Life Sciences Commons^™

The Many Side Jobs Of Lateral Suppressor (Ls) In Plant Development, Janlo M. Robil

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Is The Nucleus The Unwitting Architect Of Asymmetric Cell Division In Plants?, Janlo M. Robil

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Timekeeper's Dilemma: How Photo-Thermal Cues Alter Flowering Duration, Kyle W. Swentowsky, Janlo M. Robil

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Ancyronyx Jhoanae Sp. Nov. (Coleoptera: Elmidae), A New Spider Riffle Beetle Species From Luzon, Philippines, And New Records For A. Tamaraw Freitag, 2013, Christalle Beatriz N. Seno, Hendrik Freitag

Biology Faculty Publications

Ancyronyx jhoanae sp. nov., a new species of genus Ancyronyx Erichson, 1847 from Luzon is described using an integrative taxonomic approach. Illustrations of habitus and diagnostic characters are provided. Molecular analysis of a fragment of the COI 5’-end was employed to support the morphological species concept. Differences from closely related species based on molecular and morphological data are discussed. First records of A. tamaraw Freitag, 2013 from Luzon are reported.

Enhancement Of Developmental Defects In The Boron-Deficient Maize Mutant Tassel-Less1 By Reduced Auxin Levels, Michaela S. Matthes, Norman B. Best, Janlo M. Robil, Paula Mcsteen

Biology Faculty Publications

Background

Plant responses to deficiencies of the micronutrient boron are diverse and go beyond the well-characterized function of boron in cell wall crosslinking. To explain these phenotypic discrepancies, hypotheses about interactions of boron with various phytohormones have been proposed, particularly auxin. While these hypotheses are intensely tested in the root meristem of the model species, Arabidopsis thaliana, studies in crop species and the shoot are limited.

Aims

To address potential boron–auxin interactions during the vegetative and reproductive development of the crop maize (Zea mays), we utilized the boron-deficient tassel-less1 (tls1) mutant and the auxin-deficient vanishing tassel2 (vt2) mutant. We investigated …

Growth And Whole-Body Proximate Composition Of Oreochromis Niloticus Nile Tilapia Fed Pea Meal: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Tzodoq Obrero Magbanua, Janice A. Ragaza

Biology Faculty Publications

One of the most widely cultivated species in the aquaculture sector is the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). However, the rising price of fishmeal has a huge impact on its market value. Proteins derived from plants have been used to address the issue. In this study, systematic review and meta-analysis were used to quantitatively analyze the whole-body composition and growth of Nile tilapia fed pea meal. Based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis methods, the literature review and paper selection were completed. Meta-analysis was performed on the data from peer-reviewed studies that met the inclusion …

Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of The Growth Performance And Carcass Composition Of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) Fed Dietary Copra Meal, Tzodoq Obrero Magbanua, Janice A. Ragaza

Biology Faculty Publications

Introduction

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the most cultured species in the aquaculture industry. However, its market price is affected by the increasing cost of fishmeal. Plant-based proteins are being used to mitigate the problem.

Methodology

This paper comprehensively quantified the growth performance and carcass composition of Nile tilapia fed copra meal via systematic review and meta-analysis. The literature review and paper selection were done based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis method. The data from peer-reviewed papers that qualified from the inclusion screening criteria such as standard error reporting, feeding period, absence of …

Zoonotic Pathogens From Illegally Traded Wildlife Justify Adopting The One Health Perspective In Disease Response, Marianne Allison G. Lee, Vinyl Joseph S. Valeza, Jonathan Patrick H. Yan, Ronald Allan L. Cruz

Biology Faculty Publications

Recent studies have described a direct relationship between the illegal wildlife trade (IWT) and the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens in human populations. In the Philippines, the Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (PIDSR) framework outlines the monitoring, response, and management of disease outbreaks, but needs to be updated in the wake of zoonoses from IWT. Here, we identified zoonotic pathogens that may be introduced to human populations through the IWT, pinpointed potential outbreak hotspots, and provided recommendations on how to improve the Philippines’ public health response while considering One Health. Using seizure data from the Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) covering …

Decolorization Of Synthetic Textile Dyes By Fungal Endophytes Isolated From The Leaves Of Philippine Mangrove (Avicennia Marina), Steve P. Obanan, Resureccion B. Sadaba, Pamela Alva-Gatchalian, Annabelle V. Cadiz, Evelyn M. Basilio, Dennis B. Bela-Ong

