The macrobenthos diversity and dominance in Johor Straits, Malaysia

Mohd Sophian Mohd Kasihmuddin, . and Zaidi Che Cob, . (2024) The macrobenthos diversity and dominance in Johor Straits, Malaysia. Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology (Malaysia), 32 (4). 1829 -1854. ISSN 2231-8526

Johor Strait has received massive anthropogenic traffic in recent years, causing environmental alteration and inevitably harming macrobenthos on the seafloor. A comprehensive assessment was done in several key locations within the strait to identify macrobenthic inhabitants and possible driving factors attributing to differences in macrobenthic assemblages in these areas. Sediments were acquired using Ponar Grab in 13 key locations within the Johor Straits. Seven hundred thirty macrobenthic individuals and 46 known taxa were identified in sediments of 13 locations in the strait. Annelids Prionospio (n=295), Minuspio (n=95) and Mediomastus (n=82) were concentrated in the central zone. Molluscs dominated the Merambong Shoals area (Arcualuta, n=66), and amphipods dominated waters off Santi River (Leucothoe, n=26; Gammarus, n=11; Cymadusa, n=9). PERMANOVA analyses (p=<0.05) showed significant differences in benthic taxa composition in all locations overall. BIOENV analyses (r=0.76, p=<0.05) highlighted water acidity, chlorophyll-a, silts and total organic carbon as the main influences toward benthic assemblages throughout the study area. PCA graph indicated higher organic carbon and silts in the central area, implying favourable conditions for Sedentarian polychaetes to thrive. The east and west ends of the strait exhibited higher readings of water acidity and chlorophyll-a, which may directly contribute to a higher diversity of benthic communities in the areas. Lower oxygen levels in two locations in the central area (J3=2.97 mg/L, J4: 2.63 mg/L) exhibited Sedentaria polychaete-dominated region, but zero benthic organisms in another part of the central area (J5-J9, 2.97–0.99 mg/L). This study showcased the effectiveness of environmental monitoring using macrobenthos as an indicating subject.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://www.pertanika.upm.edu.my/resources/files/Pe...

Abstract

Johor Strait has received massive anthropogenic traffic in recent years, causing environmental alteration and inevitably harming macrobenthos on the seafloor. A comprehensive assessment was done in several key locations within the strait to identify macrobenthic inhabitants and possible driving factors attributing to differences in macrobenthic assemblages in these areas. Sediments were acquired using Ponar Grab in 13 key locations within the Johor Straits. Seven hundred thirty macrobenthic individuals and 46 known taxa were identified in sediments of 13 locations in the strait. Annelids Prionospio (n=295), Minuspio (n=95) and Mediomastus (n=82) were concentrated in the central zone. Molluscs dominated the Merambong Shoals area (Arcualuta, n=66), and amphipods dominated waters off Santi River (Leucothoe, n=26; Gammarus, n=11; Cymadusa, n=9). PERMANOVA analyses (p=<0.05) showed significant differences in benthic taxa composition in all locations overall. BIOENV analyses (r=0.76, p=<0.05) highlighted water acidity, chlorophyll-a, silts and total organic carbon as the main influences toward benthic assemblages throughout the study area. PCA graph indicated higher organic carbon and silts in the central area, implying favourable conditions for Sedentarian polychaetes to thrive. The east and west ends of the strait exhibited higher readings of water acidity and chlorophyll-a, which may directly contribute to a higher diversity of benthic communities in the areas. Lower oxygen levels in two locations in the central area (J3=2.97 mg/L, J4: 2.63 mg/L) exhibited Sedentaria polychaete-dominated region, but zero benthic organisms in another part of the central area (J5-J9, 2.97–0.99 mg/L). This study showcased the effectiveness of environmental monitoring using macrobenthos as an indicating subject.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	macrobenthos
AGROVOC Term:	marine invertebrates
AGROVOC Term:	oxic sediments
AGROVOC Term:	marine molluscs
AGROVOC Term:	taxa
AGROVOC Term:	environmental monitoring
AGROVOC Term:	sampling
AGROVOC Term:	data analysis
AGROVOC Term:	chlorophyll a
AGROVOC Term:	organic carbon
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Biomonitoring, coastal environment, Johor Straits, macrobenthos, Malaysia-Singapore Causeway, Pengerang Integrated Complex, polychaete
Depositing User:	Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited:	23 Apr 2026 01:40
Last Modified:	23 Apr 2026 01:40
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/3028

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