Laurence Ray P. Arceno, Gelli Anne N. Dusaban, Janella Grace A. Munion (March 2009)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
In all aquatic environments, available surfaces are rapidly colonized by a variety of organisms. If these organisms grow on plants they are called epiphytes. Epiphytes are plants and animals that are permanently attached on the seagrass leaves. There are two classification of epiphytes: the producers and the decomposers.
In this study, the productivity of microalgal and microfungal epiphytes on Enhalus acoroides in Tando, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras were determined. The abundance of thraustochytrids, which is the epiphyte decomposer, was determined in terms of colony per leaf. Epiphyte biomass was measured in terms of dry-weight and productivity of epiphytes was determined by measuring its chlorophyll a content and its photosynthetic capacity. Thraustochytrids were isolated and plated on a YEP agar plate. Epiphyte biomass was determined by oven drying the epiphytes and was measured by an analytical balance.