Diversity and Abundance of Seaweed at Satang Besar Island, Sarawak

The 7th International Symposium on Kuroshio Science, Pontianak, Indonesia, 21-23

November 2013

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Diversity and Abundance of Seaweed at Satang Besar Island, Sarawak.

Farah Adibah Esa

*, Mohd. Nasarudin Harith & Ruhana Hassan

Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan,

Sarawak, Malaysia.

*E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Satang Besar Island (N 01°46.820’ E 110°09.908’) is one of the islands in Talang-

Satang National Park, Sarawak. Diversity and abundance of seaweed on the intertidal

area of Satang Besar Island were studied with aim to provide baseline data for seaweed

in Sarawak. The study was carried out in 10 stations using transect line method and

quadrate sampling techniques. Results revealed that there were 17 species of seaweeds

(9 families, 11 genera) at Satang Besar Island. Chlorophyta in Satang Besar Island was

represented by Caulerpa serrulata, Halimeda tuna, H. discoidea, H. opuntia, H.

macroloba, Avrainvillea erecta and Cladophoropsis membranaceae. Phaeophyta was

represented by Dictyota dichotoma, D. bartayresii, Padina boryana, P.tetrasomatica,

Sargassum polycystum and Colpomenia sinuosa. Rhodophyta was presented by

Acanthopora spicifera, A. muscoides, Laurencia majuscula and Amphiroa fragillisima.

Colpomenia sinuosa was the most abundance and dominant species at Satang Besar

Island followed by Padina tetrasomatica, Dictyota bartayresii and P.boryana, whereas

the least abundance was Avrainvillea erecta. Bray-Curtis similarity analysis showed that

species abundance clustered according to habitat preferences.

Keywords: Satang Besar Island, diversity, abundance, seaweed, Sarawak.

Introduction

Satang Besar Island (SBI) (N 01°46.820’ E 110°09.908’), is one of the islands

in Talang-Satang National Park located at the western part of Sarawak (Figure 1). This

island supports a diverse flora and fauna including seaweed (Fisheries Research

Institute, 1998). In addition itpossesses a small coral reef area and also known to be one

of the main nesting and grazing grounds for green turtle, Chelonia mydas and hawksbill

turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata.

Seaweeds are known as marine macroalgae (Thomas, 2002; Phang et al., 2008)

and are categorized into three groups based on pigmentation namely Chlorophyta,

mailto:[email protected]


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Rhodophyta and Phaeophyta. They play an important roles in the ecology of coral reefs

which include contributions in construction and cementation of reef framework

(Thomas, 2002), besides providing food sources and nursery grounds for marine

organism (Prathep et al., 2011). In addition, seaweeds assemblages are important for

small fishes which provide refuge from predators (Ranjitham et al., 2008). Other than

that, seaweeds contribute to the primary productions in the oceans, as well as carbon

sequestration, thus aid in the reduction of global warming (Phang et al., 2008).

The livelihood of seaweed communities in the tropical areas received less

attention compared to those in the temperate countries thus the information concerning

the diversity of these communities is still limited (Wong et al., 2012), and especially in

Sarawak (Nurridan, 2007). Recently, there is an increase interest in seaweed research as

several studies had been conducted to assess the diversity and population of seaweed in

Malaysia, for example in Similajau National Park (Zakaria et al, 2006), Port Dickson

(Uddin et al., 2006), Teluk Kemang and Teluk Pelanduk in Port Dickson (Norashikin et

al., 2012), Kuala Similajau (Wong et al., 2010) and Tanjung Batu and Kampung Kuala

Nyalau at Bintulu (Wong et al., 2012). Seaweed assemblages in SBI are least known in

terms of species diversity and abundance. Therefore, this study was designed to identify

and quantify seaweed in SBI. The findings in this study will serve as additional

information on the current status of seaweed in Sarawak coastal waters.

Materials and Methods

During low tide period, seaweeds were collected in ten selected stations within

the intertidal area of SBI (Figure 1). The locations of the sites were recorded using

Global Positioning System (GPS) GARMIN 76csx and the brief information of each

location as in Table 1. Three 100 m line transects were laid perpendicular to the shore at

every station. For every 5 m of the transect line, four 50 cm×50 cm quadrat was placed

randomly following method by Dhargalkar and Kavlekar (2004), Uddin et al. (2007)

and Wong et al. (2012).


