Inventory of Freshwater Fauna in the Agusan Marsh, Philippines With Notes on Introduced Species and...

Inventory of Freshwater Fauna in the Agusan Marsh, Philippines with Notes

on Introduced Species and their Impacts on Biodiversity

MARIANNE HUBILLA-TRAVIS1*, FERENC KIS2, JURGENNE PRIMAVERA3

1Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines in the Visayas, 5023 Miag-ao, Iloilo

2Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Government Center, 8500 Patin-ay, Agusan del Sur

3Southeast Asian Fisheries and Development Center – Aquaculture Department, 5021 Tigbauan, Iloilo

INTRODUCTION

Agusan Marsh – a protected marshland located in Agusan del Sur, northeastern Mindanao, in the southern Philippines.

1. protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) in 1994

2. Wildlife Sanctuary by Presidential Proclamation 913 in 1996

3. Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention in 1999

WETLAND ROLES1. serve as sponge that

reduce flood flows2. help retain and absorb

sediments and nutrients

3. maintain the continued existence of various floral and faunal species

Earlier studies that documented the fish species of the Agusan Marsh

Herre, 1953

Talde et al., 2004

Davies, 1991

Oloroso, 2000

Table 1 List of fish species cited by Herre, 1953.Family Species English name Local name

Carcharhinidae Glyphis gangeticus Ganges shark Pating

Pristidae Pristis microdon Large-tooth sawfish Tagan

Lutjanidae Lutjanus fuscescens Freshwater snapper Gingaw

Clupeidae Anodontostoma chacunda Chacunda gizzard shad Kabasi

Cyprinidae Puntius montanoi Simulao carp Habong, lidong

Cyprinidae Puntius binotatus Spotted barb Gabot, paitanGobiidae Stenogobius ophthalmoporus Goby Oku

Ephippidae Platax orbicularis Orbicular batfish Dahon gabi

Mugilidae Valamugil cunnesius Long-arm mullet BanakMuraenidae Strophidon sathete Slender giant moray Kasili nga

ubodEleotridae Butis amboinensis Olive flathead gudgeon Pidjanga

Chandidae Ambassis buruensis Buru glass perchlet IbisChandidae A. gymnocephalus Bald glass perchlet Ibis

Chandidae A. interrupta Long-spine glass perchlet Ibis

Chandidae A. urotaenia Banded-tail glass perchlet Ibis

Glyphis gangeticus

Platax orbicularis

Pristis microdon

Anodontostoma chacunda

Table 2 List of fish species cited by Davies, 1991.Family Species English name Local name

Anabantidae Anabas testudineus Climbing perch Puyo

Channidae Channa striata Snakehead murrel, mudfish Halu-an

Cichlidae Oreochromis niloticus Nile tilapia Tilapia

Clariidae Clarias batrachus Walking catfish Agok-ok

Clariidae Clarias gariepinus North African hito Taiwan

Clariidae Clarias macrocephalus Broad-head catfish Hito, pantat

Clariidae Clarias gilli (C. nieuhofi) Peat forest catfish Balik

Cyprinidae Puntius montanoi/binotatus Simulao carp/spotted barb Lidong/paitan

Cyprinidae Cyprinus carpio Common carp Karpa

Gobiidae Glossogobius giuris Tank goby Pidjanga

Megalopidae Megalops cyprinoides Indo-Pacific tarpon Sibad

Mugilidae Mugil sp. Mullet Banak

Osphronemidae Osphronemus gouramy Giant gourami Gurami

Osphronemidae Trichogaster pectoralis Snake-skin gourami Gurami

Osphronemidae T. trichopterus Three-spot gourami Gurami

Poeciliidae Poecilia reticulata Guppy Impis

Glossogobius giuris

Oreochromis niloticus

Poecilia reticulata

Osphronemus gouramy

Clarias garipienus

Cyprinus carpio

Table 3 List of fish species cited by Oloroso, 2000.Family Species English name Local name





Clariidae C. gariepinus North African hito Taiwan

Clariidae C. macrocephalus Broad-head catfish Hito, pantat

Clariidae C. gilli (C. nieuhofi) Peat forest catfish Balik

Cyprinidae Puntius sp. Simulao carp, spotted barb Lidong/paitan



Mugilidae Mugil sp. Mullet Banak



Table 4 List of fish species cited by Talde et al., 2004.Family Species English name Local name


Channidae Channa striata Snakehead murrel, mudfish

Halu-an




Clariidae C. macrocephalus Broad-head catfish Hito, pantat

Cyprinidae Puntius binotatus Spotted barb Paitan


Eleotridae Ophiocara porocephala Sprangled sleeper Ilabo

Gobiidae Glossogobius giuris Tank goby Pidjanga





What is biological invasion?

