Wetlands

1. Wetlands By: International School of Kuala Lumpur Supported by: Zoo Negara

2. Introduction • Zoo Negara: Place where we observed the different species of fish and habitats of them • Observations: • Various fish communities and habitats • Physical attributes and adaptations • Possible reasons for variation • To enhance comprehension of Malaysian wetlands

3. Objectives • To ascertain different factors that affect fishes’ adaptations to their environment. • To understand the purpose of these adaptations • In order to comprehend and be able to identify the different habitats along a single continuous stream

4. Representatives • John Hodges……………………………….Teacher • Arjun Ravi…………………………………Student • Bradley Leusner…………………………...Student • Cameron Banks……………………………Student • Cecile Rushton…………………………….Student • Connor Petty………………………………Student • Daniel Link………………………………..Student • Inez Westerhausen.......................................Student • RueyHerng Lim…………………………...Student • Simon Huie………………………………..Student • YuSun Chung……………………………..Student • XuYing Zhu………………………………Student • ZuDienle Tan……………………………..Student

5. Did you know?: upper stream fish have extremely hydrodynamic bodies! Adaptations:Upper Stream • Strong Current: • Streamlined ‘torpedo’ bodies • Swims fast • Shallow Water • Small bodies • Narrow streams • High oxygen content • Frigid waters • Coarse, rocky substrate

6. Evidently, the creation of dams creates lakes; and a new habitat along the river for fish to inhabit. Adaptations:Dams/Lakes • Camouflage • Grayish brown murky colors • Not easily seen by lurking predators • Low Current: • Flat bodies • Big fins • Superior mouths, only upper jaw moves

7. Fascinatingly, it is in the Mid-Stream where small headwaters meet up to form larger rivers! Adaptations:Mid-Stream • Mid-Stream: • Mixture of Upper stream & Lower stream • Current is fairly fast • Fairly slim bodies • No big fins • Comparatively small fish

8. Astonishingly, The water is saturated with mud and dirt; yet fish species thrive here. Marshes, Bogs, and Swamps • Inclusive of rice paddy fields • Rich diversity of fish • Suitable living conditions • Either petite and small or very large • Home to snakeheads

9. Surprisingly, lower streams are superior in size to the previous streams and lead into tributaries to the ocean. Adaptations:Lower Stream • Low Current • Flat Bodies • Larger Fins • Slower Currents • Slower moving fish • Fairly Large Fish • Stronger to be able to move without aide of current

10. Fun Fact: The peat swamps have PH levels less than 4.5, or as acidic as lemonade! Adaptations:Peat Swamps • Shallow water • Surface feeders • Superior (upturned) mouths • Murky waters • Avoid predators • Plant decomposition • Tannins darken water • From decomposing plants • Small & Colorful • Unable to be seen by predators • Low Diversity

11. Interestingly, the roots of mangroves are submerged in meters of water before they reach soil! Adaptations:Mangroves • Use low levels of oxygen • Sometimes even develop lungs instead of gills • Crabs are prevalent • Home to the amphibious mudskippers

12. Unique Malaysian Adaptations • Over 500 species of fish throughout Malaysia • Dully colored to remain hidden • Very few brightly colored fish, in contrast to Caribbean and Mediterranean species • 70% of the fish present in the Malaysian wetlands are less than 3 centimeters long. • Malaysian fish tend to be extremely small!

13. Conclusion • Fish adapt their physical appearances based on their environment • Behavioral adaptations of fish are common to accommodate their needs • Feeding • Survival • Reproduction etc. • We learned there are diverse species in the wetlands especially in Malaysia • Special Thanks to : • Zoo Negara • Herman Ganapathy

14. Thank You