ArticlePDF Available

First Record of the dottyback Manonichthys alleni (Teleostei: Perciformes: Pseudochromidae) from the Philippines

DOI:10.1017/S1755267213000365
Authors:
Arthur R. Bos at The American University in Cairo
Arthur R. Bos
Henny M Smits
Henny M Smits
Henny M Smits
  • This person is not on ResearchGate, or hasn't claimed this research yet.
Download full-text PDF
Read full-text
Download citation

Abstract and Figures

Several individuals of the pseudochromid Manonichthys alleni, with total length ranging from 45–60 mm, were observed at depths of 19–28 m in a coral reef in the Davao Gulf in the southern Philippines. Each individual lived within a separate colony of the tubular sponge Callyspongia aerizusa. This constitutes the first record in the Philippine archipelago of a dottyback so far only known from Indonesian and Malaysian waters.
Figures - uploaded by Arthur R. Bos
Author content
All figure content in this area was uploaded by Arthur R. Bos
Content may be subject to copyright.
Content uploaded by Arthur R. Bos
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Arthur R. Bos
Content may be subject to copyright.
First record of the dottyback Manonichthys
alleni (Teleostei: Perciformes:
Pseudochromidae) from the Philippines
arthur r. bos
1,2,3
and henny m. smits
4
1
Department of Biology, School of Science and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, PO Box 74, New Cairo 11835, Egypt,
2
Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands,
3
Research Office, Davao del Norte State College, New
Visayas, 8105 Panabo, Philippines,
4
Hydromax, Sta. Ana Wharf, Davao City 8000, Philippines
Several specimens of the pseudochromid Manonichthys alleni, with total length ranging from 45 to 60 mm, were observed at
depths of 19–28 m in a coral reef in the Davao Gulf in the southern Philippines. Each specimen lived within a separate colony
of the tubular sponge Callyspongia aerizusa. This constitutes the first record in the Philippine archipelago of a dottyback so far
only known from Indonesian and Malaysian waters.
Keywords: Callyspongia, Davao Gulf, Mindanao, Porifera, Pseudochrominae, Pseudochromis, symbiosis
Submitted 8 August 2012; accepted 26 March 2013
INTRODUCTION
Dottybacks (Pseudochromidae) are relatively small and often
brightly-coloured fish that inhabit Indo-Pacific coral reefs
(Allen et al.,2003; Froese & Pauly, 2012). Living in crevices,
their behaviour is highly secretive and dottybacks venture
into the open only for short moments to catch prey. This
explains that they are rarely seen despite being relatively
common. Due to their size and behaviour, dottybacks are
not targeted by fishermen and have often been overseen by
divers. Therefore, several species of the Pseudochromidae
have been described relatively recently (e.g. Allen &
Erdmann, 2007; Randall & Schultz, 2009; Gill et al.,2012).
Gill (2004) reviewed the subfamily Pseudochrominae and
described the new genus Manonichthys as differing from
other pseudochromid genera in having an incomplete lower
lip and a varying pterygiophore formula of the dorsal fin.
Furthermore, species belonging to the genus Manonichthys
facultatively live within large tubular sponges (Gill &
Williams, 2011). Gill (2004) recognized five species within
the genus Manonichthys of which only M. winterbottomi
Gill, 2004, was found in the central Philippines. Later Gill &
Williams (2011) described a new species Manonichthys scin-
tilla Gill & Williams, 2011, from the western central
Philippines, which brought the number of representatives of
this genus to two for the entire Philippine archipelago. The
present study reports the first record of a third representative
of the genus Manonichthys in the Philippines and describes
the size and features of the localities of the observed
specimens.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
On 25 May 2011, the first author observed a representative
of the genus Manonichthys at a depth of 28 m while SCUBA
diving in a coral reef in the Davao Gulf, the Philippines
(780′43.53′′N – 125842′39.35′′E). Unfortunately, the specimen
rapidly disappeared into a tubular sponge not allowing the
identification of the species. Also the resulting photograph
did not allow identifying the fish at species level. The
coral reef was revisited on 28 June 2012 in an attempt to
find and identify the Manonichthys representative.
Multiple dives were conducted using SCUBA gear. Once a
specimen was found, the locality was carefully studied for
about 20 minutes and the specimen was photographed
when leaving its refuge. The specimens were identified
from the photographs using Gill (2004) and Gill &
Williams (2011).
