Undergraduate Special Problem
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Item Relationship of moderate to heavy Trichuris trichiura infection with the packed red cell volume and mental ability of elementary schoolchildren in Miag-ao, IloiloCalibjo, Hartzell M.; Calvo, May Lyn A.; Dizon, Lourdes Anne A.; Garay, Cyrus Q.; Gonzales, Lorenz Alfred B.; Gibraltar, Felli Claire G.; Peralta, Lou Gillyn B.; Spitzer, Mark Manfred B.; Taburaza, Larimee S. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2005-04)Trichuris trichiura commonly known as whipworm is a nematode that infects human particularly primary school-aged children. Studies show that moderate to heavy Trichuris infection may adversely affect the cognitive functions of schoolchildren (Nokes, 1991) and may cause anemia overtime (Politt, 1982). However, this has not been established in the local setting. This led the researchers to locally conduct a study that would primarily determine the relationship of the moderate to heavy intensity of trichuriasis with the mental ability of schoolchildren and with the Packed Red Cell Volume. It also aims to determine if there is a significant difference between the mental ability test scores and the Packed Red Cell Volume of moderate to heavy Trichuris infected group and the non-infected group. Three coastal elementary schools in Miag-ao, Iloilo was chosen as the study sites. These were Miag-ao West Central Elementary School, Igtuba-Guibongan Elementary School, and Bacauan-Mambatad Elementary School. Five hundred twenty five (525) elementary pupils aged 8—14 years had their stool samples examined using Modified Kato Katz to determine the intensity of Trichuris infection. Thirty (30) moderate to heavy Trichuris infected students and another 30 non-infected students were randomly selected as the study sample. Capillary blood samples were collected from the 60-study sample. The packed red cell volume was determined using the Microhematocrit Method and was categorized as normal and below normal. Mental ability of the study sample was measured using the standardized Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFIT). The test instrument was administered and interpreted by the Psychometricians. The results of the tests consisted of verbal interpretation and was categorized as below average, average and above average. The results showed no significant difference between the moderate to heavy infected group and the non-infected group based on mental ability test verbal interpretation (p= 0.770). The non-infected group even obtained a higher proportion of study samples that were below average CFIT test scores compared with the moderate to heavy infected group. The results of packed red cell volume revealed that all study samples (100%) in the non-infected group had normal Packed Cell Volume (PCV). On the other hand, only 90% of the study samples in the moderate to heavy infected group had normal Packed Cell volume (PCV) while the remaining 10% had below normal PCV. Statistically however, the difference was not significant (p= 0.164). Finally, Linear Regression Analysis showed no linear relationship between mental ability test Deviation Intelligence Quotient and Packed Red Cell Volume among the study samples. The scatter plot diagram showed dispersed distribution of study samples which means weak relationship between the two variables. The insignificant results in this study could be attributed to various confounding variables that were not controlled strictly all throughout the study, as well as the insensitivity of the test instruments used. Thus, the study recommends controlling carefully the various extraneous variables such as socioeconomic conditions, nutritional status of the study sample. The study also recommends the use of more sensitive and specific instruments for measuring the blood level and cognitive functions.Item Phytosociological study in Garantiangan Island, Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMR), Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, PhilippinesCalesterio, Krizha Marie C. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2018-12)Each island has a unique set of characteristics attributed to differences in size, isolation, relief and climate, and origin. Such characteristic influence their floristic composition. Rapid development of tropical islands due to expansion of tourism thus put the flora under risks. In addition, the impact of climate change is also a big factor. There is a need to do baseline studies for proper management and conservation purposes. This study was conducted in Garantiangan Island (a part of Taklong Island National Marine Reserve) in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, Philippines to assess the species composition, and community structure of flora present. Data were collected by establishing random plots from August 2016 to February 2017. Results showed a total of 45 species (7 unidentified) belonging to 26 families, were recorded. Rubiaceae was the most dominant family, having five representative species. Invasive species found were Leucaena leucocephala, and Lantana camara. Floras found belonged to two types of vegetation namely; littoral vegetation: herbaceous strand, littoral shrubland and littoral forest zone and mangrove vegetation. Total stand basal area was 16.63 m2 ha- 1 , with 4985.71 stems ha-1. The total seedling density (1943 individuals ha- 1) > total sapling density (1686 individuals ha- 1) > total tree density (1343 individuals ha- 1) suggests “good” regeneration status. 