Biological invasion is the spread of a non- native species from its native place to other parts of the world that is usually caused by human vectors.

* Displace native species * Diminish diversity * Disrupt ecosystems * Cause significant economic impacts

EFFECTS OF INVASIVE SPECIES

OBJECTIVES1. Conduct an inventory of the aquatic fauna

of the Agusan Marsh;2. Determine the habitat & distribution of

aquatic fauna in the Marsh;3. Identify the ecological status of species

and environmental threats; and4. Discuss the impacts of introduced

species on biodiversity, and the possible management schemes that could be applied for them.

.

FRESHWATER FAUNAL GROUPS

1. Fishes2. Molluscs (bivalves, gastropods)3. Crustaceans (Crabs, shrimps)4. Aquatic reptiles (Aquatic lizards,

crocodiles, turtles)

METHODOLOGYStudy sites

1. Peat forest(New Visayas, San Francisco)

2. Herbaceous swamp(Lake Talacogon, Talacogon)

3. Floodplain lake(Lake Mihaba, Bunawan)

4. Oxbow/floodplain lake(Lake Dinagat, Loreto)

5. Upstream(Agusan River, Sta. Josefa)

6. Midstream (Agusan River, La Paz)

7. Downstream(Agusan River, San Luis)

Collection of samples

Fish 1. Floodplain & oxbow lake – multiple hook & line, traps, gill net, skimming net, cast net;2. Herbaceous swamp – multiple hook & line, traps 3. Peat forest & forest swamp – pole & line4. Upstream, midstream, downstream – gill net, cast net, electrical gadgets

Molluscs – collected by hands and by diving underwater

Crustaceans – electrofishingAquatic reptiles – collected by hands and hunting

Collection of samples – based on the standard collecting method of von Brandt

(1979) and Villoso (2000)

Identification & preservation of samples

Identification of samples • Fish – Herre (1953); Davies (1991); Rainboth (1996); Villoso

(1997); Olorosso (2000); Talde et al. (2004); www.fishbase.org

• Molluscs1. Gastropods – www.applesnail.net2. Bivalves – www.inhs.uiuc.edu; www.fcsc.usgs.gov

• Crustaceans1. Shrimps – www.was.org2. Crabs – www.nmu.edu

• Aquatic reptiles1. Aquatic lizards – www.species.net; www.curator.org2. Crocodiles – www.whozoo.org; www.solaster-mb.org3. Turtles – www.cas.psu.edu; http://nlbif.eti.uva.nl

Preservation of samples – based on the standard preservation techniques of Villoso (2000)

Habitat and distribution- Habitat and distribution were determined

Ecological status and threats- Ecological status of species and threats were identified

Inventory of aquatic fauna - Field sampling, review of literature, book & online review, IKS (Indigenous Knowledge System) by verbal and questionnaire survey

Introduced species and their impacts on biodiversity- Impacts of introduced species and possible management schemes for them were discussed

Flow chart of activities

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

Number of species of fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic reptiles found in the study.

Molluscs17%

Crustaceans15%

Aquatic reptiles5%

Fish63%

Inventory of aquatic fauna

29 Families34 Genera41 Species

Number of family, genera and species of aquatic fauna found in the study.

05

1015202530

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Aquatic faunal group

Freq

uenc

y

Species

Genera

Family

1 - Fish2 - Bivalves3 - Gastropods4 - Shrimps5 - Crabs6 - Aquatic lizards7 - Crocodiles8 - Turtles

Number of fish family, genera and species documented by different

studies.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1 2 3 4 5

St ud y

Family

Genera

Species

1 - Herre, 19532 - Davies, 19913 - Oloroso, 20004 - Talde et al. 20045 - This study

Table 5 List of fish species found in the study.Family Species English name Local name