RESULTS
On 28 June 2012, a specimen of Manonichthys alleni was
observed at a depth of 23 m (Figure 1) in the same coral
reef where a representative of the genus Manonichthys was
observed in May 2011. A large colony of the tubular
sponge Callyspongia aerizusa Desqueyroux-Fau
´ndez, 1984,
formed the home range of this specimen. Two additional
specimens were found at 19 and 20 m depth, each living in
a separate tubular sponge of C. aerizusa. All specimens had
one prominent crimson spot near the anterior base of each
pelvic fin (Figure 1). This differentiated the observed speci-
mens from other species of this genus. Total length of the
specimens was estimated at 45– 60 mm. All specimens
behaved highly secretively and hid within tubes of the
sponges. The specimens avoided leaving their refuge while
being observed by a diver.
Corresponding author:
A.R. Bos
Email: arthurrbos@yahoo.com
1
Marine Biodiversity Records, page 1 of 2. #Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 2013
doi:10.1017/S1755267213000365; Vol. 6; e61; 2013 Published online
DISCUSSION
Coral reef fish have been intensively studied in the Philippines,
but ichthyological research has mainly concentrated on the
central islands (Visayas and Palawan) and the northern
island (Luzon) of the country (e.g. Russ et al.,2005;
Samoilys et al.,2007; Bos, 2011). Political instability in the
southern islands (Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan and Mindanao)
has hampered the development of a research infrastructure
and, as a consequence, a limited number of studies has been
performed in these regions. Recently however, several inter-
esting phenomena were recorded in the Davao Gulf (south-
east Mindanao). Symbiotic fish were firstly observed (Bos,
2012) in association with the mushroom coral Heliofungia
actiniformis Quoy & Gaimard, 1833, earlier known to only
host invertebrate fauna (Hoeksema et al.,2012). Also a sym-
biotic relationship may exist between the dottyback
Manonichthys alleni and the tubular sponge Callyspongia aer-
izusa. Furthermore, a new predator of the crown-of-thorns
seastar Acanthaster planci (Linneaus, 1758) was discovered
in the Davao Gulf (Bos et al.,2008,2011). The present
study describing the first record of Manonichthys alleni in
the Philippines is another example of a unique observation
in coral reefs in south-east Mindanao. The above observations
are proof that this region contains a wealth of biological and
ecological information yet to be discovered. Therefore it
seems plausible that species, earlier reported from the adjacent
Celebes Sea or other seas within the Coral Triangle, may be
recorded in the future.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We greatly acknowledge the support of J. Bayogan, G.
Gumanao, and the field staff of the Davao del Norte State
College. Furthermore, we thank R. van Soest and N. de
Voogd from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center for identifying
the tubular sponge. This research received no specific grant
from any funding agency, commercial or not-for-profit
sectors.
REFERENCES
Allen G.R. and Erdmann M.V. (2007) A new species of Manonichthys
Gill, 2004 (Pisces: Pseudochromidae) from Irian Jaya Barat Province,
Indonesia. Zoological Studies 46, 541– 546.
Allen G.R., Steene R., Humann P. and Deloach N. (2003) Reef fish
identification: tropical Pacific. Jacksonville FL: New World
Publications, 457 pp.
Bos A.R. (2011) Fish density, biomass, and species overview of the Dive
Hub Marine Protected Area, Antulang, Si-it, Siaton, Negros Oriental,
Philippines. Leiden: Technical Report, Netherlands Center for
Biodiversity Naturalis, 18 pp.
Bos A.R. (2012) Fishes (Gobiidae and Labridae) associated with the
mushroom coral Heliofungia actiniformis (Scleractinia: Fungiidae) in
the Philippines. Coral Reefs 31, 133.
Bos A.R., Gumanao G.S. and Salac F.N. (2008) A newly discovered pred-
ator of the crown-of-thorns starfish. Coral Reefs 27, 581.
Bos A.R., Mueller B. and Gumanao G.S. (2011) Feeding biology and
symbiotic relationships of the corallimorpharian Paracorynactis
hoplites (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 59,
245– 250.
Froese R. and Pauly D. (eds) (2012) FishBase. Availabe from www.fish-
base.org (accessed 12 June 2012).
Gill A.C. (2004) Revision of the Indo-Pacific dottyback fish subfamily
Pseudochrominae. Smithiana. Monograph 1. South African Institute
for Aquatic Biodiversity, 213 pp.
