J. Bio. Env. Sci.

2016

Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)

ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online)
Vol. 8, No. 2, p. 225-232, 2016
http://www.innspub.net

RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS

Diversity and special assessment of soft bottom intertidal

mollusks in sea grass beds of Benoni, Glan, Sarangani Province,
Philippines

Francis Carl B. Herceda*, Praise Jee J. Bien1, Jason Vann A. Palomo1, Joelyn D.
Mamon1, Vincent Paul L. Mantoya1, Maria Luisa N. Cabrera1, Elani A. Requieron1

1
Departmentof Science, Mindanao State University, Philippines
2
Department of Biological Sciences, Mindanao State University, Philippines
Article published on February 28, 2016

Key words: Mollusks, Gastropods, Intertidal, Soft bottom, Sea grass.

Abstract
Gastropods are very diverse species of oragnisms found in the intertidal section of the coasts. They belong to a
group of animals called mollusks (soft-bodied animals).This study was conducted during first week of November,
2015 in Benoni, Glan, Sarangani Province particularly in the barangays of LunPadidu, Tuyan and Poblacion. The
study area provided excellent sites for studying habitat associations because of the various substrate types
observed in the various sites. Transect method was used to conduct the assessment of mollusks. A total of 50
sampling plots were established in the whole sampling site. Results showed a total of 12 identified mollusks
species belonging to 12 families consisting of Neritdae, Buccinidae, Lottiidae, Trochidae, Cerithiidae,
Strombidae, Cypraeidae, Naticidae, Ranellidae, Nassariidae, Olividae, and Conidae.Diverse indices was used in
this study to easily acquire data if one species is diverse or not within the study area.Results from Shannon’s
index showed that family Nassariidae(2.2) has the most dominant species; Neritidae(1.98), Buccinidae(0),
Lottiidae(0), Trochidae(1.4), Cerithiidae(2.207), Strombidae(1.871), Cypraeidae(1.962), Naticidae(1.789),
Ranellidae(2.032), Olividae(1.058), and Conidae(2.152). The study provided vital information for the present
population of mollusks along the areas and provided data as reference for mollusks researches in Benoni,
Sarangani Province, Philippines
*Corresponding Author: Francis Carl B. Herceda  [email protected]

225 | Herceda et al.

 J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016

Introduction shoreline areas. The study of Batomalaque in the

Molluska is one of the most diverse groups of animals shoreline of Grande Island, Subic Bay focused on the
on the planet, with at least 50,000 living species (and spatial distribution of mollusks. The mollusks was
more likely around 200,000). It includes such discovered to be distributed according to the
familiar organisms as snails, octopuses, squid, clams, substrate (composition and particle size) and
scallops, oysters, and chitons (Paul Bunje, 2003). concluded that the morphological adaptations of the
Mollusks are important ecological resource and their different species enabled them to occur in specific
importance has provided protein subsistence to habitat types. At present, there is limited study that
coastal communities (Jumawan et al., 2015). They are has been published on the status of biodiversity of
naturally distributed in the Indio-West Pacific Ocean molluskan species in Southern Mindanao. Limited
including Philippines (Dolorosa and Shoppe, 2005). study conduted in Sarangani Bay suggested potential
The global estimate of describe molluskan species is sites for assessment of mollusks (Manzo et al., 2014).
70,000 (IUCN, 2004), and around 22,000 speccies Sarangani Bay is a well known place for researchers to
are beleived to be present in the Philippines (PBCPP, conduct studies about marine ecosystem. The
2002). diversity of marine organisms in the area is an
excellent asset for studying intertidal communities.
The Philippines has extensive sea grass and algal beds There are a lot of species of mollusks that can be
and soft-bottom communities that often occur in found however, few studies were conducted. The
close proximity to mangroves and coral reefs (DENR, group had the passion on studying the mollusks that
DA-BFAR, DILG, CRMP, 2001). Sea grass ecosystems inhabit the site. Since there are previous studies, the
are usually high in nutrient availability in order to group will have an easy accumulation of data. The
support and have the capacity to shelter organisms. data gathered in this study will be a great
The intertidal zone is one of the most dynamic marine contribution to the future researchers.The objective of
ecosystems for it is the crossing point between the sea this study is to assess the diversity of the intertidal
and the terrestrial envoronment (Manzo et al., 2014). mollusks in Benoni, Glan, Sarangani Province.
Making it dynamic were the physical factors that
include existence of the waves and the duration of Materials and methods
exposure of sunlight that affect the life of the Study area
organisms inhabiting the intertidal zone (Datta et al., The study was carried out last first week of
2009). Most mollusks found in the intertidal zone November (2015) in Benoni, Glan, Sarangani
consists shells for protection from predation and from Province, located at south-eastern Mindanao lying
drying out. The warmer the water in the sea it geographically---5.8167°N, 125.2000°E (Fig.1). The
conatins an enormous number of species of shelled study area provided excellent sites for studying
mollusks and produce more colorful shells. various mollusks within the soft bottom intertidal
Temperature fluctuations, intense solar radiation, habitats. The actual location of the site was
and dessication for considerable period also occur, determined through GPS (Global Positioning
that highly influence the activities of these species System).
(Smith et al., 2004).

