Open Journal of Ecology, 2021, 11, 645-663
https://www.scirp.org/journal/oje
ISSN Online: 2162-1993
ISSN Print: 2162-1985
DOI: 10.4236/oje.2021.1110041 Sep. 30, 2021 645 Open Journal of Ecology
Spatial Zonation and Diversity of Bivalves and
Gastropods in Mangrove Forests of Casiguran,
Aurora, Philippines
Maria Cristina B. Cañada, Eutiquio L. Rotaquio, Jr., RB J. Gallego
Department of Graduate Studies, Aurora State College of Technology, Baler, Aurora, Philippines
Abstract
This study generally aimed to determine the spatial zonation and diversity of
bivalves and gastropods in mangrove forest of Cozo, Esteves and Tinib in Ca-
siguran, Aurora. Specifically, this aimed to determine the species composition
and distribution, and determine the relationship between spatial zonation
and diversity of bivalves and gastropods as influenced by ecological factors
such as vegetation, soil texture, organic matter, soil salinity, and soil pH. A
total of 22 taxa comprising eight species of bivalves and 14 species of gastro-
pods were identified. The high tidal zone of Esteves had high diversity (0.66)
of bivalve species compared to other tidal zones and areas. On the other
hand, the diversity of gastropods was almost equal in the middle tidal zones
of Cozo (0.60), Esteves (0.57), and Tinib (0.42). In terms of bivalve species’
density and abundance, Dendostrea folium was the most dense and abundant
in the low tidal zone of Cozo (253,333 ind∙ha
−1
or 25 ind.m
2-1
, 97.44%) while
Gafrarium tumidum in the low tidal zones of Esteves (46,666 ind∙ha
−1
or 4
ind.m
2-1
, 73.68%) and Tinib (126,666 ind∙ha
−1
or 12 ind.m
2-1
, 50%). In terms
of gastropod species’ density and abundance, Cerithidea cingulata was the
most dense and abundant in the low tidal zone (666,666 ind∙ha
−1
or 66
ind.m
2-1
, 65.79%) of Cozo and the middle tidal zone (5,280,000 ind∙ha
−1
or
528 ind.m
2-1
, 61.40%) of Tinib. It was Terebralia palustris in the low tidal
zone (1,263,333 ind∙ha
−1
or 126 ind.m
2-1
, 63.06%) of Esteves. All tidal zones
within each study area had greater dissimilarities in terms of bivalves but had
greater similarities in terms of gastropod species’ compositions. On the other
hand, all tidal zones between study areas had greater dissimilarities in terms
of bivalve and gastropod species present. Most tidal zones had Gafrarium tu-
midum as common bivalve species while Neritidae sp. and Cerithidea cingu-
lata were common gastropod species. All these species were found thriving in
a wide range of vegetation, soil texture, organic matter, soil salinity and pH.
How to cite this paper: Cañada, M.C.B.,
Rotaquio Jr., E.L. and Gallego, RB.J. (2021)
Spatial Zonation and Diversity of Bivalves
and Gastropods in Mangrove Forests of
Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines. Open Jour-
nal of Ecology, 11, 645-663.
https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2021.1110041
Received: March 3, 2021
Accepted: September 27, 2021
Published: September 30, 2021
Copyright © 2021 by author(s) and
Scientific Research Publishing Inc.
This work is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution International
License (CC BY 4.0).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Open Access