M. L. D. G. Lacuna

Bio: M. L. D. G. Lacuna is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Plankton & Aquatic animal. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 2 citations.

Coastal zooplankton in the waters of Iligan City, northern Mindanao, Philippines.

Abstract: The relationship of physicochemical paramaters of the water and the composition, diversity and abundance of zooplankton assemblage in the nearshore waters surrounding Iligan City were investigated. Hydrological parameters assessed in the waters revealed values that are within the standard set by the Philippines Department of Natural Resources for marine fauna and flora to thrive and be abundant. Rich composition of mesozooplankton was observed with a total of 103 zooplankton comprising the community. Among these zooplankton, copepods were the most numerous group with Canthocalanus pauper, Paracalanus parvus, Oncaea venusta, Acartia erythraea and Oncaea media being the most dominant species in all sampling stations. In terms of copepod diversity profile, relatively high Shannon index (H’: 3.1-3.5) were noted implying that the area is teeming with diverse species of copepods. Although copepods were the most common zooplankton in the area, other groups, namely the protochordates, chaetognaths and chordates (fish eggs and fish larvae) were also abundant. Results of the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) revealed that water motion may be responsible to the high abundance and diversity of the copepods since this factor can lead to the mixing and transport of more copepods into the area. Hence, the high abundance of these certain groups of zooplankton may imply the high potential of the areas to be used as nursery ground for fish and other macroinvertebrates thereby further supporting the importance of maintaining the marine sanctuary already established in the area.

Mesozooplankton composition and abundance in San Ildefonso Cape, Casiguran, Aurora, Northern Philippines.

Abstract: Mesozooplankton composition, diversity, abundance and their relation with the physicochemical parameters of the waters during high and low tides in San Ildefonso Cape, Aurora Province, Philippines were compared. A total of 60 species belonging to 9 major groups were identified. Copepoda constituted the major bulk of the mesozooplankton community with Paracalanus parvus, Corycaeus andrewsii, Oithona similis and Oncaea venusta being the most abundant and widely distributed copepods in the said area. Using several diversity indices, high diversity in the mesozooplankton taxa was observed, but no differences were seen between the sampling stations and between the two tidal cycles. Likewise, the results of NPMANOVA revealed no significant differences (p>0.05) in mesozooplankton relative abundance between and within sampling stations between and during high and low tides. The results may imply that the level of mesozooplankton diversity and abundance did not fluctuate with changes in the tide levels and that mesozooplankton taxa were thus uniformly distributed in the waters of San Ildefonso Cape. Results of Canonical Correspondence Analysis revealed dissolved oxygen in influencing the mesozooplankton composition and abundance; however other factors (i.e. Kuroshio current) may also be important in shaping the community structure of mesozooplankton. Considering the importance of copepods as major component of the marine zooplankton and its function in marine food webs, the present records are therefore crucial in understanding the dynamics of marine ecosystems and are necessary for purposes of management and conservation of marine resources.