Philippine Fishes Research Articles

Patterns of biogeographic and regional life-history trait variation in four large-bodied tropical wrasses

Ectotherms display substantial demographic variation across latitudinal gradients of temperature. Higher temperatures are often associated with smaller size, rapid initial growth rates, and early maturation, generally described as the Temperature-Size Rule (TSR). The longevity of most ectotherms also declines at warmer, lower latitudes. However, these patterns may be modified by increases in food resources that can flow on to continuous growth and large adult size. The present study estimates age-based demographic parameters of large-bodied tropical wrasses (Hemigymnus melapterus, H. fasciatus, Cheilinus fasciatus, and Oxycheilinus digramma) collected from Philippine fish markets (9–11°N) and sampled from Palm (18.53–18.70°S) and Whitsunday (20.05–20.21°S) reefs on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia (GBR). Differences in longevity, initial growth rates, and the age at sexual maturation at a biogeographic scale, between the Philippines and GBR, conformed to predictions of the TSR. However, Philippine specimens exhibited greater relative body condition and sustained periods of growth beyond sexual maturity resulting in larger adult size than GBR samples. Size-structure data from Philippine marine reserves and fished sites indicated that these differences were not confounded by fishery-dependent sampling. Moreover, latitudinal length–weight relationships could not be explained by lower densities of the focal wrasses in the Philippines or by relative gonad size. Less pronounced patterns of demographic variation that differed across species were evident at a regional scale, among Palm and Whitsunday reefs. Patterns of demographic variation between the Philippines and GBR strongly suggest that differences in food resource levels will be important in explaining the observed geographic variation.

Analysis of Gender Roles in Philippine Fishing Communities

AbstractA gender analysis implemented to identify gender norms, resource use patterns and power relationships in fishing communities in the Philippines revealed that the roles of women and men are deeply integrated, but unequal, especially in relation to workload, leadership and decision‐making. Reaching 666 individuals across 26 villages, the analysis found that men access high‐value species whereas nearshore and shallow ecosystems are controlled by both women and men. Strengthening gender roles and forwarding ecosystem‐based fisheries management will require challenging social constructs, growing women's confidence and recognizing the ‘invisible’ work of women in households and the fisheries sector. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of International Development published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

An Assessment of the Endo-Parasites of Littoral Fish From Lake Taal, Batangas, Philippines

The importance of fish parasite research is now only gaining traction not only from biodiversity scientists, but also to ecologists and local policy makers as well. Fish parasites are ecologically important for they are good indicators of ecosystem integrity. In this study, fish endo-parasites of various littoral fish species in Lake Taal were identified and the status of endo-parasitism of the lake was evaluated by providing factors on host-parasite interaction such as feeding habits and host body size, which affect the prevalence of parasites, and their mean intensity. With the unique ecosystem of Lake Taal, it calls for further research especially about biodiversity assessments. Fish specimens were collected and subjected to parasitological examination by extracting their gut, immersing them to 0.9% saline solution, and examining them for the presence of endo-parasites. The samples were taken using beach seine trawling near coastal areas with the aid of the local fishermen. A total of 711 fish specimens were collected from the months of July, August, and September 2015. From these, parasites were seen from 11 fish specimens belonging to 5 different species (Channa striata, Glossogobius giuris, Parachromis managuensis, Toxotes jaculatrix, and Zenarchopterus sp.). Three parasite genera were identified, namely Opegaster sp. (Platyhelminthes: Opecoelidae), Camallanus sp. (Nematoda: Camallanidae), and Andracantha sp. (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae). From these three parasites spanning three different phyla, Andracantha sp. is the first report of its genera from Philippine fish, providing a contribution to the present Philippine parasite biodiversity listing. The quantitative measurements of parasite burden correlated with the factors aforementioned showed the low endo-parasitism within the lake.

Spatio-Temporal Declines in Philippine Fisheries and its Implications to Coastal Municipal Fishers' Catch and Income

