Kota kinabalu: Borneo Marine Institute (IMB), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), has recorded three new species of spiny lobsters (Panulirus spp.) from Sabah waters for the first time, two of which are new records for Malaysia and one is a new record for Sabah.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, its researcher, Prof Madya Dr Chen Cheng Ann, who led the research, said the discovery reinforces Sabah's status as a world-class marine biodiversity hotspot. He said the research had identified Panulirus homarus homarus and P. femoristriga as new records in Malaysia, and P. polyphagus as a new record in Sabah. Before this study, only three species, namely Panulirus ornatus, P. versicolor, and P. longipes, were known to exist in Sabah waters since 2004.
"This discovery is significant because it updates the marine biodiversity records of Malaysia and emphasises the need to strengthen fisheries resource management in Sabah," he said in a statement here today. He noted that the research had also doubled that number to six species, illustrating that much marine biodiversity in Sabah remains unexplored.
"In related research, our team also recorded Panulirus stimpsoni from Peninsular Malaysia, thereby expanding the national checklist of spiny lobsters," he added. Chen emphasized the importance of further research to support conservation efforts and the sustainable management of the newly recorded species.
Chen also mentioned that the study was conducted under challenging conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Movement Control Order and limited access to field sites and fishing communities posing significant obstacles. "Although faced with various constraints, the study has successfully doubled the known diversity of spiny lobsters in Sabah, including two species that are new records for Malaysia," he added.
Meanwhile, UMS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor praised the success of the research team and described it as an important achievement in the field of marine science and a reflection of the country's research excellence. "I would like to express my appreciation to Dr Chen for his dedication and perseverance in successfully conducting this research," he added.