Publications by authors named "Yee Wah Lau"

Article Synopsis
  • The mitochondrial genomes of octocorals range from 18.5 to 20.5 kb, containing 14 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one tRNA, with previously known gene orders expanding from 7 to 14.
  • The study explored the structural variability of octocoral mitogenomes through comparative analyses, highlighting the significant rearrangement events, mainly inversions and transpositions.
  • The findings suggest that mitochondrial gene order studies can enhance our understanding of octocoral evolution and aid in determining the phylogenetic relationships among different octocoral taxa.
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Sabah, Malaysia, is well known for its extensive and diverse coral reefs. It is located on the northwestern edge of the Coral Triangle, the region with the highest marine biodiversity. Much of the marine fauna here is still unknown, especially inconspicuous animals, such as small stoloniferous octocorals, which are common on coral reefs.

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Marine biodiversity and derived ecosystem services are critical to the healthy functioning of marine ecosystems, and to human economic and societal well-being. Thus, an understanding of marine biodiversity in different ecosystems is necessary for their conservation and management. Coral reefs in particular are noted for their high levels of biodiversity, and among the world's coral reefs, the subtropical Ryukyu Islands (RYS; also known as the Nansei Islands) in Japan have been shown to harbor very high levels of marine biodiversity.

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A new genus and two new species of stoloniferous octocorals (Alcyonacea) within the family Arulidae are described based on specimens collected from Okinawa (Japan), Palau and Dongsha Atoll (Taiwan). . is erected within Arulidae.

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