1. Tarenna littoralis had the highest relative density (18.05%) and frequency (8 %). Terminalia foetidissima had the highest relative dominance (26.70%) and was the most important species (37.04 %). Shannon-Weiner diversity index and Simpson evenness index values recorded were 1.33 and 0.89, respectively, which suggests low diversity and evenness in the island. Given that the biodiversity in the island is threatened, though the results are preliminary and full floral surveys were not carried out, data gathered can serve as a basis for conservation and management actions.Item Analysis of stand basal areas of mangroves in selected sites in the Province of Antique, Panay Island, PhilippinesCalaor, Gazelh Mae T. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2007-04)Mangroves play both an important ecological and economic role. They are valuable to humans and are important component of the natural system. For the past few decades, mangrove forest has been experiencing severe degradation. People often fail to consider the important in the entire ecosystem. Generally, this study aimed to analyzed stand basal areas of mangroves in Antique. The study of basal areas of mangroves can provide an indicating the health condition and overall stands of mangroves in a given area. However few studies have been conducted about this area. Thus, the need for present study to provide an overview of mangrove development in Antique. Information gathered will be useful in the formulation of mangrove measures for the preservation of the remaining mangrove stands in Antique. Specifically, it aimed 1.) to identify the species present in Antique. 2.) to determine the basal areas 3.) to determine the stand basal areas of mangroves. Transect line plot method was used for the study. All sampled sites have been visibly been subjected to human disturbances of varying magnitude. There were 31 true mangroves species identified in the 11 municipalities studied belonging to 14 families. Abundant mangrove forest is in Semirara Island. Caluya with 28 species belonging to 13 families. The family of Rhizophoraceae was the most represented with 7 species identified. Lumnitzera racemosa and Nypa fruticans were found in all municipalities, whereas the least occurring were the Camptostemon philippinensis and Aegiceras floridum found only in Semirara Island. Caluya. Average stand basal area of Antique was 39.49 m2/ha. It ranges from 4.54 m2/ha for the municipality of Bugasong to 214.27 m2ha for the municipality of Semirara Island. Caluya. Average stand basal area per species of Antique Province were ranges from Sonneratia alba at 8.69 m7ha as the highest and the lowest at 0.0036 m2/ha exhibited by Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea. The relatively isolated state of is a good factor in development and establishment of a good mangrove cover. In comparison with other sites in Antique, the stand basal area in Semirara Island, Caluya is much higher reflective of a better and healthier stand.Item Community structure of holothuroids in selected seagrass beds in Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, Guimaras, PhilippinesCalaguing, Aldwyn C. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2018-06)Sea cucumbers are beneficial to mankind commercially as food and medicinal commodity. Overexploitation and illegal catch of these organisms even within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) caused stock depleting and even local extinction of some populations in the country. Monitoring and regular assessment of their population is a must for their proper management and protection. This study investigated the status of holothuroid community within 4 selected seagrass meadows in Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMR), Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. Holothuroid composition and estimates of density, frequency and distribution were determined through plot method. Species identification was based on gross morphology and spicule analysis. There were 40 individuals collected identified as 5 species, namely, Holothuria atra (n = 18), Holothuria pulla (n = 1), Holothuria scabra (n = 5), Bohadschia vitiensis (n = 2) and Synapta maculata (n = 13). The first 4 belonged to Order Aspidochirotida and the last belonged to Order Apodida. Their distribution and community structure in TINMR are likely influenced by the physical and chemical environment, seagrass community poaching, and cryptic behavior.Item Composition and abundance of the stomach contents of Caranx melampygus in Nabinbinan Bay, Nueva Valencia, GuimarasCaigoy, Mary Johnalynn S. