Research List

No.	Researcher	Title	Abstract	Year
2761	Thin Thin Soe1, Ko Myint2	DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF YELLOWTAIL CATFISH PANGASIUS MYANMAR, ROBERTS AND VIDTHAYANON 1991, IN THE ESTUARY ENVIRONMENT OF YANGON RIVER*	This study investigates the abundance and distribution of the endemic yellowtail catfish, Pangasius myanmar, within the Yangon River estuary. Fish data, including length and weight measurements, were collected through field observations and interviews. Surface water samples were collected using standard sampling procedures for laboratory quality analysis. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between fish length and weight. Field observations and interviews revealed that the species is widely distributed across the coastal, river mouth, and intertidal zones, extending up to 23 miles (38.34 km) upstream from the river mouth, which itself stretches approximately 40 miles (63.37 km). Seasonal variations in catch were noted, with increased captures upstream during the dry season and active fishing in downstream during the wet season, particularly in the brackish water zone where freshwater and saltwater converge. Remarkably, fishing activity yielded the highest catches near mangrove areas during high tides, with fishermen using lift nets to exploit the catfish�s foraging behavior. Over the study period from November 2023 to October 2024, a total of 2,839 fish were recorded, with monthly catches highest in November (475 fish) and reducing in May (75 fish). The total weight of the harvest reached 16,512.7 kg, with the highest monthly weight recorded in October (2,671.2 kg). The findings indicated the ecological significance of the Yangon River as a breeding and feeding habitat area for Pangasius Myanmar which is endemic species to Myanmar, Yangon Region. The correlation between fish length and weight is both strong and statistically significant, meaning that fish grow proportionally in both dimensions. This suggests healthy growth status in terms of both body length and weight. Fluctuations in water quality, particularly during the reproductive periods such as egg maturation in April directly influence the species' health and population viability. Therefore, the protection and appropriate fishery management of this estuarine ecosystem, which is rich in mangroves and salt marshes, is vital for the sustainability of the local fishery and the continued presence of this endemic species in the Yangon River.	2025
2762	Naung Naung Oo1	REVIEW ON ESTUARINE AND MARINE MOLLUSCS OF MYANMAR: PART I*	A total of 40 orders, 164 families, 375 genera, and 1720 species of estuarine and marine molluscs were collected from intertidal, subtidal and deep-water areas from Nantha Island in northern Rakhine Coastal Region to Dawei Point in Tanintharyi Coastal Region from 2004 to 2024 in Myanmar coastal water. The collected specimens were recognized as 1 species of Aplacophora, 20 species of Polyplacophora, 2 species of Monoplacophora, 1106 species of Gastropoda, 529 species of Pelecypoda (= Bivalvia), 10 species of Scaphopoda, and 52 species of Cephalopoda. In the present study, 954 species of estuarine and marine molluscs were recorded from the Rakhine Coastal Region, followed by 598 species from the Tanintharyi Coastal Region, 134 species from the Ayeyawady Delta and Gulf of Martaban Coastal Region, and 34 species from unspecified localities, respectively.	2025
2763	Zarni Ko Ko1	MORPHOMETRICS, LENGTH WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP AND CONDITION FACTOR OF COILIA DUSSUMIERI VALENCIANNES, 1848 FROM YE ESTUARY, MON COASTAL AREA	The morphometrics analysis, length weight relationship and condition factor of Coilia dussumieri were estimated in Ye Estuary between January and October 2022. During this study, the interrelationship of total length (TL) with various morphometric characters, namely SL, HL, ED, BD, PDL, PAL, PPL, and PVL, was found to be statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). A high correlation coefficient (r = 0.95) showed a highly significant relationship between total length and standard length, while the remaining characters showed moderate or low correlations (0.5 < r < 0.7). Moreover, the growth pattern between total length and other morphometric characters was negative because the value of 'b' was lower than unity (b < 1). The length-weight relationship of the fish indicated negative allometric growth (b < 3), and the condition factor showed a poor condition in fish (K < 1).	2025