Gill A.C. and Williams J.T. (2011) Description of two new species of
Pseudochrominae from northern Palawan and Mindoro, Philippine
Islands (Teleostei: Perciformes: Pseudochromidae). Zootaxa 3140,
49–59.
Gill A.C., Allen G.R. and Erdmann M.V. (2012) Two new species of
striped Pseudochromis from the Philippine Islands and Indonesia,
with a redescription of P. colei (Perciformes: Pseudochromidae).
Zootaxa 3165, 25–38.
Hoeksema B.W., van der Meij S.E.T. and Fransen C.H.J.M. (2012) The
mushroom coral as a habitat. Journal of the Marine Biological
Association of the United Kingdom 92, 647–663.
Randall J.E. and Schultz J.K. (2009) Pictichromis dinar, a new dottyback
(Perciformes: Pseudochromidae) from Indonesia. Aqua—
International Journal of Ichthyology 15, 169–176.
Russ G.R., Stockwell B. and Alcala A.C. (2005) Inferring versus measur-
ing rates of recovery in no-take marine reserves. Marine Ecology
Progress Series 292, 1–12.
and
Samoilys M.A., Martin-Smith K.M., Giles B.G., Cabrera B., Anticamara
J.A., Brunio E.O. and Vincent A.C.J. (2007) Effectiveness of five
small Philippines’ coral reef reserves for fish populations depends on
site-specific factors, particularly enforcement history. Biological
Conservation 136, 584– 601.
Correspondence should be addressed to:
A.R. Bos
Department of Biology
School of Science and Engineering
The American University in Cairo
PO Box 74, New Cairo
11835, Egypt
email: arthurrbos@yahoo.com
Fig. 1. Manonichthys alleni Gill, 2004, at 23 m in a coral reef in the Davao
Gulf, the Philippines (photograph: A.R. Bos).
2 arthur r. bos and henny m. smits
... The Davao Gulf, a large bay located in south-eastern Mindanao bordering the Celebes Sea, is one area of which little biological information is known. Therefore, it may not be surprising that recent studies have revealed unique ecological phenomena (Bos et al., 2008a; Bos, 2012) as well as first records (Bos & Smits, 2013) and new taxonomic descriptions of fish species (Motomura et al., 2001 ). The chance of observing first records or discovering new species is thus relatively high along the coasts of Mindanao as earlier predicted by Carpenter & Springer (2005). ...
... The present study and other recently described species and new records from the Philippines (e.g. Randall & Allen, 2010; Uiblein & McGrouther, 2012; Bos & Smits, 2013 ) underline the importance of the Philippine fauna as part of the marine biodiversity within the larger Coral Triangle. Therefore, it must be emphasized that increased efforts are needed to help conserve the abundance of marine life in the Philippines. ...
Seven new records of fishes (Teleostei: Perciformes) from coral reefs and pelagic habitats in Southern Mindanao, the Philippines
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2013
Seven coral reef-associated and deep-water fish species were found on a local fish market in Samal Island in the Davao Gulf, constituting the first records for the Philippine archipelago. The specific geographical distributions of Eumegistus illustris (Bramidae), Paracaesio kusakarii (Lutjanidae), and Saloptia powelli (Serranidae) are greatly enlarged by these observations. The first records of Ariomma brevimanum (Ariommatidae), Brama orcini (Bramidae), Aulacocephalus temminckii (Serranidae), and Pseudanthias fasciatus (Serranidae) confirm the Indo-Pacific-wide distributions of these species. In contrast to the other records, A. brevimanum and B. orcini were encountered regularly and length weight relationships, not earlier provided in the scientific literature, were calculated. We also measured the largest specimen ever for B. orcini (Total Length of 420 mm). These observations substantiate the uniqueness of the poorly-studied fauna of the southern Philippines and underline the importance of marine Philippine fauna within the Coral Triangle.
