource management. Eight seaweed samples were collected from rocky intertidal substrata across these locations, with only two species documented from the Ernakulam region. Among the collected specimens, Ulva fasciata Delile, Caulerpa peltata J.V. Lamouroux, and Chaetomorpha antennina Kützing were identified as green algae, while Gracilaria corticata J. Agardh, Hypnea bullata Kundu & Patel, and Asparagopsis taxiformis Delile belonged to the red algae. The remaining two species—Scytosiphon lomentaria J. Agardh and Sargassum wightii (Greville) J. Agardh—were brown algae reported exclusively from Kovalam. Ulva fasciata Delile and Chaetomorpha antennina Kützing were the two green algal species recorded from the Ernakulam coastal waters. Evaluation of seven major physicochemical parameters (pH, total dissolved solids, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, and phosphate) revealed slightly alkaline, warm, and saline waters with elevated dissolved solids, conditions favorable for sustaining diverse macroalgal communities.

Abstract. Jakarta Bay is a semi-enclosed bay, located on the western side of the northern part of Java Island, Indonesia. This study reports the spatial distribution of recent ostracode assemblages from the top of 19 core samples collected in 1994 and the relationship between the assemblages and environmental factors. This study is the first of the ostracode species of Jakarta Bay, and succeeded in identifying 94 species living there. Ostracodes are common in the East Indian Province. The dominant species found were Keijella carriei Dewi, Hemicytheridea reticulata Kingma, Loxoconcha wrighti Dewi, and Hemicytheridea ornata Mostafawi. Species belonging to the genera Cytherella, Cytherelloidea, Neomonoceratina, and Pistocythereis were also abundant. According to Q-mode cluster analysis, three biofacies (I, II, and III) were recognized, clearly distributed from the inner to the outer parts of the bay. Biofacies I is distributed in the muddy bottoms of the inner to the middle parts of th...

Manakkudy estuary, located on the South-West coast of India has production of seaweeds to an amount of 15.59 kg/m 2/ yr. Four different types of seaweeds viz., Chaetomorpha aerea, Enteromorpha compressa, Gracilaria verrucosa and Hypnea musciformis were observed in this estuary. Highest production of biomass ( C. aerea = 842.33± 32.21 g/m 2 ; E. compressa = 619±16.09 g/m 2 ; G. verrucosa = 563.33±13.32 g/m 2 and H. musciformis = 225.67±10.79 g/m 2 ) of seaweeds could be recorded in May. During November i.e., a period of peak monsoon rain it is not present. Sea weeds were observed to occur in the euryhaline salinity range of 11.15 ± 0.48 to 27.18±0.88 ppt and the temperature ranging between 23.57 °±1.00 and 31.70 ± 0.82 °C. The quantity of seaweed is more when levels of nutrients were moderately high.

Kajian ke atas ciri fiziko-kimia pasir dari dataran banjir Sg. Langat telah dilakukan. Sebanyak tiga stesen persampelan (S1, S2 dan S3) telah dipilih untuk mengambil sampel tanah yang diuji. Ciri fiziko-kimia yang ditentukan adalah pH, kekonduksian elektrik, kandungan bahan organik, taburan saiz, ketumpatan, potensi penahanan air dan potensi sejatan. Nilai pH ditentukan dalam larutan air:tanah dalam nisbah 2.5:1. Kekonduksian elektrik ditentukan dari ekstrak gipsum tepu. Taburan saiz zarahan ditentukan menggunakan kaedah pipet dan ayakan kering. Kandungan bahan organik ditentukan dengan kaedah kehilangan menerusi pembakaran. Kekonduksian hidrolik ditentukan menerusi kaedah jatuhan kepala tekanan. Evaporasi tanih diukur dari kehilangan berat harian sampel. Ketumpatan pukal dan jumlah ruang rongga didapatkan secara perkiraan. Penahanan air ditentukan dengan membiarkan didapatkan dengan membiarkan tanih tepu air menyalir untuk mencapai had basah. Nilai pH tanih pasir di sekitar 4.93 hingga 5.57. Nilai kekonduksian elektrik adalah di bawah 3.4 mS.cm -1 . Tanih didominasi oleh saiz pasir sangat halus dan pasir halus dengan kandungannya di S1, S2 dan S3 masing-masing 28.5, 29.5 dan 25.0% dan 38.1, 23.2 dan 24.2%. Kandungan pasir yang tinggi menyebabkan air dipegang oleh butiran pasir dengan sedutan yang rendah iaitu dari -0.19 hingga -1.67 bar. Ketumpatan pukal tanih adalah sederhana dan kandungan bahan organiknya sangat rendah (<1%). Kandungan ruang rongga adalah di sekitar 55%. Kandungan air pada had basah adalah antara 51 hingga 59%, manakala kandungan udara pada had basah adalah dari 41 hingga 49%. Berdasarkan ciri tanih di atas, rumput serta tanaman lain yang ditanam pada tanih ini dijangka mengalami masalah kedapatan air yang rendah jika penyiraman tidak dilakukan secara kerap.

