Cesar G. Demayo

Complete mitochondrial genome of Atergatis integerrimus (Decapoda, Xanthidae) from the Philippines

Abstract In this study, a complete mitochondrial genome from the red egg crab, Atergatis integerrimus was sequenced and analyzed. The mitochondrial genome length is 16,333 bp and is composed of 13 protein-coding, two ribosomal RNA and 22 tRNA genes. The structure and gene orientation of the mitochondrial genome was found to be identical with the other brachyurans. The position of A. intergerrimus in the superfamily Xanthoidea was determined based on the mitochondrial protein-coding genes. The result of the phylogenetic relationship study showed that A. integerrimus was closest to Leptodius sanguineus.

Complete mitochondrial genome of xanthid crab Atergatis floridus (Linnaeus, 1767)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome sequenced from the floral egg crab Atergatis floridus (Linnaeus, 1767) and the determination of the position of the species in the reconstructed phylogenetic tree of the infraorder Brachyura using the protein coding mitochondrial genes are presented. Results show the mitochondrial genome length of A. floridus is 16,435 bp with nucleotide distribution as 33.4% A, 20.3% C, 10.5% G and 35.8% T. The structure of the complete mitochondrial genome of the species is the same as with the previous xanthid record. The result of the phylogenetic analysis suggests that A. floridus is the closest species to other Xanthidae species in the brachyuran records. This is the first complete mitochondrial genome record from the genus Atergatis.

Describing the Body Shape of Rainbow Sardine (Dussumieria Acuta) Using Landmark-Based Geometric Morphometric Analysis

This study utilized geometric morphometric analysis of the body shape between sexes of Dussumieria acuta . Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) of the relative warp scores show significant differences in the body shape between males and females. Females exhibit body shapes that are geared to support larger number of eggs as shown by the distension of their belly region and a broader body compared to the males which possess a slender body shape. Variations observed within sexes can be attributed to selection pressures present in the environment. It is concluded that landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis is a useful tool in describing variations within and between sexes of D. acuta.

Describing Scale Shape Morphology of Glossogobius Giuris using Landmark-based Geometric Morphometrics

In the conservation of biodiversity, natural resources, and fisheries management, species identification and population discrimination are necessary. In freshwater fishes, the scale morphology and squamation is important because this can be helpful in the identification of fishes up to the extensive levels of species, sex determination and pathology of fish. Glossogobius giuris is an endemic species and considered important in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte and Mandulog River in Iligan City, Philippines. It is locally known as “ kadurog ”. The fish is highly commercialized because it provides food for the community, thus this study was conducted. We used scale morphology to distinguish male and female of G. giuris using landmark-based geometric morphometrics. Results of the study have shown that there is no sexual dimorphism in the fish based on scale shapes. However, variations of the scales do exist within sexes based on the results of the relative warp analysis. The variations observed can be attributed to environmental factors affecting the development of the fish and thus resulting to phenotypic plasticity in the patterns of variation in the scale shapes among individuals.

Geometric Morphometric Description of the Body Shapes of the "Porang" Fish, Rasbora Sp., an Endemic Fish Species in Lake Wood, Zamboanga Del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines

Biological descriptions of body shapes in fishes were commonly based on qualitative methods. However, with advances in imaging, geometry and statistics, descriptions of biological shapes have become more quantitative. Landmark-based geometric analysis is a new approach that has become more popular in analysing biological shapes thus was used in this study of an endemic fish species that can be found in a lake in Mindanao, Philippines. A total of 47 females and 104 male fishes were collected and digitized using 20 anatomical landmarks of the fish body. The digitized landmarks were Procrustes-fitted and were subjected to relative warp analysis (RWA). Relative warp scores were also subjected to Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA). RWA revealed within and between sex variations in body shapes. Male fish head is shorter and broader resulting to shorter length of the mouth from the snout tip to the posterior extremity of the premaxillar. Deeper body depth has also been viewed resulting to shorter standard length and longer and narrower tail region, while females have broader and elongated head regions having lengthy eye margins, extensive length between posterior insertion of anal fin and ventral points of the maximum curvature of the peduncle and mouth part are observed to have elongated distance between the snout tip and the posterior extremity of the premaxilla. These variations in shapes were observed in the two sexes, statistical analysis also has demonstrated that the shape variance between sexes in both left and right orientation of the body were significant. This means that the variations observed within sexes are sufficient to explain that the variations are associated to sex. Other characters aside from body shapes maybe are associated with sexual differences and should be further explored.

Describing Variability in Wing Shapes among Three Populations of Plesispareichei Using Landmark-Based Geometric Morphometric Analysis

This study was conducted to describe variability in 3 populations of a coconut pest, Plesispareichei landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis of inner wing shapes. A total of 21 landmarks were used to represent dimensions in the left and right wings. Analysis of Variance, coordinate mapping, relative warp, Euclidean Distance Matrix and Cluster Analyses were used to analyze these landmarks. Results showed that significant variations were observed among populations. Variation in the left wing is mainly seen along the proximal landmark points but is variable in the right wing which may be an indication of asymmetry. Cluster analysis showed wing shape variations between populations indicating population differentiation in the pest. Distance was not a factor which may indicate differences in genetic structure between populations.

Assessment of Solid Waste Management in the Islamic City of Marawi, Philippines

This study was conducted to determine some issues and concerns of solid waste management in the city of Marawi, Philippines. Interviews were conducted on key informants .The respondents of this study were five (5) City Government Officials (Secretary, Office of the City mayor, City Planning and Development Officers, City General Services Officers, SP Representative-Committee on Environment, SP Secretary), and two (2) key officials/representatives from DOH and DENR. They were selected because of their direct involvement and participation in the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Program. This study used the descriptive-qualitative research method. Results show that theoretically the city government has the necessary mechanisms of how solid wastes be managed in the city but the implementation of the ecological waste management program as mandated by law is unsuccessfull. Several reasons are attributed to this - lack of personnel, funds, and also to the undisciplined behavior of the Maranaos in their waste disposal.

Landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis of the shape of the abdominal dorsum of Uroplata girardi Pic (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

This study was conducted to describe and explain morphological variation within and among populations of Uroplata girardi Pic, an herbivore of an invasive weed Lantana camara using the geometric morphometric approach. The foundation of this research is to describe patterns of morphological variation in natural populations especially those found in different geographical locations and varieties of Lantana. These descriptions are then used to frame hypotheses on the roles natural selection and geographical isolation play in evolution. Two-thousand nine hundred fifty (2950) individuals were examined in this study collected from four varieties in fifteen (15) locations in Mindanao, Cebu and Bohol, Philippines. Results of landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis showed variability within and among populations of the beetle although there was minimal differentiation observed in this insect. This could explain why control measures using this “biocontrol agent” have been spotty and unpredictable. Results also showed that variability within, and among populations of the insect cannot be explained by geography alone as there were variations observed between those collected from different varieties. The results of this study are discussed in the light of how variation within populations is translated into differences between populations, species, and higher taxa.