Community ecology of polychaeta (annelida) in soft bottom macrobenthos of Southern South China Sea (offshore Pahang, Terengganu and Sabah)

Abstract

Polychaete is among the largest and most diverse benthic animal in many marine ecosystems. However, in Malaysia the study on community ecology of polychaete from soft bottom habitats, especially at the offshore areas of southern South China Sea has not been widely explored. Thus, this study specifically embarks on the following objectives; 1) To determine the community structure (density, diversity and evenness) of polychaetes in soft bottom macrobenthos; 2) To determine the taxonomy and classification of polychaetes in the study area; and 3) To determine the relationship between polychaetes community structure and sediment parameters.