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Item Spatial variations of Benthic meiofauna communities from Palompon Bay, Northern LeyteBalasa, Melvy June (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2013-04)Meiofauna play a significant role in maintaining ecological balance in marine ecosystems especially in the dynamics of the seagrass meadows. The meiofauna links the upper trophic level with detritus-feeding organisms. Only few studies have been conducted in the Philippines, while no studies have been. This study was conducted in Palompon, northern Leyte in November 2011, to determine the spatial distribution of meiobenthic fauna in the area and to compare community structure in terms of species composition, species density, and species diversity among five stations included in the survey. Twenty taxa were identified with nematodes being numerically dominant, followed by harpacticoid copepods. It also showed the highest mean abundance for the entire habitat type. The overall mean density was 194585.1528 ind. m2, with the highest population at station 4. And the lowest population was recorded at station 2. Soft bottom habitat showed the highest recorded mean density among the 5 stations, Harpacticoids mostly dominated sandy substrate while nematodes were widely distributed.Item Assessment of heavy metal traces (Copper and lead) in the soft tissue of Oysters Crassostrea virginicaBalboa, Dexter G. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2010-04-05)The bivalve mollusk Crassostrea virginica is abundant in Brgy. Calaparan, Arevalo and Brgy. Bacong, Dumangas; and are widely consumed by the residence as food. Bioaccumulation of Copper and Lead in the soft tissues of C. virginica from Brgy. Calaparan, Arevalo and Brgy. Bacong, Dumangas were measured and checked if they are still within the permissible levels of Copper and Lead in food based on Median International Standards for metals compiled by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Metal concentrations (μg/g) were determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Mean concentrations of the heavy metals in C. virginica from Calaparan, Arevalo- Cu 27.829, Pb 1.2133; Bacong, Dumangas- Cu 57.834, Pb 0.1338. These levels of Copper and Lead in oyster tissue from both sites are within the the range of Median International Standards for metals and are safe for human consumption. Statistical analysis through one- way ANOVA (F > Fcrit, showed significant difference between sites (Fcrit = 18.51282) for Copper (F value, 215.06569) but not for Lead (F value, 2.25151). The study also provided further solid evidence that bivalve like Crassostrea virginica can recover and concentrate environmentally derived and anthropogenic traces of heavy metals.Item Growth and nutritional content of red seaweed Gracilaria bailinae (Zhang et. al., 1995) grown under different fertilization schemeAlmojuela, Kristine Marie T. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2012-04)The accelerated development of fish aquaculture has caused many environmental problems. The most evident effects resulting from this activity is the increase in organic material, the reduction in dissolved oxygen and the excessive rise in inorganic nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon dioxide. The integration of seaweeds to fed cultured species has long been recognized as promising approach to reduce the excess nutrients released by aquaculture activity. The nitrogen and phosphate uptake kinetics, growth and nutritional content of the seaweed Gracilaria bailinae were studied in a series of outdoor tanks, fertilized with commercial fertilizer (NH4CI, NaNO3, and Na2HPO4) and shrimp culture waste water. The nutritional content of G. bailinae before and after fertilization was also determined through proximate analysis. Results showed a significant removal of dissolved nutrients by G. bailinae, although definite uptake rate could not be determined since the data were erratic and Michaelis-Menten model could not be applied. Seaweeds fertilized with shrimp waste water showed best specific growth rate (1.37±0.2 % d-1) over other fertilization scheme. This suggests that shrimp pond effluents could promote good growth on G. bailinae. Local G. bailinae had high protein content per se (14%) but became more enhanced when fertilized with commercial or shrimp waste water (23-32%). In contrast, its carbohydrate content dropped when heavily fertilized from 39% to 19%.Item Short-term impacts of oil spills on fungal population in a mangrove area in Batad, IloiloAlpas, Donna Bella C. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2014-04)Oil spills cause extensive damage on the marine environment, ranging from obliteration of its flora and fauna to biomagnifications of toxic components of petroleum. The location of mangroves at the sea-land interface makes the ecosystem susceptible to disturbances such as oil spills. There is a considerable information on the impacts of oil spills on mangrove while impacts on microbial populations, especially fungi, are limited. This study therefore assessed the effect of oil on the diversity and distribution of fungi of oil-contaminated sites in Batad, Iloilo due to Power Barge oil spill last November 8, 2013. The mangrove surface sediments were collected on January 11, 2014 at oil-contaminated sites in Batad, Iloilo and uncontaminated site in Ajuy, Iloilo. Sample were processed based on Pepper and Gerba (2004). Colony forming units per gram of soil (CFU/g) was used to express yeasts and filamentous fungi. On PDA medium, more fungal isolates were isolated at oil-contaminated site compared with uncontaminated site at 14 and 