Hilconida P. Calumpong

Marine reserve benefits local fisheries.

The utility of no-take marine reserves as fisheries-management tools is controversial. It is hypothesized that marine reserves will help to sustain fisheries external to them by becoming net exporters of adults (the “spillover effect”) and net exporters of propagules (the “recruitment effect”). Local fishery benefits from spillover will likely generate support from fishing communities for marine reserves. We used underwater visual census to show that biomass of Acanthuridae (surgeonfish) and Carangidae (jacks), two families of reef fish that account for 40–75% of the fishery yield from Apo Island, Philippines, tripled in a well-protected no-take reserve over 18 years (1983–2001). Biomass of these families did not change significantly over the same period at a site open to fishing. The reserve protected 10% of the total reef fishing area at the island. Outside the reserve, biomass of these families increased significantly closer to (200–250 m) than farther away from (250–500 m) the reserve boundary over time. We used published estimates of fishery catch and effort, and fisher interviews (creel surveys) to show that the total catch of Carangidae and Acanthuridae combined at Apo Island was significantly higher after (1985–2001) than before (1981) reserve establishment. Hook-and-line catch per unit effort (CPUE) at the island was 50% higher during 1998–2001 (reserve protected 16–19 years) than during 1981–1986 (pre-reserve and early phases of reserve protection). Total hook-and-line effort declined by 46% between 1986 and 1998–2001. Hook-and-line CPUE of Acanthuridae was significantly higher close to (within 200 m) than far from the reserve. CPUE of Carangidae was significantly higher away from the reserve, possibly reflecting a local oceanographic effect. The benefits of the reserve to local fisheries at the island were higher catch, increased catch rate, and a reduction in fishing effort. The fishery and tourism benefits generated by the reserve have enhanced the living standard of the fishing community.

Extensive cryptic species diversity and fine-scale endemism in the marine red alga Portieria in the Philippines

We investigated species diversity and distribution patterns of the marine red alga Portieria in the Philippine archipelago. Species boundaries were tested based on mitochondrial, plastid and nuclear encoded loci, using a general mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC) model-based approach and a Bayesian multilocus species delimitation method. The outcome of the GMYC analysis of the mitochondrial encoded cox2-3 dataset was highly congruent with the multilocus analysis. In stark contrast with the current morphology-based assumption that the genus includes a single, widely distributed species in the Indo-West Pacific (Portieria hornemannii), DNA-based species delimitation resulted in the recognition of 21 species within the Philippines. Species distributions were found to be highly structured with most species restricted to island groups within the archipelago. These extremely narrow species ranges and high levels of intra-archipelagic endemism contrast with the wide-held belief that marine organisms generally have large geographical ranges and that endemism is at most restricted to the archipelagic level. Our results indicate that speciation in the marine environment may occur at spatial scales smaller than 100 km, comparable with some terrestrial systems. Our finding of fine-scale endemism has important consequences for marine conservation and management.

Long-term trends in yield and catch rates of the coral reef fishery at Apo Island, central Philippines

Fish yields and catch rates recorded in the 1980s were compared with daily roving creel surveys carried out in 1997/98, 2000 and 2001 at Apo Island. Total annual fish yields were measured six times over the period 1980–2001. Total fish yield was 19–25 t km–2 year–1, with reef and reef-associated fish accounting for 15–20 t km–2 year–1, for five measurements. A sixth measurement, made in 1986, estimated 36.7 t km–2 year–1. Annual yield remained stable over the study period. Carangidae and Acanthuridae accounted for 26–47% and 16–27% of the catch, respectively. Non-reef catches declined over time, from 6.21 t year–1 in 1980/81 to 1–2 t year–1 in 2000 and 2001. Estimates of annual hook and line catch per unit effort (CPUE) increased from 0.13–0.17 kg man–1 h–1 in 1980/81, to 1–2 kg man–1 h–1 in 1997–2001. For target families, hook and line CPUE was consistently higher in 1997–2001 than in 1980–86. However, hook and line CPUE for Carangidae and Acanthuridae declined significantly between 1997 and 2001. Possible reasons for the long-term patterns of fish yields and catch rates are discussed. Differences in methods used in estimates, and changes in gears and fishing effort over the years, make comparisons difficult.

Population and alginate yield and quality assessment of four Sargassum species in Negros Island, central Philippines

Four species of Sargassum in Negros Island, central Philippines, were monitored for biomass, growth stages, alginate yield and quality. All four species exhibited different zonation, fertility patterns and seasonality in growth and biomass. Mean biomass differed significantly for all species.

Molecular evidence for co-occurring cryptic lineages within the Sepioteuthis cf. lessoniana species complex in the Indian and Indo-West Pacific Oceans

AbstractThe big-fin reef squid, Sepioteuthis cf. lessoniana (Lesson 1930), is an important commodity species within artisanal and near-shore fisheries in the Indian and Indo-Pacific regions. While there has been some genetic and physical evidence that supports the existence of a species complex within S. cf. lessoniana, these studies have been extremely limited in scope geographically. To clarify the extent of cryptic diversity within S. cf. lessoniana, this study examines phylogenetic relationships using mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase c, 16s ribosomal RNA) and nuclear genes (rhodopsin, octopine dehydrogenase) from nearly 400 individuals sampled from throughout the Indian, Indo-Pacific, and Pacific Ocean portions of the range of this species. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood methods and Bayesian inference identified three distinct lineages with no clear geographic delineations or morphological discriminations. Phylogeographic structure analysis showed high levels of genetic connectivity in the most widespread lineage, lineage C and low levels of connectivity in lineage B. This study provides significant phylogenetic evidence for cryptic lineages within this complex and confirms that cryptic lineages of S. cf. lessoniana occur in sympatry at both small and large spatial scales. Furthermore, it suggests that two closely related co-occurring cryptic lineages have pronounced differences in population structure, implying that underlying differences in ecology and/or life history may facilitate co-occurrence. Further studies are needed to assess the range and extent of cryptic speciation throughout the distribution of this complex. This information is extremely useful as a starting point for future studies exploring the evolution of diversity within Sepioteuthis and can be used to guide fisheries management efforts.

