Philippine Journal of Science 140 (2): 195-206, December 2011 ISSN 0031 - 7683 Date Received: 29 Apr 2010

Freshwater Fish Fauna in Watersheds of Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, Laguna,

Vachel Gay V. Paller1*, Bonifacio V. Labatos Jr.2, Beatriz M. Lontoc2, Olivio E. Matalog2, and Pablo P. Ocampo1,2

1Animal Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños 2UPLB Limnological Research Station, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños

Survey of freshwater fish fauna was conducted in watersheds of Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR), Laguna, Philippines. These watersheds were Molawin Creek, Dampalit Falls, and Cambantoc River, all in the Province of Laguna, Philippines and directly under the management of Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME), University of the Philippines Los Baños. There were 10 families of fish found in MFR. Two native species, Rock goby (Glossogobius celebius) and Snakehead gudgeon (Giuris margaritacea), were found to be common in all the watersheds of Makiling Forest Reserve. Similarity index of the three watersheds was computed at 72 %. Diversity index of the study areas was 1.12, 1.15, and 0.85 for Dampalit Falls, Molawin Creek, and Cambantoc River, respectively. In terms of species richness, Molawin Creek had twelve species, four of which are native; Dampalit Falls had twelve but with five native and one endemic species; and Cambantoc River had nine with two native species. The study revealed that Makiling Forest Reserve harbors a diverse community of fish. However, diminutive species which are becoming prone to extinction, such as Glossogobius celebius and Hippichthys heptagonus, also found the place as a haven especially in those areas with least human interventions. The study also showed that there was no significant difference in the physico-chemical properties among the three sites. Conservation efforts must focus on protecting these areas to guarantee the continuous existence of these diminutive species which are very important components of our freshwater ecosystems. The survey also updated the list of freshwater fish fauna of Makiling Forest Reserve.

Key Words: fish diversity, freshwater fish, Makiling Forest Reserve, similarity

INTRODUCTION country’s natural heritage (Vallejo 1986; Ng et al. 1998). The Philippines is a globally important hotspot for Many unique species of freshwater fishes, particularly biological diversity and center for endemism, but much gobies, pipefishes and halfbeaks are known to be restricted of the studies are centered in terrestrial and marine only to isolated lakes and rivers in major islands in the biodiversity (Mallari et al. 2001; Ong et al. 2002). Little Philippines, but their current status in these beleaguered is known about the diversity and status of endemic freshwater habitats is not known (Herre 1953; Butler freshwater fishes which are equally valuable as bio- 2006). Gobies represent the most diverse group among indicators of ecosystem health and an integral part of our the freshwater fishes in the country, with about 16 species known to occur only in the Philippines (Froese and *Corresponding author: [email protected] Pauly 2010; Eschmeyer 2011) that include Gobiopterus

