o_19ko2dt161ng2j4e1tgnoqv1s45a.pdf

SEAWEED DIVERSITY IN MALAYSIA
seaweeds), Rhodophyta (red seaweeds) and the Phaeophyta (brown seaweeds). In this paper,
the filamentous marine blue green algae (Cyanophyta) will also be considered seaweeds, as
many of these species have both ecological and commercial importance just like the other
seaweeds.
In Malaysia, these tropical seaweeds are subjected to the equatorial climate dominated by
monsoon wind systems, with the Northeast Monsoon blowing between November and March,
while the Southwest Monsoon brings rain from May to September (Phang 1998). Mangrove
swamps dominate the west coast Peninsular Malaysia which is sheltered by Sumatra, Indonesia.
On the east coast, rocky shores of post-Triassic granite are found in the north and Triassic
quartzite and shale towards the south. Sandy and rocky beaches with coral reefs characterise
the coastlines of Sabah and Sarawak. The salinity of Malaysian waters range between 28 and
34 ppt, while surface water temperature range between 27 and 29°C. Semi-diurnal tides occur
on the west coast Peninsular Malaysia, while the east coast has a mixed tidal system. Mixed
tidal regimes occur in Sabah and Sarawak.
SURVEY AND DOCUMENTATION OF SEAWEED
RESOURCES IN MALAYSIA
The early records of seaweeds in the Southeast Asian region were contributed through the
Preussische Expedition nach Ost-Asien (1860–1863) (Martens, 1866) and the Siboga
Expedition (1899 – 1900) (Gepp & Gepp, 1911). Teo & Wee (1983) published the first guide
to the seaweeds of Singapore. Seaweed research in Malaysia started in the 1980’s when Phang
(1984) published the first account of the seaweed resources of Malaysia. Using sources of
information like Burkill’s (1966) ‘A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay
Peninsula’ and publications without verification from deposited specimens, a list of Malaysian
seaweeds and their uses was compiled. In 1991, Phang and Wee published the first checklist
of the marine benthic algae in Malaysia together with a historical account of the study of
marine algae in this region (Phang & Wee 1991). In 1998, Phang updated the checklist of
Malaysian marine algae including additions from Phang (1994a, b, 1995) and a new species
Sargassum stolonifolium described from Penang, west coast Peninsular Malaysia (Phang &
Yoshida 1997). This checklist was published as part of the chapter on the seaweed resources
of Malaysia in the ‘Seaweed Resources of the World’ (Critchley & Ohno 1998). Two hundred
and sixty specific and infraspecific taxa (17 Cyanophyta, 92 Chlorophyta, 94 Rhodophyta
and 57 Phaeophyta) were recorded (Phang 1998). Rhodophyta dominated as is expected of
tropical seaweed flora. As we move towards the tropics, the ratio of red to brown seaweeds
increases (Feldmann 1937). Many of the red algae are filamentous comprising mainly epiphytic
species. These two checklists comprise many species that were reported in literature but were
not verified due to absence of deposited material.
A survey conducted from 1995 to1999 by the University of Malaya in collaboration with
Hokkaido University, Japan, resulted in many additions to the checklist and confirmation of
some taxa, especially of the Rhodophyta. Thirty-eight new records (Kawaguchi et al. 2002,
Masuda et al. 1997, 1999, 2000a, 2000b, 2001a, 2001b, 2002, 2003; Tani & Masuda 2003,
Tani et al. 2003, Terada et al. 2000, Yamagishi et al. 2003), including one new species
Lomentaria gracillima Masuda et Kogame were added to the checklist. Further additions
included taxa previously recorded by Zanardini (1872), 35 species of Rhodophyta, 13 species
186