Biology Faculty Publications

Textile dyes in wastewater can be harmful pollutants when released into the environment without treatment. Biodegradation of textile dye effluents by different microbes, including fungi, has become popular as an alternative to physicochemical methods. The mangrove Avicennia marina is known to harbor endophytic fungi which have the potential to carry out dye degradation. Therefore, this study assessed the ability to decolorize synthetic dyes of endophytic fungi isolated from the leaves of A. marina. Of the nine fungal endophytes, Aspergillus niger, Syncephalastrum racemosum and Penicillium citrinum exhibited the highest mycelial growths in solid media, while all endophytes adsorbed Congo red. Through …

First Contribution To Labiobaetis Novikova & Kluge In Cambodia (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae), With Description Of Two New Species, Thomas Kaltenbach, Jhoana M. Garces, Jean-Luc Gattolliat

Biology Faculty Publications

Material collected in 2018 in Cambodia gives us first insights into the diversity of Labiobaetis Novikova & Kluge, 1987 in this country. No species has been reported so far. We identified two new species using a combination of morphology and genetic distance (COI, Kimura 2-parameter). They are described and illustrated based on their larvae. A key to all Labiobaetis species of continental Southeast Asia is provided. The interspecific K2P distance between the two new species is 20–21%, the intraspecific distance of one of them is 1%. The total number of Labiobaetis species worldwide is augmented to 156.

Transitions In Bacterial Communities Across Two Fermentation-Based Virgin Coconut Oil (Vco) Production Processes, Zomesh A N Maini, Crisanto M. Lopez

Biology Faculty Publications

Despite being one of the most used methods of virgin coconut oil (VCO) production, there is no metagenomic study that details the bacterial community shifts during fermentation-based VCO production. The identification and quantification of bacteria associated with coconut milk fermentation is useful for detecting the dominant microbial genera actively involved in VCO production which remains largely undescribed. Describing the constitutive microbial genera involved in this traditional fermentation practice can be used as a preliminary basis for improving industrial practices and developing better fermentation procedures. In this study, we utilized 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing to trace the transitions in microbial community …

Selected Dietary Plant-Based Proteins For Growth And Health Response Of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis Niloticus, Tzodoq O. Magbanua, Janice A. Ragaza

Biology Faculty Publications

Tilapia culture is one of the largest sectors of global aquaculture. Among the different species of tilapia, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is perhaps the top cultured species. The production of Nile tilapia has been continually increasing throughout the years resulting in genetic deterioration. Several tilapia strains with better growth performance and adaptive capability to survive in different culture conditions have been developed to alleviate the crisis. Increased demand for Nile tilapia implies higher farming cost. Plant-based proteins are utilized as partial or complete fishmeal replacements to reduce feed cost. However, these proteins can adversely affect and alter growth …

Two New Species Of Anacaena Thomson, 1859 (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) From Northern Luzon, Philippines, Enrico Gerard S. Sanchez, Emmanuel D. Delocado, Hendrik Freitag

Biology Faculty Publications

Two species of Anacaena Thomson, 1859, A. angatbuhay sp. nov. and A. auxilium sp. nov., are described from Northern Luzon, Philippines. The new species can be distinguished through colour, body shape, surface puncturation and characteristic aedeagi. Descriptions are provided and complemented with habitus photographs and drawings of the aedeagi. Data on genus distribution in the Philippines are reviewed and an updated Philippine checklist is provided.

A Global Agenda For Advancing Freshwater Biodiversity Research, Alain Maasri, Sonja C. Jähnig, Hendrik Freitag, 93 Co-Authors

Biology Faculty Publications

Global freshwater biodiversity is declining dramatically, and meeting the challenges of this crisis requires bold goals and the mobilisation of substantial resources. While the reasons are varied, investments in both research and conservation of freshwater biodiversity lag far behind those in the terrestrial and marine realms. Inspired by a global consultation, we identify 15 pressing priority needs, grouped into five research areas, in an effort to support informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity. The proposed agenda aims to advance freshwater biodiversity research globally as a critical step in improving coordinated actions towards its sustainable management and conservation.

