UMT | Portal Rasmi Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

UMT maintains more than 50,000 marine specimens for researchers’ reference

/umt-simpan-lebih-50000-spesimen-marin-pusat-rujukan-penyelidik/

UMT maintains more than 50,000 marine specimens for researchers’ reference

Tuesday, 23/05/2023

Share This Article :

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is an institution that is no stranger to studies related to the oceans. The fields of research cover various scopes, among them physical oceanography, fisheries, and oceans’ current, temperature, and organisms.

UMT’s South China Sea Reference & Repository Centre (RRC) located at the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) acts as a library that enables researchers to conduct their works without having to dive into the oceans themselves.

RRC, initially set up as a marine natural history museum in 2004, now focuses on the collection of various marine specimens available along Malaysian waters (South China Sea and Straits of Malacca).

INOS has frequently been a source of reference regarding issues involving the oceans and marine lives. The institute has established that RRC is to become the main repository for marine collections and source of reference for research and education in Malaysia.

To date more than 50,000 marine specimens are placed at RRC. In addition, there are 70 specimens classified as “type” specimens, which are specimens used to name new species in science. All the specimens are valued at an estimated RM7.5 million. Curators at RRC have classified specimen samples into several categories, including biology, geology, paleontology, and genomics.

The specimens at RRC are kept according to whether they are wet, dry, or genomic. UMT management emphasizes the quality of storage, so the process is carried out according to the standards from National Park Service, USA.

Most specimens at RRC have been contributed by UMT researchers. There are, however, some that have been provided by outside researchers.

RRC is recognized by the Malaysian government as the main repository centre for marine specimens. At the international level, RRC is endorsed by the Australian government as an exchange centre for biological specimens for Australian institutions.

In addition, RRC is also the main contributor to Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS) data centre and the country’s Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). RRC plays a big role in the development of the country’s marine life studies.

 

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu