Content uploaded by Eldrin DLR. Arguelles
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Eldrin DLR. Arguelles on Jun 27, 2021
Content may be subject to copyright.
P-ISSN 2586-9000
E-ISSN 2586-9027
Homepage : https://tci-thaijo.org/index.php/SciTechAsia
Science & Technology Asia
Vol.26 No.2 April - June 2021
Page: [184-196]
Original research article
*Corresponding author: edarguelles@up.edu.ph
Epixylic Algae in Periphyton Mats from
Surfaces of Submerged Wood and Bamboo
Poles of Fish Pens Found in Laguna de Bay
(Philippines)
Eldrin DLR. Arguelles*
Philippine National Collection of Microorganisms, National Institute of Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology, University of the Philippine Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Received 2 January 2020; Received in revised form 28 July 2020
Accepted 10 September 2020; Available online 25 June 2021
ABSTRACT
Epixylic algae play an important role in nutrient cycling, food web interactions, and
primary productivity in aquatic ecosystems. However, limited studies are available on the
diversity of epixylic algae in periphyton mats occurring on the surface of submerged wooden
posts and bamboo poles of fish pens in temperate lakes. A preliminary survey on the species
composition of epixylic algae occurring on submerged wooden posts and bamboo poles found
in Laguna de Bay (Philippines) was performed. In total, 18 algal taxa were taxonomically
described: 5 Bacillariophyceae, 4 Cyanophyceae, 4 Chlorophyceae, 2 Euglenophyceae, and one
each of Mediophyceae, Zygnematophyceae, and Coscinodiscophyceae. Of these taxa, the
occurrence of a rare desmid, Pleurotaenium trabecula Nägeli, is reported for the first time in
the Philippines. The diversity of epixylic algae in periphyton mats is higher on submerged
bamboo poles compared to wooden posts, with 4 species (Pleurotaenium trabecula,
Trachelomonas armata, Cryptoglena skujae, and Westella botryoides) not observed in wooden
post mats. Generally, conditions such as a nutrient-rich (high phosphate and nitrate
concentration) environment, optimum temperature, and high light intensity were found to be
favorable for the existence of algal periphyton in these substrata. This study provides a quick
assessment and identifies some of the dominant epixylic algal taxa in periphyton mats and
creates baseline information for further molecular taxonomic and ecological studies.
Keywords: Epixylic algae; Diversity; Lake; Periphyton mats; Taxonomy; Water quality
1. Introduction
Submerged wood surface is
considered an ideal habitat for microalgae
and cyanobacteria (epixylic algae) by virtue
of providing several attachment sites
associated with rough and smooth
E.DLR. Arguelles | Science & Technology Asia | Vol.26 No.2 April - June 2021
185
microareas, that are often exposed to
hydrodynamisms [1-3]. This habitat not only
serves as a substrate for invertebrates (for
resting, pupating, and emergence of different
insects) and periphyton, but also serves as a
direct source of food for other heterotrophic
aquatic organisms [4]. Epixylic algae plays
an important role in nutrient cycling, food
web interactions, and primary productivity in
aquatic ecosystems, making them an ideal
organism for water quality monitoring.
These organisms are considered sessile and
thus cannot avoid pollutants by migration;
thus, species composition of periphytic algae
on wood surfaces may shed light on the past
environmental conditions of the particular
aquatic ecosystem from which they came.
However, the diversity of epixylic algae
found living on submerged surfaces of wood
in the littoral zone of freshwater ecosystems
have received little attention. To date, few
studies have considered potential interaction
between wood and epixylic algae in aquatic
ecosystems [ 2-3, 5]. The majority of the
studies on the composition and community
structure of algal periphyton have
concentrated on rocks [2, 6] or aquatic plants,
such as submerged aquatic macrophytes [ 7-
8, 10-12].
Studies on primary ecological
productivity in bodies of water (such as lakes
and oceans) focus more on analyzing the
community structure of phytoplankton and
pay little attention to the likely contributions
of littoral zone algal periphyton. Despite the
small surface area occupied by this group of
algae in the littoral zone, productivity rates of
algal periphyton in an aquatic environment
can be greater than those observed from
phytoplankton [13-14]. The existence of
submerged wood surfaces as periphyton
substrate has a strong effect on the overall
productivity and features of the aquatic
ecosystem. A recent study observed a
positive correlation between the abundance
of algal periphyton on such substrates, and
fertilization of a lake, implying direct
competition for nutrients between
phytoplankton and algae [15]. In addition,
earlier studies on the correlation between
habitat and productive capacity of algal
periphyton and macroinvertebrates found in
three Ontario lakes reported a greater total
productive capacity on the wood surfaces
than on the lakes’ sediment [16].
Furthermore, wood surfaces that are
extremely decayed hold greater algal
periphyton biomass as well as invertebrate
diversity when compared to fresh wood
substrate. These findings highlight the
importance of epixylic algae in the overall
productivity of lakes, contributing to the
growing understanding of the ecological
characteristics and biological interactions in
an aquatic ecosystem.