195 Philippine Journal of Science Paller et al.: Freshwater Fish Fauna in Watershed of Vol. 140 No. 2, December 2011 Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve lacustris of (Herre 1927), G. stellatus of ecosystems, notwithstanding the economic potentials of , Lanigay, Polangui, Albay (Herre 1927) and these species in local fisheries – especially in the multi- Mistichthys luzonensis of in Buhi, Camarines million tropical fish industry (Guerrero 2002; Grist 2007). Sur (Smith 1902). Continued threats from pollution, erosion and introduction of invasive species pose a level of uncertainty on the is the only habitat of the world’s only known survival of these endemic fishes, coupled with the lack of freshwater sardine, Sardinella tawilis (Herre 1927). local concern/education or stable protection (Bagarinao More interestingly, there are four endemic Gulaphallus 2001; Diesmos et al. 2004; Cagauan 2007). species: G. bikolanus (Herre 1926), G. eximius (Herre 1925), G. falcifer (Manacop 1936) and G. mirabilis Development of strategies through habitat protection, (Herre 1925) as well as four Neostethus species of the captive-breeding and local education is vital to the family Phallostethidae: N. ctenophorus (Aurich 1937), N. conservation of these potentially endangered endemic robertsi (Parenti 1989), N. thessa (Aurich 1937) and N. fishes. Consequently, surveys done in other Southeast villadolidi (Herre 1942) that only inhabit the freshwaters Asian countries led to the description of many new of the Philippines. The country also has an endemic rice species, and subsequent surveys on selected lakes and fish, Oryzias luzonensis (Herre and Ablan 1934) from the rivers of the country may reveal similar new discoveries family Adrianichthyidae. There are about sixteen species (Kottelat et al. 1993; Watson & Kottelat 2006). of the family Cyprinidae with species known mostly from in and in the The Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR) which is under island of Palawan namely, Cyclocheilichthys schoppeae the administration of the University of the Philippines (Cervancia and Kottelat 1997), Puntius amarus (Herre Los Baños - Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems 1924), P. bantolanensis (Day 1914), P. cataractae (Fowler (MCME), covering the municipalities of Los Baños, Bay, 1934), P. disa (Herre 1932), P. flavifuscus (Herre 1924), and Calamba in the province of Laguna and Sto. Tomas P. hemictenus (Jordan & Richardson 1908), P. herrei in the province of Batangas. Being a forest reserve under (Fowler 1934), P. katolo (Herre 1924), P. lanaoensis the direct supervision of an academic institution, a number (Herre 1924), P. lindog (Herre 1924), P. manalak (Herre of research works has already been initiated to study its 1924), P. manguaoensis (Day 1914), P. sirang (Herre rich biological diversity, its flora and fauna like mammals, 1932), P. tumba (Herre 1924), and Rasbora philippina reptiles, amphibians, and birds but little attention is given (Günther 1880). on the fishes of MFR. Except for the surveys conducted by Herre in 1927, 1931, 1936-1937, and 1940-1941, There are few species described in the Philippines after which merely listed the freshwater fishes he collected the monumental work done by Herre (1924 and 1927), from Molawin Creek, no studies to date have examined due mainly to the limited surveys conducted in the country the natural fish population of MFR; hence, this study after World War II. The most recently described species was done to record and collect fish samples, determine in the Philippines include the following freshwater fishes: species composition, and diversity to contribute to the Stenogobius kyphosus (Watson 1991), two new species of better understanding of its faunal richness. Stiphodon: olivaceus and surrufus (Watson and Kottelat 1995) from Leyte, Sicyopus cebuensis (Chen and Shao 1998) from the island of Cebu, Stigmatogobius elegans (Larson 2005) from Luzon, Cyclocheilichthys schoppeae MATERIALS AND METHODS (Cervancia and Kottelat 2007) from Palawan and Anguilla Study Sites luzonensis (Watanabe et al. 2009) from Cagayan River. The Makiling Forest Reserve (14° 08' N, 121° 11' E), At least 20 species of endemic non-commercial freshwater which is under the administration of the University of the fishes are known to occur in Southern Luzon, and their Philippines Los Baños - Makiling Center for Mountain possible sustainable use, socio-cultural and eco-tourism Ecosystems (UPLB-MCME) lies approximately within 65 value to local communities have not been tapped km South of Metro Manila covering the municipalities of (Gonzalez 2006; Froese and Pauly 2007). And much Los Baños, Bay, and Calamba in the province of Laguna of the research done on freshwater ecosystems locally and Sto. Tomas in the province of Batangas and has a is focused on commercially important fishes (Samonte total area of 4,244 ha. The MFR is divided into six major et al. 2004); however, the implications presented for watershed zones: Zone 1- Molawin/Maralas Watershed, equally valuable endemic species to ichthyology and Zone 2 – Dampalit Watershed, Zone 3 – Puting Lupa/Tigbi environmental science were apparently overlooked Watershed, Zone 4 – Sipit/Sto. Tomas Watershed, Zone (Santiago et al. 2001). Impending loss of these diminutive 5 – Cambantoc Watershed, and Zone 6- Maitim Watershed but integral components of the aquatic food web may have (Cruz 1992). A total of three major watersheds of Makiling detrimental effects on the natural balance of freshwater Forest Reserve (Figure 1) were studied representing