This study examined the fish diversity along the Sikka coast, Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat, focusing on two sampling sites: the DCC (Digvijay Cement Company) jetty area and the GSFC (Gujarat State Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited) jetty area, during the period from October 2020 to March 2021. A total of six species from three orders Gobiiformes, Blenniformes, and Mugiliformes representing four families (Gobiidae, Oxudercidae, Blenniidae, and Mugilidae) were documented. Acentrogobius dayi, Mugil cephalus and Blenniella periophthalamus were observed at both sites indicating broader habitat adaptability, while Amblygobius albimaculatus, Trypauchen vagina, and Omobranchus Original Research Article

Aims and scope: The Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science provides an avenue for the wide dissemination of high quality research generated in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, in particular on the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources. This is central to the goal of supporting and promoting sustainable coastal development in the region, as well as contributing to the global base of marine science. The journal publishes original research articles dealing with all aspects of marine science and coastal management. Topics include, but are not limited to: theoretical studies, oceanography, marine biology and ecology, fisheries, recovery and restoration processes, legal and institutional frameworks, and interactions/relationships between humans and the coastal and marine environment. In addition, Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science features state-of-the-art review articles and short communications. The journal will, from time to time, consist of special issues on major events or important thematic issues.

Abundance and occurrence of seaweeds were determined with respect to physico-chemical parameters of coastal waters along the Ratnagiri coast of Maharashtra state, India. Seaweeds were collected by random method from 5 sites of Ratnagiri coast, Maharashtra, India named Ganapatipule, Bhandarpule, Neware, Aare and Ware which are famous for their enduring environment and scenic views. Seaweeds attached and grown in the submerged rocks were collected in the low tide. The present study was conducted on these selected sea beaches formed of different intertidal rocky shores with diverse algal vegetation followed by the estimation of Physico-chemical parameters such as atmospheric temperature, water temperature, salinity, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, Biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, sulphate, with the help of standard procedures. Diversity of seaweeds were studied to correlate the impact of seasonal variation of Physico-chemical parameters on their occurrence. This collection and estimation of physico-chemical parameters work was done monthly for the period of 8 months from May 2022 to December 2022. This sampling work was done seasonally i.e., pre monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon period. Diversity of 3 different varieties of seaweeds i.e., Chlorophyceae, Rhodophyceae and Pheophyceae has been recorded from 5 different selected study sites of Ratnagiri coast. There are a few areas on Maharashtra's west coast where there is a significant diversity of macroalgae, despite the region's increasing industrial pollution and habitat degradation. The overall parameters recorded were in the moderate range with respect to the present climatic conditions. Significant relations among the physico-chemical parameters and the seaweeds were found. The variation in the physico-chemical parameters and seasonal comparative phycology of mentioned study sites gives new insights into the correlation of climatic conditions with seaweeds diversity.

