Setiu Wetlands Research Articles

Butterfly diversity and composition at Chemerong Amenity Forest, Terengganu, Malaysia

A study of butterfly species diversity was conducted in Chemerong Amenity Forest, Terengganu, Malaysia. A total of 939 individuals from 198 butterfly species were obtained using fruit-baited sweep nets and modified VanSomeren-Rydon cylinder traps. The biodiversity of butterflies in the study area was considered high, with a Shannon index (H’) of 4.1, Simpson’s index (DSimpson) of 0.042, and Margalef index (IMargalef) of 28.78. Individuals within the community were not evenly distributed among the species (EShannon= 0776). Nymphalidae was found to be the most dominant family (48.5%), and Lexias dirtea merguia was the most abundant species recorded with 114 individuals (12%). From the total of eight species protected under Malaysia legislation, one species Trogonoptera brookiana was also listed under CITES Appendix II, while only one protected species Agatasa calydonia calydonia of the family Nymphalidae (the brush-footed or four-footed) was considered rare. Other rare species found in this study included Arhopala lucida, Curetis saronis sumatrana, Miletus nymphis fictus of the family Lycaenidae (the blues, coppers, & hairstreaks), Amathusia perakana perakana, Bassarona teuta goodrichi, Elymnias saueri saueri, Elymnias nesaea, Mycalesis horsfieldi hermana, Mycalesis distanti, Ypthima pandocus tahanensis of the family Nymphalidae (the brush-footed or four-footed), Celaenorrhinus ladana, Erionota sybirita, Matapa aria, Matapa cresta, Matapa druna, Pseudokerana fulger, Taractrocera ardonia, Taractrocera luzonensis, Telicota linna, and Unkana mytheca mytheca of the family Hesperiidae (the skippers). The dominance of family Nymphalidae may be due to several factors, including high species diversity, widespread distribution and occurrence, as well as the type of bait used in this study. Besides the Genting Highlands and Taman Negara Johor Endau Rompin, butterfly species at Chemerong Amenity Forest are more diverse than other study sites in Malaysia such as Gunung Serambu, Ulu Gombak Forest Reserve, Setiu Wetlands, Kuala Lompat, Bukit Hampuan Forest Reserve, Sungai Imbak Forest Reserve, Tabin Wildlife Reserve, and Ulu Senagang Substation. Further investigation of aspects such as stratification distribution patterns, host plants and forest dwelling species are recommended for better understanding of butterfly communities in the Chemerong Amenity Forest.

Effect of different salinity on the growth performance and proximate composition of isolated indigenous microalgae species

The suitable culture condition for specific microalgae species is vitally important for their optimal growth and biochemical production. Therefore, this study emphasized on the isolation and screening of indigenous microalgae species with high growth performance from Setiu wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia. Successfully isolated microalgae were identified based on morphological and molecular approaches using 18S rDNA technique. Microalgae were screened to identify their species with high growth performance based on optical density and Nile red fluorescence dye. Further, the effect of different salinity towards the growth performance of isolated microalgae and proximate composition including protein, lipid, and carbohydrate were identified. Out of nine microalgae strain, three species of indigenous microalgae were successfully isolated and identified known as Chlorella vulgaris, Tetraselmis chuii, and Isochrysis galbana during 16 days of culture period. The highest optical density was found in C. vulgaris, T. chuii, and I. galbana with 1.228 ± 0.039 a.u, 0.758 ± 0.024 a.u and 0.853 ± 0.048 a.u, respectively. Chlorella vulgaris, T. chuii, and I. galbana were also showed the highest specific growth rate with 0.548 μmax/day, 0.686 μmax/day and 0.478 μmax/day, respectively. Using Nile red fluorescent dye screening, C. vulgaris, T. chuii and I. galbana also showed the highest fluorescence intensity of lipid, carotenoid and chlorophyll a content. Based on these criteria, C. vulgaris, T. chuii and I. galbana were selected for further determination on the effect of salinity towards the growth and proximate composition of the selected microalgae. The optimum salinity level of culture medium for T. chuii was 40 ppt with the highest cell density (6.215 × 106 cells/mL; Day 6), protein content (40.47 ± 0.51% of dry weight) and carbohydrate content (42.57 ± 0.83% of dry weight). For I. galbana, 24 ppt was found to be the best culture medium in term of the highest cell density (20.58 × 106 cells/mL; Day 7), and carbohydrate content (29.28 ± 0.47% of dry weight), while lipid content was highest at 40 ppt (15.68 ± 0.58% of dry weight). For C. vulgaris, 10 ppt was the best culture medium in term of the highest cell density (31.17 × 106 cells/mL) and lipid content (13.12 ± 1.12% of dry weight), while carbohydrate and protein content were highest at 0 ppt with 44.53 ± 0.56% and 40.16 ± 2.22% of dry weight, respectively. Overall, the variation of salinity had affected the growth and biochemical compositions of C. vulgaris, T. chuii and I. galbana. Therefore, this study is important for the cultivation of C. vulgaris, T. chuii and I. galbana of different specific target by manipulating the salinity variation of culture medium that can be used as a feed in aquaculture industry.

