Spatial Distribution and Categories of Research Done for Marine Megafauna in Malaysia: A Review

• Main Author: Nurul Yusma Aini, Yusoff
• Format: Final Year Project Report
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, (UNIMAS) 2022
• Subjects: QL Zoology
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/39732/1/Nurul%20Yusma%20%28fulltext%29.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/39732/

Large, long-lived marine animals such as sharks, rays, sea turtles, dugongs, and other slowgrowing and late-maturing marine mammals are known as marine megafauna. Coral reefs that cover a lot of areas are also considered as one of the marine megafaunas. Across the years, several studies and research were conducted to better understand the gigantic animal in Malaysian waters. Since those studies are scattered, this review aimed to organize and collect the information about the distributions and type of research done for marine megafauna in Malaysia. The methodology used was reviewing relevant materials regarding marine megafauna in Malaysia, from the year 1895 until 2022, whether it is sightings, recorded, stranded, or caught. The locations were marked using Google Map software and the type of research done were collected and gathered into categories. The spatial distribution of marine megafauna in Malaysia were collectively shown on a map. The type of research done were successfully categorized into eight thematic areas. T – test was done to analyze the comparison between the locations of the research done in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) and the number of research done on marine megafauna. There is no significant difference between the locations of the research in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) and the number of research done (T = 4.0347, α = 4.30, df = 2, p= 0.05). There were more research done on marine megafauna in Peninsular Malaysia compared to East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak). This paper will help to inform the relevant authorities by providing crucial knowledge and assist them in management properties of marine megafauna in Malaysia. Thus, ensuring the survivability and preserve the species diversity of marine megafauna in Malaysia.