The problem of overexploitation in global fisheries is well-recognized. However, published assessment of fisheries spatio-temporal trends at the national scale is lacking for many high biodiversity developing countries, which is problematic since fisheries management is often implemented at the local or national levels. Here, we present the long-term spatio-temporal trends of Philippine fisheries production based on the landed national fish catch data (1980-2012) and fishers’ interviews. We found that the total Philippine fish catch volume (Metric Tons MT) of most capture fisheries throughout the country has either stagnated or declined over the last three decades. The decline is even more prominent when evaluating fisheries trends at the provincial level, suggesting spatial serial depletion of the country’s fisheries. In contrast, the total Philippine fish catch value (US Dollars US$ or Philippine Pesos PHP) has continued to increase over time, despite the declining fish catch volume. However, local municipal fishers are experiencing both low fish catch and income, contributing to observable poverty in many coastal communities in the Philippines. The various stakeholders of Philippine fisheries need to recognize the depleted state of Philippine fisheries, and learn from various experiences of collapsed and recovered fisheries from around the world, in order to recover the Philippines’ capture fisheries. Lessons from the literature on collapsed fisheries offer the following options for recovery: (1) regulate or reduce fisheries exploitation and other human activities impacting the fisheries to allow fisheries to rebuild or recover, (2) enforce effective networks of marine reserves, (3) engage fishers, consumers, and other stakeholders in fisheries management, (4) improve fisheries science, monitoring, and management capacities, and (5) provide alternative livelihood, skills, and improved education to fishers and their families.

Research Note. The first report of three acanthocephalan parasite species isolated from Philippine fishes

Summary Three acanthocephalan parasites, namely Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) quinghaiensis, Rhadinorhynchus ganapatti, and Bolbosoma sp. are reported for the first time from Philippine fishes. N. (N.) quinghaiensis (Neoechinorhynchidae) may have been introduced into the country through the importation of carp species from China, where this parasite was first described and is presumed to be naturally occurring. The adult worms of R. ganapatti and the isolated cystacanth of Bolbosoma sp. represent the first record of parasites from both the family Rhadinorhynchidae and Polymorphidae in Philippine waters, respectively. These three new records encompass a third of all listed acanthocephalan parasites that have been reported in Philippine fish species to date, highlighting the need for more biodiversity-focused parasitology research, in light of potentially numerous more undocumented parasite species.

‘I Know Him So Well’: Contracting/tual ‘Insiderness’, and Maintaining Access and Rapport in a Philippine Fishing Community

‘Insider’ researchers are generally conceived to have an epistemic privilege in the field over ‘outsider’ researchers, especially around the issues of gaining access and building rapport with research participants. However, access and rapport once secured must be continuously maintained and this poses several methodological challenges to the researcher. This can be a particular problem if the people being researched have an intimate knowledge of the researcher's life. This intimate knowledge can affect the maintenance of access and rapport with research participants, particularly in a small community characterised by insecure economic prospects and whose members’ survival could be affected by the researcher's political experience. Based on an ethnographic study of a fishing community in the Philippines, this article is concerned with the various nuances of maintaining access and rapport in one's own community and its ever-evolving economic and political conditions, which then contribute to the shifting positionality of ‘insider’ researchers’ status in the field.

DNA barcoding of the ichthyofauna of Taal Lake, Philippines

This study represents the first molecular survey of the ichthyofauna of Taal Lake and the first DNA barcoding attempt in Philippine fishes. Taal Lake, the third largest lake in the Philippines, is considered a very important fisheries resource and is home to the world's only freshwater sardine, Sardinella tawilis. However, overexploitation and introduction of exotic fishes have caused a massive decline in the diversity of native species as well as in overall productivity of the lake. In this study, 118 individuals of 23 native, endemic and introduced fishes of Taal Lake were barcoded using the partial DNA sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. These species belong to 21 genera, 17 families and 9 orders. Divergence of sequences within and between species was determined using Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) distance model, and a neighbour-joining tree was generated with 1000 bootstrap replications using the K2P model. All COI sequences for each of the 23 species were clearly discriminated among genera. The average within species, within genus, within family and within order percent genetic divergence was 0.60%, 11.07%, 17.67% and 24.08%, respectively. Our results provide evidence that COI DNA barcodes are effective for the rapid and accurate identification of fishes and for identifying certain species that need further taxonomic investigation.

Coastal Resource Management and Social Differences in Philippine Fishing Communities

Class, ethnic, and gender differences among fisherfolk powerfully influence how the benefits and costs of coastal resource management programs are perceived and experienced in Philippine fishing communities. These and other social differences also limit the efficacy of community participation in these programs and hence the role that local communities can be expected to play in fisheries co-management regimes. Greater attention to institutional changes is needed if the management potential of such regimes is to be realized.

THE EFFECTS OF EXPORT PRICES ON THE DEMAND AND SUPPLY FOR FISH IN THE PHILIPPINES

ABSTRACT This paper describes the effects of changes in export prices on Philippine fish demand, supply, prices and trade. The analysis uses a multi-commodity-model of the fisheries sector that is based on the AsiaFish model. The results indicate that higher export prices lead to higher output and exports for the fisheries sector. However, such changes also cause a decline in the domestic consumption of fish.

