Macroinvertebrates Associated in Sargassum spp. in Maribago, Cebu

Manolong, Julius

Balatayo, Annelyn Gem

Jayme Anna Freya

INTRODUCTION Seagrasses and seaweeds are

home to a diverse group of marine

animals (Karleskint et al. 2006).

Sargassum is one of the most

abundant algae in the marine waters. It belongs to the genus of brown (class Phaeophyceae) macroalga (seaweed) in the order Fucales.

The Sargassum beds play an important ecological role in the intertidal and subtidal levels. (Castillo 2008).

Objectives:

To identify the associated macroinvertebrates living on the Sargassum spp.

Observe the relationships between the macroinvertebrates associated with Sargassum spp.

Significance of the Study

This study will inform people on the macroinvertebrates living on the Sargassum spp. near the USC Maribago Marine Station.

It will also contribute to the future studies of macroinvertebrates associated with the Sargassum beds. And its ecological relationship as this is not well-studied compared to vertebrate species.

Through this study, researchers also want the community to be aware of the ecological importance and indirect economic value of these Sargassum beds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ocular visit

Collection of specimens

Preservation with 80% ethyl alcohol

Measurement and Documentation

Identification of specimens

Figure 1. The study site (Google Earth)

Study site

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 130 specimens were collected and there were 24 species, 15 genera and 4 phyla.

The macroinvertebrates associated with Sargassum spp. in the eastern coast of Mactan Island, Cebu, revealed the presence of a rich variety of gastropods and echinoderms.

There are more juvenile organisms found than adults based on their length which showed dependence of juveniles on the Sargassum spp. possibly for the attachment, shelter, and food source.

0

2

4

6

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12

Cnidaria Porifera Echinodermata Mollusca

Phylum

No

. o

f S

pec

ies

Fig. 1 Abundance of different kinds of species in every Phylum

Phylum Mollusca

Euplica brunnidentata Astraea calcar

Clypeomorus batillaria Pictocolumbella ocellata

Phylum Echinodermata

Tripneustes gratilla Salmacis sphaeroides

Synapta maculata Unidentified

Phylum Porifera

Callyspongia sp. 1 Callyspongia sp. 2

Haliclona cymaeformis Callyspongia sp. 3

Phylum Cnidaria

Unidentified

Most number of Individuals:

1. Astraea calcar (Fam.Turbinidae, Phylum Mollusca)

2. Tripneustes gratilla (Fam.Toxopneustidae, Phylum Echinodermata )

0

5

10

15

20

2530

35

40

45

50

C

ollum

bellid

ae

N

assa

ridae

C

erith

iidae

S

trom

bidae

T

roch

idae

T

urbin

idae

V

elutin

idae:

Families

No

. o

f In

div

idu

als

Fig. 2 Different Families in Phylum Mollusca

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Astraeaheliotropium

Astraeacalcar

Astraeaphoebia

Species

No

. o

f In

div

idu

als

Figure 3. Abundance of individuals in Family Turbinidae

Astraea phoebia Astraea heliotropium

Astraea calcar Astraea calcar

Most macroinvertebrates found in the Sargassum beds are juveniles

--Juvenile gastropods have the most number of individuals collected.

Euplica brunnidentata

Some adult echinoderms were spotted usually near the holdfast of the Sargassum spp. especially the sea urchins (Salmacis sphaeroides and Tripnuestes gratilla)

The abundance of the fauna in seaweeds is also due to habitat preference and not just for the escape from predators (Bell and Destoby 2000).

Tripneustes gratilla

SUMMARY

The Sargassum beds located near the man-made island of the Maribago Bluewaters yielded 24 species of macroinvertebrates under 4 Phyla.

In terms of number of individuals, the Astraea calcar (Mollusca) and Tripneustes gratilla (Echinodermata) were the most abundant.

The Sargassum beds are important grounds for several juveniles that are vulnerable and susceptible to predators and they may provide food to different organisms in the coastal area.

Sargassum bed is essential ecologically because of its possible role in maintaining the biodiversity by offering food and protection to the juveniles.

RECOMMENDATION

Extensive sampling with the use of appropriate sampling methods to allow quantitative analysis of patterns observed.

Experiments on why juveniles are more attracted to the upper portion of the Sargassum.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

To the people who helped and made this study possible;

Ms. Annie Diola Ms. Belinda Longakit Mr. Dave Valles

Special thanks to; Herman Tan Jerome Gonzales Jardine Villarba Venus Canonigo Char lynne Rentuza Luke Reggie Balatayo

Bell, Johann D., Destoby Mark, 2000. Abundance of Macrofauna in Dense Seagrass is due to habitat preference, not predation. Oecologia Vol. 68, No. 2 (1986), pp. 205-209.

< http://www.jstor.org/stable/4217821> <Accessed 2011 Sept. 23>

Castillo, Alvin. 2008. Fauna Asociada a mantos de Sargassum (Ochrophyta: Fucales) en El Sauzoso, Baja California Sur, México. Centro Interdesciplinario de

Ciensas Marinas.World Wide Web. <Accessed 2011 Sept. 23>

Karleskint, G.J., Turner, R., Small, J.W. 2006.Introduction to Marine Biology, 2nd ed. Thomsone Brooks/Cole, USA.

REFERENCES