In the Philippines, the taxonomy and
diversity of epixylic algae in running waters
and shallow lakes remains poorly
understood. Previously, the taxonomy and
abundance of algal periphyton associated to
rocks and aquatic macrophytes in Laguna de
Bay were studied [7, 9, 10-11, 12, 36], but
not much is documented about the taxonomic
composition of epixylic algae on surfaces of
submerged wood and bamboo poles present
in the littoral zone of Laguna de bay. The
goal of this investigation is to give an
overview of the habitat characteristics and
species composition of algal periphyton
found on submerged wood and bamboo poles
from selected sites along Laguna de Bay.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1 Sampling of epixylic algae
A single preliminary collection of
periphytic samples from fish pens found in
Laguna de Bay was made on 15 April 2019.
Eight periphytic samples (four samples from
each site) were collected from either
submerged wooden posts or bamboo poles
from two sampling sites: Calamba ( Lat. 14°
12’ 26.7696” N; Long. 121° 11’ 30.8364’ E)
and Los Baños ( Lat. 14° 11’ 33.522” N;
Long. 121° 13’ 57.1656’ E), situated in the
littoral zone of the South Bay area of Laguna
de Bay. Sampling was done on four fish pens
E.DLR. Arguelles | Science & Technology Asia | Vol.26 No.2 April - June 2021
186
at each site, two cages made of wooden posts
and two of bamboo poles. The distance
between each wooden post or bamboo pole
in the fish pens was approximately 10.0-15.0
m. Firmly attached associated epixylic algae
from the wooden posts and bamboo poles
were scraped with a fine brush and/or scalpel
approximately 10 cm below the water level.
An area of 25 cm2 was scraped and placed in
a sterile conical specimen tube (Tarson) of
25 X 50 mm size and further analyzed in the
laboratory in vivo. Microscopic observation
was done using a binocular research
microscope (Olympus CX31) provided with
an Infinity X digital camera [17].
2.2 Morphotaxonomic enumeration and
identification
Identification and classification based
on morphotaxonomic characteristics such as
shape and size of cells (both vegetative and
specialized cells such as akinetes and
heterocytes), characteristics of the filaments,
constrictions at the crosswall, width and
length of intercalary cells; appearance and
color of the sheath; characteristics and
features of filaments and trichomes; and
finally the presence or absence of specialized
cells were noted for each epixylic algal taxa
[17-18]. The taxonomic classification
systems from different standard algal
monographs [19-24] were used. Taxonomic
identification down to the species level was
done using all accessible information.
2.3 Determination of water quality
parameters
Water quality parameters were taken
at 10:00-13:00 h on each sampling day.
Parameters such as water temperature, pH,
and dissolved oxygen were measured using
Xplorer GLX (PASCO). The instrument
probe was immersed at least two inches
below the water surface. All measured values
were expressed as mg/L for dissolved oxygen
and degrees Celsius for temperature.
Additionally, water samples were tested for
orthophosphate and nitrate-nitrogen using
Phospho Ver amino acid reagent powder
pillows and NitraVer 5 nitrate reagent
powder pillows, respectively. The treated
water samples were analyzed using a Hach
DR/2010 portable spectrophotometer [27].
3. Results and Discussion
Wooden posts, bamboo poles, soft
organic sediments, and rocks are the
dominant benthic substrata present in the
selected sampling areas around Laguna de
Bay. The wooden posts and bamboo poles of
fish pens found in the lake peripheries are
present in the middle of the edge of the lake
and at 1.0-3. 0 m below water. Assemblages
of epixylic algae on these substrates formed
mucilaginous matrices (5-10 mm thick)
consisting of diatoms (centric and pennate
types), single-celled photosynthetic
euglenophytes, colonial chlorophytes, as
well as colonial and filamentous type
cyanobacteria. A total of 18 microalgal
species were taxonomically identified from
the samples scraped from wooden posts and
bamboo poles, of which 5 species (5 genera)
are classified as Bacillariophyceae, 4 species
(4 genera) belong to Chlorophyceae, 4
species (4 genera) to Cyanophyceae, 2
species (2 genera) to Euglenophyceae 2
species (2 genera) to Euglenophyceae, and 1
species (1 genera) each for Mediophyceae,
Zygnematophyceae, and Coscinodiscophy-
ceae. The predominant group of algae was
Bacillariophyceae (27.78%), followed by
Chlorophyceae (22.22%) and Cyanophyceae
(22.22%), Euglenophyceae (11.11%),
Mediophyceae (5.56%), Zygnematophyceae
(5.56%), and finally Coscinodiscophyceae
( 5.56%). Morphological characterization of
each algal isolates together with the current
taxonomic names based on Algaebase [26] is
presented in the study.
