Tropical Marine Ecology & Biodiversity Research Programme

Tropical Marine Ecology & Biodiversity Research has been undertaken between two laboratories, Othman Bin Haji Ross’s at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Tatsuki Toda’s at Soka University, Japan (SU). The history of the co-operative research dated back from a JSPS conference in Songkla, Thailand in 1993 when the two scientists met and formalized their interests on the research themes.

The aim of this programme is to promote and contribute to the knowledge of tropical marine ecology & biodiversity, and develop young scientists of both laboratories in the related fields.

Our research activity is divided into five research categories based on our present tentative research themes as follows:
(1) coastal observation at long term research (LTR) station & zooplankton studies in the Straits of Malacca,
(2) biodiversity, trophic structures and food web studies of coral reef ecosystem,
(3) physio-ecological study on tropical marine zooplankton,
(4) coral conservation status and coral rehabilitation study around Malay Peninsula,
(5) studies on the sea grass & other soft bottom ecosystem.
A new research theme has been added in view of the importance of light in understanding the migration of pelagic organisms and especially in the role of UV in these migration phenomenon, the theme is
(6) bio-optical study on coastal waters.
Researches of (1) and (2) have relatively long history in co-operative research between UKM and SU and are well organized. Research (5) is also well known, research (4) is on going. Research (3) is newly established. Each research theme has a team leader.

Starting from the year 2010, we will be holding yearly meetings with participants at UKM to present the research results, share our knowledge, and promote collaboration between the two laboratories and further extend collaboration with other laboratories. The direction of research and their strategies are also discussed in the meetings. Together we have to make an effort at presenting our research results at international conferences and scientific journals. Our steady efforts contribute to the expansion of knowledge in tropical ecology and will enable our programme to be recognized as one of the representative programmes within the context university co-operative researches.

Research Themes

(1) Coastal observation at LTR station & zooplankton studies in the Straits of Malacca

(Othman (UKM), Yoshida (UKM), Toda (SU) and Sarena (UKM)

a. Long-term oceanographic study at the LTR station: comparison with the other LTR stations in temperate and subarctic areas such as St. M and St. G in Sagami Bay, St. PAPA in the North Pacific Ocean, etc. The LTR station at Port Dickson, Straits of Malacca was initiated in 2002.
b. Seasonal distribution of zooplankton related to seasonal environmental parameters: comparison in zooplankton community between monsoon season and non-monsoon season.
c. Distribution and seasonal changes of zooplankton in the Straits wide area, vertical distribution of zooplankton
d. A new LTR station facing the South China Sea will be initiated. The data accumulated from LTR would be useful to understand the current global change in climate and its impact on tropical marine ecosystem. The UKM plans a marine station at Mersing in 2009.

(2) Biodiversity, trophic structure and food web study of coral reef ecosystem

(Nakajima (SU), Nakatomi (SU), Toda (SU), Iwasaki (Kochi), Yoshida (UKM), Kikuchi (YNU), Fujita (NSM), Othman (UKM))

a. Study on trophic structure of coral reef ecosystem by using stable isotopes: trophic structure of coral reef ecosystem, trophic status of each marine organism/detritus (fish, crustaceans, zooplankton, phytoplankton, seaweeds, detritus, etc.), carbon sources, seasonal characteristics.
b. Food web study in coral reef ecosystem: zooplankton community, day and night change in biomass and community structure, material and energy flow, material balance, classical food chain and microbial loop in coral reef ecosystem, and its ratio, estimates of food requirement of zooplankton.
c. Role of coral mucus excreted from corals: quality and quantity of mucus, contribution of excreted mucus to POC and DOC, decomposition rates of mucus, excretion rate of mucus from various corals, paradox of ecological pyramid in coral reefs.
d. Descriptions of copepods and other crustaceans associated with coral reef organisms, including hard corals, anemone, echinoderms.

