Undergraduate Special Problem

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Community structure of holothuroids in selected seagrass beds in Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, Guimaras, Philippines
Calaguing, 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.
Community structure, biomass and carbon stock assessment of mangrove forest in Poblacion, Batan, Batan Bay, Aklan, Philippines
Cagalawan, 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.
A study of the gut contents of compressed tubby (Canthigaster compressa) from Talibon, Bohol and Palompon, Leyte, Philippines
Caduada, 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.
The effects of compost produced from rice Oryza sativa straw and sugarcane Saccharum officinarum trash on the growth of pechay Brassica rapa
Brizuela, Karlyn G. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2014-03)
This study was designed to determine the effects of the application of compost produced from rice Oryza saliva straw and sugarcane Saccharum officinarum trash on the growth of pechay Brassica rapa. Experiments were carried out in a residential lot in Brgy. Punta Taytay, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Four set-ups were made with three replicates each. Each set-up corresponded to one compost treatment: treatment (A) was the rice straw compost, treatment (B) was the sugarcane trash compost, treatment (C) was the combination of rice straw and sugarcane trash compost, and treatment (D) served as the control in which no compost was added. The results of the statistical tests showed that there was a significant increase in the growth of pechay plants treated with the three different types of composts as compared to the pechay plants treated with the control. Among all the treatments, pechay plants treated with the combination of rice straw and sugarcane trash compost showed the highest growth yield in terms of the mean plant height (19.61 cm), mean fresh weight (44.95 g), and mean number of leaves per plant (8.99) at the time of harvest. Results also that showed that there was no significant difference in the mean fresh weight and mean number of leaves per plant at the time of harvest in pechay plants treated with the rice straw compost and the sugarcane trash compost.
Survival and growth of juvenile sea cucumber Holothuria scabra Jaeger (1833) in shrimp pond sediment
Briones, Jill D. (2012-03)
Many high valued sea cucumbers e.g. Holothuria scabra are detritivores and thrive on organic matter and thus are potential bioremediating agents in eutrophic systems e.g. aquaculture ponds. Sea cucumbers cultured in shrimp ponds would act as natural bioremediators and lessen the organic matter content of the sediments hence make the pond environment more favorable for shrimp culture. This study looks at the feasibility of growing sea cucumbers in pond sediments for their bioremediating role and for their economic value. In this study, growth and survival of hatchery-produced H.scabra juveniles in Bare substrate (Treatment 1), Sand from natural habitat (Treatment 2) and Shrimp Pond sediment (Treatment 3) were compared after 5 weeks of culture. This study demonstrates that it is feasible to grow H. scabra juveniles in shrimp pond sediments without compromising their survival (p > 0.05). Results showed that those reared in Pond sediment grew best and significantly better compared to the other treatments (ANOVA, p<0.05). Juveniles grown in Pond sediment increased from mean weight of 3g to 14g while in the other treatments they just grew from mean of 2.7g to 8.7g. The consistently higher organic matter in Pond sediment could have contributed to better growth of sea cucumbers relative to other treatments. The bioremediating role of sea cucumbers was indicated by significant reduction in organic matter content in pond sediment by Week 5.
Filtration rate of the marine clam, Kaltelysia sp. at different light intensities and fed with microalgae Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros calcitrans
Bravo, Agnes Therese A. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2005-04)
Filtration rate of the marine clam, Katelysia with body lengths ranging from 5-6 cm and body weight from 45-65 g were determined by using the indirect method of suspension depletion and monitored by direct algal cell count. The effects of light intensity and algal species on the feeding behavior of the clam were determined. The first treatment involves total darkness where the basins containing the clams were covered with black plastic bag. In the second treatment, the basins with the clams were placed under ordinary light condition (12h light; 12h dark) and in the third treatment, the basins with the clams were positioned under a 20-watt bulb with continuous illumination (24h light). Results showed significant differences in the filtration rates of clams in different light intensities. It showed higher filtration rate in the total darkness treatment (F=0.132555907) followed by the 12h light: 12h dark treatment and lowest at the treatment provided with 24 h illumination. Apparently, illumination affected valve opening and siphon extension of the clam which also affected the filtration rate of Katelysia. Under total darkness treatment, the clams opened their valves and extended their siphons. Hence, there was highest ingestion of algae or filtration in total darkness which showed to be the optimum condition to stimulate or promote feeding. In the algal species preference experiment, the food used were either Isochrysis galbana, Chaetoceros calcitrans , or a mixture of both. Results showed that I. galbana had the highest number of cells ingested by the clams and removed from suspension. This is considered to be the preferred algal species (F=0.119713) followed by a mixture of both, and lowest on the treatment where C. calcitrans was used as food. The preference of the clam on Isochrysis galbana over Chaetoceros calcitrans could be its smaller size based on dry weight.