Assessing the recent status of molluskan diversity in Establishment of the transects and quadrats
the intertidal zone is not yet given much attention in A sampling was performed along the intertidal area of
the Philippines. Mostly, studies concerning the Benoni, Glan, Sarangani Province. Transect method
diversity and variations of the intertidal mollusks in was used in performing this study. A transect is
the Philippines were conducted in Luzon and Visayas defined area in which sample population count of

226 | Herceda et al.

 J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016

organisms. The transect area must have enough 10 transects with length of 10 meters each, with a
space for an easy identification of biotic and abiotic total of 100 meters, were installed in such a way that
factors of the ecosystem. Transects were established there were no intervals. Ten quadrats (1m×1m) were
parallel to the shoreline of the sampling site. A total of placed randomly on each transect during low tide.

Fig. 1. A. Map of Philippines, B. Map of Mindanao, C. Map of Sarangani Province, D. Map of Benoni,
Glan(sampling site).

Species survey identified or not, however, there must be a record of

Live mollusks were collected. Sample specimens for all the information relevant to each shell. First
each species were accumulated and brought to the measure a shell, study its form, its durface contours,
laboratory for identification. The identifications were its colour and its pattern; expect to find considerable
based on different references e.g. the collections of variation in some of its features.
mollusks in the Philippines by (Poppe, 2008a, 2008b,
208c), the guidelines for identifications of bivalves Cleaning shells
and gastropods by (Carpenter and Niem, 1998), the The live collected specimens must have their animals
biography of mollusks in the Philippines by (Valejo killed speedily and extract them from their shells; this
Jr., 2001), the collections of Philipines mollusks by can be unpleasant and often smelly business. Unless
(Springster et al., 1986). Some identifications were the specimens are delicate and highly polished, place
taken from the internet websites e.g. them in a strainer and immerse them for about five
www.gastropods.com, www.seashellhub.com, minutes in water brought slowly to the boil. Extract
www.jaxshells.com. the still-warm animals using forceps, a knife, scalpel,
metal toothpick, and needles. Remove bivalves when
Shell identification their valves gape, and sever the attachment muscles.
Identifying shells is seldom easy and takes time; Flush out any animal remains and wipe the shells all

227 | Herceda et al.

