Seagrass-associated macrofaunal community of Bancao-Bancao, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Date

4-2014

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Major Course

Major in Zoology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Victor S. Ticzon

Restrictions

Restricted: Not available to the general public and to those bound by the confidentiality agreement. Access is available only after consultation with author/thesis adviser.

Abstract

The study aims to fill an important research gap in above- and below ground seagrass macrofaunal communities in a near-pristine seagrass bed in the country. The objective of the study is to cross-compare seagrass- associated epibiont and infaunal communities between areas in the meadow with different levels of wave exposure. A total of twelve plots were randomly selected, six of which are replicates for one site. In each plot, above and belowground macrofauna were collected and assessed. Multivariate analysis and community indices were obtained to determine differences in community structure of associated macrofauna found on leaf blades and its benthic substrates for the inner and more exposed seagrass beds. Results showed five key findings: (1) Cross comparisons of macrofaunal abundances showed significant differences except for the above- and belowground community at the inner seagrass meadow (2) Foraminiferans were the most abundant macrofaunal phylum (3) Higher macrofaunal abundance was found at the edge of the meadow due to the foraminiferan Calcarinidae (4) A more abundant and diverse macrofaunal assemblage were observed belowground for both sites, while a more diverse and evenly distributed macrofaunal families was observed aboveground and, (5) Differences in community structure between sites was driven by a higher richness, diversity and evenness of macrobenthos, as well as epifaunal evenness, near the edge of the meadow. These results highlight the importance of seagrass beds as macrofaunal habitats and areas of high macrofaunal diversity.

Language

English

Call Number

LG 993.5 2014 B4 /R49

Notes

status: in process

loc: UPLB Main Library Cataloging Section

Document Type

Thesis

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