*"If I were a mudskipper..."*
- reports from recent research projects at Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve by
members of the Systematics & Ecology Lab for SBWR staff.
*
*
*Monday, 11th May 2009: 8.30am - 11.30am.*
*This is circulated just in case some of you are able to join us. This
session was convened for park staff. It will be repeated at a more
convenient time for the natural history community. *
*
*
*Itinerary*

- 0830-1015: Talk
- 1030: Proceed to boardwalk for observation and suggestions about use of
new information in guiding strategy (tide level: 1.9m rising to 2.5m).

*
*
*Part I - "If I were a mudskipper: where should I go?" *
*By Trina Chua, UROPS project, Jan - Mar 2009. *

- Introduction to two large carnivorous mudskippers, the Yellow-spotted
mudskipper (*Periophthalmus walailakae*) and the Giant mudskipper
(*Periophthalmodon
schlosseri*)
- Telling apart the two prominent mudskippers on the mangrove floor at
the mangrove boardwalks in Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve.
- Diurnal tidal migration.
- Basal distribution and population at low tide versus high tide.

*
Part II - "If I were a mudskipper: what should I eat?"
By Theresa Su, Hons project, Aug 2008 - Mar 2009
*

- The feeding regime and behaviour of the carnivorous mudskippers: do
they prefer specific prey, when do they eat and what does this suggest
about their ecology?
- Theresa will include a show and tell
- (i) 2 species of mudskippers ventrally dissected
- (ii) specimens of prey items: red silt crab *(Paracleistostoma *sp.),
common silt crab (*Ilyogynis *sp.), sipunculids, mangrove slugs,
polychaete worms.

*Part III - Relevance, stories we can tell visitors and Q&A.*
*By Sivasothi et al.*

- The relevance of this information to our understanding of the mangroves
and the park;
- What we still do not know, what we suspect and future studies that will
be offered.
- How to apply this information during guided walks at the boardwalk.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]