Lenliegh Hope A. Luces Ace Mari F. Nabiong Marlowe G. Popes (February 2005)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
The community structure of mollusks in the Mangrove Reforestation, Aquasilviculture and Eco-tourism Project in Kapispisan, New Washington, Aklan was determined in terms of: a.)species composition, b.)relative frequency c.)population density, d.)biomass, e.)relative abundance and f.)species diversity. The study site was divided into three areas. Six 1-m² sampling quadrats were situated in each area. The mollusks were gathered, identified, counted and weighed. Physico-chemical conditions in each quadrat were described in terms of: a.)soil temperature, b.)soil salinity and c.)soil pH.
Twelve mollusk species were found in the mangrove project namely: Cerithidea cingulata, Cerethium coralium, Telescopium telescopium, Nerita picea, Terebralia sulcata, Nerita costata, Strombus variabilis, and Terebralia palustris, Littoraria scabra, and Cerithidea obtusa., Oyster, Garitogatta.
Cerithidea cingulata has the highest relative frequency in all three areas, 73.61% in area 1, 77.78% in area 2 and 98.51% in area 3. This means that the probability that Cerithidea cingulata was found in every quadrat was relatively higher compared to other species.
Area 3 has the highest population density, a total of 374 specimens, followed by area 1 with 217 specimens and then by area 2 with 173 specimens. However, biomass in area 1 (716.7g) is relatively higher compared to that of areas 2 (538.2g) and 3 (608.2g).
Results showed that Cerithidea cingulata with a relative abundance percentage of (46.544%), (48.366%) and (90.909%) in area 1, 2, and 3, respectively, dominated the mangrove area. Also based on the results, the species diversity range of area 3 was moderately higher compared to that of area 1 and 2.