(3) Physio-ecological study of tropical marine zooplankton

(Yoshida (UKM), Othman (UKM), Nakajima (SU), Toda (SU), LaiPeng (UKM), Zuhairie (UKM undergrad) (and other SU and UKM graduate/ undergraduate students))

a. Egg development of the tropical copepods: comparison with temperate and boreal species, between pelagic and parasitic species.
b. Egg production and feeding rates of the tropical copepods: annual egg production rates, effects of feeding rates to egg production rates, comparison with temperate and boreal species.
c. Secondary (Zooplankton) production in tropical marine ecosystem: annual secondary production rate in coral reefs and their comparison with the other areas.
d. Growth and growth rates of tropical copepods.
e. Functional morphology of sensory organs of associated copepods.
f. Some aspects of the biology of Scambicornus species associated with sea cucumber.

(4) Coral conservation status and coral rehabilitation study around Malay Peninsular

(Toda (SU), Fadhil (UM), Majid (UM), Yoshida (UKM), Othman (UKM), Nakayama (SU), Kushairi (UNISEL))

a. Middle-term study on coral coverage and coral community: change of conservation status related to environmental factors and human activities, change of coral community structures at each study site, extracting related parameters.
b. Growth rate and/or distinction rate of coral community in the middle-term around Malay Peninsular.
c. Investigation of mass spawning period of corals living around Malay Peninsular.
d. Recovery process of corals after coral reef destruction by coastal construction.
e. Study on preference of coral larvae and their survivorships on the artificial coral reefs having different micro-habitats.
f. Effects of artificial reefs set up in coral reefs and their neighboring areas. Evaluation of the effect to gather fishes, amount of invertebrates and their community.

(5) Studies on the sea grass & other soft bottom ecosystems

(Azman (UKM), Takahashi (Tohoku NFRI), Takeuchi (Ehime), Othman (UKM), Toda (SU), Jacqueline (UKM), SimYee (UKM), Andrea (UKM))

a. Species composition and distribution of sea grass species around Tinggi Island.
b. Biodiversity of gammaridean amphipods of the Malay Peninsular.
c. Material flow in sea grass ecosystem.
d. Population dynamics of dominant mysids around sea grass area of Tinggi Island.
e. Biodiversity and ecological study of caprellids around Tinggi Island

(6) Bio-optical studies in the coastal waters around Malay Peninsular

(Kuwahara (SU), Toda (SU), Othman, (UKM), Nakayama (SU), Rachel (UKM)

a. Quantify the spatial underwater variability of the incident light field (including UV) in tropical marine ecosystems
b. Describe the source and spatial variability of the primary bio-optical factors that inherently govern the light field
c. Development of a new simple device/method to quantify the light field and transparency of clear shallow water areas
d. Vertical distribution and migration of zooplankton related to bio-optical parameters including UV penetration.


Summary of research outputs:

a) Publications

b) Human resources

Detailed Research Outputs


Publication (scientific papers, proceedings from international & domestic conferences) Outputs

(1) coastal observation at long term research (LTR) station & zooplankton studies in the Straits of Malacca

Rezai, H., Yusoff, F.M., Arshad, A. & Othman, B.H.R. 2009 Abundance and composition of zooplankton in the Straits of Malacca. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 12(3): 264-270. [IF=0.323, Q4]

Yoshida, T., Toda, T., Yusoff, F.M. & Othman, B.H.R. 2006. Seasonal variation in zooplankton community in the coastal waters of the Straits of Malacca. Coastal Marine Science 30(1): 320-327.

Rezai, H., Yusoff, F.M., Arshad, A. & Othman, B.H.R. 2005. Spatial and temporal variations in calanoid copepod distribution in the Straits of Malacca. Hydrobiologia 537: 157-167. (IF=0.978)

Rezai, H., Yusoff, F.M., Arshad, A., Kawamura, A., Nishida, S & Othman, B.H.R. 2004. Spatial and temporal distribution of copepod in the Straits of Malacca. Zoological Studies 43(2): 486-497. (IF=0.617)

Yoshida, T., Toda, T. & Othman, B.H.R. 2004. Seasonal variation in zooplankton biomass and community in the coastal waters of the Straits of Malacca: a preliminary study. Proc. KUSTEM 3rd Annual Seminar On Sustainability Science & Management, 4-5 May 2004, Kuala Terengganu, pp305-307.

