CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The biodiversity of seagrass and mangroves communities are dominated

by macrobenthic invertebrates with its over 1.3 million known species and
potentially (Sharma S, et.al 2010). Their mechanism into its respective
environment is usually being attached to submerged rocks, logs, and vegetation.
(Myers et al 2000). With the fifth largest coastline in the world, the Philippines is
host to extensive coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves. Situated at the
apex of the Coral Triangle, the waters of the Philippines contain almost 10% of
the world’s coral reefs and are considered some of the most biologically diverse
on Earth.

Tigtabon Island is observably abundant in species of macrobenthic

invertebrates which breakthrough in seagrass beds and mangrove areas.
Majority of localities in this site implies harvesting of macrobenthic invertebrates
along the coastal waters as livelihood. With its unregulated fishing practice, there
is no strong awareness of sustainability for the species of macrobenthic
invertebrates. The fact that human modification in natural habitat such converting
of mangrove forest into fish ponds and unprotected seagrass beds are prior
motions that resonates species exploitation.

The research subjects to address the critical issues as observed by the

locals which emphasizes on declining socio-economic data (catch efforts and
income category) and depletion of habitats specifically on sea grass beds and
mangrove areas. The approach of the research is to provide a conclusive report
on macrobenthic invertebrates through monitoring of its diversity into its
respective habitats (seagrass beds and mangrove areas).

1
1.2 Objectives of the Study

The study aims determine the Biodiversity of macrobenthic invertebrate

associated in seagrass, and mangroves community of Tigtabon Island, east
coast of Zamboanga City. Specifically, it sought to answer the following;

1. To determine the Species composition of Macrobenthic invertebrates

in seagrass and mangroves communities of Tigtabon Island,
Zamboanga City

2. To determine abundance of Macrobenthic invertebrates in seagrass

and mangroves communities of Tigtabon Island, Zamboanga City

3. To determine diversity of Macrobenthic invertebrates in different

community of Tigtabon Island, Zamboanga City.

1.3 Significance of the Study

Marine macrobenthic invertebrates in the coastal areas of Tigtabon Island,

was assessed to provide information on the diversity and association of
invertebrates in different ecosystem existing in the Tigtabon Island. This research
will briefly evaluate the status of marine Macrobenthic invertebrates in the
seagrass, mangroves and seaweed ecosystem, for proper conservation
resources.

1.4 Scope in Limitation of the Study

The focused of the research is to determine diversity of macrobenthic

invertebrates in selected seagrass beds and mangrove areas of Tictabon Island,
Zamboanga City. Sampling activity was done twice a month during low tide only
for the period of 3 months (April 2021 to June 2021). The classification of the
macrobenthic invertebrates is limited on species level.
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Macrobenthic invertebrates’ functional groups.ie. Grazers. Shredders

Gatherers. Filterers, and predators. In streams-ecosystem processes, many
dwelling insects exploit the physical characteristics of streams to obtain their
foods. As consumers at intermediate trophic larvals. Macrobenthic invertebrates
are influenced by both bottom-up, top down forces in streams, and serve as the
conducts by which these effects are propagated. Macrobenthic invertebrates can
have an important influence on nutrient cycles, primary productivity,
decomposition, and translocation of materials interactions among Macrobenthic
invertebrates and their food resources vary among functional group.
Macrobenthic invertebrates constitute an important source of food for numerous
fish, and unless outside energy subsidies are greater than in-streams food
resources for fish, effective fisheries management must account for fish
invertebrate linkages and Macrobenthic invertebrate linkages with resources and
habitats.

Macro-invertebrates also serve as valuable indicators of stream

degradation. The many roles performed by stream dwelling Macrobenthic
invertebrates underscore the importance of their conservation. (J. Bruce Wallace
et al 1996). This study investigated macro-invertebrate community composition in
sea grass beds at a range of spatial scales, with an emphasis on the transition
between vegetated and unvegetated sediment at four intertidal sites in three new
Zealand estuaries (Whangamata, Wharekawa, and WhangapouaHarbours), a
large continuous bed of sea grass (Zosteracapricomi). The term biodiversity was
introduced in 1986 as a reduction for biological diversity‖ (Takacs, 1996). Marine
invertebrate’s species are numerous in the marine environment. Mainly
conservation biologists seize biodiversity to be an evocative feature of a system.
 However, biodiversity has sometimes been recognized normality (Callicott
et al., 1999; Roebuck and Phifer, 1999) and it has often been imaginary to
embody socio-political values (Vermeulen and Koziell, 2002). They form hyper
diverse habitats, such as coral reefs, perform a multiple of interconnected
ecological roles, and provide ecosystems services and livelihood to humans. The
purpose of this special issue is to showcase recent advances in exploring the
biodiversity of marine Macrobenthic invertebrates from any habitat. The study of
macrobenthic invertebrates and assessing their diversity at local scale is an
excellent way of determining the health of an environment to ensure that a wide
range of taxonomic group is examined, reflecting their ecological characteristics
and function within the habitat.