... obs.); [42] Acanthaster (Bos et al., 2013) and Drupella (Gumanao, pers. obs.); [43] a conservative estimate based on the presence of 56 scleractinian genera and 35 mushroom coral species(Gumanao, 2009;Bos and Hoeksema, 2017); [44]Nañola and Ingles (2003),Bos (2012Bos ( , 2014, Gumanao (2012, 2013),Bos and Smits (2013), Hoeksema (2015, 2017), Gumanao et al. (2016), Bos et al. (2018); [45] Mancao et al. (2008), Horigue et al. (2012), Cabral et al. (2014); [46] Wood (1977, 1979); [47] Aripen et al. (2002); [48] Spait (2001), Jakobsen et al. (2007); [49] Abdul-Hadi et al. (2013), Gallagher et al. (2016); [50] Ali et al. (2014); [51] Ali et al. (2015); [52] Mathias and Langham (1978), Pilcher and Cabanban (2000), Spait (2001), Theng et al. (2003), Waheed et al. (2007); [53] Adnan et al. (2015), Mobilik et al. (2016); [54] Woodman et al. (2004), Reef Check Malaysia (2010); [55] Cabanban and Nais (2003); [56] Phillips (1979); [57] Waheed and Hoeksema (2014); [58] Spait (2001); [59] in 2012 and 2016 (Aw and Syed Hussein, 2012; Waheed pers. obs.); [60] Syed Hussein and Nooramli (2016); [61] Nyanti and Johnston (1992), Waheed et al. (2011), Huang et al. (2015), Waheed and Hoeksema (2014); [62] Townsend (2015); [63] Pang et al. (2016); [64] Tunkul Abdul Rahman Park (Nyanti and Johnston, 1992); [65] the population of the Brunei-Muara District conglomerate is much larger; [66] Chou et al. (1987), DeVantier and Turak (2009), Turak and DeVantier (2009); [67] Turak and DeVantier (2009), Lane and Lim (2013); [68] De Silva (1987); [69] Yong et al. (2006), most reports are about Brunei Bay and not about the offshore reefs (e.g. ...
Urban coral reefs: Degradation and resilience of hard coral assemblages in coastal cities of East and Southeast Asia
Article
Full-text available
Given predicted increases in urbanization in tropical and subtropical regions, understanding the processes shaping urban coral reefs may be essential for anticipating future conservation challenges. We used a case study approach to identify unifying patterns of urban coral reefs and clarify the effects of urbanization on hard coral assemblages. Data were compiled from 11 cities throughout East and Southeast Asia, with particular focus on Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Naha (Okinawa). Our review highlights several key characteristics of urban coral reefs, including “reef compression” (a decline in bathymetric range with increasing turbidity and decreasing water clarity over time and relative to shore), dominance by domed coral growth forms and low reef complexity, variable city-specific inshore-offshore gradients, early declines in coral cover with recent fluctuating periods of acute impacts and rapid recovery, and colonization of urban infrastructure by hard corals. We present hypotheses for urban reef community dynamics and discuss potential of ecological engineering for corals in urban areas.
... Apart from scattered landings, high species diversity challenges data collection in tropical fisheries. The Davao Gulf, Philippines, is located in the center of the highest marine biodiversity in the world (Allen & Werner, 2002) and consequently the number of bony fishes in the area is relatively high (Carpenter & Springer, 2005) and continuously increases as a result of new species records Bos & Smits, 2013;Bucol & Alcala, 2014;Saceda-Cardoza & Bos, 2017) and new species descriptions (Bos, 2014). Gumanao, Saceda-Cardoza, Mueller, and Bos (2016) provided an excellent basis for biomass estimations and fisheries management by reporting LWRs and LLRs for 139 fishes from the Davao Gulf. ...
Twenty-eight Additions to the Length-Weight and Length-Length Relationships of Indo-Pacific Fishes from the Davao Gulf, Philippines
Article
Full-text available
Selected fish were measured on markets along the Davao Gulf, Philippines between 2009 and 2016, augmenting the number of Length-Weight relationships (LWR) published earlier for the same area. LWRs were calculated for 28 fishes including those of 12 firstly reported, rare species. SL-TL and SL-FL relationships were determined for 28 and 25 species (also including 8 and 12 newly reported relationships, respectively). Minimum size at which individuals start developing forked tails are provided for Cheilinus fasciatus (SL = 15.0 cm), Plectorhinchus polytaenia (SL = 27.0 cm), Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus (SL = 18.0 cm) and Thalassoma hardwicke (SL = 11.5 cm). The flatfish Psettodes erumei had a right-left eyed ratio of 0.55.
... Therefore, knowledge about coral reefs and the marine fauna of the Davao Gulf is limited. Recent studies have shown that these coral reefs vary in their reef fauna compositions compared to other locations in the Philippines (Bos & Smits, 2013;Bos & Gumanao, 2013;Bos, 2014). Furthermore, these reefs support ecological processes, such as corallimorpharian polyps feeding on the crown-ofthorns sea star Acanthaster planci (Bos et al., 2008(Bos et al., , 2011Bos, 2011), that have so far not been observed elsewhere. ...