Estimation of aboveground biomass using allometric relationship between DBH and height for mixed mangrove forest in Setiu Wetland, Terengganu, Malaysia

A study was conducted to determine aboveground biomass in a mixed mangrove forest in Setiu Wetland, Terengganu, Malaysia. A total of 22 plots were established, diameter breast height (DBH) and height of each of the trees were measured and recorded. A total of three species from Rhizophoraceae and eight species from the non-Rhizophoraceae family were recorded. The highest no. of species for Rhizophoraceae is Bruguiera cylindrica with 189 individuals, meanwhile for non-Rhizophoraceae is Heritiera littoralis with 36 individuals. Linear regression between DBH to height had been done for stem allometry analysis for each species with Avicennia lanata shows good fit (r2 = 0.906). The total aboveground biomass was 5 202.23 kg ha−1. A. lanata recorded the highest (983.78 kg ha−1) total aboveground biomass because of various ranges of DBH and height. Linear regression also had been done between aboveground biomass to DBH and height. Rhizophora apiculata (Rhizophoraceae) and Excoecaria agallocha (non-Rhizophoraceae) show the highest value of regression between aboveground biomass to DBH which are r2 = 0.925 and r2 = 0.948 while B. gymnorrhiza (Rhizophoraceae) and Xylocarpus granatum (non-Rhizophoraceae) show the highest value of regression between aboveground biomass to height with r2 = 0.806 and r2 = 0.839. Overall, non-Rhizophoraceae have higher aboveground biomass as compared to Rhizophoraceae.

MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY’S AWARENESS OF ECOSYSTEMS IN SETIU WETLAND

Many wetlands have experienced rapid degradation that is due to unstainable development practices globally. Oftentimes, uncoordinated economic development plans in wetlands and surrounding areas have affected the ecological functions of these sensitive ecosystems. This study examined Setiu Wetland, a wetland with diverse ecosystems on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The main objective of this study was to analyse the potential of marine spatial planning (MSP) to be adopted there. MSP is an integrated coastal zone management tool to govern conflicting uses of an area considering environmental sustainably. Like other coastal zone managements adopted in Southeast Asia, MSP requires participation and awareness of the local community to ensure sustainable development targets are achieved. This paper addresses the local community’s awareness of the ecosystem importance of Setiu Wetland and the socio-economic activities in the area. The study employed a quantitative approach using a survey method to examine, in particular, the local community’s awareness of the oyster habitat that has a direct impact on the Setiu Wetland ecosystems. The research findings indicate that awareness of the importance of oyster habitats to the wetland ecosystems is high among the local community. The community strongly supports the idea of protecting and preserving the wetland to ensure the healthy functioning of ecosystems.

