THE IDENTIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF NAKED AMOEBAE IN THE WATER AND SEDIMENTS OF SETIU WETLANDS, TERENGGANU

Abstract

This study was carried out to obtain preliminary data on the amoeba species present in brackish water and sediments at Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu. Water and sediment samples from seven sampling locations in Setiu Wetlands were taken for isolation and identifcation of the amoebae. The water samples were collected between 5 to 10 cm below the water surface level in sterile 500 mL polyethelene bottles and were fltered through a membrane fltration unit to trap the amoebae. Sediment samples were taken using a shovel grab and were vortex-mixed in Page’s amoeba Solution (PaS) to separate the amoebae from the sediments. Estimation on their abundance in the sediments at each location was done following Singh’s method with modifcations. The texture of the sediments was also analyzed and correlated with amoeba abundance. The results of this study indicated that at least four species of amoebae were isolated and identifed in water at Setiu Wetlands. They were Acanthamoeba polyphaga, Acanthamoeba sp., Vahlkamfa sp. and one unidentifed species designated as amoeba A. In sediments of Setiu Wetlands, at least seven species of amoebae were present. They were Acanthamoeba polyphaga, Acanthamoeba sp., Vahlkamfa sp., Mayorella sp., Vannella-like amoeba, amoeba a and amoeba B. The amoeba species that were labeled as amoeba a and B could not be assigned to any genera of amoebae since their morphological characteristics did not ft the standard taxonomic keys for free-living naked amoebae. The most common amoeba found both in water and sediments in Setiu Wetlands belongs to the genus of Acanthamoeba. The amoeba distribution and abundance in relation to the sediment texture and water quality are discussed.