- 1Biodiversity and Molecular Laboratory, College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology, Tiwi, 5007 Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, Philippines (mmpnoblezada@gmail.com)
- 2Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba, 277-8564 Japan (hirai@aori.u-tokyo.ac.jp)
The Philippines, a global biodiversity hotspot, boasts a rich marine ecosystem encompassing estuaries, mangrove swamps, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and pelagic environments. However, these vital ecosystems face increasing threats from human activities and climate change. To address these challenges, effective monitoring and conservation strategies are urgently needed.
A significant barrier to marine conservation is the lack of comprehensive biodiversity knowledge. DNA metabarcoding, a cost-effective and versatile technique, is emerging as a powerful tool for assessing biodiversity.
This study represents the first attempt to employ DNA metabarcoding on towed plankton net samples to assess the biodiversity of two key ecosystems in Aklan, Philippines: Batan Estuary, characterized by mangroves and seagrass beds, and Tangalan Bay, known for its mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and pelagic environments. By analyzing the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and 18S rRNA genes, we uncovered distinct species assemblages in each ecosystem. Mollusks dominated Batan Estuary, while cnidarians, reef fish, and other reef-associated organisms were prevalent in Tangalan Bay. Our findings reveal a high percentage of meroplankton, demonstrating the effectiveness of plankton net sampling in capturing diverse marine life.
How to cite: Payne, M. M. and Hirai, J.: Unveiling Marine Biodiversity in the Philippines through DNA Metabarcoding: A Contribution to Global Biodiversity Discovery and Inventory, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-51, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-51, 2025.