E.DLR. Arguelles | Science & Technology Asia | Vol.26 No.2 April - June 2021
187
Figs. 1-9. Plate I. Photomicrographs of (1) Chroococcus minutus (Kützing) Nägeli, (2) Spirulina major
Kützing ex Gomont, (3) Oscillatoria proboscidea Gomont, (4) Anabaenopsis arnoldii Aptekar, (5)
Stigeoclonium tenue (C. Agardh) Kützing, (6) Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turpin) Brébisson. (7)
Westella botryoides (West) De Wildeman, (8) Kirchneriella lunaris (Kirchner) Möbius, (9) Eunotia
pectinalis (Kützing) Rabenhorst. All scale bars = 10 μm.
PHYLUM CYANOBACTERIA
Class: Cyanophyceae
Order: Chroococcales
Family: Chroococcaceae
Chroococcus minutus (Kützing) Nägeli Pl.
I, Fig. 1
Colony usually spherical or sub-
spherical, of 2-4 cells, occurring in solitary
or in groups, 4. 5- 10.5 µm in diameter, but
commonly 5.5-8.5 µm in diameter; enclosed
by a colorless gelatinous sheath, 0.5- 1.0 µm
thick; cells blue-green in color, spherical
sometimes obovoid or ovoid, homogenous
protoplasm, 2.5 - 6.5 µm diameter.
Class: Cyanophyceae
Order: Spirulinales
Family: Spirulinaceae
Spirulina major Kützing ex Gomont Pl. I,
Fig. 2
Trichomes, solitary, blue-green, 1. 0-
3. 0 μm wide, regularly twisted trichome,
ends not attenuated, regularly spiral or
coiled, distance between coils 0. 5- 1. 0 µm.
Vegetative cells 1. 0- 4. 0 μm in length and
E.DLR. Arguelles | Science & Technology Asia | Vol.26 No.2 April - June 2021
188
bright blue-green in color, protoplasm is
homogenous; terminal cells rounded.
Class: Cyanophyceae
Order: Oscillatoriales
Family: Oscillatoriaceae
Oscillatoria proboscidea Gomont Pl. I,
Fig. 3
Trichomes (24.0-42.0 μm broad)
solitary, straight and crosswalls are
constricted. Filaments are straight,
attenuated and without calyptra; blue-green
in color, 8.00-11.0 µm in length and 2.0-3.0
µm in width, rough (granulated) protoplasm;
rounded apical cells.
Class Cyanophyceae
Order: Nostocales
Family: Aphanizomenonaceae
Anabaenopsis arnoldii Aptekar Pl. I, Fig. 4
Trichomes circular, solitary or
clustered in small colonies (up to 200 μm in
diameter), irregular screw-like coils, in 1. 0-
9.0 coils; coils 28.0 - 49.0 μm wide, 6.0-28.0
μm high, crosswalls are constricted with
colorless and diffluent mucilaginous
envelopes. Cells (5.0-10.0 μm in length and
3. 0-4. 5 μm in width) spherical or widely
barrel-shaped, grey-blue to yellow-green,
usually with aerotopes, heterocytes
spherical, rarely widely oval, 4.0-9. 0 x 4.5-
8.5 μm. Akinetes (15.0 x 8.0 μm) are usually
solitary or sometimes in pairs, elliptical.
PHYLUM: CHLOROPHYTA
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Chaetophorales
Family: Chaetophoraceae
Stigeoclonium tenue (C. Agardh) Kützing
Pl. I, Fig. 5
Filamentous elongate, slender thallus,
branched by alternating origin, cells are
cylindrical to quadrate with slight
constriction at the crosswalls, 7.5-8.5 µm in
diameter, end cell not sharply tapering off,
blunt to round end cells, chloroplast is at the
center of the cell round to flat disk in shape.
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Sphaeropleales
Family: Scenedesmaceae
Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turpin)
Brébisson Pl. I, Fig. 6
Usually occurring in a group of 2, 4, or
6 cells attached to each other linearly
forming a colony; cells spherical or oblong in
shape, 2.0-5. 0 µm in length and 6. 0- 8.0 µm
in width; cells occur in parallel; inner cells
along the linear colony are without spines
while the terminal cells are usually with two
straight or curved spiny projections.
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Sphaeropleales
Family: Scenedesmaceae
Westella botryoides (West) De Wildeman
Pl. I, Fig. 7
Colonies occurring usually in 4-6
celled coenobia (9.0-14.0 μm in diameter).
Cells are smooth and spherical (4.0-9.0 μm in
diameter) creating irregular colonies (60.0-
100.0 μm in diameter). Cells have parietal
chloroplasts with a single pyrenoid.
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Sphaeropleales
Family: Selenastraceae
Kirchneriella lunaris (Kirchner) Möbius
Pl. I, Fig. 8
Colonies are spherical to ovoid,
consisting of 4-64 crescent-shaped, curved,
cylindrical cells. The chloroplast is parietal
with 1-4 pyrenoids. Cells uninucleated,
cylindrical, lunate, 3.0-3.5 x 1.0-7.0 µm, with
smooth cell walls.