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Figure 1: Map of Sarawak showing SBI and the ten selected stations. (Picture obtained from

Google Earth).

Table 1: Brief description of the locations and GPS coordinates

Station GPS Coordinate Location Description

1 N 01°46.820’;

E 110°09.908’

Shallow beaches with rocks and sandy

substrate. Sandy beach with intertidal zone is

about 70 m. Subtidal area is approximately 115

m during low tide.

2 N 01°46.772’;

E 110°09.895’

Rocky and sandy substrate for intertidal and

subtidal. Intertidal area is about 100 m and

subtidal area is approximately 150 m during

low tide. Patches of sea urchin were observed.


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Table 1 continued.

3 N 01°46.740’;

E 110°09.822’

Sandy beaches with shallow coral reefs.

Intertidal zone extending up to 100 m and


low tide. Patches of sea urchin were observed.

4 N 01°46.796’;

E 110°09.667’

Rocky shore with intertidal zone of 200 m and


low tide.

5 N 01°46.796’;

E 110°09.501’

Rocky area with intertidal zone of 200 m.

Subtidal area is approximately 135 m during

low tide.

6 N 01°47.060’

E 110°09.507’

Rocky shore (very sharp and steep rocks), very

strong wave action, intertidal zone less than

1m.

7 N 01 ° 47.242’

E 110°09.562’

Rocky shore with intertidal zone of 50 m, very

strong wave action.

8 N 01°47.372’

E 110°10.150’

Rocky shore with intertidal zone of 80 m.

9 N 01°47.259’

E 110° 10.185’

Sandy beach and rocky shore with intertidal

zone of 100 m.

10 N 01°47.085’

E 110° 10.134’

Sandy beach and rocky shore with intertidal

zone of 100 m.

Counting of seaweed was conducted to compile data on the abundance by

calculating the total number of individuals of each species in all quadrates, divided by

the total number of quadrates in which the species occurred (Curtis & McIntosh, 1950).

The seaweed specimens were washed and cleaned to remove any foreign material such

as epiphytes, sand and soil, kept cool and transported back to laboratory. Photograph of

each specimen was captured and kept as record. Specimens were identified up to species

level following standard species identification keys of Abbot and Dawson (1956),

Menez and Calumpong (1982), Dawes (1981), Bandeira-Pedrosa et al. (2004) Nurridan

(2007), Aisha and Shameel (2010).

The cluster analysis was performed using the Bray-Curtis similarities measure

(Bray-Curtis, 1957). The relationship was based on the comparison of similarity


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matrices, and was displayed using hierarchical agglomerative clustering (group average)

and multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) Bray-Curtis similarity analyses were done on

seaweed assemblages to reveal the similarities between the stations for the spatial

differences, using Plymouth Routines in Multivariate Ecological Research (PRIMER

v6.0) (Clarke & Green, 2006).

Results and Discussions

A total of 17 species of seaweed (9 families, 11 genera) was present in SBI.

Based on Figure 2, Chlorophyta has the highest percentage of seaweed found in SBI

(41.2%). This may be due to high number of species from Chlorophyta are mainly

found in shallow tropical waters (Phang 2006). Chlorophyta in SBI was represented by

Caulerpa serrulata, Halimeda tuna, H. discoidea, H. opuntia, H. macroloba,

Avrainvillea erecta and Cladophoropsis membranaceae.

Besides Chlorophyta, Division Phaeophyta was represented by Dictyota

dichotoma, D. bartayresii, Padina boryana, P.tetrasomatica, Sargassum polycystum

and Colpomenia sinuosa. Furthermore, Rhodophyta was presented by Acanthopora

spicifera, A. muscoides, Laurencia majuscula and Amphiroa fragillisima. Details of

species found according to stations are in Table 2.

Figure 2: Percentage of seaweed found in all stations, based on Divisions.

