National Committee on Marine Sciences (NCMS)
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://repository.unesco.gov.ph/handle/123456789/6
Browse
13 results
Filters
Settings
Search Results
- A unique reproductive strategy in the mushroom coral Fungia fungitesEyal-Shaham, Lee; Eyal, Gal; Ben-Zvi, Or; Sakai, Kazuhiko; Harii, Saki; Sinniger, Frederic; Hirose, Mamiko; Cabaitan, Patrick; Bronstein, Omri; Feldman, Bar; Shlesinger, Tom; Levy, Oren; Loya, Yossi (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2020-09-30)The vast majority of scleractinian corals are either simultaneous hermaphrodites or gonochoric. Exceptions to these are rare. Nevertheless, species belonging to the family Fungiidae are known to exhibit a wide variety of reproductive strategies. We examined the reproductive ecology of the mushroom coral Fungia fungites in Okinawa. Our study was conducted as part of a long-term, wide-ranging project (2009–2010 and 2013–2017) which explored the unique reproductive strategies of several species belonging to the family Fungiidae. Here we report the co-occurrence of males, females, and hermaphrodite individuals in a long-term monitored population of the reproductively atypical brooder coral F. fungites within the family Fungiidae. F. fungites status as a single-polyped solitary coral, was used to perform manipulative experiments to determine the degree of dependence of an individual coral on its conspecific neighbors for reproduction, and examined whether a constant sperm supply is obligatory for the continuous production of planulae. Isolated females of F. fungites exhibited a distinctive reproductive strategy, expressed in continuously releasing planulae also in the absence of males. Observations conducted on a daily basis for 2.5 months (throughout the reproductive season of 2015) revealed that some of these individuals released planulae continuously, often between tens and hundreds every day. In an effort to explain this phenomenon, three hypotheses are discussed: (1) Self-fertilization; (2) Asexual production of planulae (i.e., parthenogenetic larvae); and (3) Extended storage of sperm. Finally, we emphasize the importance of continuous and long-term monitoring of studies of coral reproduction; through further genetic studies of coral populations representing a broad range of species and their larval origin.
- The harmful unarmored Dinoflagellate Karlodinium in Japan and Philippines, with reference to ultrastructure and micropredation of Karlodinium azanzae sp. nov. (Kareniaceae, Dinophyceae)1Benico, Garry; Takahashi, Kazuya; Lum, Wai Mun; Yñiguez, Aletta T.; Iwataki, Mitsunori (Phycological Society of America, 2020)Twenty-six cultures of the harmful marine dinoflagellate Karlodinium, isolated from Japanese and Philippine coastal waters, were examined using LM, SEM, and molecular phylogeny inferred from ITS and LSU rDNA. Seven Karlodinium species (six from Japan and four from Philippines), K. australe, K. ballantinum, K. decipiens, K. gentienii, K. veneficum, K. zhouanum, and a novel species Karlodinium azanzae sp. nov., were identified based on their morphology and phylogenetic positions.Karlodinium azanzae from Manila Bay, Philippines was further characterized by TEM, HPLC (chloroplast pigment), and bioassay on brine shrimp and other marine zooplankton. Cells of K. azanzae were the largest (mean 25.3 µm long) in Karlodinium, possessed numerous tiny reflective particles, starch grains, and lipid granules, and usually swam at the bottom of the culture vessel. The straight apical structure complex and a ventral pore were common to the genus. The longitudinally elongated nucleus was located at the center, and the yellowish chloroplasts contained an embedded pyrenoid and carotenoid pigments typical of the genus (i.e., fucoxanthin as major carotenoid with its derivatives). TEM revealed a part of the flagellar apparatus, of which the long striated ventral connective is the first report in the Kareniaceae. Phylogenetic trees showed closest affinity of K. azanzae with K. australe and K. armiger. The new species could be differentiated from related species by cell size, position of the nucleus, and characteristic swimming behavior. Lethality of K. azanzae to large zooplankton and micropredation using a developed peduncle was also observed.
- Manzaea minuta gen. & comb. nov. (Scytosiphonaceae, Phaeophyceae) from the tropical Northwestern Pacific OceanSantiañez, Wilfred John E.; Kogame, Kazuhiro (Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology, 2022-07-11)Recent molecular-assisted taxonomic studies on the brown algal genus Hydroclathrus has resulted in discoveries of new taxa in the family Scytosiphonaceae, both at the genus and species level. However, phylogenetic studies on Hydroclathrus based on wide geographical sampling also suggested that the genus is not monophyletic. That is, one of the recently described species Hydroclathrus minutus is consistently segregated from the Hydroclathrus main clade. We propose here to segregate H. minutus from the brown algal genus Hydroclathrus and establish the new monotypic genus Manzaea (i.e., Manzaea minuta gen. & comb. nov.) based on information on molecular phylogenetics and morpho-anatomy. Morphologically, M. minuta is similar to Hydroclathrus and Tronoella in having clathrate (net-like) and spreading thalli but is differentiated from the latter two genera in having membranous thalli that are sometimes interadhesive resulting in portions of the thallus forming amorphous clumps. Additionally, Manzaea is distinguished from both clathrate genera in having thick-walled medullary cells and short closely arranged quadriseriate plurangia. Phylogenetic analyses (Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference) based on single (plastidial psaA and rbcL genes) and concatenated (cox3 + psaA + rbcL) genes showed that M. minuta is consistently segregated from the highly supported clade of Hydroclathrus species and often clustering with Tronoella and/or Rosenvingea. Our proposal further increases the diversity of monotypic genera in the Scytosiphonaceae and underscores the need to conduct further studies on tropical seaweed biodiversity.WJES thanks Dr. Gavino C. Trono, Jr. and Dr. Edna T. Ganzon-Fortes for the inspiration and encouragement to conduct seaweed biodiversity and systematics research. WJES is funded by the University of the Philippines through the Balik PhD Program of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA-BPhD-2018-05), the University of the Philippines Diliman through the In-house research grant of the Marine Science Institute, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of the Government of Japan under the Monbukagakusho Scholarship Grant. WJES also acknowledges the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Government of the Philippines through the DOST Balik Scientist Program.