PHYLUM: BACILLARIOPHYTA
Class: Bacillariophyceae
Order: Eunotiales
Family: Eunotiaceae
Eunotia pectinalis ( Kützing) Rabenhorst
Pl. I, Fig. 9
Valves are dorsiventral and are
symmetrical to the transapical axis. Valve
length is 24.0-45.0 μm, width of 7.0-9.0 μm.
Striae are 3.0-9.0 in 10 μm. The ventral
E.DLR. Arguelles | Science & Technology Asia | Vol.26 No.2 April - June 2021
189
margin of the cell is concave while the dorsal
margin is convex in shape. Anterior and
posterior ends are broadly rounded.
Class: Bacillariophyceae
Order: Naviculales
Family: Diploneidaceae
Diploneis elliptica (Kützing) Cleve Pl. II,
Fig. 1
Valves are elliptic in shape with
margins that are convex and rounded apices
(length is 47.0-61.0 μm; width is 20.0-31.0
μm). The central area is round with an axial
area that is narrow and lanceolate. Striae
radiate from the mid-valve (10-12 striae in 10
μm). Raphe are straight and expand towards
the proximal end.
Class: Bacillariophyceae
Order: Bacillariales
Family: Bacillariaceae
Nitzschia palea (Kützing) W. Smith Pl. II,
Fig. 2
Valves are lanceolate and straight with
tapered and capitated apices. Distinct fibulae
are observed with visible nodules at the
central part of the cell. Striae (19.0-23.0 in 10
μm) are slightly visible. Valves are 20.0-49.0
μm in length and 4. 0-9.0 μm in width, while
the costae are 9.0-16.0 μm.
Class: Bacillariophyceae
Order: Rhopalodiales
Family: Rhophalodiaceae
Rhopalodia gibba (Ehrenberg) O. Müller
Pl. II, Fig. 3
Valves are bracket-shaped, with an
expanded middle area, indented at the central
nodule; apices are bent ventrally and slightly
capitate, flatly trimmed. Length is 50.0-230.0
μm; frustule breadth is 15.0-25.0 μm, valve
breadth is 6.0-10.0 μm. The raphe lies along
the dorsal margin, merely recognizable in
valve view. Costae are 4.0-9.0 in 10 μm.
Areolae are in rows, 10.0-12.0 in 10 μm, and
usually 2-4 rows between the costae.
Class: Bacillariophyceae
Order: Cymbellales
Family: Cymbellaceae
Cymbella affinis Kützing Pl. II, Fig. 4
Cells are solitary and are naviculoid
(length is 22.5-26.0 μm and width is 5.0-7.0
μm). Striae are 7.0-11.0 for every 10 μm.
Valves are lanceolate in shape and with
protracted apical ends. Cells have a small
axial area with a linear-arched central area.
Class: Mediophyceae
Order: Stephanodiscales
Family: Stephanodiscaceae
Cyclotella meneghiniana Kützing Pl. II,
Fig. 5
Valves are small and circular with a
tapered and narrow mantle; central area is
smooth occupying 1/3 of the overall valve
surface and are striated by radially disposed
grooves. Diameter of the cell is 10. 0- 15.0
μm, pervalvar axis is 7.5-8.5 μm; striae 6.0-
9.0 in 10 μm.
Class: Coscinodiscophyceae
Order: Aulacoseirales
Family: Aulacoseiraceae
Aulacoseira granulata (Ehrenberg)
Simonsen Pl. II, Fig. 6
Frustules are cells forming cylindrical
colonies. Valves are usually longer than
wide, 3.0-4.0 μm in diameter with a mantle
height of 10.0-21.0 μm. The ratio of mantle
height to valve diameter is usually more than
3:1. Spines are present at the end of each
pervalvar mantle costa.
PHYLUM: CHAROPHYTA
Class: Zygnematophyceae
Order: Desmidiales
Family: Desmidiaceae
Pleurotaenium trabecula Nägeli Pl. II,
Fig. 7
Cells usually 380.0-570.0 μm in length
and 38.0- 44.0 μm in width. The apex of the
cell is 27.0- 36.0 μm wide while the isthmus
is 29.0-36.0 μm wide. The lateral margins are
parallel to each other with hyaline cell walls,
E.DLR. Arguelles | Science & Technology Asia | Vol.26 No.2 April - June 2021
190
somewhat tapered at the apex; constrictions
at the median part of the cell are somewhat
shallow; chloroplasts are parietal and ribbon-
like in appearance; several pyrenoids within
the protoplasm.
A new record for the for the
philippines.
Plate II. Photomicrographs of (1) Diploneis elliptica (Kützing) Cleve, (2) Nitzschia palea (Kützing) W.