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2015-06)Caranx melampygus, a piscivore common in the Indo-Pacific, is an important diurnal predator in coral reefs, but little local information is available on the diet of this fish. This study was done to determine the diet composition and abundance of C. melampygus by examining the stomach contents of specimens collected every 2-4 weeks from catches of fish corals in Southern Guimaras from May 2012 to November 2013. Chyme, fishes, and shrimps were found in the guts of C. melampygus. The Sergestid shrimp Acetes dominated the overall prey composition, followed by penaeid shrimps, and fishes (atherinid, clupeid, engraulid). The mean food count and prey composition varied among small (6-6.9, 7-7.9, 8-8.9), medium (9-9.9, 10-10.9, 1lli.9), and large (12-12.9, 13-13.9, 14-14.9, 15-15.9) fish, suggesting that the food preference of C. melampygus changes as the fish grows.Item Oxygen requirement of Sea Cucumber (Bohadschia marmorata)Cahuya, Jezyl Leigh D. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2017-06)The oxygen consumption of juvenile sea cucumber Bohadschia marmorata was studied in the laboratory. The effects of temperature and body weight on oxygen consumption rate (OCR) were determined by measuring the dissolved oxygen levels using closed bottle respiratory method. Mean weight specific OCR of B. marmorata juveniles was low (9±4 pgO2h-1g-1). The OCR decreased with time from 16.9±9.1 to 6.09±3.86 ugO2h-1g-1 rapidly declining in the first two hours then, more gradually thereafter (R2=-0.92). Factors such as temperature and size affect OCR. Oxygen consumption rate tends to increase with increasing temperature. Bigger animals have low OCR levels than smaller ones (R2=0.32).Item Community structure, biomass and carbon stock assessment of mangrove forest in Poblacion, Batan, Batan Bay, Aklan, PhilippinesCagalawan, Donna Novei C. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2013-04)The continued loss of mangroves in Batan Bay, Aklan and elsewhere in the Philippines warrants urgent attention. Appropriate management schemes can only be drawn after a scientific assessment of the remaining mangroves in a given area. This study aimed to 1.) assess the community structure, of mangroves in Poblacion, Batan, Aklan using accepted ecological indicators such as a.) determine the physical and chemical factors such as salinity, temperature of water and soil, pH as well as substrate characterization; b.) identify and classify true mangrove species present in the area; c.) Stand Basal Area, d.) stems per hectare, e.) relative density, f.) relative frequency, g.) relative dominance, h.) importance value, i.) Shannon Index of Dominance and; 2.) determine biomass and carbon density in the above ground pools of mangroves. A total of nineteen (19) true mangrove species represented by six families were identified in Poblacion, Batan, Aklan. The true mangrove species were Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicennia alba, Avicennia marina, Avicennia officinalis, Avicennia rumphiana, Bruguiera cylindrica, Camptostemon philippenensis, Ceriops decandra, Excoecaria agallocha, Lumnitzera littorea, Nypa fruticans, Osbornia octodanta, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora stylosa, Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea, Sonneratia alba, Xylocarpus granatum and Xylocarpus moluccencis. Camptostemon philippenensis had the highest basal area with 103.14 m2/ha and the highest relative dominance with the value of 39.26%. Avicennia marina has the highest stems per hectare in the area with the value of 32, 400. It also recorded the highest average density at 167 trees/ha and was present in all plots with relative frequency of 44.15%. Avicennia marina was the most important species with value of 300.21. Camptostemon philippinensis had the highest seedling density of 586 seedlings per hectare, whereas Avicennia marina had the highest sapling density of 20 saplings per hectare. In terms of biomass, Avicennia marina recorded the greatest biomass at 79.42 tons/ ha and the highest carbon stock of 36.7 tons/ha. A total of 203.87 tons/ha biomass and 91.728 tons/ha carbon stock was determined. Based on the leaf litter fall, Transect 1 has the highest leaf fall at 664.9g.m2. Litter production was highest during November 5, 2012-November 19, 2012 and lowest in December 17, 2012- December 31, 2012 in all three transects.Item A study of the gut contents of compressed tubby (Canthigaster compressa) from Talibon, Bohol and Palompon, Leyte, PhilippinesCaduada, Laymart A. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2017-06)The Philippines has one of the longest coastlines and is among the top producers of fisheries products in the world. The industry however is threatened by unsustainable fishing practices and dwindling resources. Proper fisheries management is hindered by an extensive lack of biological information on resource populations. Studying fish feeding habits based on gut content analysis could provide insights on fish feeding patterns and trophic interactions in aquatic food webs and enhance our understanding of exploited resources. The study compares the composition of the gut contents of Canthigaster compressa caught by sled trawl in seagrass beds in Talibon, Bohol and Palompon, Leyte. Sixty eight specimens from Talibon and 80 from Palompon were examined. Chyme made up 70-76% of the total gut contents in both areas. A total of 23 prey items were observed. Diet composition in Palompon was more diverse as compared to Talibon. Gut contents changed with size/age, with an apparent increase in the proportion of seagrass/algae as fish size increased. This suggests that the tubby shifts to a more herbivorous diet as they grow older. The amount of forams in the guts also decreased with size which could be attributed to a shift in habitat from seagrass to coral reefs. The results also show that crustaceans are more abundant in Palompon than in Talibon which could mean that Palompon has a richer seagrass-associated crustacean population. Further studies about the abundance of crustaceans in the fish diet in Palompon and Talibon is encouraged as it could be useful in assessing the ecological conditions of the areas.Item Roadworks: Traffic light control via computer interfacingCadiente, Mark E.; Macanas, Dennis G.; Padernal, Noriel P. (Division of Physical Science and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2002-03)Gathering of information was needed to know the behavior of lights and same as to the way on how to interface hardware using computers. After which, designs and flowcharts were made. Hardware designs were tested using both software (Electronic Workbench) and actual circuitry using breadboards. After the hardware was guaranteed to be working properly, it was then interfaced using a computer port, and the main program was developed. The developed software was successful in controlling the behavior of the lights and receiving data from the sensors. Further improvements was then made to the software to improve its interface and efficiency in controlling the said hardware.Item Comparative development of larval performance of catfish hybrids (Clarias macrocephalus Gunther x Clarias gariepinus Burchell)Cabanos, Cerrone Salamat (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2003-03)Our native catfish, Clarias macrocephalus, is one of the most well-accepted fish in the country. With its soft and savory flesh, this species has high demand in local markets. However, due to its relatively slow growth and poor breeding activity, our native catfish has become rarely used nowadays in aquaculture. This led to the introduction of exotic and faster growing species like the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, and Thai catfish, Clarias batrachus, which in turn, resulted to the near extinction of the native species. There is therefore a perceived need to undertake a breeding program involving this native catfish and other exotic species. One potential solution to increase our production rate of the native catfish is to hybridize it with the African catfish. Interspecific hybridization has been a popular breeding program utilized by researchers attempting to produce fish expressing hybrid vigor (positive heterosis) or for combining valuable traits from more than one species. This study is on the characterization of the early developmental stages of fertilized eggs and the comparison of larval performance (in terms of percent fertilization, hatching and larval survival) resulting from the artificial cross of Clarias macrocephalus (native catfish) and Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) and its parental species. In comparing the rates of egg development among crosses (all macrolecithal and discoidal cleavage), it was determined that fertilized eggs of the standard hybrid cross (C. gariepinus male x C. macrocephalus female) have a relatively faster rate of development than those from the reciprocal cross (C. macrocephalus male x C. gariepinus female). Results on determination of larval performance showed that there is no significant difference in percent fertilization and percent survival after 7 days between hybrid and parental crosses. However, in terms of percent hatching, the reciprocal hybrid cross (C macrocephalus male x C. gariepinus female), together with the C. gariepinus x C. gariepinus parental cross had a significantly higher percent hatching (P < 0.01) compared to the standard cross (C. gariepinus male x C. macrocephalus female).