Two New Species Of Byrrhinus Motschulsky, 1858 (Coleoptera, Limnichidae, Limnichinae) From Negros, Philippines, Emmanuel D. Delocado, Hendrik Freitag

Biology Faculty Publications

Two new species of Limnichidae beetles, Byrrhinus negrosensis sp. nov. and Byrrhinus villarini sp. nov., are described from the Island of Negros in the Philippines. The adult specimens of the new species can be differentiated by patterns of body punctation, colour and orientation of elytral pubescence, posterolateral angle of pronotum, tarsomere length ratio and aedeagal form. Two clades, representing the two new species, were retrieved in the Maximum Likelihood gene tree using the 3’-end of the COI gene. Maximum genetic divergence within B. negrosensis sp. nov. and B. villarini sp. nov. were recorded to be 2.3% and 1.3%, respectively, while …

Serum Biochemical Profile Of Captive-Bred Philippine Crocodiles (Crocodylus Mindorensis Schmidt, 1935) Sub-Adults, Janice A. Ragaza, Stephanie F. Velasquez, Marian Samantha M. Asuncion, Elyssa Marie F. Torres, Rainier Manalo, Hendrik Freitag

Biology Faculty Publications

The Philippine crocodiles Crocodylus mindorensis Schmidt; 1935 are a critically endangered species that necessitate minimally invasive diagnostic tools for their physiological state and health assessment. In the current study; we determined the reference ranges for the serum biochemistry of male and female captive-bred C. mindorensis sub-adults. We collected blood samples from the post-occipital venous sinus of six male and seven female captive-bred crocodile sub-adults at the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center and quantified the serum biochemical values for cholesterol; triglycerides; uric acid; glucose; creatinine; aspartate aminotransferase (AST); alanine aminotransferase (ALT); albumin; total protein; and globulin. We defined reference ranges …

The Big Picture: Consolidating National Government And Cites Records Of Animal Trade In The Philippines From 1975 To 2019, Ronald Allan L. Cruz, Catherine Genevieve B. Lagunzad

Biology Faculty Publications

The Philippines has exceptionally high biodiversity but is also a hotspot. It is a recognized source; destination; and transit point for the global wildlife trade; which drives biodiversity loss. There is an abundance of data from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on the Philippines; but this data has not been assessed for historical trends. Confiscation data reflecting the illegal trade is scarcer; coming from recent (2008 onward) records of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ___ Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD). CITES data …

(2807) Proposal To Conserve The Name Acalypha Wilkesiana Against A. Tricolor (Euphorbiaceae), Geoffrey A. Levin, Vernie G. Sagun

Biology Faculty Publications

(2807) Acalypha wilkesiana Müll. Arg. in Candolle; Prodr. 15(2):817. Aug (sero) 1866 [Angiosp.: Euphorb.]; nom. cons. prop.Typus: Fiji; [Viti Levu]; Rewa; “Unit. Stat. explor. exped.under Capt. Wilkes” (G-DC barcodes G00324021 &G00324022; isotypi: GH barcode GH00045512; K barcodeK000959008; US Nos. 1944717 & 1944718 [barcodes00096423 & 00096424]).

(=) Acalypha tricolor Veitch ex Mast. in Gard. Chron. 1866:483. 26 Mai 1866; nom rej. prop.Neotypus (hic designatus): “Hort. Veitch; New Hebrides[Vanuatu]”; Jul 1844 (K barcode K001235482).

(2808) Proposal To Reject The Name Acalypha Supera (Euphorbiaceae), Geoffrey A. Levin, Vernie G. Sagun

Biology Faculty Publications

(2808) Acalypha supera Forssk.; Fl. Aegypt.-Arab.: 162. 1 Oct 1775[Angiosp.: Euphorb.]; nom. utique rej. prop.Typus: non designatus.

Philibaetis Gen. Nov., A New Genus From The Philippines (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae), Thomas Kaltenbach, Jhoana M. Garces, Jean-Luc Gattolliat

Biology Faculty Publications

Investigations of type material and new material from the Philippines (Luzon) revealed that Baetis luzonensis Müller-Liebenau, 1982 and B. realonae Müller-Liebenau, 1982 do not belong to Baetis Leach, 1815. A new genus, Philibaetis gen. nov., is described to accommodate both species and both are re-described based on larvae. The new genus is characterised by having a rectangular labrum with a submarginal row of long, simple setae on the dorsal surface and ventrally on lateral margins long, simple, spine-like setae, on anterolateral margins long, feathered setae and medially long, bifid setae and a partial, submarginal row of lanceolate setae. Both mandibles …

Rapid Survey Of Anuran Species In Baguio-Benguet Area And Isolation Of Their Fungal Symbionts, Arthien Lovell P. Pelingen, Camille Andrea Flores, Axel John Briz, Roland Hipol, Celia Austria