Smith, (3) Rhopalodia gibba (Ehrenberg) O. Müller, (4) Cymbella affinis Kützing, (5) Cyclotella
meneghiniana Kützing, (6) Aulacoseira granulata (Ehrenberg) Simonsen, (7) Pleurotaenium trabecula
Nägeli, (8) Trachelomonas armata (Ehrenberg) F. Stein, (9) Cryptoglena skujae Marin & Melkonian.
All scale bars = 10 μm.
Table 1. Limnological characteristics of the two sampling sites in Laguna de Bay.
Abiotic Characteristics
Sampling Sites
Calamba
Los Baños
Temperature (oC)
27.5
28.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
7.21
7.62
pH
7.03
7.31
Nitrate (mg/L)
5.32
4.13
Phosphate (mg/L)
0.29
0.20
E.DLR. Arguelles | Science & Technology Asia | Vol.26 No.2 April - June 2021
191
Table 2. Distribution of epixylic algae from selected sampling sites in Laguna de bay.
Microalgal Species
Sampling Sites
Calamba
Los Baños
Bamboo Poles
Wooden Posts
Bamboo Poles
Wooden Posts
Cyanobacteria
Chroococcus minutus
(
Kützing
)
Nägeli
+
+
+
+
Spirulina major Kützing ex Gomont
-
-
+
+
Oscillatoria proboscidea Gomont
+
+
+
+
Anabaenopsis arnoldii Aptekar
+
+
-
-
Chlorophyta
Stigeoclonium tenue
(
C
.
Agardh
)
Kützing
+
+
-
-
Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turpin)
Brébisson
+
+
+
+
Westella botryoides (West) De Wildeman
-
-
+
-
Kirchneriella lunaris (Kirchner) Möbius
+
+
-
-
Bacillariophyta
Eunotia pectinalis (Kützing) Rabenhorst
+
+
-
-
Diploneis elliptica (Kützing) Cleve
+
+
+
+
Nitzschia palea (Kützing) W. Smith
+
+
+
+
Rhopalodia gibba (Ehrenberg) O. Müller
+
+
+
+
Cymbella affinis Kützing
+
+
-
-
Cyclotella meneghiniana Kützing
+
+
+
+
Aulacoseira granulata (Ehrenberg)
Simonsen
+
+
+
+
Charophyta
Pleurotaenium trabecula Nägeli
-
-
+
-
Euglenophyta
Trachelomonas armata (Ehrenberg) F.
Stein
+
-
-
-
Cryptoglena skujae Marin & Melkonian
+
-
-
-
+: Present, -: Absent
PHYLUM EUGLENOPHYTA
Class: Euglenophyceae
Order: Euglenales
Family: Euglenaceae
Trachelomonas armata (Ehrenberg) F.
Stein Pl. II, Fig. 8
Lorica are broadly ovoid or spherical
and smooth (26.0 x 23.0 μm in diameter),
spines (4-6) are found at the posterior end of
the euglenoid; anterior part with collar where
a single emergent flagellum is present;
parietal chloroplasts are found in the cell.
Class: Euglenophyceaea
Order: Euglenales
Family: Euglenaceae
Cryptoglena skujae Marin & Melkonian
Pl. II, Fig. 9
Cells are quite small (14.0-20.0 μm
long and 8.0-13.0 μm wide), ovoid, rigid,
coffee-bean-shaped; anterior and posterior
ends of the cell are broadly rounded; a single
flagellum emerges at the anterior end;
pellicle is rigid (no metaboly); a longitudinal
furrow extending along the length of the
ventral surface of the cell; a small red eyespot
(stigma) is found near the anterior end of the
cell.
The diversity of algal periphyton
assemblages in submerged surfaces of wood
and bamboo poles is highly influenced by
spatial and temporal variations in different
ecological parameters. Based on the water
quality parameters (Table 1), higher
phosphate and nitrate levels were observed at
Calamba sampling site as compared to the
Los Baños site. Overabundance of these
nutrients favors the growth and proliferation
of epixylic algae on submerged wooden posts
and bamboo poles in Calamba (Table 2).
Also, high concentrations of these nutrients
can cause eutrophication under high light
intensity, resulting in blooms of
phytoplankton and episodic occurrences of
fish death in the lake. Human activities at the
Calamba sampling site, such as the release of
E.DLR. Arguelles | Science & Technology Asia | Vol.26 No.2 April - June 2021
192
agricultural waste (pesticides, heavy metals,
and fertilizers) as well as urban waste being
dumped into lake water results in the increase
of inorganic and organic matter in the
ecosystem that affects the water quality as
well as the composition and assemblage of
algal periphyton [4]. The temperature, pH,
and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of
both sampling areas were observed to be
within the limits set by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR
Administrative Order (DAO) 2016-08) of the
Philippines for “Class C” water quality
guidelines in propagation and growth of fish
and aquatic resources in fresh water: 25-
31oC, 6.5-9.0 pH, 5 mg/L, respectively [35].
