Lee, Li Keat and Neo, Mei Lin and Hii, Kieng Soon and Gu, Haifeng and Chen, Chaolun Allen and Lim, Po Teen and Leaw, Chui Pin (2024) Vanishing giants: An assessment on the population status of giant clams across Malaysia. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 74. p. 103546. ISSN 2352-4855, DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2024.103546.
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
The iconic giant clams are known for its multifaceted importance throughout the Indo-Pacific -for functional, ecological, or cultural purposes. In Malaysia, habitat destruction and illegal poaching were main reasons behind the declining populations of giant clams. As previous surveys date back to 1990 s, an update on the status of giant clam populations in Malaysia is overdue. Using the extensive monitoring data from Reef Check Malaysia, we analysed and provided an assessment of population trends of giant clams between 2007 and 2021 in Malaysia. This study showed a decline in giant clam population in the east coast Peninsula and Sabah, while their abundances have always been low in the west coast Peninsula and Sarawak. In the east coast Peninsula, Tridacna maxima and T. crocea were most common (2.7 +/- 7.3 and 1.4 +/- 7.6 clams per 100 m2, respectively), followed by T. squamosa (0.7 +/- 1.4 clams per 100 m2), and Hippopus hippopus (0.3 +/- 2.5 clams per 100 m2). The boring species, T. maxima and T. crocea, typically displayed highly aggregated populations, reaching densities of 41.5 and 70 clams per 100 m2, where a reciprocal abundance shift between both species was observed between northern and southern sites of east coast Peninsula. The demography of T. maxima and T. crocea is either positively skewed or normally distributed, indicating abundant recruits that correspond to their higher densities. In contrast, T. squamosa showed a negative skew, suggesting poor recruitment rates. Findings here underscore the need to tailor conservation strategies for respective giant clam species in Malaysia. Proposed initiatives include establishing conservation zones in key areas like Perhentian, Lang Tengah, Redang, and Tioman Islands, which have significant T. maxima and T. crocea recruit populations. Also, targeted restocking efforts are necessary for T. squamosa and H. hippopus to ensure long-term viability of populations.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Funders: | Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS/1/2019/WAB13/UM/02/2), Division of Marine Park and Resource Manage- ment, Department of Fisheries Malaysia, Dalio Philanthropies |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Giant clam; Malaysia; Population assessment; Demography; Hippopus; Tridacna |
| Subjects: | Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QH Natural history |
| Divisions: | Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Office > Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Sep 2024 02:41 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Sep 2024 02:41 |
| URI: | http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/45096 |
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