THE IDENTIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF NAKED AMOEBAE IN THE WATER AND SEDIMENTS OF SETIU WETLANDS, TERENGGANU
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Date
2008
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Sustainability Science and Management
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.
Description
Keywords
amoeba species, brackish water, sediments, Setiu Wetlands