196 Philippine Journal of Science Paller et al.: Freshwater Fish Fauna in Watershed of Vol. 140 No. 2, December 2011 Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve two rivers and a cataract. Study areas include portion were done during sampling. Seine netting is effective on with primary forest growth, secondary forest growth, banks of lakes and rivers but hard to use in rocky areas. agroforestry areas, near and within human settlements Hand-nets of ‘sinamay’ mesh were also used as traps that are subjected to various human disturbances. Some during low voltage electro-fishing, wherein they were areas have riparian growth, others have none. These three placed at the end of the transect line to catch the fishes watersheds drain into Laguna de Bay. that goes with the water flow. Hook-and-line method was used with earthworm as bait. This method was proven effective to lure rock gobies. All species caught regardless Sampling of collection method used were counted and initial Reconnaissance surveys were conducted, with the identification recorded. Most of the captured fish were assistance of local residents and in coordination with released alive back into the water. Among the sampled the Local Government Units, to choose appropriate and fish, voucher specimens were obtained and brought to accessible routes to isolated watersheds of MFR. the laboratory for accurate identification. The three study sites were inspected and the collection areas were randomly chosen within each site. Three Documentation and identification sampling locations per kilometer run were surveyed. Fish of freshwater fishes samples were collected using various sampling techniques Field documentation of collected fish samples and fish such as seine net, hand nets, fish trap, and the hook-and- species identification in the field and laboratory were line method. Additional method was employed for specific facilitated using several fish identification materials species of interest where basic sampling methods were including books and field guides (Herre 1953; Conlu difficult to use or not applicable (i.e., back-pack low 1986; Vidthayanon 2007). Fish identification was also voltage electro-fishing along transects to stun the fish). done through standard morphometric measurements The survey was done on almost the same time of the day given in FishBase (1995), as noted in other systematic in which samples are collected to minimize, if not to reviews and taxonomic references (Collete 1999; Tan & eliminate temporal biases. Lim 2002; McDowall 2003; Larson 2005; Chen & Tan Seine net of ‘sinamay’ (1.2 mm x 1.2 mm) mesh 2005). Morphometric data was recorded for cataloguing standardized at 2.8 m wide x 8.44 m and 1.4 m long was and data encoding. Taxonomic nomenclature mainly used wherein three passes along the 30 m transect line follows the current systematic status presented in FishBase

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121°90° E 121°100° E 121°110° E 121°120° E 121°130° E 121°140° E 121°150° E 121°160° E 121°170° E Figure 1. Study sites of the three major watersheds of Makiling Forest Reserve (modified after map from http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount Makiling).