Biology Faculty Publications

Baguio City is one of the fastest-growing centers of urbanization in the Philippines. As part of the Cordillera Mountain Range, it is a biodiversity hotspot that is largely unexplored. This study is a preliminary investigation using visual encounter surveys of anuran species in various localities of the Baguio-Benguet area (BBA). These include Loakan Airport (LA), Camp John Hay (CJH), and Soroptimist Compound (SC) at the Military Cut Off, all in Baguio; Nangalisan, Tuba (NT), Benguet; and Master’s Garden (MG) at Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet. We documented three Luzon-endemic species of frogs – namely, Kaloula rigida (Family Microhylidae), Sanguirana luzonensis (Family …

Aquatic Coleoptera Of Northern Negros, Philippines, Marc Ryan Sabordo, Carl Michael Buyco, Gwendalyn Henares, Jessica Pacalioga, Hendrik Freitag

Biology Faculty Publications

The water beetle fauna of northern Negros Island has not been comprehensively studied. In this study, aquatic Coleoptera of northern Negros have been compiled from various collections. Specimens were sampled through manual sampling and light trap. Twenty-six (26) species were recorded including 21 which are Philippine endemics. Nine genera and three known species are recorded for the first time from Negros. Notes on distribution, ecology and identification are provided. Possible new species, future potential discoveries as well as current significance in terms of conservation are discussed.

Discovering Genes Involved In The Synthesis Of Secondary Metabolites From The Seeds Of Moringa Oleifera Through Transcriptome Analysis, Vivian A. Panes, Ma. Divina Kristi A. Discar

Biology Faculty Publications

Moringa oleifera is a widely used crop that produces seeds with a plethora of benefits encompassing health and nutrition. Secondary metabolite compounds were determined in the seeds of Moringa oleifera that possess nutritional and pharmacological benefits. Although various phytochemical researchers reported the presence of secondary metabolites in M. oleifera seeds, there is a lack of research on the genes encoding for enzymes that catalyze the synthesis of secondary metabolites in the seeds of M. oleifera. In the present study, RNA sequencing was used to analyze the transcriptome of the mature seed embryos of M. oleifera. Biological pathway analysis …

Prevalence Of Cymothoidae (Isopoda) Infestation In Bigeye Scad (Selar Crumenophtalmus) From Batangas, Philippines, Tanya Faye S. Muji, Joaquin R. Sorreta, Janice A. Ragaza

Biology Faculty Publications

Cymothoid isopod research is relatively scarce in the Philippines, despite the local economic significance of bigeye scad as an inexpensive source of protein and other nutrients. Isopod parasitism has also been shown to have detrimental effects on their fish hosts. The current study aimed to define the host-parasite relationship between cymothoid isopod and bigeye scad by determining cymothoid isopod prevalence, intensity, and host-parasite length correlations in bigeye scad (Selar crumenophthalmus) hosts sourced from Batangas, Philippines. Fish samples were sampled from the Tagaytay City Market in Cavite, which sources fish directly from Batangas. Fish samples were immediately measured and …

Hydraena (S.Str.) Dinarica, New Species (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae) Along With Further Records Of Hydraena Spp. From Durmitor National Park, Montenegro And Comments On The Dna Barcoding Problem With The Genus, Hendrik Freitag, Rick De Vries, Marta Paterno, Simone Maestri, Massimo Delledonne, Cameron G. Thompson, Helena Lamed, Rebekah Lambert, Michael F. Fox, Mariela C. Gonzalez, Emmanuel D. Delocado, Marc R. Sabordo, Clister V. Pangantihon, Iva Njunjić

Biology Faculty Publications

Background Long-palped Water Beetles were collected during a taxon expedition in Montenegro which involved citizen scientists, students and taxonomists. The material was collected from springs, brooks, fens and the Tara River, at altitudes between 600 m and 1450 m above sea level, using fine-meshed hand-nets and by manual checking of submerged substrates. The morphological species delimitation was supplemented and congruent with mtDNA sequences mainly obtained in the field using the newly-developed MinION-based ONTrack pipeline. New information The new species Hydraena dinarica Freitag & de Vries, sp. n. from Durmitor Mt. is described, illustrated and compared in detail to closely-related congeners …

Contributions To The Knowledge Of Water Bugs In Mindoro Island, Philippines, With A Species Checklist Of Nepomorpha And Gerromorpha (Insecta, Hemiptera, Heteroptera), Arthien Lovell Pelingen, Herbert Zettel, Clister V. Pangantihon, Kyra Mari Dominique Aldaba, Earl Kevin Fatallo, Jemillie Madonna De Leon, Hendrik Freitag