This study investigates differences in the community composition of

marine Macrobenthic invertebrate. Macro invertebrates are bio monitor species
determining the water quality in fresh water bodies. Macrobenthic invertebrates
were assessed in upstream, midstream and downstream of Bulod river, Tubod,
Lanao del norte, Philippines. (charity May L.Dacayana et al.2013). Although
marine biodiversity may be expected to be dynamic and abundant in the
environment. Previous studies were limited to specific group(s) of benthic fauna,
and to our knowledge, no study to date has reported on the benthic community
structure in detail. Since 1978, several studies reported the marine invertebrate
fauna at Dokdo, but prior to the present study (2007-2008) and another recent
study (NFRDI 2009), most of them were limited to searching for specific group(s)
of taxa (Park et al. 2002, DURI-GJU 2004, Kim and Kim 2006, Lee and Seo
2006.

Only some of the threats that pose a great need for the search of
information regarding the health of coastal habitats. Physico Parameters factors
such as temperature and salinity may affect the abundance and distribution of
invertebrate’s species (Boyd 1979; Lawrence and Herrera 2000). As such, this
study aims to assess the abundance of Macrobenthic invertebrates in the waters
of Barangays Tigtabon island Zamboanga city, Philippines.

In previous thermal ramping trials using Antarctic marine invertebrates,

more active animals survived to higher temperatures than sessile species (Peck
et al., 2009). Among all the phyla of the invertebrates in the Animal Kingdom, the
Echinoderms are considered to be one of the most conspicuous, successful, and
ancient with 7000 extant species and 13 000 extinct species. (Campbell 2008).
Species included in this phylum possess a skeleton of calcium carbonate in the
form of calcite, more or less noticeable five-part radial symmetry and a unique
vascular system which enables locomotion, feeding mechanism and other
functions be possible. However, due to modifications of the general body plan of
other echinoderms, it has been suggested that the unifying characteristic of
extant members is that all of them are marine organisms (Pawson, 2007; Barnes
1987).

The review and data provided in the present study should provide a
baseline for future faunal and/or ecological studies at Dokdo. Marine invertebrate
samples were additionally collected from the subtidal. Human development,
pollution, and overharvesting are only some threats that pose a great need for
the search of information regarding the health of coastal habitats and marine
environments. Moreover, the assessment of biodiversity of organisms in marine
systems will allow understanding of the ecological patterns of species. This will
help in the characterization of the function and structure of the coral reef
communities and will provide proper management for marine resources and
establishment of priorities for marine conservation (Gray 2001).

Coral reefs are complex habitats wherein a variety of organisms coexist,

interact, and compete for resources. The reef ecosystem supports a wide range
of species, whose diversity rivals that of tropical rainforests (Connell 1978). Coral
reefs occur in tropical areas where oceanic waters generally have low nutrient
concentrations, yet paradoxically, reef ecosystems have some of the highest
biomass and productivity (Lewis, 1977). Understanding nutrient dynamics on
coral reefs is important because productivity is controlled by the availability of
resources.

It is generally believed that the main evolutionary adaptation to low

nutrient conditions has been interspecies relationships that lead to efficient
recycling of nutrients (Froelich, 2002). In light of current global changes to the
ecosystem (climate change, trophic cascades, overfishing, etc.) a growing
awareness has emerged concerning the importance of scavengers in food web
dynamics (Beasley et al 2012). Scavengers serve a critical role as stabilizing
forces in food webs (DeVault et al, 2003) and in the redistribution of nutrients in
the ecosystem (Payne and Moore 2006). It has been suggested that in tropical
marine ecosystems, the apparent absence of carrion can be attributed to the
rapid (<24hrs) attenuation by vertebrates and invertebrates; indicating that
biomass is tightly recycled in the reef community (Rassweiler and Rassweiler,
2007).