- Interchange of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) between northern Philippines and Ogasawara, Japan, has implications for conservationNakagun, Shotaro; Smoll, Laetitia I.; Sato, Takayuki; Layusa, Cynthia A. A.; Acebes, Jo Marie V. (CSIRO Publishing, 2020-03-12)Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the western North Pacific breed in the Philippines and Japan, where there is relatively little scientific data available, leading to uncertainty about their population status and structure. This study investigates links between humpback whale populations in northern Philippines and Ogasawara, Japan, through a comparison of the most recent fluke identification catalogues. The Philippines catalogue (1999–2016) included 234 individuals, and the Ogasawara catalogue (1987–2014), 1389 individuals. The number of matched individuals was 86 (including 14 known females and 40 known males), corresponding to 36.8% of the Philippines and 6.2% of the Ogasawara catalogues. The findings included four within-season matches, with travel times as short as 25 days. The results suggest that a considerable portion of whales utilising Philippine waters pass through and also utilise the Ogasawara region, but the majority of whales found off Ogasawara either stay in that location, move to different breeding grounds, or remain out of the sampling area. Nevertheless, in light of the high site fidelity of individuals in the Philippines and Ogasawara area, as well as constant evidence of breeding activities, these regions are of importance to the lesser known western North Pacific subpopulation. Humpback whales migrating to this part of the world are estimated to be in relatively low abundance, therefore continued conservation attention is needed.
- Japan, China trade barbs on WPS; PCG: Coral reef damage 'extensive'Requejo, Rey; Lopez, Vince; Ramos-Araneta, Macon (Philippine Manila Standard Publishing, Inc., 2023-09-19)Japan on Monday raised concern over the extensive maritime damage in waters frequented by Chinese militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea, but China quickly shot back by denouncing Tokyo’s release of contaminated water from its Fukushima nuclear plant. The Japanese Embassy in Manila said the damage done to coral reefs, presumably by Chinese boats in Rozul (Iroquois) Reef was “very alarming news.” “Our oceans are the lifeblood of our plant, and coral reefs are its colorful heartbeat. Let’s preserve and protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come,” Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said on his X social media account.
- ₱900-M PHL shrimp exports to US may be affected by banSan Juan, Andrea (Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc., 2024-02-18)Nearly a billion pesos worth of shrimp exports to the United States are at risk due to the US’s temporary ban on the importation of shrimp and shrimp products from the Philippines, data processed by the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) showed. Last year, Philippine shrimp exports to the US reached nearly P900 million. In five years, the highest was recorded in 2019 when it hit more than P2 billion. In an advisory published on DTI-EMB’s website last week, the export marketing arm of DTI revealed that the US temporarily prohibited importation of shrimp caught using commercial fishing technology that “adversely” affects turtles such as the use of Turtle Excluder Devices.
- Oil spill reaches Verde Island PassageMallari, Delfin Jr; Virola, Madonna; Mangosing, Frances (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc., 2023-03-21)Traces of oil spill from the sunken MT Princess Empress had reached Verde Island, a six-village islet in Batangas City, which is at the heart of the Verde Island Passage (VIP) where the world’s most critical marine biodiversity center is found, authorities said on Monday. In an advisory, Fr. Edwin Gariguez, lead convenor of the environmentalist group Protect the Verde Island Passage, said they were ready to assist in containing the spill in VIP after residents reported seeing oil sheen and clumps in waters off four villages of Verde Island
- Oriental Mindoro to be placed under state of calamityCabrera, Romina; Ramirez, Robertzon (Philippine Star Printing Co., Inc., 2023-03-31)Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito Dolor wants the entire province placed under a state of calamity due to the oil spill from the sunken motor tanker Princess Empress. Dolor said he directed the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to prepare a recommendation for the calamity declaration in view of latest situational reports from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Health.
- PCG removes floating barrier in Bajo de MasinlocSadongdong, Martin (Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation, 2023-09-27)The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), on orders of President Mrcos, removed the floating barrier installed by China in Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough or Panatag Shoal, near Zambales. National Task Force for West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) Chairman and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año instructed the PCG to execute a "special operation" to remove the floating barrier which obstructed the southeast entrance of Bajo de Masinloc and prevented Filipino fishermen from entering the shoal.
- BFAR backs WTO ban on fisheries subsidiesOchave, Revin Mikhael D. (BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation, 2022-11-02)The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the Philippines must comply with a World Trade Organization (WTO) ban on fishing subsidies, which is designed to deter illegal fishing, even amid pressure from fishing organizations to provide government support for fisherfolk. Demosthenes R. Escoto, BFAR officer-in-charge, said that the WTO agreement against subsidies seeks to deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF) and to restore overfished populations.