Abundance and distribution of Sardinella tawilis (Herre, 1927) larvae in Lake Taal, Philippines

As part of the conservation efforts to address the declining population of the only freshwater Sardinella (Family Clupeidae) endemic to Lake Taal, a two-year study was conducted to determine the possible spawning grounds of Sardinella tawilis (Herre, 1927) by identifying the spatial and temporal distribution of its larvae. Fish larval samples were sorted from ichthyoplankton samples collected monthly in selected sampling stations in the lake. The morphologically identified Clupeidae larvae were determined to be S. tawilis genetically. They appeared only during March to May, with maximum abundance reaching from 700 to 1,700 ind 100m-3 during April 2015. Among the 10 water, 5 weather, and 11 biological parameters analyzed using Redundancy Analysis (RDA), temperature and other weather parameters largely influenced the temporal distribution of tawilis larvae. In terms of spatial distribution, the stations on the eastern bay of the lake showed an abundant and consistent presence of tawilis larvae for two years. Other stations which showed the presence of tawilis larvae include the southern portion of the lake, as well as in stations south to southwest area of Volcano Island. The seasonal and site-specific occurrence of tawilis larvae confirmed its spawning season and potential spawning grounds, which can serve as a scientific basis in the establishment of a Tawilis Reserve Area, as stipulated in the Unified Rules and Regulations for Fisheries in the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape Management Plan (TVPL-MP 2011).

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Mutia, Maria Theresa M., Merilles, Ma. Lourdes D., Muyot, Myla C., Tordecilla, Benjie D.
Format:	article biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	2018
Subjects:	Conservation, Ecology, Fisheries, Policies, endemic, sardine, spawning ground, Clupeidae, Tawilis Reserve Area,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/1834/40947
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