Carrion is a spatially and temporally infrequent food source in the sea, and
has thus shaped the evolution of facultative marine scavengers. Most marine
animals die not of senescence, but of predation. As a result, scraps are only
ephemerally available to scavengers, resulting in scavengers having special
digestive adaptations (Britton and Morton, 1994). Marine invertebrate scavengers
such as lysianassid amphipods, prevalent in colder waters, readily detect and
migrate towards carrion, and can thrive on a single meal for long durations. In
tropical reef ecosystems however, the invertebrate scavenging guild is observed
to be much more diverse (108 species found near Lizard Island, Australia),
including cirolanid isopods, cypridinid ostracods, and nassariid gastropods
(Keable 1995). Macrobenthic invertebrate scavengers have been extensively
surveyed on the continental shelf near Australia (Lowry and Smith, 2003).

A similar study in Panama looked at the decapod crustacean fauna in four

marine habitats – sandy beach, mangrove, coral, and rocky intertidal areas. The
results showed that there was more species abundance in the intertidal and coral
habitats, respectively (Abele 1976). In Moorea, few studies have focused on
marine invertebrate scavengers, especially in shallow water habitats

Aside from the Physico-chemical factors, the increasing rates of human

modifications of natural habitats and species extinction also affect the biodiversity
of marine organism. According to Waay-Juico (2014), difference in the type of
habitat and its food sources are attributes to the uneven distribution of sea star
species in certain locations. The same author also reported that habitat
modification poses the greatest threat to sea star diversity. Illegal fishing and
harvesting of organisms for aquariums are also major threats to the marine
resources (Guzman and Breedy 2008). Echinoderms are now being exposed to
the global trade for products such as souvenirs, home aquaria, and biomedical
merchandise (Micael et al. 2009). According to various studies, overharvesting of
sea urchins has caused a serious decline in their population in many
communities (Juinio-Menez et al. 2008).

In an article presented in 2014 by Lawrence and colleagues, it was stated

that in areas where population of sea urchins are lessened, the interest of
researchers in aquaculture of these organisms are increasing day by day. This is
mainly due to the fact that there is strong demand and low supply of this species.
Human development, pollution, and overharvesting are only some threats that
pose a great need for the search of information regarding the health of coastal
habitats and marine environments.

Moreover, the assessment of biodiversity of organisms in marine systems

will allow understanding of the ecological patterns of species. This will help in the
characterization of the function and structure of the coral reef communities and
will provide proper management for marine resources and establishment of
priorities for marine conservation (Gray 2001). Aside from the Physico-chemical
factors, the increasing rates of human modifications of natural habitats and
species extinction also affect the biodiversity of marine organism. According to
Waay-Juico (2014).

CHAPTER III
MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Location of Study Site

This study was conducted in Tigtabon Island Zamboanga City with

coordinates of 6°53' 37.9"N 122°10' 4.8."E. The area is about 20 kilometers away
from the city proper and near at the port of Barangay Arena Blanco, Zamboanga
City. The site was clustered base on its classified habitat (seagrass beds and
mangrove areas).

LEGENDS:

- Seagrass Beds

- Mangrove Area
Figure 1. Map Location of the Site Courtesy by Google Map

3.2 Sampling Technique

There are two station established which are seagrass beds and mangrove
area. A transect belt method was employed to calibrate 50 meters per station
with 2.5 meters of spacing between its three replicates marked using rope line.
As baseline reference point for the (2) transect lines in every sites,. A 2.5x2.5m
piece of lumber was placed at every end of the transect line with calibrated rope
line tied from end to end to serve as markers . . Collection of data will be done
during low tide and swallow intertidal water depth ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 m.
Figure 2. Scheme of Sampling Design

3.3 Data Gathering

Species Composition and Abundance

Species present within the 2.5 meters on the right and left side of each
transect will be counted and recorded to determine the abundance of each
species per station. One representative per species were collected by
handpicking debris will be cleansed with sea water and was categorized to
determine the species name. The Transect-Quadrat Method is use to estimate
seagrass and mangroves cover by English et al (1994) and mullet et al. The
seagrass cover estimate using 0.5m x 0.5m quadrats (without grids), measuring
(0.25m2), and seagrass found inside square will counted and identified using
dichotomous key provide by calumpong, menez (1994) and Miguel fortes. Set the
quadrats at 5m interval, starting at point 5.

Each transect should have a total of 10 readings or recordings. In setting

down the quadrat, always place the quadrats on the right side of the transect line
and walk on the left side to avoid trampling on the seagrass. The Transect-
Quadrat Method is also use to determine the mangroves cover using 1m x 1m or
(1m2) quadrats (without grids), transect-quadrat methods are also implement to
estimate the percent cover of mangroves in one station. Three transect were
established in the area. For each transect lines range 150 meters was laid
perpendicular to the shoreline. Within, the transect line 10x10 m plots for the
sampling of mangrove trees were set up with an interval of twenty meters in
every plot. In every station, five 10x10 m plots were laid. The mangrove inside
the plot was identified and counted, was based on the book of English et al
(1997). All the seedlings and saplings of mangroves inside the 1x1 m were
counted. Each mangrove within the plots was characterized as seedling, sapling
and mature tree based on the definition of Deguit et al (2004)..