Rhodophyta has the least number of species in SBI. In contrast, Phang (1995)

reported that Cape Rachado supported many species of Rhodophyta compared to other

Chlorophyta 41.2%

Phaeophyta 35.3%

Rhodophyta 23.5%


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seaweed divisions. This could be due to the sampling that was done in deeper water area

of Cape Rachado where Rhodophyta are most likely to occur. Rhodophyta species are

able to withstand limited sunlight because they could absorb light at low intensity

compared to the species from the division Chlorophyta that need to absorb light at the

highest intensity due to Chlorophyta ability to photosynthesize in the same way as

higher plant (Diez et al., 2003). Since the present study mainly focuses on the intertidal

area, less of Rhodophyta was recorded.

Table 2: Seaweed distribution according to species and stations in SBI.

Division Family/Species Station

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Chlorophyta Family Caulerpaceae

Caulerpa serrulata

Family Halimedaceae

Halimeda tuna

H.discoidea

H. macroloba

H.opuntia

Family Udoteaceae

Avrainvillea erecta

Family Siphonocladaceae

Cladophoropsis

membranaceae

+

+

+

+

+

+

-

+

+

+

+

+

+

-

+

+

+

+

+

+

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

+

-

-

-

-

-

+

-

-

+

+

+

+

+

-

-

+

+

+

+

+

-

Phaeophyta Family Dictyoceae

Dictyota dichotoma

D.bartayresii

Padina boryana

P.tetrasomatica

Family Sargassaceae

Sargassum polycystum

Family Scytosiphonaceae

Colpomenia sinuosa

-

+

+

+

-

+

+

-

+

+

-

+

+

-

+

+

-

-

-

-

-

+

-

-

-

-

-

+

-

+

-

-

-

-

-

-

+

+

+

-

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

-

-

+

+

-

+

-

-

+

+

-

+

Rhodophyta Family Rhodomelaceae

Acanthopora spicifera

A.muscoides

Laurencia majuscula

Family Corallinales

Amphiroa fragillisima

+

+

-

+

+

+

-

+

+

+

-

+

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

+

-

+

+

+

-

+

-

-

+

+

+

-

+

Total number

of species

13 13 12 1 2 0 7 10 10 11


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+ = presence of seaweed, - = absence of seaweed

Most of the Chlorophyta species namely C. serrulata, H. tuna, H. discoidea, H.

macroloba, H. opuntia and Avrainvillea erecta that were found in SBI were siphonous

seaweeds that produce penetrating, rootlike holdfast in sandy substratum for attachment

(Lobban & Harrison, 1994). In addition this character also involve in nutrient uptake

(Lobban & Harrison, 1994). Genus Halimeda was mainly found in ST1, 2, 3, 9 and 10

(Table 2) because those stationscomprised sandy, rocky and coral reef/rubble substrates

(Table 1). In addition, the abundance of Halimeda in these stations was coherent with

the characteristics of the stations as Halimeda also contributes in building up the coral

rocks (Sundararajan et al., 1999).

Phaeophyta was found inhabiting the rocky and sandy substrates in SBI. The

composition of seaweeds at rocky shore in these islands was dominated by family

Dictyotaceae. Colpomenia sinuosa was the most abundant and dominant species at SBI

with values of 27.55 followed by Padina tetrasomatica (19.11), Dictyota bartayresii

(12.33) and P. boryana (11.32) as shown in Table 3. The lowest abundance value was

recorded by Avrainvillea erecta of 2.80 (Table 3) Another factor which contributes to

low number of seaweed species may be due that this island is vulnerable to grazing

especially by sea urchins, for example in Station 2 and 3. Combined feeding activities

by aggregations of sea urchins can remove all large plant material which can impact the

seaweed abundance.

Table 3: Species abundance of seaweed in Satang Besar Island.

Name of species Abundance

CHLOROPHYTA

Caulerpa serrulata 4.42

Halimeda tuna 6.32

Halimeda discoidea 5.50

Halimeda opuntia 4.26

Halimeda macroloba 3.87

Avrainvillea erecta 2.80

Cladophoropsis membranaceae 4.00

PHAEOPHYTA

Padina tetrastomatica 19.11

Padina boryana 11.32

Dictyota dichotoma 5.64


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Dictyota bartayresii 12.33

Sargassum polycystum 3.73

Colpomenia sinuosa 27.55

Table 3 continued.