12 species respectively, there was also a higher Shannon Index of Diversity at 2.4858 and 2.4582, respectively. Among the filamentous fungi, three genera were represented by Aspergillus. Penicillium, and Cladosporium. However, Aspergillus was more diverse with 10 species. Six species were found only at the oil-contaminated sites - Aspergillus sp 2. Aspergillus sp 1, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium sp 2, Penicillium sp 3 and Yeast sp 2 while four species are found in the unoiled site - Penicillium cf. lapidosum, Aspergillus sp 3, Aspergillus sp 4 Penicillium sp 1. Furthermore, there is a low index of similarity as shown by Jaccards coefficient of similarity (J=0.44) and Sorensen coefficient of similarity ( C=0.61). Fungal load was higher at oil-contaminated soils compared with uncontaminated soils at 1.3 x 10 - CFU/g and 6.0 x IO3 CFU/g, respectively. Bushnell Haas Agar yielded more fungi isolates isolated from oil-contaminated sites compared with uncontaminated site of 4 and 3 species respectively. Furthermore, a higher Shannon Index Diversity (H) was observed at oil-contaminated sites (1.3298) than those at uncontaminated site (0.6364) suggesting that there are more species of fungi capable to degrade the hydrocarbons and utilize it as a source of energy. The overall frequency of distribution of the major fungal genera in both oil-contaminated and uncontaminated sites showed that only Dueteromycota was isolated and dominated in both sites and in both media, the PDA and Bushnell Haas Agar. The major genera isolated in PDA medium included Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and yeast. In Bushnell Haas Agar, Aspergillus and yeast were the major genera isolated and are seen in both sites. The frequency of occurrence of various species in uncontaminated and oil-contaminated sites were not significantly different. The Deuteromycota were the dominant group that were isolated on all sites using two media. The overall result indicate the stimulating effect of oil are observed in the higher fungal load in oil- contaminated site.Item Echinoid and Ophiuroid species in Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMR), GuimarasAlmira, Eugenie Marie A. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2015-06)Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMR) in Guimaras is one of the Philippines’ marine protected sites established to ensure continuity and productivity of marine organisms such as echinoderms. The study aims to determine the community structure of echinoid and ophiuroid species in selected shallow coastal sites around Taklong Island within TINMR. Sampling was done twice (June 2014 and Jan 2015) using belt transect method for echinoid species in three selected sites and random quadrat method for ophiuroid species in two sites. A total of twelve (12) echinoid and six (6) ophiuroid species were recorded. The most numerous echinoid and ophiuroid were Echinotrix calamaris and Ophiocoma erinaceus, respectively. The diversity of echinoids (H’= 0.37-0.95) and ophiuroids (H’= 0.53-1.40) in Taklong Island was relatively low. Presence and abundances of many echinoids and ophiuroids in a site varied with sampling time. Variation may be due to differences in substrate characteristics such as sea grass cover and coral cover as well as environmental factors.Item Endophytic fungi from Halimeda macroloba and Sargassum sp.in Nueva Valencia Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, PhilippinesAlemania, Darlene Kris V. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2019-06)Endophytic fungi of marine algae in the Philippines have not been widely explored despite the fact that marine fungi associated with algae are the second most diverse. This study aimed to conduct a preliminary investigation on the occurrence of endophytic fungi from Halimeda macroloba and Sargassum sp. In this study fungal endophytes were isolated from Halimeda macroloba and Sargassum sp. collected from Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. Broad-leaf macroalagal samples were surface sterilized and cultured on PDA seawater media at 37°C. Isolated fungal endophytes were identified through colony and microscopic characteristics. Twenty one distinct endophytic fungi were isolated, 17 of which were identified up to the genus level with the most endophytes belonging to the genus Aspergillus. Fungal endophytes obtained were mostly ascomycetes specifically Aspergillus sp., one hyphomycete and three unidentified fungi with sterile mycelia were present. The brown algae, Sargassum sp., had a higher diversity compared to the green algae Halimeda macroloba in spite of having a lower isolation frequency. In terms of similarity, the two algal hosts had a low index of similarity with J= 10%. This study contributes to the growing data regarding diversity and abundance of fungal endophyte species from marine macroalgae in the Philippines. This is the first study conducted on fungal endophyte assemblages of algae species in Western Visayas.Item Reproductive biology of coconut crab Birgus latro (LINNAEUS 1767) from Antique, Western Visayas, PhilippinesAlberca, Pavi Jewime O. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2016-06)The coconut crabs Birgus latro continue to decline globally and are now considered as an endangered species. In order to prevent further depletion of the species, much effort must be placed on implementing municipal ordinances such as seasonal closures and minimum legal size limits. This study aimed to monitor the breeding cycle of the Birgus latro from the islands of Sibolon and Maniquin. Antique. Philippines using macroscopic and microscopic techniques. A minimum of ten crabs were collected every month for six months (Aug. 2015 - Jan. 2016). The crab samples were examined based on the morphological and histological appearance of the gonads. The body weight, thoracic length (TL). cephalothoracic length, carapace width, pleonal expansion, gonad weight and hepatopancreas weight were measured. The gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI). pleonal expansion index (PEI) and gonad index (GI) were calculated. The results revealed two stages of development for both the male and female B. latro. The testicular stages were a) maturing stage - creamy white with the presence of spermatogonia, spermatids and spermatozoa; b) mature stage - creamy white and larger with the presence of the spermatozoa only. The ovarian stages were a) maturing stage - light yellow with the presence of oogonia, endogenous and exogenous vitellogenic oocytes and follicle cells: b) mature stage - reddish brown and larger with the presence of the fully mature oocytes. The smallest sexually mature crab for the male was 28 mm TL and for the female was 32 mm TL. The mature testes were observed all throughout sampling period, while the mature ovaries were only in August, September and October. The occurrence of the male B. latro was higher than the females. In males, the GSI and GI were directly proportional to the developmental stages. The HSI was inversely proportional. while the PEI showed no relationship. In females, the GSI. HSI. PEI and GI showed a direct relationship with the stages of development.Item Temperature tolerance of adult seahorse Hippocampus barbouriAraneta, Aira Joy T. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2010-03)Two experiments were carried out to determine the temperatures that could be tolerated by the adult seahorse Hippocampus barbouri (1 year and 4 months old). The low temperature levels tested were 16, 19, and 22 °C. The high temperature levels tested were 32, 35, and 38 °C. Ambient water temperature of 25-28°C served as the control. Seahorses were acclimatized for one hour prior to transfer to various experimental temperatures. The experiment was conducted in 10 L plastic containers with 10 seahorses per container. The experimental containers were floated in a 1 tonne fiber glass tank filled with 18cm of water, which served as water bath, to maintain the desired water temperature inside the containers. There were three replicates per treatment. Survival of the seahorses was monitored every hour for 96 hours. For the low-temperature tolerance experiment, only 57% survival was observed after 96 hours of exposure to 16°C, while 100% survival was obtained on seahorses reared in 19 and 22°C. Significantly decreasing percentage survival correlated closely with decreasing temperature. For the high-temperature tolerance experiment, H. barbouri tolerated a temperature of 32°C with 100% survival. However, no seahorse survived water temperatures of 35°C. Similarly all seahorses succumbed within an hour of exposure to water with a temperature of 38°C. No death occurred in seahorses at a temperature of 25-28°C (control). The results of the present study show that adult H. barbouri could tolerate temperatures as low as 16°C and as high as 32 °C.Item Effects of pH and salinity on growth and survival of juvenile sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (Jaeger, 1833)Abagat, Christian M. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2012-03)Sea cucumber aquaculture could provide a solution to both enhance declining wild sea cucumber populations through restocking and provide sufficient beche-de-mer product to satisfy the increasing Asian market demand. The growth and survival of hatchery-reared Holothuria scabra juveniles at different pH-salinity levels were investigated. Juveniles were exposed for 14 days in six pH-salinity levels: Trt 1 (pH 6.5 — 6.7, 26-28 %o), Trt 2 (pH 6.5 - 6.7, normal salinity), Trt 3 (pH 7.0 - 7.2, 26-28 %o), Trt 4 (pH 7.0 — 7.2, normal salinity), Trt 5 (normal pH, 26-28 %o) and Trt 6 (normal pH, normal salinity) as the control. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with repeated measurements revealed that pH and salinity had a significant effect on growth (length, width, and weight) and survival of H. scabra juveniles. Slight seawater desalination combined with high acidification (pH: 6.5-6.7) had lethal effects on H. scabra juveniles. While H. scabra juveniles could be reared in seawater with pH ≥ 7.0- 7.2 and salinity ≥ 26-28 %o, ambient seawater conditions remained the most suitable in rearing H. scabra juveniles for optimum growth and survival.Item Effects of crude methanolic extract of purple nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus L.) on the maturation of golfish oocytesAcebuque, Florel May C. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2014-04)Cyperus rotundus L. is a pernicious weed, which is traditionally used for different medical purposes and is locally recommended for antifertility purposes. A number of pharmacologically important constituents have been previously isolated from the plant. This study aims to test the effects of the crude methanolic extract of C. rotundus L. on the maturation of goldfish oocytes. The extract is found to induce 100% maturation at 5 mg/mL concentration. However, it becomes toxic at higher concentration. All goldfish oocytes (100% ) has died at 20 mg/mL concentration. The steroids and flavonoids present in the plant may be responsible for inducing goldfish oocyte maturation, whereas the alkaloids may be toxic to the oocytes. Further studies using mammalian systems in vivo and characterization of individual constituents are recommended.