Biology Faculty Publications

This survey aims to provide an updated species checklist of aquatic and semi-aquatic bugs in the intra-Philippine biogeographic Region of Mindoro. An assessment survey of water bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) was conducted mostly by manual collection in selected areas of Oriental Mindoro from 2017 to 2018, in which some of the collecting activities were undertaken by graduate students of Ateneo de Manila University. Twenty-nine aquatic and semi-aquatic heteropteran species were documented and some are known island-endemic species or subspecies, including Enithares martini mindoroensis Nieser & Zettel, 1999, Hydrotrephes stereoides mindoroensis Zettel, 2003, Aphelocheirus freitagi Zettel & Pangantihon, 2010, Rhagovelia mindoroensis Zettel, …

Field Evaluation Of Recombinant Antigen Elisa In Detecting Zoonotic Schistosome Infection Among Water Buffaloes In Endemic Municipalities In The Philippines, Jose Ma. M. Angeles, Yasuyuki Goto, Masahi Kirinoki, Elena A. Villacorte, Kharleezelle J. Moendeg, Pilarita T. Rivera, Yuichi Chigusa, Shin-Ichiro Kawazu

Biology Faculty Publications

In this study, we investigated the use of recombinant antigens thioredoxin peroxidase-1 (rSjTPx-1) and tandem repeat rSj1TR in evaluating the antibody positivity rates of Schistosoma japonicum infection among water buffaloes from four endemic areas in the Philippines, two municipalities with high endemicity (Calatrava, Negros Occidental and Catarman, Northern Samar) and two municipalities nearing elimination with no cases of human schistosomiasis (Talibon and Trinidad, Bohol). These recombinant antigen ELISA assays were compared with other diagnostic tests including SEA-ELISA, FECT, and fecal-based PCR. Results showed that rSj1TR-ELISA has the highest agreement with PCR in all study areas. Furthermore, significant positivity rates among …

Taxonomic Revision Of Agraphydrus Régimbart , 1903 V. Philippine Species And Their First Dna Barcodes (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Acidocerinae), Hendrik Freitag, Albrecht Komarek

Biology Faculty Publications

The genus Agraphydrus RÉGIMBART , 1903 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) of the Republic of the Philippines is taxonomically reviewed aided by COI mtDNA barcodes. Nine new species are described, all currently regarded as endemic to the Philippines: A. abrasus sp.n., A. ampullatus sp.n., A. batak sp.n., A. brevilobatus sp.n., A. occultus sp.n., A. palawanensis sp.n., A. pelingeni sp.n., A. tenuipalpis sp.n., and A. zetteli sp.n. Agraphydrus coomani (O RCHYMONT , 1927), widespread in the Oriental and Australasian regions, is recorded from the Philippines for the first time. COI sequences and thorough morphological examination suggest that this and further species represent a group …

Analyses Of The Expression, Immunohistochemical Properties And Serodiagnostic Potential Of Schistosoma Japonicum Peroxiredoxin-4, Minh-Anh Dang-Trinh, Jose Ma. M. Angeles, Kharleezelle J. Moendeg, Adrian Miki C. Macalanda, Thu-Thuy Nguyen, Luna Higuchi, Shotaro Nakagun, Masahi Kirinoki, Yuichi Chigusa, Yasuyuki Goto, Shin-Ichiro Kawazu

Biology Faculty Publications

Background

Schistosoma japonicum, which inhabits the mesenteric vein of the mammalian hosts for about 20 to 30 years, is subjected to the oxidative stresses from the host defense mechanism during their intra-mammalian stages. To counteract this host immune attack, the parasite utilizes their antioxidant system for survival inside the host. Peroxiredoxins (Prxs), thiol-specific antioxidant proteins, play an essential role for protecting the parasite against oxidative stress by reducing hydrogen peroxide to water. Only three types of 2-Cys Prxs have been previously characterized in S. japonicum whereas a fourth Prx has been identified for Schistosoma mansoni as Prx-4. A sequence …

The Potential Impacts Of Soy Protein On Fish Gut Health, Vikas Kumar, Sakhawat Hossain, Janice A. Ragaza, Marina Rubio Benito

Biology Faculty Publications

Soy protein is the major source of protein as fishmeal replacement in fish feed because of its worldwide availability and low price. However, the presence of high carbohydrate content along with saponins, lectins, and phytates can have a negative impact on fish gut health. Based on the literature and our lab studies, dietary soybean meal can cause a dose-dependent type of distal intestine inflammation called enteritis in commercial fish species including salmonids. This leads to reduced absorptive capacity, increased mucus secretion, hyperpermeability, and leucocyte infiltration in the lamina propria and submucosa, also inducing the pro-inflammatory cytokine genes expression, including Il-1β, …