Journal
| Title | Species distribution and Abundance of Shipworms in the mangrove ecosystem along Pitogo Zamboanga Del Sur, Philippines Posted by Annielyn Tampus |
| Authors | Annielyn Deocampo Tampus, Maria Luisa S. Orbita, Maria Lourdes Dorothy G. Lacuna, Mac Euan Malugao, Ronielyn Cuaresma Salig |
| Publication date | 2022/02 |
| Journal | International Journal of Biosciences |
| Volume | 20(2) |
| Issue | 20(2) |
| Pages | 131-141 |
| Publisher | INNSPUB |
| Abstract | Shipworms are specialized bivalves found in brackish environments where productivity is high such as mangrove forests. They are adapted for burrowing into wood substrates, which they efficiently and rapidly decompose and consume. Nonetheless, the information given to the activity of shipworms in transporting nutrients from mangroves to the adjacent area is limited. Thus, in acquiring such information, we first investigated the distribution and abundance of shipworms in the mangrove area of Balabawan, Balong-Balong, and Liasan by collecting washed-up logs. The study lasted for three months from February to April 2020. A single species, Teredo navalis, was found colonizing driftwood. Mean densities (inds. cmâ³) of Teredo navalis found show highly no significant differences in mangrove habitat between the three sampling sites during February to April, as well as the interaction of months among sites. The results show that the activity of shipworm in burrowing driftwood logs is quite constant during the whole sampling period. Although variation in physico-chemical parameters was observed, only humidity shows a significant relationship between densities. Variations on humidity and rainfall determine shipwormsâ survival (e.g., increased air humidity and rainfall during the wet season). Nonetheless, driftwood logs disintegration data are necessary for this proposition. |
| Index terms / Keywords | Abundance, Wood borers, Teridinidae, Mangrove, Driftwood |
| DOI | http://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/20.2.131-141 |