 J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016

over with tissues and cotton swabs. Let the shells dry The Paleontological Statistics(PAST) software, verion
out completely before storing them. Plug their 2.17c. The software was used to calculate the species
apertures with tissue to absorb abnoxious fluids. richness, abundance, dominance, shannon index and
Loosen any coral growths and algae from shells by pielous’ eveness of the species present for the
immersing them in concentrated or diluted bleach. biodiversity indices.
Wash all shells thoroughly afterwards, then remove
encrustations with needles, a small drill, and stiff Results and discussion
brushes. The number of mollusks collected at Benoni, Glan,
Sarangani Province is 1461. There is one mollusk
Out in the field group identified as Gastropoda. Under Gastropoda,
Wear protective clothing, and a hat, to prevent there were twelve families classified as follows:
sunburn. Canvas-soled shoes or rubber boots will Neritidae, Buccinidae, Lotiidae, Tochidae,
guard against cuts from coral and rough rock. In Cerithiidae, Strombidae, Cypraeidae, Naticidae,
addition to the equipments, use bucket to hold Ranellidae, Nassariidae, Olividae, and Conidae. In
equipments and specimens and a small rake to drag table 1, it shows the presence and absence of
through sand. Use white plastic labels to record gastropods in the site, family Cerithiidae,
information about specimens. Take plastic bags or Nassariidae, and Conidae were present in all
plastic tubes for holding specimens. transects.In table 2, it shows the population count of
every family gathered per transect and the total
Statistical Analysis population of each family.

Table 1. Surveyed species found from the site; species were marked with” o” if present or “x” if not present.
Family T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 T10
Neritidae X X X X X 0 X X
Buccinidae 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 0
Lottidae 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 0
Trochidae 0 0 X X X X X 0
Cerithiidae X X X X X X X X
Strombidae 0 X X X X 0 X 0
Cypraeidae X 0 X X X X X X
Naticidae 0 X X X 0 X X X
Ranellidae X X X X 0 X X X
Nassariidae X X X X X X X X
Olividae 0 0 X X 0 0 0 X
Conidae X X X X X X X X

The transect line was 100 meters, parallel to the family Cerithiidae, Nassariidae, and Conidae has a
shoreline and was divided into 10 meters. Among the high odds. Family Nassariidae was the most
gastropods, family Nassariidae,has the highest abundant and dominating among the gastropod
number of species. Diversity indices includes: species group collected in the study area. In Shannon’s index,
richness, abundance, dominance, Shannon index,and also family Nassariidae has the most diverse species
Pielous’ evenness. Table 3 shows thesummary of with a result of 2.2. There was a mininal difference on
diversity indices of the corresponding families found the evenness of families. Shannon’s diversity index
in the entire site. In the column of species richness, which utilize the values of species richness,

228 | Herceda et al.

 J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016

dominance and evenness show a high value Sarangani Province, Philippines was performed by
(Jumawan et al., 2015).It was also found out that Manzo et al.(2014),according to this study,N. fragum,
mollusks species were more abundant in the less F. ater, and C. echinatum were the most dense in
disturbed areas than in the areas under the influence Kawas, Alabel and C. annulus, A. navicularis and O.
of human activities since the sites have areas that daemelli species were found to be the most dense in
were used for commercial purposes (Manzo et al., Tinoto, Maasim. Study concludes that on different
2014). Fig. 2 and 3shows samples of species that were habitats, different species were also present, there is
the most abundant in their family. A study about the also same species found on both sites regardless of
diversity of intertidal mollusks in Alabel and Maasin, there habitat.

Table 2. Population count of species per transect by family.

Family T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 T10 Total
Neritidae 0 12 5 16 10 12 17 0 4 7 83
Buccinidae 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4
Lottiidae 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 5
Trochidae 0 0 0 0 3 3 9 4 1 0 20
Cerithiidae 33 48 22 28 19 11 32 14 12 28 247
Strombidae 2 1 0 2 3 2 3 0 1 0 14
Cypraeidae 64 0 31 0 18 16 49 19 22 34 253
Naticidae 0 5 0 13 2 4 0 12 8 14 58
Ranellidae 22 51 21 19 14 3 0 18 14 21 183
Nassariidae 90 82 44 53 22 23 61 28 56 78 537
Olividae 0 0 0 0 3 4 0 0 0 6 13
Conidae 5 2 5 7 1 3 10 4 3 4 44
Total 216 201 128 138 104 81 181 99 121 192 1461