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(Froese and Pauly 2007). The collected voucher specimens and among the three representative sites of MFR were were deposited in UPLB Limnological Research Station done using one-way ANOVA and correlate it with the for further taxonomic analysis and identification. Fish species abundance using Pearson’s correlation analysis. specimens were compared with the existing literature and Pisces collection of UPLB Limnological Research Station for proper identification. RESULTS Water quality test and habitat information Fish Composition Habitat information was also recorded at the sites Sixteen species (Table 1) from thirteen genera belonging including details of water quality. Dissolved oxygen, to ten families were collected from the three major pH, salinity, and water temperature were determined to watersheds of the Makiling Forest Reserve. Two native describe the current habitat conditions. Dissolved oxygen, species, Glossogobius celebius (Rock goby) and Giuris water, and air temperature were measured using an Oakton margaritacea (Snakehead gudgeon) were found in all Instrument DO 300 Series hand held probe and the pH was the watersheds. A native species, Glossogobius giuris measured using Oakton Instrument pH/Con 10 Series hand (White goby) was collected in Molawin Creek. Another held probe submerged 15 cm below the water surface until native species (Rhinogobius sp.) was found near the values stabilized. Some important limnological data were mouth of Laguna de Bay. Hippichthys heptagonus (Belly also noted, including depth using stainless meter stick, and pipefish) of the family Syngnathidae was collected from to determine the deepest area, a bamboo pole was used Dampalit and Molawin watersheds. An endemic species, and measurement was based on where the water height Leiopotherapon plumbeus (Silver therapon) was also reached on the probe while the water body width was collected from Dampalit watershed near the mouth of measured using Tajima waterproof fiberglass measuring the Lake. tape, and transparency was measured using Secchi disk. Other relevant key characters were noted such as substrate A total of 4,920 species was collected from the three type, dominant aquatic vegetation, presence of introduced watershed areas. Dampalit Falls had 186 whereas and invasive alien species. Degree of disturbance of the Molawin and Cambantoc Watersheds had 3,215 and 1,519 sites under study was estimated following the rating we respectively. Relative abundance of species collected from devised to support description of current conditions of each study site is presented in Figure 2. the study sites and impacts of human activities to the composition of freshwater communities. Fish Species Diversity Diversity index for each representative site is summarized Data analyses in Table 2. Species richness was 12, 12, and 9 for Dampalit, Biological indices were computed for each representative Molawin, and Cambantoc Watersheds, respectively. site. Species richness (D) was determined by the number Diversity index was found to be high in Molawin and of species present in a community. Diversity index was Dampalit watersheds with 1.12 and 1.15 correspondingly and 0.85 for Cambantoc watershed. computed following the Shannon Index: H’ = -Ʃ [(ni/N) log (ni/N)] where; p is the proportion of individuals found in the ith species and ln is the natural logarithm (Shannon Similarity & Weaver 1949). Pielou’s Evenness Index (e) uses the Molawin and Cambantoc Watersheds were somewhat Shannon’s Diversity Index and computed as: e = H’/logS more similar in terms of species composition at 76 %. where; S = total number of species (Pielou 1969). Species Two native species are commonly found in the two sites dominance was computed using the Simpson’s Dominance namely, Glossogobius celebius and Giuris margaritacea.

Index formula: c = Ʃ [ni (ni-1)/ N(N-2)] where; ni is the Five introduced species are also common in the two number of individuals in the ith species and N is the total watersheds, Trichopodus trichopterus, Poecilia latippina, number of individuals (Simpson 1949). The number of P. reticulata, Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias batrachus, individual species per unit area, or the fish density, was and Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus. Dampalit and Molawin calculated. Similarity (Cs) between communities using had 75 % similarity index wherein four native species, Sørensen similarity index (Smith and Smith 2004) which Glossogobius celebius, G. giuris, Giuris margaritacea, is based on species composition was also computed using and Hippichthys heptagonus and five introduced the formula: Sim = 2Ʃnc/Ʃn1+Ʃn2 where; nc= common species, Trichopodus trichopterus, Poecilia latippina, P. species between sites, n1 = the species of site 1 and, n2 reticulata, Oreochromis niloticus, and Clarias batrachus = the species of site 2. are commonly found from the two sites. Cambantoc and Dampalit had a similarity index of 67 % wherein Analyses of the physico-chemical water parameters within two native species, Glossogobius celebius and Giuris

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Table 1. Checklist of fish species collected from the three representative sites of Makiling Forest Reserve. Family Species Status1 Dampalit Falls Molawin Creek Cambantoc River Gobiidae Glossogobius celebius Native + + + Glossogobius giuris Native + + - Rhinogobius sp. Native + - - Terapontidae Leiopotherapon plumbeus Endemic + - - Eleotridae Giuris margaritacea Native + + + Syngnathidae Hippichthys heptagonus Native + + - Osphronemidae Trichopodus pectoralis Introduced - + - Trichopodus trichopterus Introduced + + + Poeciliidae Poecilia latippina Introduced + + + Poecilia reticulata Introduced + + + Xiphophorus helleri Introduced - + - Channidae Channa striata Introduced - - + Cichlidae Oreochromis niloticus Introduced + + + Sarotherodon melanotheron Introduced + - - Clariidae Clarias batrachus Introduced + + + Loricariidae Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus Introduced - + + Total no. of species collected from each study site: 12 12 9 1 Status of the fish and currently accepted name of the species based on FishBase (Froese and Pauly 2010) and Catalogue of Fishes (Eschmeyer 2011).