Comparison of Headspace Volatiles of Philippine Fish Sauces.

Headspace gas chromatography (GC) analysis was used on three brands of Philippine fish sauces (patis) with a non-adjusted pH and pH 11.0. Under alkalized conditions, large amounts of trimethylamine and dimethyl disulfide were detected in samples A and B. Since the pH value of sample B was 0.3 unit higher than sample A, the volatilities of these two compounds were estimated to be about 2 times higher in sample B than in sample A. This estimation could explain the good, fishy smell of sample A and the very fishy and disagreeable smell of sample B. Sample C also included both compounds at low levels, but had higher amounts of pyrazines as compared to samples A and B. The burnt and sweet smell of sample C could be attributed to these compounds combined with large amounts of ketones and alcohols.

Fractionation and identification of volatile compounds in patis. A philippine fish sauce.

Commercial Philippine fish sauce (Patis) was steam-distilled and the distillate was fractionated into four fractions, neutral, basic, acidic and phenolic and each fraction was analyzed using gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.As a result of this study, a total of 66 compounds were identified in Patis, 14 of which were only a tentative identification. Out of these 66 identified compounds, 40 identified compounds have not been reported in previous studies on fish sauces. These identified compounds include 19 acids, 14 alcohols, 12 nitrogen containing compounds, 5 esters, 3 sulfur containing compounds, 1 phenol, 3 carbonyls, 7 hydrocarbons and 2 others. In the acidic fraction, 5 acids were considered major constituents which accounted for about 98% of the total acids. n-Butanoic acid was found to be the most abundant accounting for about 50% of the total acids.

Ergasilus rotundicorpus n.sp. (Copepoda: Ergasilidae) from Siganus guttatus (Bloch) in the Philippines

A new species of Ergasilus is described and illustrated from the gills of juvenile (c. 70 mm total length) Siganus guttatus raared in a Philippine fish farm. Of 15 fish examined, all were infested and nine had concurrent lymphocystis infections. ac]19820901

Urceolariid Ciliates, including Three New Species, from Cultured Philippine Fishes

DUNCAN, B. L. 1977. Urceolariid ciliates, including three new species, from cultured Philippine fishes. Trans. Amer. Micros. Soc., 96: 76-81. Trichodina heterodentata n. sp. from Tilapia zillii, T. mossambica, and Trichogaster trichopterus; Trichodinella carpi n. sp. from Cyprinus carpio; and Trichodinella tilapiae n. sp. from T. zillii are described. Trichodina acuta Lom, 1961 is redescribed from T. zillii and T. mossambica, new host and locality records.

A New Species of Damselfish (Eupomacentrus) from the Western Atlantic, with a Key to Known Species of That Area

of ten new species and a new genus, and comments on Pacific relatives. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 120:45-174. HERRE, A. W. C. T. 1940. Notes on fishes in the Zoological Museum of Stanford University: VII, New and rare Philippine gobies from the Herre 1936-1937 Oriental Expedition, and in the collections of the Bureau of Science. Philippine J. Sci. 72:357-369. . 1945. Notes on fishes in the Zoological Museum of Stanford University: XX, New fishes from China and India, a new genus and a new Indian record. J. Washington Acad. Sci. 35:399-404. HOESE, D. F. 1971. A revision of the eastern Pacific species of the gobiid fish genus Gobiosoma, with a discussion of relationships of the genus. Doctoral Dissertation, Univ. California, San Diego, Calif. HUBBS, C. L., AND K. F. LAGLER. 1958. Fishes of the Great Lakes Region. Bull. Cranbrook Inst. Sci. 26. KOUMANS, F. P. 1940. Results of a reexamination of types and specimens of gobioid fishes, with notes on the fish fauna of the surroundings of Batavia. Zool. Meded. 22:8-210. . 1953. Gobioidea. The fishes of the Indo-Australian Archipelago. E. J. Brill, Leiden. 10. LACHNER, E. A., AND R. E. JENKINS. 1971. Systematics, distribution, and evolution of the chub Genus Nocomis Girard (Pisces, Cyprinidae) of eastern United States, with descriptions of new species. Smithsonian Contribs. Zool. (85): 1-97. SEALE, A. 1910. New species of Philippine fishes. Philippine J. Sci. 4:491-543. SMITH, H. M. 1931. Descriptions of new genera and species of Siamese fishes. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 79:1-48. SMITH, J. L. B. 1947. New species and new records of fishes from South Africa. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 13:793-821. SNYDER, J. 0. 1908. Descriptions of eighteen new species and two new genera of fishes from Japan and the Riu Kiu Islands. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 35:93-111. TAKAGI, K. 1957. Descriptions of some new gobioid fishes of Japan, with a proposition on the sensory line system as a taxonomic character. J. Tokyo Univ. Fisheries 43:97-126. TAYLOR, W. R. 1969. An enzyme method of clearing and staining small vertebrates. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 122:1-17. WILEY, M. L., AND B. B. COLLETTE. 1970. Breeding tubercles and contact organs in fishes: Their occurrence, structure, and significance. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 143: 145-216.