Generally, lake conditions such as nutrient
abundance (high phosphate and nitrate
concentrations), environment, optimum
temperature, and high light intensity ( during
sunny weather conditions) were found to be
favorable for the fast proliferation of algal
periphyton on bamboo poles and wood
surfaces.
The species composition of epixylic
algae in periphyton mats taken from
submerged wooden posts and bamboo poles
found in the littoral zone of Laguna de Bay
was studied. In total, 18 epixylic algal taxa
were described: 5 Bacillariophyceae, 4
Cyanophyceae, 4 Chlorophyceae, 2
Euglenophyceae, and 1 each of
Mediophyceae, Zygnematophyceae, and
Coscinodiscophyceae, all of which are
characterized by wide geographic
distributions. This survey recorded, for the
first time in the Philippines, the occurrence
of Pleurotaenium trabecula Nägeli, first
reported in periphyton mats of submerged
bamboo poles found in Laguna de Bay. The
diversity of epixylic algae in periphyton mats
as well as biofilm growth was higher on
submerged bamboo poles than it was on
wood posts, which is similar to the findings
of previous studies [33-34]. The algal taxa
(18 species) described in this survey were all
observed to occur on bamboo poles with 4
species (P. trabecula, T. armata, C. skujae,
and W. botryoides) not present on wooden
posts (Table 2). Among the epixylic algal
periphyton community, diatoms were the
most dominant forms, followed by
cyanobacteria and green microalgae. The
biofilm and periphyton mats can serve as
food for growing invertebrates, which in turn
are consumed by fish, thus providing a
significant contribution to primary
production in the food web of Laguna de Bay
[34]. The species composition of epixylic
algal communities observed in this study is
similar to other reported algal species in
several countries [1, 25]. The high proportion
of taxa resistant to desiccation (such as
Nitzschia palea, and the chlorophyte
Scenedesmus quadricauda) suggests that the
studied algal community is well adapted to
relatively predictable water fluctuations [1,
25]. In this study, the Calamba sampling site
showed greater diversity of epixylic algae
than was found at Los Baños, showing the
dominance of Bacillariophyceae (Cyclotella
meneghiniana and Nitzschia palea) together
with chlorophyceae (Scenedesmus
quadricauda), cyanobacteria (Chroococcus
minutus, Oscillatoria proboscidea), and
photosynthetic euglenoid (Trachelomonas
armata) that are tolerant to extreme
environments suggests the eutrophic state of
the lake. This may be due to the high amount
of wastewater being dumped into the lake in
this area, which comes largely from
industrial establishments and highly
urbanized communities present near the
sampling site. These algal taxa are
considered good indicators of environmental
changes and the ecological status of the lake
due to its responsiveness to different sources
of pollution. The current floristic survey
provides baseline information necessary for
deepening our understanding of the ecology
and diversity of epixylic algae on surfaces of
submerged wooden posts and bamboo poles
in fish pens found in aquatic ecosystems in
the Philippines.
Aside from the traditional
morphotaxonomic (microscopic) methods
E.DLR. Arguelles | Science & Technology Asia | Vol.26 No.2 April - June 2021
193
done in this study, several molecular
detection and identification techniques were
developed as alternative tools to distinguish
microalgal species. These methods can
contribute to achieving a more stable and
reliable taxonomic identification of the
epixylic algal species observed in this study.
Among recent molecular techniques, some
are efficient for small-scale detection such as
quantitative real-time polymerase chain
reaction (qPCR), biosensors, and single-cell
PCR. These methods have their own
advantages and disadvantages. For instance,
qPCR offers sensitive, rapid analysis and is a
cost-effective technique for the
quantification and detection of microalgae in
both field samples and laboratory conditions
[28-31]. On the other hand, single-cell PCR
is an effective molecular tool for
identification of uncultured microalgal cells
(from environmental samples) but is
inefficient in identifying picoplankton
species. Other molecular techniques such as
isothermal nucleic acid sequence-based
amplification, terminal restriction length
polymorphism, microarray, next generation
sequencing (NGS) techniques, and loop-
mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)
are more useful for high-throughput and
large-scale detection of microalgae [28, 30,
32]. Isothermal DNA amplification
techniques (e.g. Isothermal nucleic acid
sequence-based amplification (NASBA) and
LAMP) provide a major advantage over
other techniques by being relatively simple,
low cost, and robust making these methods
useful for screening assays and large-scale
detection, diversity analysis, and
quantification of microalgae [28, 32]. The
current study suggests the use of combined
morphological and molecular methods for
future floristic and taxonomic studies of
epixylic algae in the Philippines. For now,
the epixylic algal taxa reported in this study
are adequately different and can be
satisfactorily differentiated by means of
morphological characteristics. This study
provided a quick assessment and identifies
some of the dominant epixylic algal taxa and
creates baseline information for further
molecular and phylogenetic studies.