Ingestion of microplastics by the estuarine polychaete, Namalycastis sp. in the Setiu Wetlands, Malaysia

In this study, the ingestion of microplastics by the deposit-feeding polychaete Namalycastis sp. in the estuarine area of the Setiu Wetlands, Malaysia was confirmed. Samples were collected from six stations, covering the wetland from the south to the north, bimonthly between November 2016 and November 2017. Microplastics were extracted from polychaete samples following digestion in an alkaline solution (10 M NaOH). They were identified by physical characteristics (i.e., shape and color under dissecting microscope and scanning electron microscope), and chemical analysis using a LUMOS Fourier Transform Infrared Microscope (μ-FTIR). A total of 3277 pieces were identified, which were dominated by filaments (99.79%) and with the majority transparent in color (84.71%). Most of the microplastics identified were polypropylene (PP) followed by polyamide (PA) based on their main peak in the of μ-FTIR spectrum. Principal component analysis demonstrated the dominance of microplastics at stations 3 and 4 of the sampling area, probably because of the influx from the open sea and from aquaculture. The findings of this research provide baseline information on microplastics ingested by benthic organisms and their fate in the estuarine food web.

Effectiveness of a conservation education program among school students on the importance of mangrove ecosystems in Setiu Wetlands, Malaysia

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a conservation education program in raising awareness among school students about the importance of mangrove ecosystems in Setiu Wetlands. About seventy-four upper secondary students were involved in a survey that was conducted with an educational workshop. The workshop focused on the benefits, threats, conservation, and importance ofmangrove ecosystem services, such as regulating, provisioning, supporting, and cultural services. The respondents were found to be unfamiliar with the benefits offered by cultural services, while regulation, provision, and support services were found to be significant.

Spatiotemporal microplastic occurrence study of Setiu Wetland, South China Sea

This study reports the distribution of microplastics (MPs) in surface water and estuarine sediments in South and North Setiu Wetland in the South China Sea. Sampling was conducted bimonthly for one year from November 2016 to November 2017, including the northeast and southwest monsoons. Water surface and sediment samples were collected from six different sampling stations (STs). Samples were sorted based on physical analysis (optical observation) and selected particles were further analyzed by chemical characterizations. The findings of this study indicate that a total of 0.36 items/L and 5.97 items/g particles of MPs were found from characterizations surface water and dry sediment, respectively. Among the selected stations included in this research, ST3 (1.375 ± 0.347 items/L) and ST2 (14.250 ± 4.343 items/g) were individually identified as high potential MP sinking areas, exacerbated during the northeast and southwest monsoons. Transparent, film, and filament MP types were consistently found across all stations. Microplastic filaments revealed a functional group of polypropylenes based on the main peak spectrum at 2893–2955 cm−1 (CH alkyl stretching), 1458 cm−1 (CH2 bending), and 1381 cm−1 (CH3 bending). Microplastic materials were thermally decomposed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Pyr–GC/MS) and identified as cyclohexane and cyclohexene derivatives, as well as precursors of polymer blends. The distribution of MPs in both matrices varied according to different seasons. These findings provide useful baseline information on the distribution of MPs from the estuarine area in Malaysia and South China Sea waters.

Production Performance of Moina macrocopa (Straus 1820) (Crustacea, Cladocera) Cultured in Different Salinities: The Effect on Growth, Survival, Reproduction, and Fatty Acid Composition of the Neonates