Rezai, H., Yusoff, F.M., Kawamura, A., Arshad, A. & Othman, B.H.R. 2003. Zooplankton biomass in the Straits of Malacca, Indian Journal of Marine Science, 32(3):222-225. (IF=0.124)


(2) biodiversity, trophic structure and food web studies of coral reef ecosystem

Nakajima, R., Yoshida, T., Nakayama, A., Fujita, K., Fuchinoue, Y., Othman, B.H.R. and T. Toda, T. 2010. Release of particulate and dissolved organic carbon by the scleractinian coral Acropora formosa. Bulletin of Marine Science 86(4): 861-870 [IF=1.503, Quartile 2]

Nakajima, R., Yoshida, T., Othman B.H.R. and Toda, T. 2010. High detritus/phytoplankton content in net-plankton samples from coral reef water: Source of over-estimation in zooplankton biomass by measuring seston weight. Plankton and Benthos Research 5(2): 69-73. (Scopus indexed)

Nakajima, R., Yoshida, T., Azman, B.A.R., Zaleha, K., Othman, B.H.R. & Toda, T. 2009. In situ release of coral mucus by Acropora and its influence on the heterotrophic bacteria. Aquat. Ecol. 43:815-823 (IF=1.105)

Nakajima, R., Yoshida, T., Othman, B.H.R. & Toda, T. 2009. Diel variation of zooplankton in the tropical coral-reef zooplankton water of Tioman Island, Malaysia. Aquat. Ecol. 43:965-975 (IF=1.105)

Nakajima, R., Yoshida, T., Othman, B.H.R. & Toda, T. 2008. Diel variation in abundance, biomass and size composition of zooplankton community over a coral-reef in Redang Island, Malaysia. Plankton and Benthos Research, 3(4): 216-226.

Nakajima, R., Toda, T., Yoshida, T., & Othman, B.H.R. 2006. Diel variation and trophic structure in coral-reef zooplankton of Peninsuar Malaysia. Coastal Marine Science 30(1): 336-343.

Azman, B.A.R. & Othman, B.H.R. 2006. Preliminary notes on a collection of amphipoda from Pulau Redang, Malaysia. Abd Jamal Mydin et al (eds) Research & Information Series Of Malaysian Coasts. Malaysia Marine Ecosystem: Opportunities & Recent Researches. Marine Park, NRE Malaysia. pp 19-27. isbn 983-42949-4-8

Kee Alfian, B.A.A., Maekawa, T., Toda, T. & Othman, B.H.R. 2006. The distribution and abundance of Diadema setosum in Pulau Tioman, Malaysia. Abd Jamal Mydin et al (eds) Research & Information Series Of Malaysian Coasts. Malaysia Marine Ecosystem: Opportunities & Recent Researches. Marine Park, NRE Malaysia. pp 81-90.

Mazlan, A.G., Zaidi, C.C., Wan-Lotfi, W.M. & Othman, B.H.R. 2005. On the current status of coastal marine biodiversity in Malaysia. Indian Journal of Marine Science. 34: 76-87. (IF=0.202)

Nakajima, R., Toda T., Yoshida, T. & Othman, B.H.R. 2004. Trophic structure of pelagic ecosystem in tropical coral reef - Which size fraction is the most important? Proc. KUSTEM 3rd Annual Seminar On Sustainability Science & Management, 4-5 May 2004, Kuala Terengganu, pp366-370.

Kee Alfian B.A.A., Fujita, T., Maekawa, T., Toda, T. & Othman, B.H.R. 2004. Taburan Diadema setosum di Pualu Tioman, Malaysia. Proc. KUSTEM 3rd Annual Seminar On Sustainability Science & Management, 4-5 May 2004, Kuala Terengganu, pp353-356.