Variability of Non-Polar Secondary Metabolites in the Red Alga Portieria

Possible sources of variation in non-polar secondary metabolites of Portieria hornemannii, sampled from two distinct regions in the Philippines (Batanes and Visayas), resulting from different life-history stages, presence of cryptic species, and/or spatiotemporal factors, were investigated. PCA analyses demonstrated secondary metabolite variation between, as well as within, five cryptic Batanes species. Intraspecific variation was even more pronounced in the three cryptic Visayas species, which included samples from six sites. Neither species groupings, nor spatial or temporal based patterns, were observed in the PCA analysis, however, intraspecific variation in secondary metabolites was detected between life-history stages. Male gametophytes (102 metabolites detected) were strongly discriminated from the two other stages, whilst female gametophyte (202 metabolites detected) and tetrasporophyte (106 metabolites detected) samples were partially discriminated. These results suggest that life-history driven variations, and possibly other microscale factors, may influence the variation within Portieria species.

Biomass and agar assessment of three species of Gracilaria from Negros Island, central Philippines

Biomass, cover and agar quality of three species of Gracilaria were monitored monthly in three sites in Negros Oriental, central Philippines, during the period July 1992–June 1993. The biomass per unit area of G. arcuata peaked around March while G. salicornia was maximal around November. Seasonality in G. blodgettii is not obvious from our data as this is a highly harvested species and we may have sampled after gleaners have harvested the algae.Agar yield values were for G. arcuata from Bais, 2.9 ± 7% to 21.7 ± 0.7% while the same species from Siaton yielded 2.6 ± 0.6% to 18.3 ± 0.5%; G. salicornia yielded 2.9 ± 0.1% to 15.7 ± 1.3% and G. blodgettii, 0.1% to 20.7 ± 5.9%. Gel strength and viscosity were variable. Gel strength values were: G. arcuata (Bais), 17-260 g cm−2; G. arcuata (Siaton), 58-270 g cm−2; G. salicornia, 29.5–1 47 g cm−2; G. blodgettii, 29.6–235 g cm−2, and related to the 3,6-anhydrogalactose and sulphate content of the algae.

Comparison of the performance of the agarophyte, Gracilariopsis bailinae, and the milkfish, Chanos chanos, in mono- and biculture

The performances of the agarophyte, Gracilariopsis bailinae, and the milkfish, Chanos chonos, under monoculture and biculture conditions in aquaria and ponds were studied from May 1997 to March 1998. Water quality of both systems was monitored. The two species have reciprocal characteristics in their biological requirements and byproducts. Both species attained higher growth rate in biculture: in aquaria Gracilariopsis obtained a mean daily growth rate of 4.72 ± 1.64% for biculture and 3.44 ± 2.74% in Gracilariopsis monoculture while Chanos had a mean daily growth rate of 4.81 ± 2.13% in biculture and 4.13 ± 2.13% in Chanos monoculture. In ponds, Gracilariopsis obtained a mean daily growth rate of 3.68 ± 0.39% in biculture and 2.46 ± 0.38% in Gracilariopsis monoculture while Chanos had a mean daily growth rate of 4.81 ± 0.33% in biculture and 2.9 ± 0.1% in Chanos monoculture. The growth rates for both Gracilariopsis and Chanos decreased weekly through one month of culture. Higher dissolved oxygen levels were observed in Gracilariopsis monoculture and in biculture and significantly lower in Chanos monoculture. Chanos did not control epiphytism in Gracilariopsis. There was no difference in epiphytism in either culture systems in aquaria, but a significant growth of green algae occurred in ponds with monoculture of Gracilariopsis.

Chaetomorpha philippinensis (Cladophorales, Chlorophyta), a new marine microfilamentous green alga from tropical waters

Leliaert F., Payo D.A., Calumpong H.P. and De Clerck O. 2011. Chaetomorpha philippinensis (Cladophorales, Chlorophyta), a new marine microfilamentous green alga from tropical waters. Phycologia 50: 384–391. DOI: 10.2216/10-76.1 A new marine microfilamentous green alga, Chaetomorpha philippinensis Leliaert sp. nov., is described as an epiphyte on Chaetomorpha vieillardii from shallow subtidal habitats in the Philippines. Phylogenetic analyses of large subunit rDNA and rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences show that the new tropical species is sister to the cold-water Chaetomorpha norvegica, from which it is genetically clearly distinct but morphologically almost indistinguishable. Chaetomorpha philippinensis is characterized by minute, straight or curved, unbranched, erect filaments up to 300 µm long and 7–17 µm in diameter, attached by a basal, hapteroid holdfast. Filaments in culture are similar in morphology but grow considerably longer with slightly larger cells. The cylindrical cells are multinucleate with up to eight nuclei (up to 18 in culture). Cells contain a single, parietal, lobed chloroplast with numerous small perforations and one to several pyrenoids. Zoosporangia develop by transformation of apical and subapical cells with zoids emerging through a domed pore in the apical, middle or basal part of the cell.