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Mark Nell C. Corpuz

  • Biodiversity Journal, 16 (4): 579-588

    Mark Nell C. Corpuz
    Freshwater Fish Assemblages in Palico-Lian River, Batangas, Southern Luzon, Philippines
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2025.16.4.579.588

    ABSTRACT
    The Palico-Lian River in Batangas, Southern Luzon, Philippines is a designated critical watershed and a major communal fishing ground, yet baseline information on its freshwater fish assemblages remains limited. This study conducted a rapid bioassessment to document species composition, diversity, and associated water quality parameters in the three sampling sites along the studied river continuum. Fish were collected using multiple gear types, and water samples were analyzed following standard procedures. A total of 15 species were recorded, with introduced species (9 taxa) comprising the majority of the assemblages, particularly Oreochromis niloticus and Cyprinus carpio. Native taxa were more abundant in the downstream section and included secondary freshwater fishes such as gobies (Glossogobius aureus), slipmouths (Leiognathus equula), and perchlets (Ambassis interrupta). Diversity indices varied among sites, with Site 3 exhibiting the highest Shannon diversity (H’=2.377) and evenness (J’ = 0.923), while Site 2 showed lower diversity (H’ = 1.622) and greater dominance by a few introduced species. Sample-based rarefaction confirmed significantly higher richness at Site 3. Water quality analysis revealed exceedances of ammonia, biological oxygen demand, chloride, and sulfate particularly at the midstream and downstream sites as attributed to nutrient enrichment and saline intrusion. Overall, results indicate a gradient in fish assemblages shaped by both native and introduced species. These findings provide essential baseline data for biomonitoring and conservation management of the Palico-Lian River system.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (3): 649-658

    Mark Nell C. Corpuz, Hildie Maria E. Nacorda, Christine Marie E. Casal, Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava, Patricia Ann Jaranilla-Sanchez, Sonnie A. Vedra, Hermogenes M. Paguia & Ma. Victoria O. Espaldon
    Ichthyofaunal Diversity and Water Quality Parameters in Talisay and Bagac River Systems, Bataan, Luzon Island, Philippines
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.3.649.658

    ABSTRACT
    The fishery resources and hydrological data in the major river systems in Bataan (Philippines) are poorly studied. A preliminary study was conducted to assess the fish assemblages and water quality parameters along the three stream sections of Talisay and Bagac river systems (Luzon Island). The study collected 977 fish individuals from 50 species and 34 families; 28 fish species were observed in Talisay, whilst Bagac had 37 fish species. Forty-two fish species (84%) were categorized as native in the studied rivers. Family Gobiidae comprised the largest number of species in either river. Introduced or exotic fish species from the families Cichlidae and Cyprinidae comprised 16% of the total identified fish taxa. Among the cichlid family, the Sarotherodon melanotheron was the most abundant fish species (Talisay: n = 118; Bagac: n = 134). Shannon-Weiner’s diversity index in Bagac (H = 2.47) was higher than in Talisay (H = 1.91). The similarity rate of stream sections was low (27.28%) based on fish assemblage characteristics. In the ten water quality parameters, the levels of biological oxygen demand, fecal coliform, and total suspended solids exceeded the normal range for a Class C water body classification (agri-fisheries purposes), particularly in the midstream and downstream sections of the studied rivers. The present study supplied ecological datasets that can be adopted as bases to enhance the river conservation management measures in the region.