Inventory of pteridophytes and gymnosperms in Musuan, Bukidnon revealed 102 species, 52 genera and 24 families of pteridophyes and 8 species and 6 genera of gymnosperms. Of these, 10 species of pteridophytes are endemic, 8 species rare, 8 are depleted, 4 species are new records in terms of locality and 59 are economically important species. Likewise, the gymnosperms have 8 economically important species, 2 rare, and 7 introduced species. Three species of pteridophytes are locally threatened in the wild.

Keywords: inventory, species richness, non-flowering, vascular plants, Mindanao

Comparative study of the leaf Morphology of Epipremnum Schott and Rhaphidophora Hassk. (Araceae) in the Philippines

by Jasper John A. Obico, Carmela Kathrina C. Bagay, Amelia S. Asencion, Esperanza Maribel G. Agoo, Melanie M. Medecilo

Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology, Volume 1, 2007, Pages 15-26

Abstract (Research Paper)

Abstract

Leaves of 50 specimens under the genera Rhaphidophora and Epipremnum were measured and characterized using the Manual of Leaf Architecture. The leaf characters were compared and subjected to phenetic investigation using cluster analysis with the aid of a computer software, PC-ORD (ver 2.11). Generally, the leaves may be categorized into two groups based on lobation. The results of the cluster analyis support the transfer of R. korthalsii to the genusEpipremnum. Further, the leaf morphology was able to define the interspecific relationship within Rhaphidophora. However, in establishing the intergeneric relationship between Epipremnum and Rhaphidophora, the leaf morphology does not offer conclusive evidence.

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Earthworm distribution in selected islands of the Visayan (Central Philippine) archipelago

by Dante Granfil Flores

Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology, Volume 1, 2007, Pages 27-32

Abstract (Research Paper)

Abstract

Nine (9) genera were identified from sixty seven (67) collection sites within ten selected islands of central Philippines distributed over thirty municipalities. Among these nine genera, seven (Pheretima, Pleionogaster, Pithemera, Amynthas, Polypheretima, Metaphire, Archipheretima), belong to family Megascolecidae and two were highly invasive exotics (Pontoscolex, Eudrilus). Genus Pheretima showed the most diversity and is widely distributed, followed by the Pleionogaster group. Pithemera and Polypheretima could have native and exotic representatives as suggested by the vegetation type from which they were collected, while Amynthas and Metaphire could be native species.

Keywords: Central Philippine Earthworms, Pheretima, Pleionogaster, Pithemera, Amynthas, Polypheretima, Metaphire, Archiperetima,Megascolecidae

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Taxonomy of Philippine sardines revealed by biometrics data

by IE Samonte, MGI Sonico, KM Alvia, RA Canlas, RC Pagulayan

Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology, Volume 1, 2007, Pages 33-46

Abstract (Research Paper)

Abstract

The Philippine sardines (Genus Sardinella, Family Clupeidae) are interesting organisms due to their great morpho-anatomical similarities, They usually thrive in marine environmnet with the exception of the freshwater sardine S. tawilis endemic to Lake Taal. To elucidate the relationship of the Philippine Sardinella spp, 35 biometric variables were determined and then subjected to descriptive (mean, standard deviation, and statistical range) and inferential [Factor Analyisis (FA), Discrmininant Factor Analysis (DFA), and Hierarchical Clustering (HCA)] tests. Thirty Variables correlated to the four-factor data reduction in FA that explains 96.9% of the total variance among the six sardines. In DFA only 29 variables were found useful in differentiating the sardines. The same 29 feautures were able to properly predict the identity of 99.58% of the sardines. The close relationship of S. abella to the Lake Taal sardine was demonstrated by all three dendrograms drawn from all 35 variables, only from the 30 FA informative variables, and from the 29 discriminating variables, respectively. The dendrograms also show that the two population of S. tawilis form two distinct clusters consistent with evidence from molecular data. Among the marine sardines, S. lemuru can be regarded as the farthest relative of the freshwater sardine S. tawilis.

Keywords: Sardinella, Clupeidae, morphometrics, meristics, descriptive and multivariate tests

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The current status of the Philippine Rubiaceae

by Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro

Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology, Volume 1, 2007, Pages 47-60