Iwasaki, N., Kikuchi, T., Toda, T., Fujita, T., Kushairi, M.R.M & Othman, B.H.R. 2004. Stable isotope study on food web in Malaysian coral waters: Preliminary results and proposal. Proceedings of the 1st Joint Seminar on Coastal Oceanography, 165-170.

Mazlan, A.G., Cheang, C.P., Lotfi, W.M. & Othman, B.H.R. 2002. Sumber terumbu karang di Taman-taman Laut di Semenanjung Malaysia. I Kesan Pelancongan Marin, Proceeding of Regional Symposium on Environment and Natural Resources, 1, 132-143.

Zaidi, C.C., Tukimat, L., Muzzneena, A.M., & Othman, B.H.R. 2002. Vertical distribution of balanid and ctamalid barnacles in Morib Selangor, Proceeding of Regional Symposium on Environment and Natural Resources, 1, 729-736.

Mazlan, A.G., Cheang, C.P., Abdullah, S., Muzzneena, A.M., Wan Lotfi, W.M., & Othman, B.H.R. 2002. Coral reef resources of the Malaysian Marine Park islands: An evaluation of the status of the coral reefs and its management, Proccedings of the International Conference on Environmental Management: Ten Years After Rio, 445-454.

Muzzneena, A.M., Othman, B.H.R., Sharina Shaukat & Tukimat Lihan. 2001. Coral reef management in Malaysia: Conservation strategies after Agenda 21, Proceedings of the National Seminar on Environmental Management Issues and Challenges in Malaysia, 269-275, 02.

Fujita, T., Zulfigar, B.Y., Kushairi, M.R.M., Othman, B.H.R. & Terazaki, M. 2001. Asteroids (Echinodermata) collected from Tioman Archipelago, off Mersing, Malaysia. In: Terazaki, M., A. Taira, M. Uematsu, Y. Michida and T. Kaneko, eds. Proceedings of the 11th JSPS Joint Seminar on Marine Science. Center for International Cooperation, Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, pp. 316-325.

Iwasaki, N., Kikuchi, T., Toda, T., Fujita, T., Kushairi, M.R.M & Othman, B.H.R. 2001. Preliminary results of a stable isotope study on food web in Malaysian coral waters. In: Terazaki, M., A. Taira, M. Uematsu, Y. Michida and T. Kaneko, eds. Proceedings of the 11th JSPS Joint Seminar on Marine Science. Center for International Cooperation, Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, pp. 232-237.

Fujita, T., Kushairi, M.R.M., Othman, B.H.R. & Terazaki, M. 2000. Asteroids and ophiuroids (Echinodermata) of Tioman Island, Malaysia: a preliminary faunal list based on the collection during the JapanMalaysia joint survey in August 1999. In: Saadon, M.N., S.A. Abdullah, S.M. Sheriff, N.A. Ariffin, eds. Proceedings of the 10th JSPS Joint Seminar on Marine and Fisheries Sciences. Sustainable Utilization of Marine Resources. Kolej Universiti Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, pp.148-157.

Kikuchi, T., Toda, T., Fujita, T., Terazaki, M., Kushairi, M.R.M & Othman, B.H.R. 2000. Coral reef ecosystem biodiversity studies in Tioman Island, Malaysia. Proceedings of the 10th JSPS Joint Seminar on Marine and Fisheries Sciences. Sustainable Utilization of Marine Resources, Kolej Universiti Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, pp.7-14.

Othman, B.H.R. & Morino, H. 1996. A new species of the genus Indischnopus from Malaysia (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Platyischnopidae). Boll. Mus. Civ. St. nat. Verona, 20:105-115.

Othman, B.H.R. & Lotfi, W.M. 1995. The status of marine biodiversity in Malaysia. In. A.H. Zakri (ed) Prospects in Biodiversity Prospecting. Genetics Society of Malaysia. UKM. Pp77-93.