Mushroom corals (Fungiidae) in the Davao Gulf, Philippines, with records of associated fish and other cryptofauna
Article
Full-text available
Mushroom corals (Fungiidae) have rarely been studied in the southeast of the Philippines and even less studies have reported fish fauna associated with fungiids. The present study provides a species overview, relative abundance, and associated fish and invertebrate fauna of the mushroom corals from the Davao Gulf (southeast Mindanao). Thirty-three mushroom coral species belonging to 13 genera were recorded with Danafungia horrida being the most common coral with a relative frequency of 20.4%. By two additional records from previous studies, the mushroom coral fauna of southeastern Mindanao consists of at least 35 species, placing it in the centre of the Coral Triangle. The reports of the poorly-known species Podabacia sinai and Sandalolitha boucheti constitute first records for the Philippines, hence range extensions for both species. Furthermore, six rare species were encountered: Cycloseris mokai, Halomitra clavator, Heliofungia fralinae, Lithophyllon spinifer, Pleuractis gravis, and Podabacia motuporensis. The associated cryptofauna consisted predominantly of fish, shrimps, and acoel flatworms. Commensal fish were mainly represented by the Gobiidae and Tripterygiidae, with the goby Eviota rubriceps dwelling on 17 mushroom coral species, being the most common associated fish species. The largemouth triplefin Ucla xenogrammus was encountered twice on individuals of Pleuractis paumotensis. Apart from the commensal shrimps Cuapetes lacertae, C. kororensis, and the acoel flatworm Waminoa sp., unidentified brittle stars (Ophiuroidea), and a crab were found in association with mushroom corals. This study resulted in new records of associated fauna for Fungiidae, whereas cryptobenthic species of various other taxa have been reported from mushroom corals studied elsewhere. Based on the diversity of Fungiidae in the central Philippines and other areas in the Coral Triangle, it may be expected that the species list of the Davao Gulf may be further expanded in the future.
... Although more than 1700 fish species have been identified in the Philippines (Carpenter & Springer, 2005), new records (e.g. Bos & Gumanao, 2013;Bos & Smits, 2013;Bucol & Alcala, 2014) and newly discovered species (e.g. Bos, 2014;Motomura, Okamoto, & Iwatsuki, 2001) continue to extend the list of native fishes, especially with additions from the southern islands. ...
First record of the rare anthiine Meganthias kingyo (Kon, Yoshino & Sakurai, 2000) (Serranidae) from the Philippines
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2017
Meganthias kingyo was taxonomically described in 2000, based on two individuals. This species had been considered an endemic to the type locality in Okinawa, Japan, until recently eight individuals were reported from Sulawesi, Indonesia. This report constitutes the first record of Meganthias kingyo from the central Philippines further extending its biogeographical distribution area. The present study discusses morphometric characters of this extremely rare fish of which, until today, only 13 individuals have been reported.
... Randall (1998) estimated about 2,500 fish species in the Philippines; however, the country has not been studied as intensely as Indonesia both in terms of its fish fauna and corals (Sanciangco et al. 2013). In fact, many species have been reported recently by several authors (Bos & Gumanao 2013, Bos & Smits 2013, Bos 2014. This paper adds to the growing number of species reported and further intensifies the estimated concentration of fishes for the Philippines. ...
Additions to the Marine Fish Fauna
Article
Full-text available
We present the details of nine marine fishes, of which three species (two moray eels, Family Muraenidae, and one species of the Family Blenniidae) are new records for the Philippines and another six species are notable range extensions within the country. These species were documented using both fish market visits and occasional underwater surveys (mainly SCUBA diving) in selected sites. This report suggests that more marine fish species are yet to be documented in the Philippine waters.
... Researchers have long neglected the biota in the southern islands of the archipelago due to continued political unrest (e.g., Russ & Alcala, 1996;Carpenter & Springer, 2005;Bos, 2011). In recent years however, new records of fishes have been observed in the Davao Gulf (Bos & Gumanao, 2013;Bos & Smits, 2013) and a new fish species Polydactylus longipes (Motomura et al., 2001) was described. Furthermore, unique ecological discoveries, such as a previously unknown corallimorph predator of the crown-of-thorns sea star Acanthaster planci (Bos et al., 2008;2011b) and a commensal relationship between fishes and the mushroom coral Heliofungia actiniformis (Bos, 2012)-so far unique to the Davao Gulf-were reported. ...
