Studies on ostracods (subphylum : crustacea) in Terengganu waters

Abstract

Study was conducted at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) beach and Redang Island to identify and describe ostracods collected and examine if there are correation between their occurrence and environmental conditions. Ostracod abundance and diversity between stations and day/ night at manland and island were also examined. Ostracods were collected by towing a 125 µm-plankton net at inshore areas of Redang Island and UMT beach. From a total of 39 samples collected, ostracods were found in only nine samples and were totally absence from UMT beach. Seven possible genera from Order Platycopida, Myodocopida and Podocopida were found presence at Redang Island. Ostracod abundance between Redang Island stations ranging from O to 0.23 ± 0.40 individual/m 3 did not differ significantly from each other. Ostracod abundance was higher at night but was not significant due to large variance between samples. Among the eight stations, highest diversity was found at station R3N in Redang Island with seven possible genera of ostracods. The higher ostracod abundance (6.82 ± 5.17 individuals/m ) and diversity at night compared to day (though not significant) was most probably due to diel vertical migration.