2764	Ei Thinzar Phyo1, Nyo Nyo Tun2, Kyaw Thura3	VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF HEAVY METALS IN MUDFLAT AND MANGROVE SEDIMENTS OF BILU ISLAND, MYANMAR	Mangroves are examples of coastal blue carbon ecosystems that play significant roles in the environment. This study measured the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, and Cu) using profile samples from two different habitats: mangrove and mudflat. The study was conducted on Bilu Island in Mon State, Myanmar. Findings from this study demonstrated that the top 20 cm of the mangrove sediment profile had higher concentrations of heavy metals compared to the mudflat sites. This research suggests that coastal blue carbon ecosystems are effective at retaining trace elements, which can help to mitigate the negative effects of heavy metals on marine environments.	2025
2765	Nway Thiri Htun11 ,Htway Thiri Htun2, Kyaw Thura3	MANGROVE STATUS OF SETSE, MON STATE	This study recorded a total of 18 mangrove species, comprising 12 true mangrove species and 6 mangrove associates. In terms of relative dominance, Avicennia alba and A. officinalis were the most dominant species across all transect lines. Avicennia alba had the highest importance value index (IVI) at 145.22, while Sonneratia apetala had the lowest IVI value at 1.57. The application of Google Earth Pro was used to assess the loss and recovery status of the mangrove area from 2011 to 2023. According to historical images from Google Earth Pro, 3.51 acres (2011-2014), 13.37 acres (2014-2017), 0.65 acres (2017-2019), and 7.74 acres (2019-2023) were recovered, while 3.73 acres (2017-2019) and 2.54 acres (2019-2023) were lost.	2025
2766	Htway Thiri Htun1, Nway Thiri Htun2, Kyaw Thura3	SOIL CARBON SEQUESTRATION OF SALT MARSHES IN BILU ISLAND, MYANMAR	In this study, vertical soil cores were collected from two habitats (mudflat and salt marshes) in Zeekone, Tawpun, Kalwi, and Karaikdo. The aim was to examine the organic carbon content and physicochemical properties of the soil's vertical profile (within 0-60 cm). Eight salt marsh species were identified based on their vegetation cover, including Sesuvium portulacastrum, Phragmites australis, Distichlis spicata, Puccinellia species, Paspalum species, Spartina maritima, Typha angustifolia, and Schoenoplectus americanus.The results showed that soil organic carbon (SOC) content decreased with depth in the Zeekone, Tawpun, and Karaikdo stations. In contrast, an increasing trend was observed in the Kalwi station. For soil physical properties, dry bulk density (gcm?�) increased with depth at Zeekone, Tawpun, and Karaikdo, but not at Kalwi. The mudflat in the Kalwi station had the highest soil salinity value (5.98 � 0.67), while the Phragmites australis salt marsh at the Zeekone station had the lowest (0.06 � 0.01). Soil pH values across all stations ranged from weakly acidic to weakly alkaline.The highest SOC content was found in the Sesuvium portulacastrum salt marsh at Zeekone and the mudflat at Tawpun, with mean values of 1.00 � 0.57% and 1.16 � 0.71%, respectively. The sediment types in the Zeekone and Tawpun stations were sandy loam and sand. Kalwi station consisted of loamy sand and sand, and Karaikdo station had loam and sandy loam sediment types.	2025
2767	Aung Aung Aye1, Shwesin May 2, Sabai Soe3, Ei Thel Phyu4 and Cherry Aung5	CULTURE POTENTIAL OF THE PACIFIC CLAM, ASAPHIS VIOLASCENS (FORSSKAL, 1775), IN THE MYEIK ARCHIPELAGO	The Pacific clam, Asaphis violascens (Forsskal, 1775), locally known as "Gin-Phyu," is a benthic bivalve species native to the Indo-Pacific region. This study demonstrated the potential for aquaculture by successfully breeding the Pacific clam from its embryonic and larval stages to the juvenile stage in a laboratory. While the clams are currently a low-priced seafood, which may limit commercial-scale culture, their production from natural habitats is mainly for local consumption. By studying the clam's life cycle through laboratory culture, we gained insights into its population dispersion and optimum environmental parameters. This culture practice can be used in the future to enhance its abundance in natural beds. The primary objective of this research was to establish suitable rearing conditions for induced spawning, larviculture, and grow-out culture. In this study, adult, mature clams were collected from the sandy beaches of Doris Island. Induced spawning was attempted using emersion and thermal shock methods. Larvae rearing and grow-out culture were investigated in a hatchery setting. Eight species of microalgae (Chaetoceros simplex I & II, Chaetoceros calcitrans, Chaetoceros ceratosporum, Chaetoceros gracilis I & II, Nannochloropsis oculata, and Tetraselmis suecica) were used as food. A sand substrate was found to be essential for the grow-out culture of post-larval clams to reach the adult stage.	2025
