ZEEHAN JAAFAR

PhD THESIS TITLE : Gobies of Singapore and peninsular Malaysia and the revision of the Genus Acentrogobius and allies.

Abstract

The epibiota, pelagic and benthic diversity of Raffles Marina were surveyed from August to October 2000. Three quadrates on pilings and another 3 on pontoons were selected in each of the five sampling stations. The pelagic organisms were sampled using several methods; scoop nets, bottom longlines, trammel nets and fish traps. Identification of the pelagic fauna was also carried out visually. Benthic organisms were sampled every fortnight in 6 stations 2 of which are outside the marina. Using the Ekman grab. It was found that crustaceans and gastropods dominated the pilings within the marina. Calcareous polychaete worms dominate the pontoons. Pelagic and fishes sampling yielded 71 species from 6 classes of which 61 species were fishes. Benthic specimens yielded 87 species from 7 classes of which 62 are polychaete species. It was also found using analysis of variance (ANOVA), there is a significant difference in species composition (P=0.03) and abundance (P=0.01) of polychaete community between the outside and inside the marina. Cluster analyses were also carried out and it was found that in terms of both species composition and abundance, the stations OL and OR and A2 and A4 are always grouped together.