Salinity is a known factor in shaping population dynamics and community structure through direct and indirect effects on aquatic ecosystems. Salinity changes further influence food webs through competition and predation. The responses of Moina macrocopa (Cladocera) collected from Setiu Wetland lagoon (Terengganu) was evaluated through manipulative laboratory experiments to understand the ability of M. macrocopa to tolerate high salinity stress. Specifically, the fatty acid composition, growth, survival, and reproduction of this cladocerans species was examined. Sodium chloride (NaCl) as used in the treatments water with the concentration 0, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 15 salinity. Fatty acid levels were determined using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS). The results indicated that optimal conditions produced the highest fatty acid content, especially the polyunsaturated fatty acid content, such as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), ALA (alpha-linoleic acid), ARA (arachidonic acid), and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Furthermore, M. macrocopa survival was best at salinity 0, with a percentage of 98%, whereas the opposite occurred at salinity 15, with approximately 20% of viable animals surviving. Besides, M. macrocopa also showed the highest reproduction rate at salinity 0 (e.g., average initial age of reproduction, 4.33 ± 0.58 days) compared with other salinities level. Interestingly, the difference in growth at different salinities was not evident, an unusual finding when considering adverse effects such as osmoregulation pressure on the organism. Based on the results, we conclude that M. macrocopa can only tolerate salinity below salinity 8 and cannot withstand stressful environmental conditions associated with salinities above 8.

Pollutant transport and residence time of a shallow and narrow coastal lagoon estimated using a numerical model

Setiu Wetland is rapidly developing into an aquaculture and agriculture hub, causing concern about its water quality condition. To address this issue, it is imperative to acquire knowledge of the spatial and temporal distributions of pollutants. Consequently, this study applied combinations of hydrodynamic and particle tracking models to identify the transport behaviour of pollutants and calculate the residence time in Setiu Lagoon. The particle tracking results indicated that the residence time in Setiu Lagoon was highly influenced by the release location, where particles released closer to the river mouth exhibited shorter residence times than those released further upstream. Despite this fact, the pulse of river discharges successfully reduced the residence time in the order of two to twelve times shorter. Under different tidal phases, the residence time during the neap tide was longer regardless of heavy rainfalls, implying the domination of tidal flow in the water renewal within the lagoon.

PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN RELATION TO FISH ASSEMBLAGES IN THE EAST COAST OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

The fish assemblage patterns are partially dependent on the environmental or anthropogenic changes which always affect the community. The objective of this study was to determine the spatial and temporal distribution pattern of fish assemblages due to physical-chemical in Setiu Wetlands. Fish samples were collected from June 2011 to July 2012 at three study sites using gill, trawl nets, and traps. The salinity and pH results were significantly different among sites and the temperature, pH, and DO revealed significant differences among months. However, the regression obtained between the abundance of fishes and rainfall and the physical-chemical parameters were not-significant differences. The low and negative correlation values were suggested and believed to not be sensitive between fish abundance and physical-chemical parameters. Four water physical- chemical variables in explaining variation in certain some fish species composition and abundance during the rainy and dry season in Setiu Wetlands. Our study revealed that the anthropogenic activities might be giving an impact on the wetlands related to the mean value of the physical-chemical characteristic. More extensive research is needed for over longer periods whereas long term research for five to ten years data to better understand for fish assemblages in Setiu Wetland.

PEA CRAB DISTRIBUTION AND ITS MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS STUDIED IN BIVALVES FROM SETIU WETLANDS, TERENGGANU

Pea crab is a small crustacean known as kleptoparasite and belongs to the family Pinnotheridae, inhabit bivalves, gastropods, and other species. Nonetheless, pea crab is one of the unfamiliar species to the Malaysia citizen and the information is limited. This study aimed to determine the distribution of pea crab from four bivalves species (mud clam, oyster, hard clam and cockle) in Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu. Sampling was conducted twice, in October 2018 and February 2019, in which mud clam, oyster, cockle and hard clam were collected. In this study, the distribution of pea crab was observed by collecting randomly fifty samples of each bivalve at four sites and checked for any presence of pea crab. The size shell length of mud clams measured was 40 to 75 mm, oysters were 30 to 80 mm, marine clams and cockles were 20 to 40 mm. Pea crab presence was analysed and identified for the genus identification based on the microscopic and macroscopic methods. The result showed that, pea crab only present in the mud clam but none in other bivalves. Fifteen pea crabs were isolated from the first sampling (mean=0.3) with 11 females, whilst 13 pea crabs from the second sampling (mean=0.26) with 10 females- identified. The size of the pea crab measured was between 10 mm to 15 mm and belongs to the genus of Arcotheres sp. However, there were other none pea crab species were found in the oyster. On the other hand, the correlation between the carapace width of pea crab and mud clam shell length were analysed using linear regression (r²=0.0699, p=0.341) from first sampling, while (r²=0.2885, p=0.058) from second sampling. The size range of mud clams without pea crab was 35 to 60 mm shell length.

