1Omar Bryan M. Hampong, 1Jameyla A. Ladias, 2Ma. Reina Suzette B. Madamba, 2Emmarie Mapi-ot
1 Department of Natural Science, College of Arts and Sciences, MSU-Buug Campus, Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines;
2 Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippine
Email: jameylaladias@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Sponges are sessile organisms that thrive in unique physical and biological environments. In such conditions, their abundance and distribution are directly affected by disturbances and predations which they tend counter by producing toxic secondary metabolites. Tubajon, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental is known to be a mangrove sanctuary, this study aimed to determine the diversity of shallow water sponges and
further determine if they exhibit toxicity activity. A total of 136 individuals from seven species (Species A-G) of sponges were recorded in the
five sampling sites covered. Sp-A ranked highest in abundance and were found in all sampling sites. Only Species A, B, C and G were found
associated with the mangrove Rhizophora sp. (bakauan). However, in some site, species A and B were also found attached to dead logs and
sea grasses while others, on the sediments. Based on the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), the abundance of species B, D, and E in
sites 1 and 3 were positively affected by salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH. In contrast, the abundance of species G in site 5 was
positively affected by humidity alone. Species A, F and C were not affected by these conditions since they were present in all sampling sites.
Both methanol and aqueous extracts of Species A did cause brine shrimp lethality at concentrations at 500ppm and 1000ppn except methanol
extract at 500ppm because of zero mortality after 24 hours. The aqueous extract gave the highest percent mortality of 50 at 100 ppm. Lethal
concentrations (LC50) after 24 hours for all extracts in both species were all the same at LC50> 1000ppm. It is recommended that more confirmation in identification using spicules and the use of other extraction methods and inclusion of antimicrobial assay be done for further
studies.
Keywords: Sponges, diversity, toxicity, brine shrimp lethality test assay, biodiversity