Benthic epiphytic dinoflagellate assemblages in the fringing reefs of Sampadi island and Satang Besar island, Sarawak
This study presents a comprehensive examination of the taxonomy of the genus Ostreopsis. The genus Ostreopsis includes several species capable of producing various palytoxin-like compounds which have harmful effects on human and marine fauna. Species in this genus are regular members of the epiphy...
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| Format: | Final Year Project Report / IMRAD |
| Language: | English |
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Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, UNIMAS
2013
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| Online Access: | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/7474/ http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/7474/8/Benthic%20Epiphytic%20Dinoflagellate%20Assemblages%20in%20the%20Fringing%20Reefs%20of%20Sampadi%28OCR%29.pdf |
| Summary: | This study presents a comprehensive examination of the taxonomy of the genus Ostreopsis. The genus
Ostreopsis includes several species capable of producing various palytoxin-like compounds which have
harmful effects on human and marine fauna. Species in this genus are regular members of the epiphytic
community in tropical seas but their geographical range have shown an apparent expansion towards
temperate regions in recent years. In this study, clonal cultures of Ostreopsis from Sampadi and Satang Besar
Island, Sarawak were established. The morphology of the strains was described from light, epi-fluorescence
and scanning electron micrographs. Based on detailed morphological observation and morphometric
measurements, the strains were designated as two Ostreopsis species; O. cf. ovata and O. cf. lenticularis. The
benthic harmful dinoflagellate (BHAB) assemblages of Sampadi and Satang Besar Island were investigated
and compared. The results showed that all five major genera of BHAB species, viz. Amphidinium, Coolia,
Gambierdiscus, Ostreopsis and Prorocentrum were found in Sampadi Island, whilst in Satang Besar Island,
Ostreopsis spp. was dominated the site. This could be due to several environmental variables among which
light intensity, temperature, hydrodynamism, and substrate typology seem to display major roles, while links
with salinity and nutrient levels are less clear. Less research has been conducted on Ostreopsis than other
benthic dinoflagellates, but the future path of research on Ostreopsis should follow a similar trajectory; which
is the revision of the taxonomy, genotyping and physiological studies. |
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