RHODOPHYTA

Acanthophora spicifera 5.68

Acanthopora muscoides 8.20

Laurencia majuscula 4.22

Amphiroa fragilissima 5.00

In the intertidal habitats, changing tides had made this area susceptible to stress

such as desiccation. The stress could also be due to overexposed to rainfall or direct

sunlight. A small specific surface is the best way to reduce desiccation such as in the

voluminous thallus of Codium, as it can retain more water and have a smaller relative

circumference resulting in reduced water loss (Churchill, 2009). During low water level,

most of the seaweed has little chance to survive unless they have special adaptations to

cope with harsh environment. In this case, C.sinuosa has spherical to lobed shaped and

its surface was approximately 2.5 cm across.This characters could be regarded as

adaptation to stress thus may explain the abundance of this species in this SBI. Padina

inhabits a variety of substratum namely sandy areas, coral reefs and rocky shores. In

this study, Padina tetrastomatica was well represented in all stations and formed their

own dense patches. This is due to the ability of spore dispersal of genus Padina that are

limited only nearby to the parent cells. It is also possible due to the lower water

velocity around stations, thus thisgenus is being recruited and grew mainly next to the

parent’s plant forming patches (Mayakun & Prathep, 2005).

There is no seaweed found in ST6 in Satang Besar Island (Table 2) probably

due to the characteristics of the location which was rocky shore with many big rocks,

strong wave and exposed to sunlight. As the island experienced semi diurnal tides, low

tides may occur in the middle of the day in which heating and desiccation can be

extreme (Lobban & Harrison, 1994) thus, affect the ability of seaweed to colonize this

area. According to Lobban and Harrison (1994), seaweeds that are out of the water more

than half an hour are more exposed to the atmosphere, which could lead to stress.

Similarly, Japar Sidik et al. (2012) stated that areas of low tides create a harsh

environment for seaweed due to dessication and strong solar radiation.


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Figure 3: Dendogram showing the percentage of similarity between stations using number of

individual’s seaweed species collected in SBI based on Bray-Curtis similarities (similarity

threshold at 50%).

Figure 4: Multi –dimensional scaling (MDS) ordination constructed from the number of

individuals’ seaweed species collected in SBI.

Figure 3 showed the cluster analysis using 50% Bray-Curtis similarity was well

represented. Satang Besar Island analyses grouped the sampling stations into 6 groups.

ST6, ST7, ST4, ST5 and ST8 were clearly separated from each other and made up of 5

distinct groups. Whereas, the last group consists of the combination from the remaining

stations (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST9 and ST10). The groupings in cluster analysis were also

supported by MDS ordination (Figure 4).

The first group, completely separated from the rest (0% similar) was formed by

ST6 as no seaweed was recorded (Table 2). Cladophoropsis membranaceae was the

only species found in ST7 (Table 2) thus the second group was formed. The other

group had ≈20% similar, with a first split separating Colpomenia from the rest.

ST

6

ST

7

ST

4

ST

5

ST

8

ST

2

ST

3

ST

1

ST

9

ST

10100

80

60

40

20

0

Sim

ilarity


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Colpomenia is a genus that has an almost consistent distribution in the sampling

stations. The next group to fall out at >20% similarity comprised of Padina

tetrasomatica, which was frequently found in harsh environment since they could

tolerate to it. In addition, also noticeable was the clustering of ST4 and ST5 in species

generates patches distribution of seaweed in the area (rocky areas). These results reflect

that the substrate property is possibly a factor in determining the species for recruitment

and growth, and consequently, the pattern of algal species and abundance.

The final group with 50% similarity comprised of Caulerpa, Halimeda and

Avrainvillea. The pattern of habitat preferences can be observed in this study as the last

remaining groups (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST9 and ST10) shared similar topography and

seaweed species. MDS analysis confirms the seaweed communities in these stations

were closer to each other. Most of the siphonous green algae (Bryopsidales), which

have extensive systems of rhizoids and colonized the sandy substrates, were mainly

found in these stations.

Conclusion

Overall, a total of 17 species of seaweed (9 families, 11 genera) was present in

Satang Besar Island . Phaeophyta dominates the intertidal areas with Padina as the most

abundant. Heterogeneity of habitats had promoted suitable niches for seaweed to

colonize, leading to high seaweed diversity in the island.

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Documents

Diversity and Abundance of Seaweed at Satang Besar Island, Sarawak