Targeted Isolation of Anti-Trypanosomal Naphthofuran-Quinone Compounds from the Mangrove Plant Avicennia lanata.

The discovery of new secondary metabolites from natural origins has become more challenging in natural products research. Different approaches have been applied to target the isolation of new bioactive metabolites from plant extracts. In this study, bioactive natural products were isolated from the crude organic extract of the mangrove plant Avicennia lanata collected from the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia in the Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu, using HRESI-LCMS-based metabolomics-guided isolation and fractionation. Isolation work on the crude extract A. lanata used high-throughput chromatographic techniques to give two new naphthofuranquinone derivatives, hydroxyavicenol C (1) and glycosemiquinone (2), along with the known compounds avicenol C (3), avicequinone C (4), glycoquinone (5), taraxerone (6), taraxerol (7), β-sitosterol (8) and stigmasterol (9). The elucidation and identification of the targeted bioactive compounds used 1D and 2D-NMR and mass spectrometry. Except for 6–9, all isolated naphthoquinone compounds (1–5) from the mangrove plant A. lanata showed significant anti-trypanosomal activity on Trypanosoma brucei brucei with MIC values of 3.12–12.5 μM. Preliminary cytotoxicity screening against normal prostate cells (PNT2A) was also performed. All compounds exhibited low cytotoxicity, with compounds 3 and 4 showing moderate cytotoxicity of 78.3% and 68.6% of the control values at 100 μg/mL, respectively.

Seasonal variation of total mercury transfer through a tropical mangrove food web, Setiu Wetlands

Seasonal variations in total mercury concentrations [Hg] and trophic transfer through the food web were assessed using stable isotopic tracers for the Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu. The [Hg] measured in surface sediments and biota varied inversely between wet and dry seasons. Increased rainfall and water disturbance during the wet season are suggested as the main factors releasing Hg from surface sediments and enhancing the bioavailability of Hg to biota. The elevated Hg levels associated with the leaf stage suggested that litterfall and atmospheric deposition may be the main Hg inputs into mangrove food webs. The positive relationships between log [Hg] and δ15N provided evidence for Hg biomagnification, however low trophic magnification slopes in both seasons indicated that the ecological risk of Hg in the wetland would be negligible. The [Hg] in fish and commercial crabs were below the permitted limits for human consumption.

Environmental Awareness: Do People Really Concern about the Setiu Wetlands in Terengganu, Malaysia?

Wetlands provide environmental and social values: habitats for many plants and animals, including threatened and endangered species; flood storage and storm-water regulation; groundwater recharge; water pollution filtration and sediment trapping; and soil protection from erosion. In the past two decades, managing and raising the general level of environmental awareness on all levels of society has become one of the main social goals that has reached a level of social and political consensus unseen ever before. Considering that only things that can be measured can actually be managed, the measuring of environmental awareness based on scientific criteria is becoming increasingly interesting to scientists working in different disciplines. The purpose of this research are, first, to identify the environmental awareness level toward Setiu Wetlands in Terengganu and second, to examine the relationship of wetland background and wetland issues towards environmental awareness among public people on Setiu Wetlands in Terengganu. Factor analysis were employ to elicit the main contributing factors and the result indicated a high level of awareness toward Setiu Wetland in the scope of knowledge wetland background, wetland issues and environmental attitude. Setiu Wetlands should have comprehensive policies to manage and conserve while the values of wetlands can give beneficial to the communities. How ever, the level of environmental awareness among public on Setiu Wetlands in terengganu should be measure to ensure either the policy maker, properly conserve and manage Setiu Wetlands in good manner.