The Prawn and shrimp samples were collected from local markets of Vile-Parle and Bandra suburban areas of Mumbai city from June to December 2013. These prawn samples were dried in the laboratory and, the dried prawns were crushed into a fine powder by mortar and pestle and stored in amber colored bottles in vacuum desiccators. These samples were evaluated by Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer for the determination of the ten heavy metals namely Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Hg. In the present work, the mean values at minimum and maximum concentrations of copper, zinc, iron and chromium in the prawns and shrimp samples are found below the maximum specified acceptable concentration where as Mn, cobalt, nickel, lead, and cadmium these values were found above the maximum specified acceptable concentration as prescribed by WHO. The mean values of the minimum and maximum concentrations of mercury in the prawns and shrimp samples were not detected as these concentrations were either less than 0.001ppm or absent in all the species of prawns and shrimps. INTRODUCTION: Coastal belts are highly populated and urbanized with industries. Marine food such as fish, prawn, crab and mussel are delicacies and form an important staple part of daily food. Pollution of aquatic environments with heavy metals has seriously increased worldwide attention and under certain environmental conditions, fish, Prawns and shrimps may concentrate large amounts of some metals from the water in their tissues. Heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Hg are potentially harmful to most organisms even in very low concentrations and have been reported as hazardous environmental pollutants able to accumulate along the aquatic food chain with severe risk for animal and human health (Desi et al. 1998). Toxic heavy metal can cause dermatological diseases, skin cancer and internal cancers (liver, kidney, lung and bladder), cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and anaemia, as well as reproductive, developmental, immunological and neurological effects in the human body (Rose et al. 1992) and (Lukawski et al. 2005).

The research paper is focused on distribution of toxic metal in various tissues of different shrimp species, and in surface and bottom water sediments. The possible roles of these trace elements in this regard are emphasized. Moreover, patterns of toxic metal bioaccumulation and their order of occurrence have been evaluated. Another part of this paper deals with comparison of the related data from different aquatic environments as well as existing guidelines and limits for human consumption. Comparison between the mean concentrations of the toxic metal in Carapace, gills, remaining body tissues and whole body tissues and in water samples are compared with existing guidelines indicate that the concentrations of Mg was found well below the permissible levels for human consumption whereas no Hg was detected in all the shrimp as well as in water samples because its concentration is less than 0.0001ppm). However the concentrations of Cd and Co and Ni were observed somewhat greater than some of the recommended levels as prescribed by FAO/ WHO and cited literature.

The trace elements in various tissues of different shrimp species, and in surface and bottom water sediments were analyzed using ICP-OES techniquethe possible roles of these trace elements in this regard are emphasized. Moreover, patterns of trace elements bioaccumulation and their order of occurrence have been evaluated. This paper also deals with comparison of the related data from different aquatic environments as well as existing guidelines and limits for human consumption. Comparison between the mean concentrations of the trace elements in Carapace, Gills, remaining body tissues and whole body tissues and in water samples are compared with existing guidelines, which indicate that the concentrations of K and Mg are well below the permissible levels for human consumption. However the concentrations of Li, Se,Sr, and TI were observed somewhat higher than the recommended levels. The amounts of Te present in different tissues of shrimps and in water samples are not comparable with that of the other aquatic animals, drinking water standards or with the human body because tellurium is not regarded as a true trace element, in that there is no recognized biological role for tellurium in human tissues and no clinical deficiency syndrome.

The research paper is focused on distribution of toxic metal in various tissues of different shrimp species, and in surface and bottom water sediments. The possible roles of these trace elements in this regard are emphasized. Moreover, patterns of toxic metal bioaccumulation and their order of occurrence have been evaluated. Another part of this paper deals with comparison of the related data from different aquatic environments as well as existing guidelines and limits for human consumption. Comparison between the mean concentrations of the toxic metal in Carapace, gills, remaining body tissues and whole body tissues and in water samples are compared with existing guidelines indicate that the concentrations of Mg was found well below the permissible levels for human consumption whereas no Hg was detected in all the shrimp as well as in water samples because its concentration is less than 0.0001ppm). However the concentrations of Cd and Co and Ni were observed somewhat greater than some of the recommended levels as prescribed by FAO/ WHO and cited literature.