2768	Phoo Wint Yee Thaw1, Cho Cho2, Hnin Win Yee3, Kay Thwe Lwin4	SCREENING OF PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING BACTERIA (PGPB) FROM THE SOIL AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE GROWTH OF SELECTED PLANTS*	Microorganisms in soil play a crucial role in crop production and sustainable development of agriculture. This study was intended to isolate the PGPB strains from different soil sample. The experiment was performed at the Molecular Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, Center for Research and Innovation, University of Yangon, in 2024. In this study, five bacterial strains have been isolated and given named as SP1 to SP5. In morphological characterization, all strains showed the circular shape, entire margin, raised elevation, smooth texture and transparent opacity except the opaque opacity in the strain SP1. Microscopical observations revealed that strains SP1, SP2, SP4 and S5 are bacilli shape, Gram positive bacteria and only SP3 are Gram-negative bacteria with the form of bacilli. The different biochemical tests and nitrogen fixation test of each isolated strains were performed. The DNA extraction and purification from each strain were conducted and all extracted bacterial DNA produce relatively high purity of DNA, ranging between 1.8 and 2.0 in A260/A280 ratio with less impurities in A260/A230 ratio. Among five strains, strain SP2 and SP5 indicated the best DNA purity result. Moreover, the improvement of plant growth promotion performance indicated the positive effects on the selected plants at 15 days post inoculation, especially strains SP2 and SP5 showed the maximum results on plant growth parameters.	2025
2769	Cherry Mon1 , Zaw Lwin Oo2 and Kalaya Lu3	EFFECT OF INOCULATING ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ON AGARWOOD FORMATION IN AQUILARIA MALACCENSIS LAM.*	The fourteen endophytic fungi were isolated from the healthy plant parts such as leaves, bark, wood and fruit of Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. The fourteen isolated fungal strains were tested for enzymatic activities such as cellulase, laccase, lipase, protease and pectinase. Aspergillus sp. (CM 2 and CM 11) showed cellulase, lipase and pectinase activities. Curvularia sp. (CM 6) showed laccase. Aspergillus sp. (CM 2 and CM 11) and Curvularia sp. (CM 6) were selected as the potential endophytic fungi for inducing the agarwood formation. The three strains of endophytic fungi such as Aspergillus sp. (CM 2), Curvularia sp. (CM 6) and Aspergillus sp. (CM 11) were used as inoculation materials. The fungal inoculation was done in the stem of Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. using the syringe method. The induced agarwood was harvested after 3 months of inoculation. The inoculation of Aspergillus sp. (CM 11) showed better results in average agarwood yield (3.5 %) per tree. The average agarwood yield per tree treated with Aspergillus sp. (CM 2), Curvularia sp. (CM 6) and Potato dextrose broth (Control) was showed 1.9 %, 0.7 % and 0.2 % respectively. The 2.53 % of agarospirol production was induced successfully using the fungi Aspergillus sp. (CM 11) within 3 months only, after inducing the infection. Therefore, Aspergillus sp. (CM 11) is an efficient and promising fungal strain for artificial agarwood production during commercial-scale cultivation of Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. which can lead to the ecology and ecological stabilities for communities in near future.	2025
2770	Kyi Kyi lwin1, Oo Soe Than2, Aye Myat San3	PALYNOLOGICAL STUDY ON SOME MANGROVE PLANTS FOUND IN SITTWAY COASTAL AREA*	Pollen morphology of 14 mangrove species belonging to 10 genera of 9 families were studied, classified and identified by available literatures. Pollen of 14 mangrove species (Nypa fruticans, Ticantio crista, Kandelia obovate, Excoecaria agallocha, Sonneratia apetala, S. caseolaris, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Aegiceras corniculatum, A. floridum, Vincetoxicum flexuosum var. tenuis, Acanthus ilicifolius, Avicennia alba, A. marina, A.officinalis) were observed with a binocular electric microscope. Pollen study area is in Yae- chan- pyin village, Kyauk- tan village, Aung- mingalar village, Nar- yae- kan village and along the Sittway costal, Rakhine State. The pollen key to the species has been constructed based on the acquired palynological assessment. Pollen of all the species have been recorded with aperture number, position, shape, size, and sculpture of the exine; investigated species were pollinia and monads; varying form porate, colporate, colpate to sulcate. The equatorial and polar views of each taxon were recorded by photomicrographs. The present study revealed that the pollen morphology of some mangrove species in study area. Mangrove pollen is crucial for the reproduction of mangrove trees, which are key components of coastal ecosystems. These trees provide habitats for numerous species, contributing to biodiversity. Therefore, the pollen morphology of mangrove plants needs to be protected and regularly assessed.	2025

Research Publications

Myanmar Academy of Art & Science List of Research