Upeneus nigromarginatus, a new species of goatfish (Perciformes: Mullidae) from the Philippines
Article
Full-text available
The goatfish, Upeneus nigromarginatus new species, is described based on 5 specimens (151–196 mm) purchased at a fish market in Panabo City, Mindanao, Philippines. This species is diagnosed by the following counts and external morphology: dorsal fin rays (VIII, 9–10), pectoral fin rays (16), lateral line scales (36–37), total number of gill rakers (25–26), and anal fin rays (I–II, 6). When compared to congeners, U. nigromarginatus new species has a relatively deeper body (31.1–34.8% in SL vs. <30% in SL), shorter snout (7.1–9.0% in SL vs. >9.6 % in SL), and longer pectoral fin (27.7–29.1% in SL vs. <25 % in SL). Upeneus. nigromarginatus new species, has neither stripes on the body, nor bands on the caudal fin. However, a black band borders the distal edges of both the first and second dorsal fins, and at the posterior edge of the upper lobe of the caudal fin; hence the proposed common name ‘black-margined goatfish’. The posterior edge of the ventral caudal lobe has a white margin. The comparisons of a fragment of the Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I (COI; 28 specimens representing 10 Upeneus species) and 34 morphometric parameters (Principle Component Analysis; 56 specimens representing 5 genera and 12 mullid species) supported the description of U. nigromarginatus new species.
Eight new records of marine fishes (Teleostei: Perciformes and Tetraodontiformes) from the Philippines
Article
  • Jun 2022
Thirty-one individuals of seven Perciform and one Tetraodontiform fish species were reported from the Davao Gulf constituting new records for the Philippines: from the Labridae, Bodianus leucosticticus (9 individuals) and Bodianus masudai (3); Nemipteridae, Parascolopsis melanophrys (2); Priacanthidae, Pristigenys meyeri (2); Serranidae, Odontanthias chrysostictus (6), Odontanthias randalli (5) and Liopropoma latifasciatum (3); Monacanthidae, Thamnaconus multilineatus (1). Large range extensions were found for P. melanophrys , O. chrysostictus , O. randalli and T. multilineatus . The individuals of P. melanophrys are the third and fourth ever-reported individuals of this extremely rare dwarf monocle bream. A new maximum SL of 126 mm was reported for O. chrysostictus . We also encountered one individual of the rare wrasse Bodianus rubrisos recently observed at a more northern location. The current observations extend our knowledge of marine fishes in the Philippines and the unusually high marine biodiversity in this region. As all recorded species are considered inhabitants of mesophotic coral ecosystems, these observations also confirm that fishing pressure has increased in these deeper habitats.
Length–weight and length–length relationships of 139 Indo-Pacific fish species (Teleostei) from the Davao Gulf, Philippines
Article
Full-text available
Length–weight relationships (LWRs) of 139 coral reef and pelagic fish species (representing 34 fish families) were calculated based on 3806 individuals measured at local fish markets near the Davao Gulf in the southern Philippines during weekly visits between March 2009 and July 2011, as well as in June 2012. Fishes were caught with a variety of fishing methods, corroborated by abrasions and injuries. Forty-seven of 139 LWRs were firstly reported and new to science. The mean slope b of the LWRs was 3.035, indicating that the majority of studied species followed isometric growth. Standard length – total length relationships were calculated for all measured fish species. Additionally, standard length – fork length relationships are presented for 108 species. Moreover, fifteen new records of maximum fish length and weight are reported.
First record of the batfish, Halieutopsis stellifera (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae) from the eastern Indian Ocean
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2013
Halieutopsis stellifera was previously reported only from the northern Celebes to the Philippine archipelago and Okinawa Trough. The present study reports Halieutopsis stellifera from the eastern Indian Ocean based on three specimens from Andaman waters (depth range 480 to 580 m).