Toxicity of Chemically Enhanced Water-Accommodated Fraction (CEWAF) of Petron bunker C oil on Asian Sea bass Lates calcarifer (Bloch) fingerlings at different salinity levels
Bondoc, Christian Earvin D. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2011-03)
Asian sea bass Lates calcarifer fingerlings were exposed to three CEWAF concentrations (0.3, 0.5 and 1.0%) at 28, 32 and 36%o and the mortality rate among the different treatments were compared. Dunnett t-test (a=0.05) showed that mortality in the CEWAF-exposed treatments differed significantly from that in the control, indicating that the toxicity of CEWAF caused the death of the fingerlings. The general trend of mortality was increasing with increased salinity although the results of Two-Way ANOVA (a=0.05) reveal that salinity did not influence the toxicity of CEWAF significantly. Further analysis with Fisher’s LSD test (a=0.05) showed that mortality only differed significantly between the 28%o and 36%o salinity groups. The differences between the salinity levels used in this experiment were too narrow to cause a significant difference in the interaction between CEWAF concentration and salinity. Sublethal effects of exposure to CEWAF observed in this study included aberrant swimming behavior, arching of the back, loss of buoyancy and loss of pigmentation.
A comparison of the gut contents of two Cardinal Fish, Fowleria vaiulae (Jordan & Seale 1906) and Fowleria variegata (Valenciennes 1832) in seagrass beds of Palompon, Leyte
Biantan, Lindsay S. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2015-06)
Seagrass ecosystems support much of the Philippines’ coastal marine resources with the presence of a rich diversity of species, including the economically important ones. Understanding the diet composition of fishes through gut content analysis is essential for selecting species for aquaculture. Specimens of Fowleria vaiulae and Fowleria variegata were obtained through a trawl survey in the seagrass beds of Palompon, Leyte from November 2011 to February 2012. A total of 291 guts were analysed in this study. Results showed diet composition of both species is mostly made up of benthic invertebrates. A high percentage of chyme was observed in both species (46-65%), suggesting the consumption of easily digested materials. Also for both Fowleria species, it was observed that smaller size classes consume a higher number of small preys while larger size classes feed on larger preys. Small invertebrates such as tanaids and amphipods were more abundant in the guts of F. vaiulae and large preys of shrimps and crabs dominate the diet of F. variegata. This difference may be due to food partitioning in co-occurring species to avoid competition.