In 1964, exploration drilling in the German Sector of the North Sea hit a gas pocket at~2900 m depth below the seafloor and triggered a blowout, which formed a 550 mwide and up to 38 m deep seafloor crater now known as Figge Maar. Although seafloor craters formed by fluid flow are very common structures, little is known about their formation dynamics. Here, we present 2D reflection seismic, sediment echosounder, and multibeam echosounder data from three geoscientific surveys of the Figge Maar blowout crater, which are used to reconstruct its formation. Reflection seismic data support a scenario in which overpressured gas ascended first through the lower part of the borehole and then migrated along steeply inclined strata and faults towards the seafloor. The focused discharge of gas at the seafloor removed up to 4.8 Mt of sediments in the following weeks of vigorous venting. Eyewitness accounts document that the initial phase of crater formation was characterized by the eruptive expulsion of fluids and sediments cutting deep into the substrate. This was followed by a prolonged phase of sediment fluidization and redistribution widening the crater. After fluid discharge ceased, the Figge Maar acted as a sediment trap reducing the crater depth to~12 m relative to the surrounding seafloor in 2018, which corresponds to an average sedimentation rate of~22,000 m 3 /yr between 1995 and 2018. Hydroacoustic and geochemical data indicate that the Figge Maar nowadays emits primarily biogenic methane, predominantly during low tide. The formation of Figge Maar illustrates hazards related to the formation of secondary fluid pathways, which can bypass safety measures at the wellhead and are thus difficult to control.

In 1964, exploration drilling in the German Sector of the North Sea hit a gas pocket at ∼2900 m depth below the seafloor and triggered a blowout, which formed a 550 m-wide and up to 38 m deep seafloor crater now known as Figge Maar. Although seafloor craters formed by fluid flow are very common structures, little is known about their formation dynamics. Here, we present 2D reflection seismic, sediment echosounder, and multibeam echosounder data from three geoscientific surveys of the Figge Maar blowout crater, which are used to reconstruct its formation. Reflection seismic data support a scenario in which overpressured gas ascended first through the lower part of the borehole and then migrated along steeply inclined strata and faults towards the seafloor. The focused discharge of gas at the seafloor removed up to 4.8 Mt of sediments in the following weeks of vigorous venting. Eyewitness accounts document that the initial phase of crater formation was characterized by the eruptive ex...

The present study describes a single species of marine gastropod commonly called fruit egg shell cowrie, Prionovolva brevis (G. B. Sowerby I, 1828) reported for the first time from Gujarat, India. This species was found in association with soft coral (Dendronephthya sp.) in lower intertidal zone of Sikka coast. A morphological description with key characters, illustrations and geographical distribution of present species are given.

Pseudomoraria triglavensis was described by Brancelj (1994) from specimens collected in a high-alpine reservoir at the Triglav National Park (NW Slovenia) at an altitude of 1690 m a.s.l. During an expedition in the Picos de Europa National Park (N Spain) in 2018, a new species of Pseudomoraria was collected in an epikarst spring (Fuente Escondido), below the ice cave of Altaiz at an altitude of 2112 m a.s.l. The new species can be easily distinguished from Pseudomoraria triglavensis by the presence of an inner seta on the edopodite 1 of female and male pereopod 1; absence of the outer spine on the exopodite 2 of the third and fourth female pereopods; four, instead of five setae on the second endopodite of the fourth female pereopod; and the female furca lacks the ventral distal patch of spinules characteristic of P. triglavensis. In the male, the new species differs from its congeners by the position and shape of the apophysis of the second edopodite of the pereopod 3, which is positioned in the outer, instead of the inner margin, and is bent around the distal inner spine; the second exopodite of the pereopod 4 has spines/setae, lacking the innermost seta which is present in P. triglavensis. The female armature of the pereopod 5 is highly variable, with 4-6 setae/spines on the exopod and 4-6 setae on the baso-endopod. According to Brancelj (1994), P. triglavensis could not be included in any genus known at the time and concluded, based on the armature of the pereopod 5 of both sexes, that it would be most closely related to Moraria. We disagree with this author and propose a close relationship of this genus with the genus Hypocamptus Chappuis,