Inferring Versus Measuring Rates of Recovery in No-Take Marine Reserves
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2005
Can rates of biomass recovery of fished species be inferred reliably from once-only spatial comparisons of no-take marine reserves of different ages and fished areas? We used underwater visual census at 15 no-take marine reserves in the Philippines to both infer and measure such rates. We made a single estimate of the biomass of large predatory fishes (Serranidae, Lutjanidae, Lethrinidae) targeted heavily by fisheries in each of 13 well protected no-take reserves (age range 0.5 to 13 yr), and in nearby nonreserve (fished) sites. We also measured rates of biomass buildup of these fish regularly for 18 yr (1983 to 2001) in 2 no-take reserves (Sumilon, Apo) and nonreserve sites. The duration of protection required to detect significantly higher reserve biomass was similar, but lower for temporal monitoring (3 to 4 yr) than for spatial comparisons (6 yr). The reserve:nonreserve biomass ratios at maximum duration of reserve protection were similar for inferred (9.0) and measured (6.3 to 9.8) estimates. Thus, results of long-term monitoring of 2 reserves may have regional generality. The inferred rate of change of a reserve effect index (log 10 [Reserve biomass + 1 / Nonreserve biomass + 11) with duration of protection did not differ significantly from the measured rate at Sumilon, but was higher than that measured at Apo. A habitat complexity index did not affect estimates of 'reserve effects' significantly in this study, and reserve protection was generally effective. Thus, using similar methods of reserve protection and census on the same target group in similar areas, one can make useful inferences about rates of recovery in no-take marine reserves.
Two new species of striped Pseudochromis from the Philippine Islands and Indonesia, with a redescription of P. colei (Teleostei: Pseudochromidae).
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2012
Pseudochromis ammeri sp. nov. and P. eichleri sp. nov. are described from Indonesia (Raja Ampat Islands, West Irian and Halmahera) and the Philippines (Calamianes Group, Boracay and northern Palawan), respectively. In having in combination a dark longitudinal stripe on the body and the anterior tip of the palatine tooth patch directed medially behind posterolateral arm of vomerine tooth patch, the two species closely resemble P. colei Herre from the Philippines. The latter species is redescribed on the basis of the holotype from Culion and two specimens recently collected in northern Palawan. The three species closely resemble each other but differ in live coloration and several scale count characters.
Description of two new species of Pseudochrominae from northern Palawan and Mindoro, Philippine Islands (Teleostei: Perciformes: Pseudochromidae)
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2011
Pseudochromis fuligifinis is described from 12 specimens from Verde Island, west coast of Mindoro and Apo Reef in the Philippines. It closely resembles P. elongatus Lubbock from Indonesia and P. striatus Gill, Shao & Chen from the Batanes Islands, Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands, but differs in various meristic and coloration details. Manonichthys scintilla is described from five specimens from Coron Island and Apo Reef. It differs from congeners in fin shape and live coloration details.
The mushroom coral as a habitat
Article
Full-text available
The evolution of symbiotic relationships involving reef corals has had much impact on tropical marine biodiversity. Because of their endosymbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) corals can grow fast in tropical shallow seas where they form reefs that supply food, substrate and shelter for other organisms. Many coral symbionts are host-specific, depending on particular coral species for their existence. Some of these animals have become popular objects for underwater photographers and aquarists, whereas others are hardly noticed or considered pests. Loss of a single coral host species also leads to the disappearance of some of its associated fauna. In the present study we show which mushroom corals (Scleractinia: Fungiidae) are known to act as hosts for other organisms, such as acoel flatworms, copepods, barnacles, gall crabs, pontoniine shrimps, mytilid bivalves, epitoniid snails, coralliophilid snails, fish and certain types of zooxanthellae. Several of these associated organisms appear to be host-specific whereas other species are generalists and not even necessarily restricted to fungiid hosts. Heliofungia actiniformis is one of the most hospitable coral species known with a recorded associated fauna consisting of at least 23 species. The availability of a phylogeny reconstruction of the Fungiidae enables comparisons of closely related species of mushroom corals regarding their associated fauna. Application of a phylogenetic ecological analysis indicates that the presence or absence of associated organisms is evolutionarily derived or habitat-induced. Some associations appear to be restricted to certain evolutionary lineages within the Fungiidae, whereas the absence of associated species may be determined by ecomorphological traits of the host corals, such as coral dimensions (coral diameter and thickness) and polyp shape (tentacle size).
Fishes (Gobiidae and Labridae) associated with the mushroom coral Heliofungia actiniformis (Scleractinia: Fungiidae) in the Philippines
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2012
Fish associations with corals are relatively common, but the only fish known to be associated with the mushroom coral Heliofungia actiniformis has been the white pipefish Siokunichthys nigrolineatus. This is the first observations of fishes, other than S. nigrolineatus, associated with the mushroom coral H. actiniformis. Moreover, this is the first record of various fish species cohabiting in a single H. actiniformis individual, resembling cases involving various shrimp species in the same coral host and clown fishes in a single sea anemone.