4. Conclusion
The current taxonomic study reported
a preliminary survey of the species
composition of epixylic algal communities in
periphyton mats obtained from submerged
surfaces of wooden posts and bamboo poles
in the littoral zone of Laguna de Bay. To our
knowledge, one taxon (Pleurotaenium
trabecula Nägeli) is reported and described
for the first time occurring in the Philippines.
The diversity of epixylic algae in periphyton
mats is higher on submerged bamboo poles
than on wooden posts with 4 species
(Pleurotaenium trabecula, Trachelomonas
armata, Cryptoglena skujae, and Westella
botryoides) not observed on wooden posts.
Generally, conditions such as a nutrient-rich
environment (high phosphate and nitrate
concentrations), optimum temperature, and
high light intensity were found to be
favorable for the existence of algal
periphyton on bamboo poles and wood
surfaces. This study provided a quick
assessment and baseline information of the
species composition and dominant epixylic
algal taxa of periphyton mats associated with
fish pens found in Laguna de Bay.
Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges the support
of the Philippine National Collection of
Microorganisms, National Institute of
Molecular Biotechnology (BIOTECH), and
the University of the Philippines Los Baños
for this study. The suggestions, constructive
comments, and careful editing of the blind
reviewers are also acknowledged with
gratitude.
References
[1] Rodriguez PL, Pizarro H, Maidana N, Dos
Santos Alfonso M, Bonaventura SM.
Epixylic algae from a polluted lowland
river of Buenos Aires province
E.DLR. Arguelles | Science & Technology Asia | Vol.26 No.2 April - June 2021
194
(Argentina). Cryptogamie Algol 2006;
27(1): 63-83.
[2] Sabater S, Gregory SV, Sedell JR.
Community dynamics and metabolism of
benthic algae colonizing wood and rock
substrata in a forest stream. J Phycol 1998;
34: 561-7.
[3] Sinsabaugh RL, Golladay SW, Linkins
AE. Comparison of epilithic and epixylic
biofilm development in a boreal river.
Freshw Biol 1991; 25: 179-87.
[4] Coe HJ, Kiffney PM, Pess GR. A
comparison of methods to evaluate the
response of periphyton and invertebrates
to wood placement in large Pacific Coastal
Rivers. Northwest Sci 2006; 80(4): 298-
307.
[5] Spänhoff B, Reuter C, Meyer EI. Epixylic
biofilm and invertebrate colonization on
submerged pine branches in a regulated
lowland stream. Arch Hydrobiol 2006;
165(4): 515-36.
[6] Lobo EA, Katoh K, and Aruga Y. 1995.
Response of epilithic diatom assemblages
to water pollution in rivers in the Tokyo
Metropolitan area, Japan. Freshw Biol 34:
191-204.
[7] Rañola MCG, Zafaralla MT, Valmonte
RAD. A preliminary investigation on the
epiphyton of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.)
Solm. roots in Laguna de Bay. UP Los
Baños J 1990; 1(1):53-67.
[8] Dunn AE, Dobberfuhl DR, Casamatta DA.
A survey of algal epiphytes from
Vallisneria americana Michx.
(Hydrocharitaceae) in the Lower St. Johns
River, Florida. Southeast Nat 2008; 7(2):
229-44.
[9] Arguelles EDLR. Morphotaxonomic
account of epilithic microalgae and
cyanobacteria in Los Baños, Laguna
(Philippines). IAMURE Int J Ecol
Conserv 2016; 17: 22-39.
[10] Arguelles EDLR. Morphotaxonomic
study of algal epiphytes from Ipomoea
aquatica Forssk. (Convolvulaceae) found
in Laguna de Bay (Philippines). Pertanika
J Trop Agric Sci 2019a; 42(2): 817-32.
[11] Arguelles EDLR. Systematic study of
some epiphytic algae (non-diatoms) on the
submerged parts of water hyacinth
[Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-
Loubach] found in Laguna de Bay,
Philippines.Trop Life Sci Res 2019b;
30(1): 1-21.
[12] Arguelles EDLR. Descriptive study of
some epiphytic algae growing on Hydrilla
verticillata (L.f) Royle
(Hydrocharitaceae) found in the shallow
freshwater lake, Laguna de Bay
(Philippines). Egypt J Aquat Biol Fish
2019c; 23(2): 15-28.
[13] Vadeboncoeur Y, Steinman AD.
Periphyton function in lake ecosystems.
Sci World J 2002; 2: 1449-68.
[14] Vadeboncoeur Y, Lodge DM. Periphyton
production on wood and sediment:
substratum-specific response to laboratory
and whole-lake manipulations. J North
Am Benthol Soc 2000; 19: 68-81.
[15] Vadeboncoeur Y, Lodge DM, Carpenter
SR. Whole-lake fertilization effects on
distribution of primary production
between benthic and pelagic habitats.
Ecology 2001; 82: 1065-77.
[16] Smokorowski KE, Pratt TC, Cole WG,
McEachern LJ, Mallory EC. Effects on
periphyton and macroinvertebrates from
removal of submerged wood in three
Ontario lakes. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 2006;
63: 2038-49.