(3) physio-ecological study on tropical marine zooplankton

Okada, N., Onoue, Y., Othman, B.H.R., Kikuchi, T. & Toda, T. 2009. Description of Naupliar Stages in Acartia steueri Smirnov (Copepoda: Calanoida). Journal of Crustacean Biology 29(1): 70-78. [IF=1.109]

Eio, E.J, Yoshida, T., Liong, C.F. & Othman, B.H.R. 2007. Effect of size and concentration of food particles on the egg production of Acartia pacifica. Abd Jamal Mydin et al (eds) Proceedings of the Conference on Marine Ecosystem of Malaysia, Interconnectivity in Marine Ecosystem: Opportunities & Challenges. 2007 Marine Park, NRE, Malaysia, pp 175-183. isbn 978-983-42949-6-0

Liong, C.F., Yoshida, T., Toda, T. & Othman, B.H.R. 2007. Effect of light intensity variation on diel vertical migration of Acartia erythraea in the shallow tropical water of the Straits of Malacca. Abd Jamal Mydin et al (eds) Proceedings of the Conference on Marine Ecosystem of Malaysia, Interconnectivity in Marine Ecosystem: Opportunities & Challenges. 2007 Marine Park, NRE, Malaysia, pp 367-372. isbn 978-983-42949-6-0

(4) coral conservation status and coral rehabilitation study around Malay Peninsula

Nakajima, R., Nakayama, A., Yoshida, T., Kushairi, M.R.M., Othman, B.H.R. and Toda, T. 2010. An evaluation in the use of line intercept transect method by applying image analysis for coral reef monitoring. Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies 12: 37-44.)

Yoshida, T., Akagi, K., Toda, T., Kushairi, M.R.M., Kee, A.A.A., Othman, B.H.R. 2010. Evaluation of fish behavior and aggregation by underwater videography in an artificial reef in Tioman Island, Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana, 39(3): 813-821. (ISI & Scopus Indexed)

Toda, T., Okashita, T., Maekawa, T., Kee Alfian, B.A.A., Kushairi M.R.M, Nakajima, R., Chen, W., Takahashi, K.T., Othman, B.H.R. & Terazaki, M. 2007. Community structures of coral reefs around Peninsular Malaysia. Journal of Oceanography 63: 113-123. (IF=0.731)

Maekawa, T., Toda, T., Kushairi, M.R.M., Kee Alfian, A.A. & Othman, B.H.R. 2007. Spatial competition in coral recruitment with invertebrate fouling communities in Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia. Abd Jamal Mydin et al (eds) Proceedings of the Conference on Marine Ecosystem of Malaysia, Interconnectivity in Marine Ecosystem: Opportunities & Challenges. 2007 Marine Park, NRE, Malaysia, pp 497. isbn 978-983-42949-6-0

Kee Alfian A.A., Toda, T. & Othman B.H.R. 2006. Preliminary results of coral recruitment in Pulau Redang. Abd Jamal Mydin et al (eds) Research & Information Series Of Malaysian Coasts. Malaysia Marine Ecosystem: Opportunities & Recent Researches. Marine Park, NRE Malaysia. pp 90-98.

Lee J., Kee Alfian A.A. & Othman, B.H.R. 2006. Community structure of coral reefs in Pulau Tioman. Abd Jamal Mydin et al (eds) Research & Information Series Of Malaysian Coasts. Malaysia Marine Ecosystem: Opportunities & Recent Researches. Marine Park, NRE Malaysia. pp 117-124.

Okashita, T., Chen, W., Toda, T. & Othman, B.H.R. 2004. Community structure of coral reefs around Peninsular Malaysia using quantitative digital image analysis. Proc. KUSTEM 3rd Annual Seminar On Sustainability Science & Management, 4-5 May 2004, Kuala Terengganu, pp338-340.

Maekawa, T., Alfian, B.A.A.K., Kushairi, M.R.M., Othman, B.H.R. & Toda, T. 2002. Coral Recruitment study in Tioman Island, Malaysia, Proceeding of Regional Symposium on Environment and Natural Resources, 2, 02.

