Diversity and Distribution of Freshwater Fishes in Southern Luzon, Philippines*

Vachel Gay V. Paller

Mark Nell C. Corpuz

Pablo P. Ocampo

*DOST-funded project, FishArk Philippines: Direction for the Conservation of Native and Endemic Philippine Freshwater Fishes

• FishArk Philippines

• Study Sites o Makiling Forest Reserve

o Mt. Banahaw Protected Landscape

o Taal Volcano National Park

o Mt. Isarog National Park

o Mt. Iriga-Masaraga Mountain Range

o Bulusan Volcano National Park

o Lake Manguao and adjacent tributaries

• Summary

• Recommendations

Topics

Project 1: Survey of diminutive freshwater fishes indigenous to isolated crater lakes, mountain streams and cataracts in Southern Luzon, Philippines

aims to conduct a survey of indigenous diminutive freshwater fishes in seven selected study areas in Southern Luzon, Philippines, each harboring representative isolated crater lakes, mountain streams and waterfalls that can serve as basis for the development of strategies for their sustainable use and conservation

FishArk Philippines

Makiling Forest Reserve

Tadlac Lake

Molawin Creek

Cambantoc River

Bagacay Falls

Makiling Forest Reserve

16 species; 13 genera; 10 families 6 native species; 10 introduced species N = 4,290

Dulong (Gobiopterus lacustris)

Mt. Banahaw Protected Landscape

Maligit River

Malagaylay

Alitaaw river

Mt. Banahaw Protected Landscape

17 species; 8 families 11 native species; 6 introduced species N = 1,070

Stiphodon sp. female

Stiphodon sp. male

Taal Volcano National Park

Magapi

Ambon-ambon

Pansipit River

Taal Volcano Natural Park

37 species; 31 genera; 19 families 26 native species; 11 introduced species N = 3,403

Archer fish (Toxotes jaculatrix)

Long spined-perchlet (Ambassis interrupta)

Long-snouted pipefish (Doryichthys boaja)

Mt. Isarog National Park

LAKE BATO

AGOS RIVER

BAGACAY FALLS

PAWILI RIVER LAKE BAAO-BULA

Mt. Isarog National Park

29 species; 22 genera; 14 families 16 native species; 13 introduced species N = 8,184

Sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonensis)

Brook goby (Redigobius rivalis)

Mt. Iriga-Masaraga Mountain Range

LAKE BUHI

LAKE MANAPAO

LAKE KATUGDAY IRAYA RIVER

BAYBAY FALLS

ITBUG FALLS

Mt. Iriga-Masaraga Mountain Range

19 species; 13 genera; 8 families 11 native species; 8 introduced species N = 6,479

Speckled goby (Redigobius bikolanus)

Priapium fish (Gulaphallus bikolanus)

Bulusan Volcano Natural Park

BULUSAN LAKE

BULUSAN RIVER HULUGAN FALLS

Bulusan Volcano Natural Park

21 species; 18 genera; 9 families 15 native species; 6 introduced species N = 1,771

Spotfin river goby (Awaous ocellaris)

Dusky sleeper (Eleotris fusca)

Lake Manguao and tributaries

• 600—1200 ha

• 4,400 catch basin

• Surveyed by:

• Day et al. (1914)

• Herre et al. (1924)

• Davis and Green (1990)

• Matillano (2005; 2011; 2012)

Lake Manguao and tributaries

11 species; 10 genera; 8 families 8 native species (?); 3 introduced species (?) N = 663 H’ = 2.09 e = 0.74 c = 0.14 d = 3—4 fish/m2

Lake Manguao and tributaries

Native fish species

Introduced fish species

Summary

72 species; 58 genera; 27 families 54 native species; 16 introduced species N = ~26,000

Family Gobiidae

Summary

72 species; 58 genera; 27 families 54 native species; 16 introduced species N = ~26,000

Oreochromis niloticus

Summary

• IUCN categories for vulnerable fishes (mostly natives and endemics)

• sustainable fisheries and promotion of ecotourism activities

• ease of doing research (c/o PCSD and LGU)

• Lake Manguao Natural Park?

• Taytay National Park?

• Mt. Danao Protected Landscape?

– LGU as key beneficiary and implementer

Policy Options

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