Figure 2. Relative abundance of species collected from the three watersheds of Makiling Forest Reserve.

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Table 2. Fish species diversity indices of the three representative sites different types of habitat. Seine netting is more applicable of Makiling Forest Reserve. in slow moving or still waters with sandy substrates but not on rocky substrates, which gobies naturally prefer. Representative D H’ e c d sites Hook-and-line is more applicable in fast moving waters where electro-fishing and seine netting could not possibly Dampalit Falls 12 1.12 0.4935 0.0939 4/10 m2 2 be done. The survey also collected supplementary Molawin Creek 12 1.15 0.3279 0.1064 1/10 m information on water quality and habitat conditions that 2 Cambantoc River 9 0.85 0.2672 0.1658 3/10 m could help correlate changes in fish community structure. D = species richness (total number of species), H’ = species diversity, e = Pilou’s Evenness Index; c = Species dominance, d = Fish density. The Makiling Forest Reserve watersheds showed a diverse array of freshwater fish fauna. Sixteen species from thirteen genera and ten families with a total of 4,920 margaritacea and five introduced species, Trichopodus individuals were recorded from the three watersheds of trichopterus, Poecilia latippina, P. reticulata, O. niloticus, MFR. These include one endemic species, Leiopotherapon and Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus are common in the two plumbeus; five native species, Glossogobius celebius, sites. The average similarity index between the three sites G. giuris, Rhinogobius sp., Giuris margaritacea, was computed at 72 %. and Hippichthys heptagonus; and twelve introduced species, Trichopodus pectoralis, T. trichopterus, Physico-chemical water parameters and Habitat Poecilia latippina, P. reticulata, Xiphophorus helleri, disturbance Channa striata, Oreochromis niloticus, Sarotherodon The physico-chemical water parameters for the three sites melanotheron, Clarias batrachus, and Pterygoplichthys surveyed are summarized in Table 3. In general, dissolved disjunctivus. The presence of both native and introduced oxygen, pH, salinity, air and water temperature showed fish species in the areas were also documented, because no significant variation between the three representative the occurrence of introduced species poses a threat to sites of Makiling Forest Reserve. the stability of native ecosystems. Introduced species like Janitor fish (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) are known to compete with available food and space, and prey on the eggs and DISCUSSION juveniles of native species. This study used various sampling techniques to gain the Meanwhile, two native species, Rock goby (Glossogobius most comprehensive understanding of fish species present, celebius) and Snakehead gudgeon (Giuris margaritacea), their distribution and relative abundance in isolated were found to be common in all the watersheds of MFR. watersheds of Makiling Forest Reserve. Multiple sampling There were five introduced species common in all the techniques were employed for each sampling technique watersheds that include Trichopodus trichopterus, has its own limitations and different species prefer Poecilia latippina, P. reticulata, Oreochromis niloticus,

Table 3. Physico-chemical properties of the three representative sites of Makiling Forest Reserve. Watershed Parameters No. of sites Sum Mean Std. Error Std. Dev Variance P-value Dampalit 13 82.21 6.3238 0.0221 0.0797 0.0064 0.775838P* Dissolved Molawin 22 138.79 6.3086 0.0184 0.0863 0.0074 oxygen Cambantoc 20 126.49 6.3245 0.0159 0.0709 0.0050 Dampalit 13 110.90 8.5308 0.0571 0.2057 0.0423 0.964550* Molawin pH 22 187.90 8.5409 0.0327 0.1533 0.0235 Cambantoc 20 170.90 8.5450 0.0211 0.0945 0.0089 Dampalit 13 333.30 25.6385 0.2766 2.9971 0.9942 0.000011** Water Molawin 22 573.80 26.0818 0.1604 0.7525 0.5663 Temperature Cambantoc 20 542.80 27.1400 0.1890 0.8451 0.7141 Dampalit 13 350.10 26.9308 0.2530 0.9123 0.8323 0.000001** Molawin Air Temperature 22 607.70 27.6227 0.1902 0.8923 0.7961 Cambantoc 20 576.60 28.8300 0.2050 0.9166 0.8401 *Since P > 0.05 (level of significance), Ho is accepted that the means are equal. **Since P < 0.05 (level of significance), then Ho is rejected and Ha is accepted that atleast one of the water temperature means is different.

