Marine Algae Taxonomy Workshop in Malaysia

Bio chair represents Philippines in Marine Algae Taxonomy Workshop in Malaysia

A training workshop on the taxonomy of marine algae was recently held by the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from August 15–22. The workshop was originally intended to train young phycologists from all over Malaysia but the invitation was extended to phycologists from other Asian countries including Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Hongkong–SAR to foster exchanges of information and camaraderie among the region’s young phycologists.

Danilo B. Largo, Chair of the USC Department of Biology, who is actively doing research on marine algae, was invited to represent the Philippines.

Dr. Largo explaining to a group of workshop participants about the characteristics of “gozo” (Eucheuma) – an important world source of carrageenan from the Philippines.

The participants were given hands-on training on how to identify algae based on morphological approach using materials they brought from their respective countries. They were also introduced into the use of molecular approach in algal taxonomy and constructing phylogenetic tree as a tool to analyze evolutionary history of certain algal taxa.

While most of the materials used in the workshop were from their own country, the participants had a chance to collect seaweeds at Port Dickson in the state of Negeri Sembilan located in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and some 80 km from Kuala Lumpur. The exercises enabled them to compare the richness of Southeast Asian biodiversity on marine algae (or seaweeds) which is perhaps unsurpassed by the rest of the world.

Participants of the seaweed taxonomy workshop; Dr. Largo is 4th from the left (2nd row).

Serving as facilitators of the workshop were the leading phycologists from Japan (Prof. Dr. Hiroshi Kawai, Kobe Univ.), Korea (Prof. Dr. Sun Ming Boo represented by Dr. Kim Myung Sook and Dr. Eun Chan Yang), Thailand (Prof. Lewmanomont Khanjanapaj) and Malaysia (Dr. Lim Phaik-Eem and Prof. Dr. Phang Siew Moi). An Annotated Checklist of Marine Algae of Southeast Asia will be the main output of this workshop. This will be the first of a series planned by the organizer, Prof. Phang Siew Moi, head of the University of Malaya Maritime Research Centre (UMMReC).

Dr. Largo’s travel and accommodation expenses were graciously provided by the workshop organizer.

Author: D. B. Largo