(5) studies on the sea grass ecosystem & other soft bottom

Lim, J.H.C., Azman, B.A.R, & Othman, B.H.R. 2010. Melitoid amhipods of the genera Ceradocus Costa, 1853 and Victoriopisa Karaman and Barnard, 1979 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Maeridae) from the South China Sea, Malaysia. Zootaxa 2348: 23-39. (IF=0.74, Q3)

Gan, S.Y., Azman, B.A.R., Yoshida, T.,Majid, A.M., Toda, T., Takahashi, K. & Othman, B.H.R. 2010. Comparison of day and night mysid assemblages in a tropical seagrass bed by using emergence traps, with key to species occurring at Pulau Tinggi. Coastal Marine Science 34(1): 74-81.

Shah, A.S.R.M., Ismail, B.S., Mansor, M., Othman, R. 2010. Diversity and distribution of fish in irrigation water derived from recycled and uncontrolled flow water sources in the Muda ricefields. Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science
33(2): 213-222 [Scopus indexed]

Shabdin, M.L. & Othman, B.H.R. 2008. Horizontal distribution of intertidal nematode from Sabah, Malaysia. Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation, 4: 39-53.

Azman B.A.R., Ramlan O., Wan-Lotfi W.M., Zaidi C.C. & Othman, B.H.R. 2008. Seagrass biodiversity of Pulau Tinggi, Johor. Mohamed, C.A.R et al (eds) Malaysia Marine Ecosystem: The Studies Of Johor Darul Takzim East Coast. Vol 2 Researearch & Information Series of Malaysian Coasts pp53-57.

Othman, B.H.R. & Azman, B.A.R. 2007. A new species of Talitridae (Amphipod: Gammaridea) from Tioman Island, Malaysia. Zootaxa 1454: 59-68. (IF=0.691)

Azman, B.A.R, Lim, H.C. & Othman, B.H.R. 2007. Faunal comparison of Gammaridean amphipods in three marine shallow water habitats using airlift sunction method. Abd Jamal Mydin et al (eds) Proceedings of the Conference on Marine Ecosystem of Malaysia, Interconnectivity in Marine Ecosystem: Opportunities & Challenges. 2007 Marine Park, NRE, Malaysia, pp 163-168. isbn 978-983-42949-6-0

Azman, B.A.R, Gan, S.Y. & Othman, B.H.R. 2007. The macrobenthic community studies of three shallow water marine habitats in Pulau Perhentian using airlift sunction method. 9th Symposium of the Malaysian Society of applied Biology, Bayview Georgetown, Penang 30th – 31st June 2007, pp 291-293.

Othman, B.H.R. & T. Toda 2006. Pontellid copepods from Singapore. Coastal Marine Science 30(1): 305-319.

Othman, B.H.R. & H. Morino 2006. Listriella longipalma sp. nov., a new amphipod species (Crustacea: Liljeborgiidae) from the Straits of Melaka, Malaysia. Zootaxa 1305: 21-32. (IF=0.612)

Shabdin, M.L. & Othman, B.H.R. 2005. Seasonal variations of marine nematode assemblages in Sabah, Malaysia. The Philippine Scientist, 42: 40-66.

Muzzneena, A.M., Abdullah, S.M.S. & Othman, B.H.R. 2004. Determination of changes in land use activities along the coastal zone of Sungai Tengi, Kuala Selangor and Sungai Labu, Sabak Bernam using satellite images. Proc. KUSTEM 3rd Annual Seminar On Sustainability Science & Management, 4-5 May 2004, Kuala Terengganu, pp598-602.

Mazlan, A.G., Ng, M.Y., James, B. Zaidi, C.C., Abdullah, S. & Othman, B.H.R. 2004. Fishes of the mangrove creeks and seagrass bed: an analysis of their connectivity. Proc. KUSTEM 3rd Annual Seminar On Sustainability Science & Management, 4-5 May 2004, Kuala Terengganu, pp175-182.