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Table 4. Mean value of the species collected from the three watersheds of Makiling Forest Reserve. No. of Watershed No. of sites Mean Std. Error Std. Dev Variance P-value individuals Dampalit 13 186 14.30769 3.1772 11.4556 131.2308 0.104473* Molawin 22 3215 146.1364 57.4014 269.2367 72488.41 Cambantoc 20 1519 75.9500 16.5376 73.9584 5469.839 * Since P > 0.05 (level of significance), Ho is accepted that the species number means are equal. and Clarias batrachus. Janitor fish (Pterygoplichthys pectoralis for having an elongated spiculus is most disjunctivus), an invasive species which is considered similar to N. manifesta, N. pinnamaculata, N. vivipara a pest in Marikina River is alarmingly recorded from and N. philippina, all Philippine species. She furthered Molawin and Cambantoc watersheds. that it is distinguished from these species by the presence of dorsally offset spiculus comprised of 5-6 segments Similarity index of the three watersheds was computed at (vs. 7-10) and short terminal segment of spiculus which 72 % in terms of species composition. In terms of species are rarely curved. In the same paper by Meisner, she richness, Molawin Creek had 12 species, four of which are revised the genus of D. viviparus and placed it under native; Dampalit Falls had 12 also but with more native Nomorhamphus, and consequently revised its specific species of five and one endemic species; and Cambantoc epithet to vivipara as new combination name hence, River had nine with two native species. Nomorhamphus vivipara is the currently accepted name Based on the records of Herre’s Philippine Expeditions of the former. (1927, 1931, 1936-1937, and 1940-1941), eleven species Diversity Index was found to be high in Molawin Creek (Table 4) were recorded in Molawin Creek, many with 1.15 followed by Dampalit Falls with 1.12 and times he referred to as Molawin Brook. Seven native Cambantoc Creek had 0.85. Diversity is related to species and four endemic species were obtained by Herre. The richness and how individuals are evenly distributed among present survey recorded 12 species, nine of which are the species in a community (Smith and Smith 2003). new species records in Molawin Creek not previously They furthered that a community with a few individuals reported by Herre during his many expeditions in the from many different species has higher diversity than a country. Of the twelve native species earlier recorded, community of the same number of individuals with most only three were seen in the present survey together with of them belonging to few species. eight new species records which are all introduced in the country. Interestingly, a native species (Hippichthys Cambantoc River was heavily damaged by typhoon heptagonus) not previously recorded from Molawin Milenyo in 2006 which drastically changed its natural Creek was found inhabiting certain portion of the river. landscape. The changed in the natural landscape is The same species was also found in Dampalit River but detrimental to the native inhabitants of the river which were not seen in Cambantoc River. No previous studies made the introduced species to persist in unfavorable were conducted from Dampalit and Cambantoc; thus, environment coupled with many anthropogenic this study will serve as baseline information for the two activities. Domestic wastes are being dump on the river watersheds. causing temporary damming on some portion of the area. The presence of E. crassipes, an invasive macrophyte The stock assessment of Palma et al. (1997) revealed that aggravated the situation. Siltation also made the river Scatophagus argus, a migratory species of marine origin shallow and 450 m-long portion of the river in Brgy. was nowhere to be found in Laguna de Bay, this is also Tranca was waterless during the conduct of the survey. true in the current survey where it was not seen in Molawin In addition, secondary forest growth was minimal since Creek. Migration of migratory fishes towards Laguna de the area surrounding the river system was converted Bay is hindered by the construction of Napindan Hydraulic to agroforestry area planted mainly with coconut and Control Structure (HCS) built in 1983 to minimize banana with no riparian zone to control soil erosion flooding in Metro Manila. during heavy rains. During his Molawin Creek expeditions in 1931 and Species dominance of Cambantoc River at 0.1658 is 1940, Herre collected a halfbeak species, Dermogenys relatively higher than Dampalit Falls’ 0.0939 and Molawin viviparus. Meisner (2001), after her thorough examination River’s 0.1064. Species diversity is inversely proportional of the species collected by Herre found another species to species dominance. Presence of a single species in of halfbeak mixed with D. viviparus and she placed large quantity relative to other species translates to higher it under the genus Nomorhamphus. Accordingly, N. species dominance index. Except for Dampalit Falls, the

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Table 5. Comparison of the inventory of fish species recorded from Molawin Creek by Herre and this study.