3.4 Data Analyses

A. Density Values are to express abundance of every sea cucumber

species in the area. Relative density was also obtained for every sea
cucumber species and express by:

N
D=
A

Where:
D= Density of species
N= total numbers of individual
A= total area sampled

B. Diversity Index is a mathematical measure of species diversity in a

community; diversity indices provide more information about community
composition than simply species richness (i.e., the number of species
present). They also take the relative abundance of different species into
account in which computation as illustrated below:

Shannon- wiener’s Diversity Index (H’) Evenness (E)

Ηʹ
Ηʹ=−∑ pἱ ln pi E=
Ηmax
Where: Where:
Ηʹ = Shannon diversity index, E= Uniformity index
Pἱ = Proportional abundance H '= Index of diversity
of the species i, H max= Maximum species
Ln = Log normal diversity (In S)
 j
Cj=
a+b− j

N (N−1) j
Jaccards index (Maguran, 2004) D= Cj=
Σn(n−1) a+b− j
Where:
j = Number of species found
common in both sites
a = Number of species in site A
b= Number of species in site B
 CHAPTER IV
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Species Composition

A total of 966 macrobenthic invertebrates were recorded from seagrass

communities of Tigtabon Island, during the entire duration of the sampling period.
Thirty (30) species of macrobenthic invertebrates were identified belonging to five
(5) Classes) where they belong that are shown in (Table 1).

Table 1. Species Composition of Macrobenthic Invertebrates

PHYLUM SPECIES SITE 1: SEAGRASS BEDS SITE 2: MANGROVE AREA

PHYLUM ARTHROPOD
Class Crustecea Liocarcinus vernalis + -
PHYLUM ECHINODERMATA
Linckia laevigata + +
Class Asteriodea Nardoa novaecaledoniae + -
Linckia gauildingi + -
holothuria pervicas + -
synapta maculata + -
Class Holothuroidea stichopus hermanni + -
holothuria scabra + -
holothuria pulla + -
Diadema setosum + -
Diadema savignyi + -
arbacia lixula + -
echinometra mathaei + +
astropyga radiate + -
tripneustes pileolus + -
echinonothrix calamaris + -
Class Echinoidea
Astropecten polyacanthus - +
Culcita novaeguineae - +
holothuria fuscocinera - +
 Astropecten polyacanthus - +
ophiocona erinaceus - +
PHYLUM MOLLUSCA
strombus mulabilis + -
strombus urceus + -
rhinoclavis vergatus + -
ophiocona
vexillum erinaceus
rugosum +- -+
PHYLUM MOLLUSCA littroria scrabra + -
strombus mulabilis + -
strombus urceus + -
rhinoclavis vergatus + -
torebralis palustris
vexillum rugosum ++ +-
littroria scrabra + -
sonata obum + -
nerita
neritachamaelon
patula ++ ++
tectus pyramis
polinices pyriformis ++ ++
Class Gastropoda astralium
torebraliscarcal
palustris ++ -+
vasum sp.
strobus labiatus -+ ++
cypraea
strombustigris
luhuanus -+ +-
nerita chamaelon 29 17
+ +
tectus pyramis + +
astralium carcal + -
vasum sp. - +
cypraea tigris - +
TOTAL: 29 17

Legends: Presence (+), Absence (-)

As there is readily available and more feed in an environment conducive

for habitation, which ensures effective performance of the macrobenthic
invertebrates. Harvesting of some gastropods, echinoderm and also crustacean
at Tigtabon Island are not commercially exported, but only serve as a source of
food localities in the area and income that sell in our local market.
4.2 Abundance and Density

Seagrass Associated

450 420
400

350
overall abundacne

300

250
201 202
200

150 137
107 102
100

50
8 3 5
0
April May June
MONTH

Phylum Anthropoda Phylum Echinodermata Pyhlum Mollusca

Figure 3. Summary of Abundance from April 2021 to July 2021

Among the three phylum allocated from the area 1 shows phylum
Echinodermata as the dominant species in the area while species under phylum
Anthropoda has the least data in terms of abundance. Other than this, the
consideration of susceptibility of macro benthic invertebrates in the environment
of species must be inclusive as parameter that affects the populace of the
particular species.
Figure 4. Summary of Density from April 2021 to July 2021

