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Rafael J. Vicente

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (1): 0167-0171

    Sonnie A. Vedra, Ramon Francisco Q. Padilla & Rafael J. Vicente
    Macrobenthic Assemblages in the Riverine Systems in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.1.167.171

    ABSTRACT
    Determining the composition of taxa and diversity of benthic macrobenthos could serve as reference in understanding the structure and function of riverine ecosystems. In this study, temporal and spatial variations in the distribution of macrobenthos were determined in dry and wet seasons in four sampling stations in the river and creek systems in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte. A total of 272 specimens/m-2 benthic macrobenthos belonging to 6 taxa were identified, namely, Nematoda (42.28%), Oligochaeta (22.06%), Annelida (11.40%), Amphipoda (9.19%), Rotifera (8.46%), and Polychaeta (6.62%). Diversity index analyses indicated that Simpson index varied from 0.65 to 0.78, Shannon diversity values ranged from 1.21 to 1.62, while Dominance index ranged from 0.22 to 0.35, respectively, for all sampling stations during wet and dry seasons. Composition and diversity of taxa in all sampling stations for both wet and dry seasons were not significantly different (p>0.05). This means that macrobenthos population did not thoroughly changed through time and space. Thus, this study can be used in determining patterns and dynamics of biodiversity in ecosystems and try to manage their main aspects.