Another study was conducted at Padada, Davao del conducted by Batomalaque et al, 2010. In this study,
Sur by Jumawan et al, 2015. In this study, mollusk mollusks were distrubuted according to the type of
diversity and spatial strucure showed a variabilty substrate and distribution is dependent in the area.
along the shoreline of the area. A study in Luzon Loose or unstable substrates tends to have a few
about the suvery and spatial distribution of shoreline species, on the other hand compact substrates have
malacofauna in Grande Island, Subic Bay was more species to be found.

Table 3. Summary of diversity indices of the corresponding families found in the entire site.
Family Species Richness Abundance Dominance Shannon Index Pielous’ Evenness
Neritidae 83 0.1485 1.98 0.9056
Buccinidae 4 1 0 1
Lottiidae 5 1 0 1
Trochidae 20 0.29 1.4 0.8112
Cerithiidae 247 0.1195 2.207 0.9084
Strombidae 14 0.1633 1.871 0.928
Cypraeidae 253 0.1568 1.962 0.8892
Naticidae 58 0.1837 1.789 0.8551
Ranellidae 183 0.1509 2.032 0.8473
Nassariidae 537 0.1199 2.2 0.9025
Olividae 3 13 0.3609 1.058 0.9601
Conidae 10 44 0.1312 2.152 0.8603

229 | Herceda et al.

 J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016

An international study in Sarawak, Malaysia was species of Sarawak and these mollusks have greater
about the diversity of edible mollusks was conducted commercial value and biodiversity importance. The
by Hamli et al, 2012. In this study, Sarawak was total number and type of edible mollusk probably is
divided into eight divisions, gastropods and bivalves influenced by habitat and geographical condition
were classified by area. The mollusks are indigenous (Hamli et al, 2012).

Fig. 2. A. Species identified with their family under the Gastropod group.

Fig. 3. B.Species identified with their family under the Gastropod group.

There are lots of differences from these local and the abundance of each species from its own habitat
national studies in the Philippines compared to the and also, the influence of human activities that results
present study of the authors such as the wide variety to the disturbance of mollusk population. Different
of species that can be identified from different places, levels of disturbance have different effects on

230 | Herceda et al.

 J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016

mollusks diversity. If the goal is to preserve Seaweeds, corals, bivalves and gastropods. Rome,
biodiversity in a given area, we need to be able to FAO, 686 p.-v. 2: Cephalopods, crustaceans,
understand how diversity is impacted by different holothurians and sharks.-v. 3: Batoid fishes,
management strategies. Because diversity indices chimaeras and bony fishes, pt. 1 (Elopidae to
provide more information than simply the number of Linophrynidae).-v. 4: Bony fishes, pt. 2 (Mugilidae to
species present, they serve as valuable tools that Carangidae).-v. 5: Bony fishes, pt. 3:(Menidae to
enable biologists to quantify diversity in a community Pomacentridae).-v. 6: Bony fishes, pt. 4:(Labridae to
and describe its numerical structure. Latimeriidae), estuarine crocodiles, sea turtles, sea
snakes and marine mammals.
Conclusion
This study concludes that a diverse species of Datta SN, Chakraborty SK, Jaiswar AK,
mollusks can be found and studied in the sea grass Ziauddin G. 2010. A comparative study on intertidal
beds of Sarangani Province. The Gastropod group is faunal biodiversity of selected beaches of Mumbai
the most abundant species of mollusks in the area. coast.Journal of Environmental Biology 31(6), 981-
Twelve families was identified and studied for data 986.
analysis. Also there is still a need for more surveys of
mollusks around Mindano area for information and Department of Environmental and Natural
to discover new species within. Resources (DENR), Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources of the Department of
Acknowledgement Agriculture (DA-BFAR), Department of
The authors would like to express their deepest Interior and Local Government (DILG),
gratitude and thank to: Kent A. Manzo, Rea Mae A. Coastal Resource Management Project
Hamiladan, Mark Harold G. Estandarte, and Joshua (CRMP). 2001 Managing Coastal Habitats and
Miles S. Balanza for the support and guiding us Marine Protected Areas, Philippine Coastal
through this study, and letting us borrow equipments. Management Guidebook Series No. 5, 15-54 p.
Also the authors gratefully acknowledge the support
of Mindanao State University-General Santos City, Dolorosa RG, Schoppe S. 2007. Focal benthic
Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of mollusks (Mollusca: Bivalvia and Gastropoda) of
Technology and Department of Environment and selected sites in Tubbataha Reef National Marine
Natural Resources for providing information for the Park, Palawan, Philippines. Science Diliman 17(2), 1-
preparation of this paper. 10.

