Robigene B. Flores, LC May C. Gasit, Jason Anthony T. Suspeña (March 2014)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Survey of molluscan species has been a relevant tool for storing and organizing taxonomic data for potential economic, scientific and medical applications. The research on diversity of gastropods and bivalves can give information to aid in the coastal management of Banate Bay. The study aims to determine the diversity of gastropods and bivalves in the mudflats of Brgy. Dangulaan, Anilao, Iloilo. The study was conducted at the mudflats of Brgy. Dangulaan, Anilao, Iloilo, a part of Banate Bay in northern Iloilo. The study area is a mangrove rehabilitation site and cultures green mussles, a project by the Banate-Barotac Bay Resource Management Council Inc. The sampling area is a mudflat, 50 meters away from the mangrove forest and has a muddy substrate. Organisms were identified on-site using Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nations (FAO) Taxonomic Key, 1998. Species were confirmed by Dr. Teodora Bagarinao of Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center ( SEAFDEC). The number of individuals per species per quadrat was determined. Species diversity was computed. Fourteen species of mollusks were found in the sampling area, in which 6 of these belong to class Bivalvia and 8 to Class Gastropoda. Bivalves have a high diversity while gastropods have a low diversity. With this information, it is recommended to practice the regulation of collection of gastropods and bivalves in the area by setting a limitation of the number of gastropods and bivalves to be gathered every day especially the species with low population density.