A checklist of vascular plants and uses of some species for livelihood-making in Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia

The Setiu Wetlands, a unique area with nine interconnected habitats, comprises a considerable fraction of the total Peninsular Malaysia’s wetland flora. Although botanical collecting in the area has been active in the past 10 years, only a few studies dealing with the wetland flora have been published. Thus, a detailed checklist of this area is urgently needed to ensure the continuity of its inter-relating flora and fauna, as well as the livelihood of the local people. In this work we conducted a survey of the vascular plant flora of Setiu Wetlands and investigated the most important plants used by the local communities. Our checklist accounts for 406 taxa from 277 genera and 106 families, including 24 (6%) species of ferns and lycophytes, three gymnosperms, 257 (64%) dicotyledons and 122 (30%) monocotyledons. This comprehensive plant checklist will be a primary reference for the management of the newly gazetted Setiu Wetlands State Park covering more than 400 hectares of lands and water bodies.

Variations in physico-chemical parameters and Chl-a concentration in Setiu Wetlands lagoon during the northeast and inter-monsoon seasons 2018

This study presents the seasonal changes of physico-chemical parameters and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration in Setiu Wetlands lagoon during the NEM (February 2018) and inter-monsoon (April 2018) seasons. The Chl-a and physico-chemical parameters of water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and salinity were investigated for both surface and bottom waters at 3 sampling sites that are located in the upstream and downstream of the lagoon. The was a strong seasonal signal and spatial gradient in physico-chemical parameters within the Setiu lagoon. In February, when the strong northeast monsoon (NEM) prevailed, the surface and bottom waters of the lagoon were dominated by high pH and low water temperature, DO and salinity. As the weaker inter-monsoon dominated in April, the study area was characterized by low pH and high water temperature, DO and salinity. While the seasonal variation in physico-chemical properties of Setiu lagoon is well described, Chl-a concentrations varied between seasons and sampling locations. Chl-a showed an increased or only a slight change in the downstream stations but recorded a significant decreased in concentrations in the upstream station from the NEM to inter-monsoon season. Analysis of seasonal relationships clearly indicated the interchangeable negative and positive correlations of Chl, DO and salinity. These results suggest the influence of other environmental factors of the lagoon (e.g., nutrient enrichment, tidal and freshwater influx) that vary with seasons which require more detailed investigation.

Genetic Diversity of the Pearse’s Mudskipper Periophthalmus novemradiatus (Perciformes: Gobiidae) and Characterization of its Complete Mitochondrial Genome

Present study provides a first characterization of the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome of the Pearse’s mudskipper Periophthalmus novemradiatus and describes its population genetics based on mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (co1) gene. The whole mitogenome of P. novemradiatus is the fourth representative for its genus that consists of 23 formally described species to date. Eighty samples from six localities in Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia were sequenced at partial co1 gene region and analyzed, revealing an overall moderate haplotype diversity (h = 0.613) and low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.20%). Moreover, both the neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analyses of co1 suggest that the mudskipper populations might experience a genetic bottleneck or founder event followed by rapid expansion and accumulation of mutations dating approximately 46,251 years ago. Hap01 was the most dominant (61.13%) haplotype that present at all sampling locations, while five haplotypes were respectively observed in two to four locations, and nine haplotypes were singleton. This supports the close relationship of P. novemradiatus in Setiu Wetlands, as also corroborated in the population pairwise FST and genetic distance analyses. Interestingly, genetic propinquity with P. novemradiatus at Java and Bali, Indonesia (the only available sequences in GenBank) was also apparent, suggesting a common source of origin or long range dispersal ability of its planktonic larvae (> 1600 km). The lack of phylogeographic structure suggests there is no evidence of a barrier to gene flow between the South China Sea and Java/ Bali Sea and such pattern is most likely driven by ecological and environmental factor. Preservation of all the P. novemradiatus habitats in Setiu Wetlands is highly recommended because they each possess unique haplotypes present only at the respective location.