Surveys of Family Scientific Name Current Name Statusa Current Survey Herre Hemiramphidae Dermogenys viviparus Nomorhamphus vivipara Endemic - + Hemiramphidae Dermogenys pectoralis Nomorhamphus pectoralis Endemic - + Gobiidae Glossogobius celebius G. celebius Native + + Phallostethidae Gulaphallus mirabilis G. mirabilis Endemic - + Zenarchopterinae Zenarchopterus philippinus Z. philippinus Endemic - + Eleotridae Ophiocara aporos Giuris margaritacea Native + + Gobiidae Ctenogobius criniger Yongeichthys criniger Native - + Eleotridae Eleotris fusca E. fusca Native - + Syngnathidae Oostethus manadensis Microphis manadensis Native - + Scatophagidae Scatophagus argus S. argus Native - + Gobiidae Glossogobius giurus G. giuris Native + + Syngnathidae Hippichthys heptagonus H. heptagonus Native ++ - Osphronemidae Trichopodus pectoralis T. pectoralis Introduced ++ - Osphronemidae Trichopodus trichopterus T. trichopterus Introduced ++ - Poeciliidae Poecilia latippina P. latippina Introduced ++ - Poeciliidae Poecilia reticulata P. reticulata Introduced ++ - Poeciliidae Xiphophorus helleri X. helleri Introduced ++ - Clariidae Clarias batrachus C. batrachus Introduced ++ - Pterygoplichthys disjunc- Loricariidae P. disjunctivus Introduced ++ - tivus Cichliidae Oreochromis niloticus O. niloticus Introduced ++ - Total number of species: 12 11 Note: (-) absent, (+) present, (++) new Molawin Creek records, (a) status of the fish and currently accepted name of the species based on FishBase (Froese and Pauly 2010) and Catalogue of Fishes (Eschmeyer 2011) most dominant species are Poecilia latippina followed correlation analysis further revealed that species richness by P. reticulata. The occurrence of fishes captured in the is not correlated with the water parameters. downstream connected to Laguna Lake contributed to the species richness of Dampalit Falls and Molawin Creek. Habitat loss, human intervention, pollution and Species such as Leiopotherapon plumbeus, Glossogobius introduction of alien species account for the major giuris and Giuris margaritacea are known inhabitants of threats to country’s freshwater fish diversity (Guerrero the lake which were also found from the two watershed 2002; Vidthayanon 2007). At least 42 introduced species areas. In the case of Cambantoc River, it has man-made from 14 alien families are now known to inhabit various structure which blocked the entry of species naturally aquatic environs in the Philippines (Casal 2006; Cagauan live in Laguna de Bay. Species density of the three 2007). Alarmingly, those areas surveyed with abundant watersheds was computed at 4/ 10 m2, 1/10 m2, and 3/10 presence of introduced and invasive species, diminutive m2 for Dampalit, Molawin and Cambantoc watersheds, native species were nowhere to be found. respectively. The expanding human settlements coupled with over The sustainability of freshwater fish is highly dependent exploitation of aquatic resources threaten many freshwater on suitable habitat as species diversity and populations habitats (Guerrero 2005; Rosaganon 2001). Several are closely linked to habitat conditions. The composition geographically isolated freshwater systems are home to of the fish community is a living representation of the many native and endemic species of fishes. And probably, physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the a number of these would remain unknown and some community they live in. In this study, differences in potentially face great threat from extinction (Herre 1953; physico-chemical properties of the three watersheds Butler 2006). were found to be statistically insignificant. Pearson’s

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