Fish Density, Biomass, and Species Overview of the Dive Hub MPA Antulang, Si-it, Siaton, Negros Oriental
Book
Full-text available
  • Jan 2011
Fish density and fish biomass have continuously increased since the establishment of the Dive Hub Marine Protected Area in 2007. In December 2010, mean fish density was 2054 fish per 500 m2 (a 37% increase) and mean fish biomass was 54.2 kg per 500 m2 (which equals 108.4 tonne/km2, a 10% increase). During the survey, 290 fish species were found with 78 first records for this MPA. This raised the total number of fish species and families, which have been observed within the Dive Hub Marine Protected Area, to 379 and 52 respectively. This includes one shark species. The high density and biomass of reef fish within the Dive Hub Marine Protected Area provides the following main benefits: • Fish will ‘spillover’ to nearby areas increasing the catches of local fishermen; • Large fish can reproduce without being disturbed and will provide fish larvae and juveniles to coastal habitats in southern Negros; • The MPA contributes to the conservation of marine biodiversity.
Fish density, biomass, and species overview of the Dive Hub Marine Protected Area, Antulang, Si-it, Siaton, Negros Oriental, Philippines
Chapter
Full-text available
  • Jan 2011
Feeding biology and symbiotic relationships of the corallimorpharian Paracorynactis hoplites (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia)
Article
Full-text available
Polyps of the corallimorpharian Paracorynactis hoplites were studied in coral reefs of the Davao Gulf, the Philippines, between October 2007 and January 2009. Polyps of Paracorynactis hoplites preyed mainly on echinoderms. Predation on seven species of echinoderms was observed in the fi eld (four asteroids, two echinoids and one holothurian); an additional ten species were accepted during feeding trials (four asteroids, four echinoids and two holothurians). The echinoids Diadema setosum, Diadema savignyi and Echinotrix calamaris, and the ophiuriod Ophiomastix sp. were not adversely affected by the polyps. The opisthobranch Phyllidiella pustulosa (Mollusca) was accepted during feeding trials, whereas the gastropod Cypraea tigris was not adversely affected. In a feeding experiment, polyps of Paracorynactis hoplites (maximum diameter 170 mm) completely ingested crown-of-thorns sea stars (Acanthaster planci) of up to 340 mm diameter. The polyps had a mean daily biomass uptake of 24.5 g d-1 when having a single-species asteroid diet. Fishes of several species of families Apogonidae, Gobiidae, Labridae, Pomacentridae, and Pseudochromidae as well as the shrimps (Periclimenes holthuisi, Periclimenes lacerate, Stenopus hispidus and Thor amboinensis) lived near or among the tentacles of the polyps.
A newly discovered predator of the crown-of-thorns starfish
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2008
A large solitary polyp of the genus Pseudocorynactis (Corallimorpharia) was observed to prey on the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci), which itself has destroyed large areas of coral reefs by solely feeding on the polyps of reef-building corals. We observed Pseudocorynactis sp. to prey on echinoderms and to completely ingest starfishes, including the crown-of-thorns starfish, up to 25 cm in diameter. This newly discovered predator may play a key role in the ecology of crown-of-thorns outbreaks by controlling the juvenile and sub-adult populations of this starfish.
Effectiveness of Five Small Philippines’ Coral Reef Reserves for Fish Populations Depends on Site-Specific Factors, Particularly Enforcement History
Article
Community-managed, no-take marine reserves are increasingly promoted as a simple, precautionary measure to conserve biodiversity and sustain coral reef fisheries. However, we need to demonstrate the effects of such reserves to those affected by the loss of potential fishing grounds and the wider scientific community. We surveyed changes in fish communities in five small marine reserves in the central Philippines and three distant Control sites over seven years. We conducted underwater visual censuses of 53 fish families within the reserve (Inside), with a kilometre of the boundary (Outside) and at Control sites. We found significant differences between fish communities Inside and Outside the reserve only at the two sites with strictest compliance with fishing prohibition, while there were significant differences to distant Control sites in all cases. The strongest responses to reserve protection were found in predatory fishes (groupers and breams) and in butterflyfish. Other abundant fish families showed weak effects of protection. For all taxa analysed, we found significant effects of reserve Site and Site × Treatment interactions. The detection of fish responses to reserves is complicated by potential spillover effects, site-specific factors, particularly compliance, and the difficulty of identifying appropriate control areas.