Sains Malaysiana 44(9)(2015): 1223–1228

Temporal Distribution of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities from Tropical Forest Stream in Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia

(Taburan Bermusim Komuniti Bentik Makroinvertebrat daripada Aliran Hutan Tropika di Hutan Rekreasi Gunung Pulai, Johor, Semenanjung Malaysia)

NOR ZAIHA A.¹, MOHD ISMID M.S.² & SALMIATI^1,2*

¹Center of Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA), RISE, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

²Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering,

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

Received: 12 March 2015/Accepted: 27 May 2015

ABSTRACT

Temporal changes of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) communities were investigated at the study area of Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest, Johor, Malaysia. Taxa diversity were also studied to determine the seasonality impact on certain benthic communities. Sampling of aquatic insects were carried out from November 2012 to July 2013 using rectangular dip net. As a result, more EPT were found during the dry season (1533 individuals) compared to wet season (321 individuals). Concomitantly, higher diversity was also recorded in the dry season. Among these three investigated orders, Trichoptera represented the most diverse community with three families recorded, followed by Plecoptera (2 families) and Ephemeroptera (1 family). Caddisfly famili Hydropsychidae were found to be abundant in the study area. Therefore, seasonality impact on EPT assemblage at Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest is extremely evident

Keywords: Benthic community; EPT; Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest; seasonal changes

ABSTRAK

Taburan bermusim bagi komuniti Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera dan Trichoptera (EPT) telah dikaji di kawasan kajian iaitu Hutan Rekreasi Gunung Pulai, Johor, Malaysia. Kepelbagaian takson turut dikaji untuk melihat sama ada terdapat kesan pengaruh musim terhadap komuniti bentik tertentu. Persampelan serangga akuatik telah dijalankan dari bulan November 2012 hingga Julai 2013 menggunakan jaring sauk berbentuk segi empat tepat. Hasilnya, lebih banyak EPT ditemui pada musim kering (1533 individu) berbanding musim hujan (321 individu). Pada masa yang sama, kepelbagaian takson turut direkodkan tinggi pada musim kering berbanding musim hujan. Antara ketiga-tiga order yang dikaji, Trichoptera diwakili oleh komuniti pelbagai dengan tiga famili dilaporkan, diikuti oleh Plecoptera (2 famili) dan Ephemeroptera (1 famili). Lalat kandul daripada famili Hydropsichidae didapati lebih banyak di kawasan kajian. Oleh yang demikian, pengaruh musim terhadap komuniti EPT di Hutan Rekreasi Gunung Pulai adalah sangat jelas.

Kata kunci: EPT; Hutan Rekreasi Gunung Pulai; komuniti bentik; perubahan musim

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*Corresponding author; email: salmiati@utm.my