“…There are only a few studies documenting the aquatic diversity within this region (Mansor et al 2012a(Mansor et al , 2012bJamaluddin et al 2019). At least 81 species of fish inhabiting the Merbok river estuary (representing 36 families) were listed by Mansor et al (2012b).…”
Sungai Merbok Mangrove Forest Reserve, encompassing the Merbok river estuary, was established as a permanent forest reserve in 1951 and is the second-largest intact mangrove forest patch in Peninsular Malaysia. Despite its importance, few studies have been conducted to assess its aquatic biodiversity. In this study, we surveyed the fish diversity of the Merbok river estuary, and its adjacent marine waters. We recorded 138 fish species belonging to two classes, 18 orders, 47 families, and 94 genera. The richest order is Perciformes, with 32 recorded species, represents 23% of the alpha diversity, followed by Carangiformes with 21 recorded species or 14% of the diversity. Low taxonomic diversity overlaps with previous inventories and indicates that the inventory is still incomplete. All specimens examined are catalogued and deposited in a local museum collection. The fish checklist presented here represents a step forward in the conservation of fish diversity in the Merbok river estuary.
“…There are only a few studies documenting the aquatic diversity within this region (Mansor et al 2012a(Mansor et al , 2012bJamaluddin et al 2019). At least 81 species of fish inhabiting the Merbok river estuary (representing 36 families) were listed by Mansor et al (2012b).…”
Sungai Merbok Mangrove Forest Reserve, encompassing the Merbok river estuary, was established as a permanent forest reserve in 1951 and is the second-largest intact mangrove forest patch in Peninsular Malaysia. Despite its importance, few studies have been conducted to assess its aquatic biodiversity. In this study, we surveyed the fish diversity of the Merbok river estuary, and its adjacent marine waters. We recorded 138 fish species belonging to two classes, 18 orders, 47 families, and 94 genera. The richest order is Perciformes, with 32 recorded species, represents 23% of the alpha diversity, followed by Carangiformes with 21 recorded species or 14% of the diversity. Low taxonomic diversity overlaps with previous inventories and indicates that the inventory is still incomplete. All specimens examined are catalogued and deposited in a local museum collection. The fish checklist presented here represents a step forward in the conservation of fish diversity in the Merbok river estuary.
“…The Merbok Estuary and its surroundings constitute a dynamic and productive ecosystem, which supports the World’s highest mangrove species diversity per unit area within a contiguous habitat, with 39 of the estimated 70 true mangroves species described globally 10 . This area also represents important resource grounds for local populations 11 , 12 . Figure 1 Sampling localities across the study area, which covers the Merbok Estuary (Merbok River) and Muda River.…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Due to its biological, ecological, and socio-economic importance, the Merbok Estuary has been the focus of research during the last two decades, including some biodiversity inventories (trees and gastropods 13 ; shrimps 11 ; fishes 12 , 14 ; mangrove trees 10 ). The latest ichthyological survey has inventoried 138 fish species from 47 families in the estuary and adjacent marine environment, revealing a rich fish fauna 15 .…”
The Merbok Estuary comprises one of the largest remaining mangrove forests in Peninsular Malaysia. Its value is significant as it provides important services to local and global communities. It also offers a unique opportunity to study the structure and functioning of mangrove ecosystems. However, its biodiversity is still partially inventoried, limiting its research value. A recent checklist based on morphological examination, reported 138 fish species residing, frequenting or subject to entering the Merbok Estuary. In this work, we reassessed the fish diversity of the Merbok Estuary by DNA barcoding 350 specimens assignable to 134 species initially identified based on morphology. Our results consistently revealed the presence of 139 Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs). 123 of them are congruent with morphology-based species delimitation (one species = one MOTU). In two cases, two morphological species share the same MOTU (two species = one MOTU), while we unveiled cryptic diversity (i.e. COI-based genetic variability > 2%) within seven other species (one species = two MOTUs), calling for further taxonomic investigations. This study provides a comprehensive core-list of fish taxa in Merbok Estuary, demonstrating the advantages of combining morphological and molecular evidence to describe diverse but still poorly studied tropical fish communities. It also delivers a large DNA reference collection for brackish fishes occurring in this region which will facilitate further biodiversity-oriented research studies and management activities.
“…The Merbok Estuary and its surroundings are a dynamic and productive ecosystem that supports the world's highest mangrove species diversity per unit area within a contiguous habitat, with 39 of the estimated 70 true mangroves species described globally 10 . This area also represents important resource grounds for local populations 11,12 .…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Due to its biological, ecological, and socio-economic importance, the Merbok Estuary has been the focus of research in the 21 st century, including some biodiversity inventories (trees and gastropods ; shrimps 11 ; shes 12,14 ; mangrove trees 10 ). The latest ichthyological survey has inventoried up to 138 sh species (from 47 families) in the estuary, demonstrating a rich sh fauna 15 .…”
The Merbok Estuary comprises one of the largest remaining mangrove forests in Peninsular Malaysia. Its value is significant as it provides both direct and indirect services to local and global communities. It also offers a unique opportunity to study the structure and functioning of mangrove ecosystems. However, its biodiversity is still partially described, limiting its research value. Recent inventories based on morphological examination, documented 138 fish species residing, frequenting or subject to entering the Merbok Estuary. Using a molecular approach, we assessed the fish diversity of the Merbok Estuary and its adjacent waters in DNA barcoding 350 specimens assignable to 135 species initially identified based on morphology. Our results revealed the presence of 140 MOTUs, 130 of them are congruent with morphology-based species delimitation. In two cases, barcodes did not permit to differentiate between two morphotypes while they unveiled cryptic diversity within six other species, calling for further taxonomic investigations. This study provides a comprehensive core-list of fish taxa in Merbok Estuary, demonstrating the advantages of combining morphological and molecular evidence to describe diverse but still poorly studied tropical fish communities. It also delivers a large DNA reference collection for brackish fishes occurring in this region which will facilitate further biodiversity-oriented research studies and management activities.
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