Anguillidae Anguilla marmorata Giant mottled eel Kasili

Chandidae Ambassis interrupta* Long-spine glass perchlet Ibis





Clariidae C. macrocephalus* Broad-head catfish Hito, pantat

Clariidae C. nieuhofi (C. gilli) Peat forest catfish Balik


Cyprinidae Puntius binotatus Spotted barb Gabot, paitan

Eleotridae Ophiocara porocephala Sprangled sleeper Ilabo

Gobiidae Glossogobius giuris Tank goby, white goby Pidjanga

Gobiidae Stenogobius ophthalmoporus* Goby Oku

Hemiramphidae Dermogenys pusilla* Wrestling halfbeak Tambugasan

Hemiramphidae Zenarchopterus buffonis* Buffon’s river garfish Pinganan

Loricariidae Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus Vermiculated sailfin catfish Janitor fish


Mugilidae Valamugil cunnesius* Long-arm mullet Banak





Scatophagidae Scatophagus argus Spotted scat Kikilo

Synbranchidae Monopterus albus Swamp eel Dungkang

Sygnathidae Doryichthys boaja Long-snout pipefish Kulikag


Anabas testudineus

Channa striata

Clarias batrachus

Ambassis interrupta

Anguilla marmorata

Ophiocara porocephala

Glossogobius giurisPuntius binotatus

Clarias gariepinus

Cyprinus carpioClarias nieuhofi

Osphronemus gouramy

Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus

Megalops cyprinoides

Zenarchopterus buffonis

Dermogenys pusilla

Valamugil cunnesius/Mugil longimanus

Scatophagus argus

Trichogaster pectoralis

Monopterus albus

Doryichthys boaja

Poecilia reticulata

Trichogaster trichopterus

Family Species English name Local nameAnguillidae Anguilla marmorata Giant mottled eel Kasili

Hemiramphidae Dermogenys pusilla Wrestling halfbeak Tambugasan

Hemiramphidae Zenarchopterus buffonis Buffon’s river garfish Pinganan

Loricariidae Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus Vermiculated sailfin catfish

Janitor fish

Scatophagidae Scatophagus argus Spotted scat Kikilo

Synbranchidae Monopterus albus Swamp eel Dungkang

Sygnathidae Doryichthys boaja Long-snout pipefish Kulikag

Table 6 List of fish species found in the study but not mentioned in earlier literature.

Table 7 List of invertebrate species and aquatic reptiles found in the Agusan Marsh.

Family Species English name Local name

Corbiculidae Corbicula fluminea Asiatic freshwater clam Kay-kay

Unionidae Cristaria plicata Cockscomb pearl mussel TambilakaAmpullariidae Pila ampullacea Large Asiatic apple snail Kambu-ay

Ampullariidae Pila conica Native apple snail SihiAmpullariidae Pomacea canaliculata Golden apple snail Kuhol

Thiaridae Melanoides sp. Freshwater screw snail Suso, banisil

Viviparidae Belamaya angularis Mystery snail Punggok

Atyidae Caridina sp. Freshwater tiny green shrimp

Uyap

Palaemonidae Macrobrachium rosenbergii Freshwater giant prawn Lambu-o

Palaemonidae Macrobrachium sp. Freshwater white prawn Putian, pasayan

Palaemonidae Macrobrachium sp. Freshwater red-spotted prawn

Hipon, pasayan

Potamidae Unidentified species Purple rock crab Kuga

Sinopotamidae Unidentified species Orange moon crab Kagang

Agamidae Hydrosaurus pustulatus Sailfin lizard Ibid

Varanidae Varanus salvator Common water monitor Halo

Cristaria plicata

Corbicula fluminea

Melanoides spBelamaya angularis

Pila conica

Pila ampullacea

Pomacea canaliculata

Macrobrachium sp.

“Kuga” – purple rock crab

“Kagang” – orange moon crab

Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Macrobrachium sp.

Caridina sp.

Varanus salvator

Hydrosaurus pustulatus

1. Pigok – closer to the appearance of Lutjanus argentimaculatus (snapper)

2. Gingaw – similar to the appearance of Lutjanus fuscescens (freshwater snapper), a species also mentioned by Herre (1953)

3. Two species of freshwater turtles – “Bao” (smaller) and “Danata” (bigger)

4. Two species of crocodiles – “Buaya”, one is big (Crocodylus porosus) and the other one is smaller (Crocodylus mindorensis)

Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS)

Number of vertebrate and invertebrate species thriving in the 12 identified habitats in the Agusan

Marsh.