E-Business Innovation Model of Setiu Wetland Resources for Women Entrepreneurship Program

Setiu Wetland (SW) is located in Terengganu, Malaysia where it is enriched with vast variety of natural resources. Most SW rural women are doing small medium business with own special skills to help family in their living. They do have skills in utilizing SW resources but lack in proper marketing strategy for their business growth. The paper presents the results of Niche Research Grant Scheme (NRGS) project of UMT for improving the livelihood of Setiu Wetland (SW) rural women entrepreneurship skills through an e-business social innovation model. This project undertakes selected women respondents in giving assistance through the use of social media networking application in marketing of their local products, thus improving their financial stability. The results on income projection in pre and post implementation of the e-business model among SW women shows a significant improvement to their financial growth. It proves that the model has achieved the objective of improving the livelihood of Setiu Wetland (SW) women entrepreneurship program.

Henneguya (Cnidaria: Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) infections of cultured barramundi, Lates calcarifer (Perciformes: Latidae) in an estuarine wetlands system of Malaysia: description of Henneguya setiuensis n. sp., Henneguya voronini n. sp. and Henneguya calcarifer n. sp.

Examination of 35 barramundi (Lates calcarifer) from aquaculture cages in Setiu Wetland, Malaysia, revealed a single fish infected with three Henneguya spp. (Cnidaria: Myxosporea). Characterization of the infections using tissue tropism, myxospore morphology and morphometry and 18S rDNA sequencing supported description of three new species: Henneguya setiuensis n. sp., Henneguya voronini n. sp. and H. calcarifer n. sp. Myxospores of all three species had typical Henneguya morphology, with two polar capsules in the plane of the suture, an oval spore body, smooth valve cell surfaces, and two caudal appendages. Spores were morphometrically similar, and many dimensions overlapped, but H. voronini n. sp. had shorter caudal appendages compared with H. calcarifer n. sp. and H. setiuensis n. sp. Gross tissue tropism distinguished the muscle parasite H. calcarifer n. sp. from gill parasites H. setiuensis n. sp. and H. voronini n. sp.; and these latter two species were further separable by fine-scale location of developing plasmodia, which were intra-lamellar for H. setiuensis n. sp. and basal to the filaments for H. voronini n. sp. small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences distinguished all three species: the two gill species H. setiuensis n. sp. and H voronini n. sp. were only 88% similar (over 1708 bp), whereas the muscle species H. calcarifer n. sp. was most similar to H. voronini n. sp. (98% over 1696 bp). None of the three novel species was more than 90% similar to any known myxosporean sequence in GenBank. Low infection prevalence of these myxosporeans and lack of obvious tissue pathology from developing plasmodia suggested none of these parasites are currently a problem for barramundi culture in Setiu Wetland; however additional surveys of fish, particularly at different times of the year, would be informative for better risk assessment.

A FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE SKILL AMONG RURAL WOMEN COMMUNITIES

Purpose: A Social Networking Site (also social networking service or social media) is a platform to make people connected and share anything about them. The purpose of this research to construct a framework for the Development of Social Networking Site Skill to help women in rural areas to face the growth of ICT. This paper discusses how the proposed framework can help them to develop their skills of marketing using the SNS. This kind of effort, hopefully could empower the targeted marginalized group with the knowledge of information engineering, increase their awareness and utilization of ICT in their everyday actions.
 Methodology: The data obtained are the result of on-going projects in Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu. Community rural women in Setiu Wetlands are respondent for this study. A total of 30 people (identified as women entrepreneurs) were respondents and profile data was preliminary studies about the skills and existing ICT literacy and internet use.
 Main Findings: Based on profiling data that have been collected, a framework for the development of skills in using social media as a business medium has been developed.
 Implications/Applications: The framework developed is expected to produce successful entrepreneurs from rural women communities. The entrepreneur will be an example to other women. This effort also is expected to help rural women community can improve the living standards of their families.