The density values of the three phylum existed in the area shows that the
Phylum Echinodermata has the greatest value of density values while phylum
Mollusca has the least values of density. The differences seen in the scientific
data is result of parameters that affects the growth of their population such as
feeding habits and survival capacity. As such, the nurture of the environment
towards the growth concerns of macrobenthic invertebrates is another factor
where growth of population also depends.
Mangroves Associated

Figure 5. Summary of Abundance from April 2021 to July 2021

Among the two phylum allocated from the area, Phylum Echinodermata
dominated in figures of abundance compared to phylum Mollusca. The difference
among the two is due to the comparison of adaptability to the type of
environment which they are present. Hence, phylum Echinodermata are
considered to be compatible with mangroves area.
Figure 7. Summary of Abundance from April 2021 to July 2021

The density values indicates that Phylum Echinodermata has the greatest
value of density values compared to phylum Mollusca. The differences seen in
the scientific data is due to the of the environmental changes to the physiological
functions of the species. As such, parameters that concern the growth and
survival of the particular species must be look into as essential.
4.3 Diversity Index

Shannon diversity index (H’) is was used to express the richness of the
certain species in the area which was stated to have the value ranges from 1
(least diverse), 2 (slightly diverse), 3 (moderately diverse), 4 (diverse) and 5
(highly diverse) accordingly to Marugan 2004.

Table 2. Diversity Indices Values

Similarity
Area Shannon (H’) Evenness
index (J)

Area 1: Seagrass
Beds
2.071 0.615
0.211

Area 2: Mangrove
1.838 0.649
Area

We can see from our results that the diversity and evenness in this site,
from the site 1 (Seagrass-communities) are much higher than in the site 2
(Mangrove-communities. Seagrass-communities has a highest diverse area and
most number of individual species on the site, while mangroves-communities,
has a lowest number of species presented on the site, in terms of Shannon
diversity index seagrass-communities is the most diverse area among
mangroves communities. In terms of Evenness the most diverse is mangroves-
communities due to close in distribution of each species is equally close an in
environment. Jaccard index value is 0.211 which is pair diverse to each
community. The variation of the ranges may due to the effect of the external
environment and parameters.
 CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The result presented the Abundance and availability of marine gastropods

in the area. Based on the survey conducted from April 2021 to July 2021, Three
(3) Phyla species of Macrobenthic invertebrates belonging from Classes
Crustecea, Asteroidea, Echinoidea, Holothuroidea, Ophiuroidea and Gastropoda
are found in the two station on Tigtabon Island.

Arthropoda, Echinodermata, and Mollusca Thirty two (32) species were

found in both Site 1 and 2, species available namely;, Liocarcinus vernalis,
Linckia laevigata, Nardoa novaecaledoniae, Linckia gauildingi, Holothuria
pervicas, Synapta maculate, Stichopus hermanni, Holothuria scabra, Holothuria
pulla, Diadema setosum, Diadema savignyi, Arbacia lixula, Echinometra mathaei,
Astropyga radiate, Toxopneustes pileolus, Echinotrix calamaris, Strombus
mulabilis, Strombus urceus, Rhinoclavis vergatus, Vexillum rugosum, Littroria
scrabra, Sonata obum, Nerita patula, Polinices pyriformis, Torebralis palustris,
Strobus labiatus, Strombus luhuanus, Nerita chamaelon, Tectus pyramis,
Astralium carcal Cypraea tigris, Vasum sp and a total of 1,447 individual were
found. Thirty (30) species found in site 1 and sixteen (16) species on Site 2.

Most abundant species found were the Echinoderms and Gastropods.

Comparison in terms of abundance presented Site 1 to be the most abundant
followed by Site 2, respectively. The study sites were observed to experience
regular anthropogenic activities but still various species of echinoderms were
found. The abundance of Holothuria pulla and holothurian regida may indicate
good coral heath and the commercially important, E. calamaris is still quite
abundant in the study sites which do not pose such alarming threats to the
marine environment.
 Furthermore, the results revealed the abundance of species found within
the study area can be attributed to the physicochemical parameters especially
the sediment type. Human related activities such as collection for commercial
purposes are also considered as factors affecting the occurrence of the species

The most diverse site, is the site 1 with 966 individual species of
macrobenthic invertebrates, and site 2 has the lowest diversity, with a total of 481

individual species. Jaccard's Similarity index of site 1 was 2.62, while Site 2 was
2.17 species distribution in both site seems to be affected of some garbage and
human modification and harvesting in the area.
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