05

101520

2530

Peat f orest(PF)

Forest swamp(FS)

Herbaceousswamp (HS)

Rice f ield(RF)

St agnantwat er (SW)

Canal (CN) Upper st ream(US)

River ( R ) Creek ( C ) Lake ( L ) Est uary (E) Sea (S)

Habitat

Freq

uenc

y

VertebratesInvertebrates

Habitat and distribution

Species PF FS HS RF SW CN US R C L E S ∑

Anabas testudineus - - + +* + + + + + + - - 8

Anguilla marmorata - - - - - - + + +* +* + + 6

Ambassis interrupta - - - - - - +* + + + + + 6

Channa striata +* + + + + +* +* + + + - - 10

Oreochromis niloticus - - + - + +* + + + + - - 7

Clarias batrachus +* + + +* + - - +* +* +* - - 8

C. gariepinus +* + + +* + - - +* +* +* - - 8

C. macrocephalus +* + + +* + - - +* +* +* - - 8

C. nieuhofii + + +* - - - - - - - - - 3

Cyprinus carpio - - +* - - - + + + + - - 5

Puntius binotatus - - +* - - - + +* + + - - 5

Ophiocara porocephala - - - - - - + + +* + + - 5

Glossogobius giuris - - - - - - + + + + + + 6

Stenogobius ophthalmoporus - - - - - - + + +* +* + - 5

Dermogenys pusilla - - - - - - + + +* +* + - 5

Zenarchopterus buffonis - - - - - - + + +* +* + + 6

Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus - - - - - - + + + + - - 4

Megalops cyprinoides - - - - - - + + +* +* + + 6

Valamugil cunnesius - - - - - - + + +* + + + 6

Osphronemus gouramy - - +* - +* +* + + + + - - 7

Trichogaster pectoralis - - + +* + +* + + + + - - 8

Table 8 Habitat and distribution of aquatic fauna in the Agusan Marsh.

Species PF FS HS RF SW CN US R C L E S ∑

T. Trichopterus - - + +* + +* + + + + - - 8

Poecilia reticulata - - +* +* - + + - +* - - - 5

Scatophagus argus - - - - - - + + + + + + 6

Monopterus albus +* + + + +* - - +* +* +* + - 9

Doryichthys boaja - - - - - - - + +* +* - - 3

Caridina sp. - - - - - - +* + + +* - - 4

Macrobrachium rosenbergii - - - - - - + + + +* - - 4

Macrobrachium sp. - - - - - - + + + +* - - 4

Macrobrachium sp. - - - - - - + + + +* - - 4

Unidentified crab (Kuga) - - - - - + + - + - - - 3

Unidentified crab (Kagang) +^ + + + + +^ - +^ +^ +^ - - 9

Corbicula fluminea - - - - - - + + + +* - - 4

Cristaria plicata - - - - - - +* + +* +* - - 4

Pila ampullacea +* +* + + + +* +^ +^ +^ +^ - - 10

Pila conica +* +* + + + + +^ +^ +^ +^ - - 10

Pomacea canaliculata +* +* + + + + +^ +^ +^ +^ - - 10

Melanoides sp. - - - - - - + + + +* - - 4

Beyamaya angularis +* +* + + + +* +^ +^ +^ +^ - - 10

Hydrosaurus pustulatus - - +^ - - - +^ +^ +^ +^ - - 5

Varanus salvator - - +^ - - - +^ +^ +^ +^ - - 5

Table 8 continue…

Ecological status of species

Number of native and introduced fish species in the Agusan Marsh.

Native (true freshwater fish)

19%

Native (migratory)

39%

Introduced (true freshwater fish)

38%

Introduced (migratory)

4%

Number of native and introduced invertebrate species in the Agusan Marsh.

Native 87%

Introduced 13%

Identified threats to freshwater fauna

* Species introduction * Illegal fishing

* electrofishing * fish poisoning * use of banned gears

* Overfishing/over-hunting * Habitat degradation * Pollution

* heavy metal contamination * bacterial contamination

Species Feeding ecology (+) impacts (-) impacts

Channa striata Detritus (Talde et al., 2004), young fry feed on algae and protozoan; juveniles feed on small crustaceans; adults are highly carnivorous (Conlu, 1986), feeding on worms, prawns, frogs, small fishes (Mohsin & Ambak, 1983)