Observations on Some Heterophyidae (Trematoda: Digenea) Encysted in Philippine Fishes

The following species of Heterophyidae are redescribed from adults obtained from experi- mental definitive hosts fed metacercariae from Philippine fishes: Heterophyopsis expectans (Africa and Garcia, 1935) Tubangui and Africa, 1938 (neotype) and Procerovum calderoni (Africa and Garcia, 1935) Price, 1940 (neotype); Haplorchis pumilio (Looss, 1896) Looss, 1899, Haplorchis taichui (Nishigori, 1924), and Procerovum varium (Onji and Nishio, 1916) are discussed based on the new Philippine ma- terial, all with new fish hosts and locality records. Stictodora manilensis Africa and Garcia, 1935 (neo- type) is redescribed with a new locality record. Stictodora tanayensis sp. n. is described from adults obtained from experimental kittens fed metacercariae from Ophiocara aporos Bleeker. It differs from any other species of the genus by its distinct ventral sucker bearing 8 sclerotized pronglike processes with pointed tips.

Some Hemiurid Trematodes from Philippine Fishes

Some Hemiurid Trematodes from Philippine Fishes

Check List of Philippine Fishes

Check List of Philippine Fishes

Notes on the Effect of Aircraft-Distributed DDT-Oil Spray upon Certain Philippine Fishes

Notes on the Effect of Aircraft-Distributed DDT-Oil Spray upon Certain Philippine Fishes

Two New Trematodes from Philippine Fishes

One adult specimen of this parasite was collected from the intestine of Teuthis concatenata (Cuvier and Valenciennes) on May 26, 1945. Description. The specimen is 4.17 mm long; at the junction of the last body third, it reaches its greatest width of 1.02 mm. The body is elongate with broadly rounded anterior end and pointed posterior end. Cuticular spines are not present. The subterminal, oval oral sucker is 0.21 mm in diameter. The prepharynx is long and straight, measuring 0.56 mm in length. The pharynx is weakly muscular and has a diameter of 0.13 mm. The intestinal bifurcation is directly behind the pharynx. The ceca are wide and run in a straight course, terminating slightly anterior to the margins of the testes. The genital pore opens on the midline, approximately half way between the oral sucker and the pharynx. The two, large, spherical testes measure 0.30 mm in diameter. They are symmetrical and lie close to one another in the posterior part of the last quarter of the body length. A cirrus sac, supposedly present in this genus but very inconspicuous, could not be observed in my specimen. The seminal vesicle, a coiled tube in the type species, was also invisible. The large spherical ovary measures 0.24 mm in diameter. It is situated immediately posterior to the testes, with the greater part of its bulk dextral to the median line. A seminal receptacle is lacking. The large vitelline follicles extend posteriorly from the anterior third of the body to the testes. They are in the lateral fields except for a group of four intercecal follicles posterior to the intestinal bifurcation, and a larger intercecal group anterior to the testes (Fig. 1). The ascending uterus describes a few coils posterior to the left testis, passes between the two testes and becomes thrown into numerous intercecal, transverse folds anterior to the testes. Before reaching the intestinal bifurcation, the uterus becomes almost straight. The oval eggs measure 82 to 90 by 52 to 56mA,

Additions to the Fish Fauna of the Philippine Islands

T HE amazing richness and diversity of the Philippine fish fauna is forcibly illustrated by the collections made during my visit there from May to October, 1940. In various papers I have described 20 new species from my 1940 Philippine collection, and have published notes on the distribution and habits of a number of other fishes not hitherto known from the Islands. Including those mentioned in this contribution, 55 additions have been made to the known fish fauna of the Philippines from my 1940 collections in Busuanga, Mindoro, Negros, Mindanao, and Jolo. A few of those given in this paper have been mentioned by me previously, but without definite locality; these are members of the Thunnidae, and the dolphin. The Thunnidae are common food fishes, and are so abundant that they will one day be the basis for a great canning industry in the Philippines. Most of the other fishes here listed are either little known rarities, or are remote from where they have hitherto been known.