Philippine E-Journals

Epiphytes on Seagrass species, Enhalus acoroides and Cymodocea rotundata, Endemic to Tongo Beach, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines

Edda Brenda S. Yerro | Dinesse A Labiros | Shieldy C Despi

 

Abstract:

Seagrass communities contribute one of the highest primary productivity in marine ecosystems. Its complex habitat structure caters diverse groups of macro and microorganisms to thrive in. For some species, seagrass meadows protect them from predators while others graze on seagrasses. Seagrass also plays a crucial role in nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in benthic communities. One of the most common aquatic species that directly benefit from seagrasses are its epiphytes. These organisms may range from macroalgal species to epiphytic diatoms. The study described morphological characteristics of the different epiphytes found in seagrass community in Tongo Bay, Cordova, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines. Seagrass leaves were collected during low tide, carefully cut, and subsequently brought to the laboratory for identification of leaf-epiphytes. Results showed that there were two species of seagrasses which dominated the sampling area namely, Enhalus acoroides and Cymodocea rotundata. Additionally, based on morphological characteristics, the different epiphytes accordingly identified on the leaves of seagrasses examined include filamentous macroalgae, foraminifera, diatoms, and cyanobacteria.