[17] Arguelles EDLR, Martinez-Goss MR,
Shin W. Some noteworthy photosynthetic
euglenophytes from Laguna and vicinities.
Philipp Sci 2014; 51: 1-36.
[18] Arguelles EDLR, Monsalud RG.
Morphotaxonomy and diversity of
terrestrial microalgae and cyanobacteria in
E.DLR. Arguelles | Science & Technology Asia | Vol.26 No.2 April - June 2021
195
biological crusts of soil from paddy fields
of Los Baños, Laguna (Philippines).
Philipp J Syst Bio 2017; 11(2): 25-36.
[19] Desikachary TV. Cyanophyta. Indian
Council of Agrcultural Reasearch; 1959.
[20] Prescott GW. Algae of the Western Great
Lakes Area, Dubuque, Iowa, Wm. C.
Brown Co. Publishers; 1962.
[21] Arguelles EDLR, Martinez-Goss MR.
Diversity of Philippine photosynthetic
euglenophytes and their potential
biotechnological uses: a review. Int J
Emerg Technol 2019; 10(4): 24–31.
[22] Round FE, Crawford RM, Mann DG. The
Diatoms: Morphology and Biology of the
Genera. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press; 1990.
[23] Martinez-Goss MR, Manlapas JEB,
Arguelles EDLR. Cyanobacteria and
diatoms in the cyanobacterial mats in a
natural saltwater hot spring in Coron,
Palawan, Philippines. Philipp Sci Lett
2019; 12(Supplement):11-32.
[24] John DM, Tsarenko M. Order
Chlorococcales. In: John DM, Whitton
BA, Brook AJ, editors. The freshwater
algal flora of the British Isles. An
identification guide to freshwater and
terrestrial algae. 2nd ed. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press; 2011. p.327-
409.
[25] Pizzaro H. Periphyton biomass on
Echinocloa polystachya (H.B.K) Hitch of
a lake of the lower Párana River
floodplain, Argentina. Hydrobiologia
1999; 397:227-39.
[26] AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic
publication, National University of
Ireland, Galway [Internet]. [cited 19
December 2019] from:
http://www.algaebase.org.
[27] Villaroman KMD, Arguel MKC, Baldia
SF. Temporal trends in phytoplankton
diversity of Paoay Lake (Ilocos Norte,
Philippines). Acta Manil 2010; 58:31-9.
[28] Ebenezer V, Medlin K, Ki J-S. Molecular
detection, quantification, and diversity
evaluation of microalgae. Mar Biotechnol
2012; 14: 129-42.
[29] Bott NJ, Ophel-Kellener KM, Sierp MT,
Rowling KP, Mckay AC, Loo MGK,
Tanner JE, Deveney MR. Toward routine,
DNA-based detection methods for marine
pests. Biotechnol Adv 2010; 28:706-14.
[30] Ki J-S, Han M-S. Sequence-based
diagnostics and phylogenetic approach of
uncultured freshwater dinoflagellate
Peridinium (Dinophyceae) species, based
on single-cell sequencing of rDNA. J Appl
Phycol 2005; 17(2):147-53.
[31] Godhe A, Asplund ME, Härnström K,
Saravanan V, Tyagi A, Karunasagar I.
Quantification of diatom and
dinoflagellate biomasses in coastal marine
seawater samples by real-time PCR. Appl
Environ Microbiol 2008; 74(23):7174-82.
[32] Ulrich RM, Casper ET, Campbell L,
Richardson B, Heil CA, Paul JH.
Detection and quantification of Karenia
mikimotoi using real-time nucleic acid
sequence-based amplification with
internal control RNA (IC-NASBA).
Harmful Algae 2010; 9(1):116-22.
[33] Wahab MA, Mannan MA, Huda MA,
Azim ME, Tollervey AG. Effects of
periphyton grown on bamboo substrates
on growth and production of Indian major
carp rohu (Labeo rohita Ham).
Bangladesh J Fish Res 1999; 3(1): 1-10.
[34] Sruthisree C, Nayak H, Gowda G, Kumar
BTN. Evaluation of periphyton and
biofilm growth on different substrates in
shrimp culture pond. J Exp Zool India
2015; 18(2): 625-30.
[35] DENR Administrative Order No.2016-08.
Water Quality Guidelines and General
Effluents Standard of 2016. Section Nos.
5 and 6 [Internet]. [cited 2020 August 20].
E.DLR. Arguelles | Science & Technology Asia | Vol.26 No.2 April - June 2021
196
Available from:
https://pab.emb.gov.ph/wp-
content/uploads/2017/07/DAO-2016-08-
WQG-and-GES.pdf.
[36] Arguelles EDLR. Species composition of
algal epiphyton of Pink Lotus (Nymphaea
pubescens Willd) found in Laguna de Bay
(Philippines). Walailak J Sci & Tech
2020; 17(3): 237-56.
