Density index and species identification of vibrios at coral reefs of Terengganu

Abstract

This study investigated the density index of Vibrio species at coral reefs area in Terengganu by using Coral Health Index metric. High density of Vibrio is closely related to human activities and pollution, and these reflect the health of coral reefs. On the other hand, Vibrio was reported not only responsible for human illness but also affect other marine life including mammals, mollusks and the zooxanthellae of corals. Vibrios were collected in water sample at reefs environment and cultured on Thiosulphate Citrate Bile Salt Agar (TCBS Agar), a selective agar for Vibrio spp. From colonial forming unit count, the highest density was in Pulau Bidong and the lowest was in Pulau Redang. All nine study sites showed scores of l for the density index and this show that the coral reefs are in very healthy state by mean of microbe's measurement.