Hexavalent chromium is one of the major pollutants released from the tanneries that have a direct effect on man and animals. In this study, seaweeds such as Centeroceras clavulatum, Enteromorpha flexuosa, Grateloupia lithophila, Enteromorpha intestinalis, and Ulva lactuca, were collected from Covelong, Chennai. Sargassum sp., Amphiroa sp., Ulva sp., and Hypnea sp. were collected from Kanyakumari and Chaetomorpha antennina was collected from Puducherry. Different solvents such as methanol, ethanol, water, benzene and chloroform were used for extraction. Then these extracts were used to treat tannery effluent. The reduction in hexavalent chromium was analysed and correlated with phytochemicals of algal extracts. Results revealed that Cr(VI) concentration was highly reduced by benzene extract of Hypnea sp. (95%).

Bivalves are ubiquitous in all habitats, including marine and freshwater environments. The present paper revises bivalve diversity and their current status along the two selected sites of the Sikka coast, i.e., the Vador site and the GSFC jetty site. The selected study site, the Sikka coast, lies at the centre of the southern coast of the Gulf of Kachchh, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India under the jurisdiction of Marine National Park, Forest Department, Jamnagar. During the study, samples were recorded during low tide hours followed by a tide chart for a period of six regularly scheduled months, from December 2021 to May 2022. The voucher specimens were collected for each species. The collected samples were identified up to species level with the help of different reference books. During the entire study, 15 bivalve species belonging to 7 orders, 11 families and 15 genera were recorded from two sites. Brachidontes undulatus and Saccostrea cucullata were the densest and abundant species throughout the study period at both sites whereas Pinna bicolor and Pinctada fucata were most frequently recorded throughout the study. Mean Shannon diversity index (H') values for bivalve for the entire study period at GSFC (1.603) were comparatively higher than at Vador (1.421). Station-wise, mean Margalef's richness index was higher at GSFC (2.185) than Vador (1.917). The mean evenness value at the Vador was 0.3672, while the GSFC value was 0.4282.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the different group of seaweeds observed from Veraval and Sikka coast, Gujarat from September 2019 to February 2020, to understand their seaweeds density with relation to seasons. Seaweed density at Veraval and Sikka coasts has been studied for six months the using belt transect random sampling method. This sampling survey was selected to get an idea of seaweed density at the difference between two different locations and seasons. There were variations in density of marine macroalgae between sites and seasons with a total of 28 taxa of marine algae found at both sites. Among the two seasons, the percentage of green algal density (64.12%) was highest during post-monsoon season followed by pre-monsoon at the Veraval site than the Sikka sites because of the selected sites are often greatly complicated by rocks pools, cracks, and crevices. During the diversity survey, economically important species like Ulva lactuca, U. fasciata, Sargassum sp....

On 3 rd December, 2013, the rare landing of Japanese rubyfish Erythrocles schlegelii (Richardson, 1846) was observed in the trawl catches at Veraval Fisheries Harbour. Around 40 kg of E. schlegelii, along with Epinephelus diacanthus and Pricanthus hamrur was landed. The length range was 250 to 520 mm and weighed between 400 gms to 1.5 kg each. The landed catch was sold along with P. hamrur at a price ` 40 per kg.

for his encouragement during the study period. They also express their sincere thanks to Shri. Ilairaja, fisherman of Burmanallah, South Andaman District for his kind help in sampling. Further, the authors are thankful to the anonymous reviewers of the manuscript.

The Smallfin Gulper Shark Centrophorus moluccensis is reported for the first time from the Andaman & Nicobar waters of the Indian EEZ.  A male specimen of 785mm total length and weighing 2.34kg was landed by a motorized longliner at Burmanallah, South Andaman District.  The specimen was caught off Chidiyatapu, South Andaman at a depth of 250m.  A detailed morphological description of the specimen and comparison with previous literature is provided.