Zaidi, C.C., Nur Hanani, I, Abdullah, S., Mazlan, A.G. & Othman, B.H.R. 2004. A study on biodiversity and distribution of gastropod community in Johore mangroves. Proc. KUSTEM 3rd Annual Seminar On Sustainability Science & Management, 4-5 May 2004, Kuala Terengganu, pp211-214.

Muzzneena, A.M., Sharina Shaukat, Zaidi, C.C & Othman, B.H.R. 2002. Implementing sustainable management measures of mangroves in Malaysia. Proceedings of the Asian Wetland Symposium 2001 “Bringing Partnerships Into Good Wetland Practices”, 27-30 August 2001, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Vol 1:25-34.

Muzzneena, A.M., Sharina Shaukat, Zaidi, C.C. & Othman, B.H.R. 2002. The importance of legal principles and guidelines for conservation and management of mangroves in Malaysia, Proceeding of Regional Symposium on Environment and Natural Resources, 1, 612-619.

Shabdin, M.L. & Othman, B.H.R. 2000. Preliminary checklist of freeliving marine nematodes of Sabah, Malaysia. Sabah Parks Nature Journal, 3: 41-53.

Shabdin M.L. & Othman B.H.R. 1999. Vertical distribution of an intertidal nematodes (Nematoda) and harpacticoid copepods (Copepoda:Harpacticoida) in muddy and sandy bottom of intertidal zone at Lok Kawi Sabah, Malaysia. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 47(2): 349-363. (IF=0.235)

(6) bio-optical study on coastal waters


Kuwahara, V.S., Nakajima, R., Othman, B.H.R., Kushairi, M.R.M. & Toda, T. 2010 Spatial variability of UVR attenuation and bio-optical factors in shallow coral reef waters of Malaysia. Coral Reefs 29(3): 693-704 [IF=2.975, Q1]

Yoshida, T., Toda, T., Kuwahara, V., Taguchi, S. & Othman, B.H.R. 2004. Rapid response to changing light environment of the calanoid copepod Calanus sinicus. Marine Biology 145: 505-513. (IF=1.772)

Toda, T., Kikuchi, T., Hamasaki, K., Takahashi, K., Fujiki T., Kuwahara, V. S., Yoshida, T. and Taguchi, S. 2000. Seasonal and Annual Variations of Environmental Factors at Manazuru Port, Sagami Bay, Japan from 1995 to 1999. Actinia, 13: 31-41.


Human resource outputs

PhD grads
1. Shabdin Mohd Long – (became a professor at Unimas (10/11/08), at present Dean of Faculty of Resource Sciences & Technology, Unimas)
2. Teruaki Yoshida – (became a senior lecturer at FST, UKM)
3. Azman Abdul Rahim – (became a senior lecturer at FST, UKM)

PhD registered
1. Ryota Nakajima (to graduate in Feb 2009)
2. Foong Lai Peng (now research assistant at Soka U, attached with scanning electron microscope lab)
3. Jacqueline Lim (start April 2009, Prof. Ichiro Takeuchi as co-supervisor, to study ecology of amphipods from P. Tinggi sea-grass)
4. Gan Sim Yee (start April 2009, Dr. Kazutaka Takahashi as co-supervisor, to study mysids ecology at P. Tinggi)
5. Norzaidah Tuseran (start April 2009, Prof Toda as co-supervisor, study material flow in sea-grass area)

MSc grads
1. Muzzneena Ahmad Mustapha (Finished PhD 2008 at Hokkaido University, Japan under Prof Saitoh, since October 2008, Head of Marine Science Programme, UKM)
2. Azman Abdul Rahim
3. Jennifer Josim
4. Tomoko Okashita
5. Takeshi Maekawa
6. Kee Alfian Abd Adziz
7. Villya Amerilly
8. Wan Noreen Wan Ahmad
9. Sussane M Samy
10.Liong Ching Fong
11.Foong Lai Peng
12.Eio Er Jin
13.Jacqueline Lim Hui Chern
14.Gan Sim Yee

MSc registered

1. Nakayama
2. Nakatomi
3. Melvin