References Hamli H, Idris MH, Kamal AHM, King WS.

Batomalaque GA, Arce BGP, Hernandez MBM, 2012. Diversity of Edible Mollusc (Gastropoda and
Fontanilla IKC. 2010. Survey and spatial Bivalvia) at Selected Divison of Sarawak,
distribution of shoreline malacofauna in Grande Malaysia. International Journal on Advanced Science,
Island, Subic Bay. Philippine Journal of Engineering and Information Technology 2(4), 5-7.
Science, 139(2), 149-159.
Hammer Ø, Harper DAT, Ryan PD. 2005. PAST-
Bunje P, 2003 The Royal Society B 274(1624), PAlaeontological Statistics, ver. 1. 35. Palaeontología
2413-2419. Electrónica 4(9).

Carpenter KE, Niem VH. 1998. The living marine International Union for the Conservation of
resources of the Western Central Pacific. v. 1: Nature (IUCN). 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened

231 | Herceda et al.

 J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016

Species. Accessed on August 2014. www.redlist.org. Poppe GT. 2008a Philippine marine mollusks.
Volume 1: Gastropoda - Part I. Conchbooks.
Jumawan JH, Tripoli FF, Boquia EE, Niez K. Hackenheim, Germany, 759 p.
L, Veronilla JA, Dellomes SA, Gatinao MJ.
2015. Species diversity and spatial structure of Poppe GT., 2008b Philippine Marine Mollusks.
intertidal mollusks in Padada, Davao del Sur, Volume 2: Gastropoda - Part II. Conchbooks.
Philippines. AACL Bioflux, 8(3), 301-309. Hackenheim, Germany, 848 p.

Manzo K, Estandarte MH, Dalipe RE, Poppe GT. 2008c Philippine Marine Mollusks.
Ulangutan J, Lecera JM, Acob A, Jumawan J. Volume 3: Gastropoda - Part III. Conchbooks.
2014. Survey and diversity of intertidal mollusks in Hackenheim, Germany, 702 p.
Alabel and Maasim, Sarangani Province,
Philippines. AACL Bioflux 7(6), 449-457. Smith JE, Hunter CL, Conklin EJ, Most R,
Sauvage T, Squair C, Smith CM. 2004. Ecology of
Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priority the invasive red alga Gracilaria salicornia
setting Program (PBCPP). 2002 Philippine (Rhodophyta) on O'ahu, Hawai'i. Pacific Science
biodiversity conservation priorities: a second iteration 58(2), 325-343.
of the national biodiversity strategy and action plan: Springsteen FJ, Leobrera FM, Leobrera CB.
final report. Ong P. S., Afuang L. E., Rosell-Ambal R. 1986. Shells of the Philippines (Vol. 100). Manila:
G. (eds), Quezon City: Protected Areas and Wildlife Carfel Seashell Museum.
Bureau-Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, Conservation International-Philippines, Vallejo BM. 2001. The biogeography of Philippine
Biodiversity Conservation Program-University of the marine mollusks.Loyola Schools Reviews 1, 21-42.
Philippines Center for Integrative and Developmental
Studies, 114 p.

232 | Herceda et al.