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From: Abigayle Ng
Hi Students,
Here's a list of the animals we caught (and released) while seining. Aren't you glad we got to go into the water? The photo album from the field trip on Flickr but here are some highlights (all the fish are Phylum Chordata - but what Class?):
- Baby solefish - I think it might have been a Peacock sole, not too sure, check this link
- Pipefishes - not sure if it's this species)
- Crescent Perch
- Filefishes - didn't quite get a look at them but could be this one
- Baby butterflyfish - also didn't get a good look. either this one or this one
- A scorpionfish - identity unknown as yet; we need a taxonomist!!
7. Rabbit fish with his brood ejected from his mouth. Only the males brood. I think it's this species?
8. Spider crab (Phylum Arthropoda: Sub-phylum Crustacea)
9. Seahorses! - see this link]
10. Ctenophores (phylum Ctenophora; there were 2 types)
Bet you didn't know we had all these great animals in Singapore - let alone at Changi Beach! Don't you think our marine life is worth protecting? Here are some ways that you can get close to Singapore's marine life:
1. Go for intertidal walks
Many groups in Singapore conduct guided intertidal walks on Singapore's shore. You've probably heard of Chek Jawa walks, but have you heard of other groups such as the Blue Water Volunteers and the Naked Hermit Crabs? The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research conducts intertidal walks at Pulau Semakau. You can also volunteer to be a guide with any of these groups (with a bit of training). If you dive, you can join the Hantu Bloggers for their dives.
2. Join a Coastal Cleanup
A very meaningful activity which not only cleans our shores of their litter, but also collects data on the sources of trash for future management. Check out the blog that your lecturer, Mr Sivasothi a.k.a. Otterman, the national coordinator, set up for this year's activities - News from the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore.
3. Learn more about our shores
Visit WildSingapore for chockfuls of information on nature in Singapore, nature-related events and volunteer opportunities. Habitatnews, a blog managed by Otterman, has loads of news nuggets regarding nature and natural history (Singapore and otherwise).
4. Tell people about our shores
Just like what I'm doing now, you can also tell other people about the wonderful marine life that Singapore has to offer. Word of mouth and blogs are useful tools in conveying messages to your friends. You can also help publicise of any of the activities mentioned above.
Raffles Museum Toddycats! will be doing just that during NUS Green Carnival next Mon-Wed at the Forum. last year even the 'Milo Uncle' was updated about forest and marine life in Singapore! You can join them this year by sending an email to 3rd year Biology student Hamsa and tell her when you can make it.
Well, I think that's about all I can think of for now. Hope you guys find this information useful and err.. stimulating!
Regards,
Abby
Principal reference for fish: "A Guide to Common Marine Fishes of Singapore," by Kelvin K P Lim & Jeffrey K Y Low. Singapore Science Centre, 1998. [online site]
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Besides being a TA and graduate student at the Department of Biological Sciences, Abby is a Site Buddy at Lim Chu Kang mangroves for the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore, and Vice-president of the Blue Water Volunteers.