IDENTIFICATION OF CORAL REEF SYSTEMS AT PUROK

DIWATA, CARMEN, AGUSAN DEL NORTE

Benedicto S, Dalagan S, Donatos B, Gildo C, Gulle Julito, Labastilla M, Lima A,

Litera E, Lopez A, Nolon G, Tabamo A.

Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Caraga State University, Ampayon,
Butuan City, Philippines

ABSTRACT:

Coral reefs are home to many types of organisms and are rivaled only by rainforests in
their biological diversity. Undeniably, these are considered as one of the most ecologically
valuable marine animals playing a significantly essential niche in the proliferation of other sea
creatures. This study aims to identify different coral species found in the sea of Vinapor,
Carmen Agusan del Norte. The researchers purposefully visited Punta Diwata Cave and
Resorts as this is known to have astounding marine life forms worthy of attention and
consideration. Snorkeling equipment were used to spot coral reefs. A special type of camera was
used to capture these formations. These were then studied, analyzed, and identified using a
Field Work Guide Manual on Corals concluding that corals are not just biologically and
morphologically diverse, but are also ecologically successful.

Keywords: biological diversity, coral reefs, ecologically successful, marine animals, niche

I. INTRODUCTION:

A chunk of coral is made of the skeletons of tiny marine animals called the coral polyps.

The polyp’s skeleton grows outside its body. It protects and supports the polyp’s system and

grows as the animal grows. When the polyp dies, the skeleton is left. Coral reefs and islands are

formed by billions of these tiny skeletons.

 Polyps belong to a group of animals called coelenterates. The two main kinds of

coelenterates are jellyfish and polyps. Jellyfish float freely in the water while polyps live

attached at the sea bottom, to rocks, or to one another (Miller, 2013).

It has a soft, hollow, tube shaped body with an opening at the top. Around the opening

are finger-like tentacles which can be drawn inside the cup or extended into the water. With its

waving tentacles the coral polyp captures sea animals that drift within its reach. Each tentacle

has poison containing cells known as nematocysts that paralyze the prey. The waving tentacles

look like a flower. This is the reason why people long thought that corals were species of plants

and not animals (Campbell, 2011).

At the other end of the polyp’s tube shaped body is a round foot. It is anchored to the

cup or skeleton into which the polyp can be withdraw. The cup is made primarily of calcium

carbonate, made and given off by its own body and is covered by living tissues. Food eaten by

the polyp may cause the skeleton to be tinted pink or red (Levine, 2009).

Polyps hatch from eggs. They swim about briefly and then settle down usually in a

coral colony. When they join the colony, they start making their skeletons. A coral colony

consists of living corals each is attached to a solid base such as a rock or the skeletons of

earliest generations of corals. Coral colonies are found in all of the earth’s sea. But the reef –

building coral polyps are found only in warm, shallow waters, a depth of150 feet is the best for

these groups of organisms (Levine, 2009).

The objectives of this study are to identify coral species and classify them based on their

morphology, type of substrate, and patterns of attachment. The identification and

categorization of these organisms may be a baseline activity for more coral taxonomic studies

for the purpose of clearly understanding their biological features, ecological importance and

even genetic diversity.

 II. MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The students of Advanced Systematics visited Punta Diwata Cave and Resort,

strategically located at Vinapor, Carmen, Agusan del Norte (see map below). Through its

crystal blue waters and finely pulverized sand, it has attracted tourist through the years (see

photos below). It has five diving spots with a diverse of fish species. It is also a place of notable

mangrove ecosystems, sea vegetation, and coral reef formations. For these reasons, the area is

considered as a priority tourism site through the House Bill no. 1408. Snorkeling `equipment

were used to ensure safety and clearer visualization of corals seated at greater depth

approximately 25 – 30 feet. Go Pro Camera, a special type of water – proof camera, was used to

capture coral formations. The photos were then studied, analyzed, and classified using the field

work guide on naming, identifying, and categorizing corals (refer to the results section
 III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Punta Diwata Cave and Resort is

naturally endowed by a diverse of marine
life forms. The sea at Barangay Vinapor,
Municipality of Carmen, Province of
Agusan del Norte is blessed
bewildering coral reef formations. Based
on the results obtained, corals take a
variety of forms and are widespread in
the area suggesting their astonishing
biological, morphological, and ecological
diversity.
PHYLUM CNIDARIA
Class Anthozoa – corals, sea anemones, sea
pens
Subclass Hexacorallia (Zoantharia)
Order Scleractinia – stony corals
by Order Antipatharia – black
corals
Subclass Octocorallia (Alcyonaria)
Order Alcyonacea – soft corals,
sea fans, sea whips
Order Pennatulacea – sea pens
Class Hydrozoa
Order Anthoathecatae –
stylasterid corals

3.1. Biological Diversity of Corals

Among the types of corals observed in the location were hard (calcareous), classified

under Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia and soft – bodied corals classified under Subclass

Octocorallia (Department of Conservation - Coral Identification Guide, 2014).

Anthozoans include the corals and sea anemone. Confusions have arouse due to the

similarity in features of these two different organisms. Individual coral polyps look like

miniature sea anemones. However, subtle differences can be observed because most corals are

colonial and their polyps grow together in large numbers. Hard colonial corals are uually

founded when a motile larva settles onto a hard substrate and develops into a unitary polyp.

The new developing polyps produced by budding then grow and start producing skeleton made

up of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). These group of organisms may reproduce sexually or

asexually depending on the specific type of species.

 3.2. Morphological Diversity of Corals

Corals are generally invertebrates. They range from hard to soft, small to gigantic, attached

to unattached, and dark to colorful shells. These morphological differences are bases for

identification of these diverse species.

3.3. Ecological Diversity of Corals

The worldwide distribution of corals is determined by several abiotic factors such as

temperature, water depths, and light intensity. The stony or hard corals that build coral reefs

require high level of light. Light is necessary because these corals rely on symbioses with algae

that capture solar or light energy from the sun in order to photosynthesize, recycle nutrients,

and in the production of calcium carbonate skeletons. Symbionts provide as much as 60 percent

of the energy that corals need. This arrangement makes possible for coral reefs to live in the

water that carries few nutrients (Levine, 2013).

Many corals are now suffering from anthropogenic activities. Say for instance,

recreational divers sometimes damage coral reefs. Silt and other sediments from logging,

farming, mining, and construction can wash onto reefs and smother corals. Chemical fertilizers,

insecticides, and industrial pollutants can poison corals. Overfishing can also upset the

ecological balance of coral reefs. Even when anthropogenic problems do not cause death to

corals, still they can cause stress that renders corals susceptible to other threats.

Coral bleaching has been a problem in the coral ecosystem. High temperatures can kill

the algae that usually live in the tissues of corals, leaving behind only transparent cells atop

ghostly white skeletons. Over the last 25 years, it has become a more common and severe issue

causing major damages on these species. Global warming is a big factor for this problem. If this

persists, many reefs around the world could soon be placed in dangers and hazards.
 Solenosmilia – this type of corals is
generally benthic, soft- bodied,
have waving thread – like
structures, and remarkable exsert
and palus projections.

Desmophyllum – this type of stony

coral has a distinctive radial
symmetry and spines, it is seldom
believed to be a sea urchin.

Stephanocyathus – this type of

coral is unattached, has stony
calcareous covering, found
together with sea grasses.

Pocillopora – this type of coral is soft-

bodied, brain – like sturtures, have
radial symmetry and remarkable
exsert and palus projections.
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