This manuscript deals with the Bent-fin Devil Ray Mobula thurstoni for its first time occurrence in the Andaman & Nicobar waters around the Indian EEZ which is a new locality record confirming the range extension of the species to the southeast of Bay of Bengal (the Andaman Sea).  A female specimen of 318mm disc length and weighing 2.47Kg was caught by a multiday bottom trawler operated off North Bay and was landed at Junglighat fishing harbour, South Andaman.  A detailed diagnostic description and morphometric measurements of M. thurstoni is provided.  For the first time this species has been described from Indian waters and compared with the other related species, and so documenting its first occurrence in the Andaman & Nicobar waters.

This study was conducted from September-December 2013 in the tofu factory which is located on Kubang Raya street, Tarai Bangun village, Kampar distric, Riau province. The purpose of this research is the aims is to know the decrease of nitrate and phosphate in tofu liquid waste. The research used anaerob and aerob reactor as treatmen and without media as control. Results of combination treatment anaerobic-aerobic reactor biofilter with Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms) of media can reduce nitrate levels during the observation of the effectiveness reaches 40,0-74.2 % and phosphate can be dropped with 46,2-72.3% effectiveness. For other parameters also are in accordance with the quality standards that have been established, such as pH 7, temperature 28 0 C, and DO of 3.76 mg / l. While the media processing unit without (control) can also reduce levels of nitrate and phosphate, but the effectiveness of processing lower when compared to the unit of media. Where the effectiveness of 15,1-21.8 % for nitrate and phosphate effectiveness decline to reach 16,1-26.6%. processed of tofu wastewater is feasible to use for live media Sepat rawa (Trichogaster trichopterus) and Nila (Oreochromis niloticus) except Pantau janggut (Esomus sp). This is evidenced by the survival of Sepat rawa reaches 86.67 %, Nila 70%, and Pantau janggut only reached 46.67 % during 2 weeks of testing.

International concern is growing with regard to the sustainability of manta and devil ray 33 (collectively mobulids) fisheries as demand for mobulid products has increased in 34 international markets over the last decade. While Indonesia has been reported to be one of 35 the worlds' top three catchers of mobulid rays, detailed information on these fisheries and 36 the status of Indonesian mobulid populations are lacking. Through collection of historical 37 and recent mobuild fisheries data from published and unpublished sources, this study aimed 38 to identify trends in abundance of Indonesian manta and devil rays and explore socio-39 economic factors and incentives associated with mobulid fisheries. 40 41 Comparison of catches from 2001-5 to the most recent data from 2013-14 revealed 42 dramatic declines in mobulid landings over the study period of 64% at Cilacap, 75% at 43 Lamakera, and 94% at Tanjung Luar. The largest declines were observed for Manta spp. 44 and the two large devil rays, Mobula tarapacana and Mobula japanica. Anecdotal reports 45 indicated that catches had declined substantially at three additional sites and local 46 extirpations are strongly suspected to have occurred at three locations. A lack of data on the 47 population ecology of Indonesia's mobulids makes it difficult to determine whether natural 48 fluctuations may be playing a part in the declining catch rates. However, mobulid life 49 history traits, including low reproductive rates and late age of sexual maturation, indicate 50 that fishing pressure is likely the primary driver in these declines. 51 52 Interviews in Lamakera, a community which depends on income from its targeted mobulid 53 fishery, suggest that programs focused on education, training and infrastructure 54 development to enable shifts to sustainable livelihood alternatives are likely to offer the 55 most successful path to long-term conservation and management of manta and devil rays, 56 while simultaneously yielding economic and social benefits to fishing communities. 57 58 There has been growing international concern in recent years regarding the 61 sustainability of manta and devil ray (collectively mobulids) fisheries as demand for 62 mobulid products has increased in international markets (Heinrichs et al., 2011; Couturier 63 et al., 2012). Most large elasmobranchs are recognized for their conservative life history 64 strategies; slow growth, late sexual maturation, long life spans, long gestation periods, low 65 reproductive rates and low natural mortality, factors that make them highly vulnerable to 66