Community structure, biomass productivity and carbon stock assessment of mangroves in Barangay Tabon, Batan Bay, Aklan
Bermeo, Ma. Ramela Angela C. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2013-04)
The study aimed to assess the community structure, biomass productivity, and carbon stock assessment of mangroves in Barangay Tabon, Batan Bay, Aklan using the plot method. Specifically, it aimed to: 1. determine selected physical and chemical factors such as water salinity, water pH, soil temperature and characterization of soil substrates, 2. identify true mangrove species present in the area, 3. describe the community structure in terms of Stand Basal Area, Stems per Hectare, Relative Density, Relative Frequency, Relative Dominance, Importance Value, Shannon-Index of Diversity, Zonation Pattern, Seedling and Sapling Density, 4. assess the biomass productivity (both wood biomass, and litter fall), 5. estimate the amount of carbon stored in the mangrove forest (using allometric equation). A total of twenty-one true mangrove species belonging to 12 families were identified. Family Rhizophoraceae was the most represented with five species namely Bruguiera cylindrica, Ceriops decandra, Rhizophora apiculata, R. mucronata, and R. stylosa. The rest were also well represented namely Family Avicenniaceae- Avicennia alba, A. officinalis, A. marina, and A. rumphiana; Family Combretaceae- Lumnitzera littorea and Limnutzera racemosa; Family Sonneratiaceae- Sonneratia alba, and Sonneratia caseolaris; Family Acanthaceae- Acanthus ebracteatus; Family Bombacaceae- Camptostemon philippinensis; Family Euphorbiaceae- Excoecaria agallocha; Family Meliaceae- Xylocarpus moluccensis; Family Myrsinaceae- Aegiceras corniculatum; Family Myrtaceae- Osbornia octodonta; Family Arecaceae- Nypa fruticans; Family Rubiaceae- Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea. Basal area ranged from 0.11m2/ha for Ceriops decandra to 68.78m2/ha for Sonneratia alba. Avicennia marina had the highest stems per hectare with 22,600 stems/ha, while Bruguiera cylindrica had the lowest with 100 stems/ha. Avicennia marina occurred in all plots with 137 trees/ha and had the highest relative density of 38.38% and relative frequency of 38.42%. Sonneratia alba had the highest relative dominance of 48.49% while the lowest was Ceriops decandra with 0.08%. Avicennia alba, Bruguiera cylindrica, and Ceriops decandra had the lowest relative densities and frequencies at 0.3%. The most important species was Avicennia marina (107.6) and the least important species was Ceriops decandra (0.68). The area was considered to be diverse at 0.7206. On per transect basis, the highest index of diversity recorded was in Transect 2, while the lowest was in Transect 1. Avicennia and Sonneratia species occured both in the low intertidal zone (seaward) and mid-intertidal zone (transitional zone). Rhizophora, Nypa, Camptostemon, Osbornia, Lumnitzera, Bruguiera, Ceriops, Exoecaria, and Aegiceras were found in the mid-intertidal zone (transitional zone). Xylocarpus, Scyphiphora, and Acanthus occurred in high intertidal zone (landward). Avicennia rumphiana had the highest seedlings density of 1001 seedlings/ha, whereas Rhizophora mucronata had the highest saplings density of 96 saplings/ha. The lowest seedling and sapling density was Rhizophora apiculata (Iseedling/ha) and Camptostemon philippinensis (lsapling/ha) respectively. The species with the highest computed biomass of 1,287.78 tons/ha and carbon stock of 579.5 tons/ha was Sonneratia alba. The lowest was Ceriops decandra with biomass of 0.06 tons/ha and carbon stock of 0.03 tons/ha. A total of 2,080 tons/ha biomass and 936.34 tons/ha carbon stock was determined. Based on the litter fall, Transect 2 has the highest leaf fall weighing 580.4g. Litter weight was highest in January 2013 and lowest in December 2012 in all sampling sites.
Phytosociological study of Isla Patay Moro in Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, Philippines
Bela-ong, Andrea Lucyle (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2017-06)
Small islands may contain unique plant composition compared with larger islands due to size, isolation and exposure. Unfortunately, information on small island flora in the tropics is limited considering that these islands are now subjected to impacts of climate change and increased anthropogenic pressure. In addition, these islands are also subjected to invasion of non-native species that may alter the overall ecology of the islands. There is lack of basic information on what constitute a typical flora of small islands. Thus, a phytosociological study was conducted in Isla Patay Moro, one of the many small islands within Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, Philippines from December 2016 to April 2017 in an attempt to provide relevant information. Specifically, it described, identified and classified the flora present in the islands as well as described the community structure in terms of species composition, stand height, stand basal area, importance value and species diversity and evenness. The flora of the island is dominated by trees and shrubs and a few vines. A total of 30 species were identified representing 19 families. The most common and dominant species was Streblus asper with an importance value of 57.80. The total sampled area of the islands was 600 m2 and the total stand basal cover of 20,450.17m2/ha. The species diversity of the islands was 1.17 and 0.87 by Shannon and Simpson diversity indices, respectively, implying low species diversity. The stand height of the flora ranged from 2.2 to 8.47 meters. Presence of exotic species, Lantana camara, Leucaena leucocephla were also found. This study may serve as a baseline for further researches and the results may aid in the development of floristic conservation activities particularly for the presence of invasive or non-native species that may alter the natural flora in the future leading to ecological instability of the island. This is the first systematic survey of higher vascular plants on the island.

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