Sampling P. Malaysia - August 2008

Well.. Works are under progress to sample fish from headwater streams in Peninsular Malaysia this coming August. This will be the first of two samplings that I have to conduct to get data for my PhD. After spending about 2 months analysing my previous data on fish inhabiting the headwater streams of Peninsular Malaysia (more will be done, later..), the opportunity to re-sample some of the streams and surveying a few new streams will generate more information on fish fauna in this great ecosystem.

Headwater ecosystem is rather unique. This ecosystem is constantly under great pressure of high water velocity and fast flowing current. Its substrate consists of rocks of many different sizes and sands. The physical habitat consists of pools including plunge pools of a few meters deep, rapids and riffles alternating the pools along the longitudinal section at the lower altitude. Along the stream, anthropogenic materials creating various structure for fish to hide, or predator may utilised it for hunting or ambushing prey.

Fishes inhabiting the headwater streams comes in various colour, shape and sizes. They utilised quite a different microhabitat such as rocky bottom, leaf piles, or just swim freely in open water. To date, only a handfull of species that probably never been reported elsewhere in the world utilised the headwater stream of Peninsular Malaysia as their habitat. The total number of freshwater fishes utilised the headwater ecosystem is not known. Well.. Some species may be found in lower part of the streams or in other totally different habitats such as swamps. "Obligate' species of headwater streams fish fauna may be not as rich as species recorded in swamps but the special adaptation to live in this 'harsh' habitat resulted several species possesses several unique characteristics such as streamline, flat-head, and elongated body.

From the previous collections, there are about 120 species (more or less..) but based on the preliminary analyses, the estimated number is higher! So, more sampling is needed until the graph of species-area curve reach asymptote. Well.. It won't be easy but more samplings at more sites and with the used of correct tools, we might be able to estimate the number of fish species living in this area. So, my job is to collect as many fish as I can withing 50m streach of stream for 3-5 replicates. I hope I am able to do this with the help of several friends.

WISH ME LUCK... <;)}}}<