A food fish with high aquaculture value &

commands a good price in the market

Predator of native species


Phytoplankton (Gwahaba, 1973), algal filaments, diatoms, unidentified organic matter (Fagade & Olaniyan, 1973), blue-green algae (Ofojekwu & Ejike, 1992), detritus (Talde et al., 2004)

Source of food & income; good for weed

control as it uproot submerged weeds

Compete with indigenous fishes for food & habitat; adds up to water turbidity

while uprooting weeds

Clarias batrachus

Insect larvae, earthworms, shells, shrimps, small fish, aquatic plants and debris (Ukkatawewat, 1999), detritus (Talde et al., 2004), rotifers, organic debris (Rainboth, 1996)

Major source of food & livelihood (aquaculture

& capture fishery)

Displace native catfish & other freshwater fishes of

similar food & habitat; pest in tilapia ponds

C. gariepinus Insects, plankton, invertebrates & fish, young birds, rotting flesh and plants (de Moor & Broton, 1988)

Major source of food & livelihood (aquaculture

& capture fishery)

Displace native fishes of similar food & habitat; pest

in tilapia ponds

Cyprinus carpio Aquatic insects, crustaceans, annelids, mollusks, weed & tree seeds, wild rice, aquatic plants, algae (Scott & Crossman, 1973); detritus (Rainboth, 1996)

Commercial aquaculture species; source of food

& income; source of genetic material for

breeding

Competitor of native species; cage culture –

have caused pollution of major lakes & reservoirs

Glossogobius giuris

Plant debris (Talde et al., 2004), fish bones, nektons (Rainboth, 1996)

Source of food & livelihood

Predator of native fishes

Table 9 List of introduced species in the Agusan Marsh and their positive and negative ecological and socio-economic impacts.

Species Feeding ecology + impacts - impacts

Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus

Algivorous, detritivorous, insectivorous, granivorous, moluscivorous or scavengers (Armbruster 2002)

Ornamental fish Adverse competitor of indigenous fishes; destroy

nets and pen cages; negative impact on local fishery

Osphronemus gouramy

Detritus, plant debris, phytoplankton (Rainboth 1996), feed on both plants and animals such as aquatic weeds, fish, frogs, earthworms, dead animals (Ukkatawewat 1999)

Source of food & livelihood Competes with native fishes in terms of food & habitat

Trichogaster pectoralis

Algae, phytoplankton (Rainboth 1996), detritus, insects, water mites, copepods, cladocerans, rotifers (Talde, Mamaril, and Palomares 2006)

Source of food & livelihood No known adverse ecological impacts in the marsh

T. trichopterus Detritus (Talde, Mamaril, and Palomares 2006), zooplankton, crustaceans and insect larvae, cladocerans (Rainboth 1996)

Source of food & livelihood No known adverse ecological impacts in the marsh

Poecilia reticulata Planktivores, detritivores (Fishbase, 2006)

No known positive impacts No known adverse ecological impacts in the marsh

Table 9 continue

Species Feeding ecology + impacts - impacts

Cristaria plicata Filter feeder & detritivore Food/income; biological filter; source of freshwater

pearl; shells can be used for handicrafts

Host of harmful bacteria; nuisance in ponds as the

sharp shells can injure workers

Pomacea canaliculata

Feed on detritus & plants Illegally introduced through the aquarium trade as a

source of food cultured in confined environment

(aquaria, tanks)

It became feral when it escaped to irrigation systems

and ricefields; rice pest; bacterial host (e.g., Schistosomiasis)

Table 9 continue

Threats Possible management schemesIntroduced species • Proper implementation of wildlife law and effective

law enforcement • Increase indigenous awareness on invasive species and their serious ecological impacts• Formulation of eradication measures like the conversion of the invader into fish meal, fertilizer and other useful products;

Illegal fishing •Banning of the use of electrical gadgets, chemicals and ichthyotoxic plants poisoning and other illegal fishing methods• Information campaign and regular monitoring

Overfishing/over-hunting • Conduct of extensive biological research on the freshwater fishes and invertebrates in the Marsh to establish open and close season• Information campaign and monitoring

Habitat degradation • Introduced an ecological waste water management for floating houses in the marsh• Information campaign and monitoring

Pollution • Banning of mercury from the mining practices• information campaign on health and sanitation

Possible management schemes

THANK YOU AND HAVE A THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD DAY.GOOD DAY.

Inventory of Freshwater Fauna in the Agusan Marsh, Philippines With Notes on Introduced Species and...

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