Salah satu daya tarik wisata terbesar di Taman Nasional Baluran adalah kawasan pantainya, termasuk Pantai Bama dan Kajang. Kedua pantai ini memiliki area padang lamun yang cukup luas dan diperkirakan akan terdampak oleh kegiatan wisata. Tujuan dilakukannya penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui keanekaragaman dan kelimpahan crustacea yang berada di Pantai Baman sebagai pantai yang ramai pengunjungn dan pantai Kajang sebagai pantai yang sepi pengunjung. Variabel pengamatan adalah kelimpahan dan keanekaragaman crustacea pada ara padang lamun yang diamati dengan menggunakan metode belt transect yang dimodifikasi dengan enam kali replikasi, data tersebut kemudian dianalisis dengan analisi statistik menggunakan Uji-T dua sampel bebas. Hasil yang didapat dari penelitian ini, crustacea di kedua lokasi didominansi oleh anggota famili Diogenidae (hermit crab). Kelimpahan total crustacea di Pantai Bama (rata-rata 51.8 individu/150m 2) secara signifikan lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan Pantai Kajang (rata-rata 18.8 individu/150m 2) dan tidak terdapat perbedaan kekayaan jenis antara kedua lokasi tersebut. Nilai rata-rata indeks diversitas Shnnaon-Wiener (H') komunitas crustacea di Pantai Bama berkisar antara 1,03-1,30 sedangkan di Pantai Kajang antara 0,24-1,36. Kata Kunci-kekayaan jenis, kelimpahan, keanekaragaman, komunitas crustacea, padang lamun, Pantai Bama dan Kajang.

Coral reefs are subjected globally to a variety of natural and anthropogenic stressors that often act synergistically. Today, reversing ongoing and future coral reef degradation presents significant challenges and countering this negative trend will take considerable efforts and investments. Scientific knowledge can inform and guide the requisite decision-making process and offer practical solutions to the problem of protection as the effects of climate change exacerbate. However, implementation of solutions presently lags far behind the pace required to reverse global declines, and there is a need for an urgent and significant step-up in the extent and range of strategies being implemented. In this paper, we consider scientific frontiers in natural and social science research that can help build stronger support for reef management and improve the efficacy of interventions. We cover various areas including: (1) enhancing the case for reef conservation and management, (2) dealing with local stressors on reefs, (3) addressing global climate change impacts, (4) and reviewing various approaches to the governance of coral reefs. In sum, we consider scientific frontiers in natural and social science that will require further attention in coming years as managers work toward building stronger support for reef management and improve the efficacy of local interventions.

Introduction: Identifying critical habitats for vulnerable elasmobranch species is crucial for effective conservation measures. The Munk’s devil ray (Mobula munkiana) is endemic to the Eastern Pacific, but yet little is known about its biology, ecology, and habitat use. As filter feeders, it is assumed that this species concentrates at high-productive upwelling regions, such as the Costa Rican Dome. Like many elasmobranchs, its populations are highly depleted and require urgent information to inform better conservation measures. Objective: The study was conducted to gain information on a unique behavior observed in juvenile M. munkiana, so further information can be provided on early life stages of this vulnerable species. Methods: From June to September 2017 and in August 2018, the feeding behavior of juvenile Mobula munkiana was observed in two shallow bays located at Punta Descartes, North Pacific Costa Rica. Individuals were captured using a non-lethal method to obtain data on s...

Of the 13 known species of water shrews in the world, two water shrews are known from India, the Elegant Water Shrew Nectogale elegans and Himalayan Water Shrew Chimmarogale himalayica.  Of these, the Elegant Water Shrew was earlier reported only from streams of north Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, India.  During the period 2014–2016, the Elegant Water Shrews were sighted at three different locations in Uttarakhand State in the western Himalayan region.  The present records are evidence for the broader range of distribution of Nectogale elegans in India indicating that the species is more widely distributed than previously thought.  We present the details of sightings, habitats and behavior of shrews that were recorded during our study on impact of climate change on the aquatic ecosystem of the Himalaya.

Mesophotic reefs (30–150 m) occur in the tropics and subtropics at depths beyond most scientific diving, thereby making conventional surveys challenging. Towed cameras, submersibles, and mixed-gas divers were used to survey the mesophotic reef fish assemblages and benthic substrates of the Au‘au Channel, between the Hawaiian Islands of Maui and Lāna‘i. Non-parametric multivariate analysis: Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS), Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), Multi-Response Permutation Procedure (MRPP), and Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) were used to determine the association of mesophotic reef fish species with benthic substrates and depth. Between 53 and 115-m depths, 82 species and 10 genera of fish were observed together with 10 types of benthic substrate. Eight species of fish (Apolemichthys arcuatus, Centropyge potteri, Chaetodon kleinii, Chromis leucura, Chromis verater, Forcipiger sp., Naso hexacanthus, and Parupeneus multifasciatus) were positively associated wi...

Saya bersyukur Alhamdulillah kerana dengan rahmat Allah saya dapat menghabiskan tesis Sarjana ini dengan selamat. Syukur dipanjatkan sekali lagi ke hadrat illahi kerana memberi kekuatan kepada saya untuk menghadapi banyak aral dan rintangan untuk menjalankan kajian ini. Saya ingin merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan terutamanya kepada suami saya, Muhammad Ameen B Abdul Halim, anak saya, Mujahid Naufal B Muhd Ameen, kepada kedua ibu bapa saya, Abdul Rahim B Yahaya dan Roziah Bt Ahmad, mertua saya Abdul Halim B Abdul Aziz dan Latifah Bt Yusoff dan adik beradik saya atas sokongan dan dorongan dalam bentuk material dan kasih sayang yang tidak berbelah bahagi. Walaupun beberapa kali rebah namun saya teruskan jua kerana titipan semangat daripada kalian. Terima kasih. Jutaan terima kasih ditujukan kepada penyelia saya, Prof Dr Ibrahim Hj Jaafar yang tanpa beliau saya tidak mengenal bidang herpetologi yang merupakan khazanah negara serta wajar didalami oleh semua lapisan masyarakat ini. Beliau banyak memberi dorongan moral, tunjuk ajar serta bimbingan dalam menjalankan kajian yang menarik ini.

During plant exploration of Andaman and Nicobar in 2014, we were collected some interesting grass specimens from Kamorta Islands of Nicobar. After critical study and taxonomic analysis the unidentified grass species has identified as an Aira caryophyllea L.  Perusals of relevant literature were revealed that, the genus Aira L. has so far not reported from Andaman and Nicobar islands. Hence, it is reported in present communication for new record to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

Kajian ke atas ciri fiziko-kimia pasir dari dataran banjir Sg. Langat telah dilakukan. Sebanyak tiga stesen persampelan (S1, S2 dan S3) telah dipilih untuk mengambil sampel tanah yang diuji. Ciri fiziko-kimia yang ditentukan adalah pH, kekonduksian elektrik, kandungan ...

Clarias macrocephalus has been extirpated in most regions in the Philippines and as a preliminary study towards its reintroduction, we aimed at enhancing the growth and reproductive performance of the broodstock. Several studies have identified thiamine deficiency as a factor in the extirpation of some important fish species in the wild. The present study aimed to determine the effects of elevated dietary carbohydrates and benfotiamine, a more bioavailable analog of thiamine (vitamin B1). Three diets were used, namely, a commercial diet specific for catfish was used as the control diet (Com), a high carbohydrate (HC) diet, and a benfotiamine-supplemented HC diet (HCB). Results show that survival of the subadult catfish in captivity for 10 weeks was remarkably high, exhibiting an average of 99% for all three treatments (P&gt;0.05). HCB diet resulted in significantly higher final average body weight (FABW), weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and significantly best food conv...