GRANULAR ARK

Tegillarca granosa (Linnaeus, 1758) Culion Island, Palawan 1975

Formerly reported as "blood cockle”. Actively exploited or cultivated in the most areas of the lndoWest
Pacific. Collected for food in many areas. The name “ blood cockle", often used for this species and for
other large species ofAnaa’ara

and Scapharca, is due to the respiratory pigment hemoglobin coloring its tissues.

YOUTHFUL VENUS Periglypta puerpera (Linnaeus, 1771)

Baler, Aurora Province, 2009

In sand and mud bottoms. Intertidal and sublittoral to a depth of about 20m. Collected for food in some
areas. Common in the markets of the central ‘ Philippines. Shell used in the local shell craft

EPISCOPAL OR GIANT MITER

Mitra mitra (Linnaeus, 1758) Alabat Island, Quezon 2007

One of the best known and most popular species of miter shell. In coralline and salty sand, usually
buried during the day and semi active at: the turn mammargmmhemt moves ith a partial covering of
sand. Most active at night w en\‘ it crawls upon the sand. Intertidal and sublittoral zone, to a depth
ofabout 80m.

ARABIAN COWRY

Mauritia arabica (Linnaeus, 1758)

Masingal, Ilocos Sur 1 985

This sea snail dwells under boulder and stones, and also shelters in caverns of the outskirts of coral
reefs. It lives in low intertidal zones to shallow sublittoral depths. Mauritia arabica is mainly active
during the nocturnal period. It is collected for food by the locals in many areas. The shell is commonly
used in shell craft. Mauritia arabica is distributed widespread in the Indo~West Pacific, from East and
South Africa (including Madagascar, but not the Red Sea nor the Persian Gulf), to the eastern Polynesia.
1t spreads

north to apan and south to New South Wales of

Australia. .,.e_ m--. _.._... t 7‘7

FIREBRAND MUREX Chicoreus torrefactus (G.B Sowerby II, 1841)

Dlnaran Island, Caron, Palawan 1962

Among rocks or on muddy-sand bottoms, near rocks and under corals. Littoral and shallow subtidal
waters. This common species is frequently collected for food and shell craft. In

some localities, populations have been greatly reduced because of over collecting.

UNDULATE VENUS Paratapes undulatus (Born, 1778)

Masbate

In fine sand and mud bottoms. Intertidal and sublittoral to a depth of about 30m. Heavily exploited in
Thailand, for domestic demand and export. Distributed in lndo-West Pacific, from the North Western
Indian Ocean, including the Red
Sea, to Papua New Guinea; north to Japan and south to New South Wales.

UNDULATE VENUS Paratapes undulatus (Born, 1778)

Masbate

In fine sand and mud bottoms. Intertidal and sublittoral to a depth of about 30m. Heavily exploited in
Thailand, for domestic demand and export. Distributed in lndo-West Pacific, from the North Western
Indian Ocean, including the Red

Sea, to Papua New Guinea; north to Japan and south to New South Wales.

BROWN SPOTED COMBSTAR Astropecten polyacanthus (Muller & Troschel, 1842)

Quezon, Palawan, 2013

This sea star is common in sandy intertidal areas and sea grass beds from 1-40 m. During daytime, it is
buried in the sand and crawling on the sand at night fall to search for food. It is found in entire tropical

Indo-West Pacific from South Africa to Hawaiian Islands.

CHOCOLATE CHIP SEA STAR

Protoreaster nodosus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Sulangan, Eastern Samar201?

This sea star has five hard triangular arms with dark brown or black tubercles. It is very common on sea
grass beds and sea weeds from 1-30m deep. It is found distributed throughout
the Philippines.

GREEN BRITTLE STAR

Ophiarachna incrassata (Lamarck, 1816)

Sulangan. Eastern Samar 201 7

This pudgy, pale yellowish green brittle star lives under coral slabs and rocks, in sandy-rock bottom.
Once disturbed, it slinks away quickly and losses in the next crevices or boulders. It is

commonly found in the lndo-West Pacifxc; East Africa to New Guinea.

BANDED BRITTLE STAR Ophiolepis superba (H.L Clark, 1915)

Sulangan. Eastern Samar 201 7

It is found in the sandy substrate in coral and under coral boulder. At night comes out to forage. It is
found in the Western Indian Ocean to Australia, New Caledonia, New Guinea and the Philippines.

BLACK LONG SPINE URCHIN Diadema setosum (Leske, 1778)

Homonhon Island, Guluan, Eastern Samar2016

This Species of sea urchin has poisonous spine that cause a nasty painful sting. It feeds an algae that
grow on dead corals or in rubble areas. Several small animals like cardinal fishes, shrimps and anemones
may refuge among Spines. It is found partly covered

by rocks at low water level. Its range stretches throughout the lndo-Pacific
3) MARBLE CONE

Conus marmoreus Linnaeus, 1758 Family Conidae

Common in coral reefs. Intertidal and subiittoral zones to a depth of about 10 meters. Occasionally

collected for food. This species is a predatory sea snail and is believed to feed mostly on marine

molluscs including other cone snails. This snail is venomous, like all cone snathroug

MARBLE CONE Conus marmoreus Linnaeus, 1758 Famiiy Conidae

10mmon in corai reefs. intertidal and sublittoral

zones to a depth of about 10 meters. Occasionally co\\ected for food. This species is a predatory sea
snaii and is beiieved to feed mostly on marine moiiuscs inciuding other cone snails. This snail is
venomous, \ike aii cone snaiis.

MARBLE CONE Conus marmoreus Linnaeus, 1758 Famiiy Conidae

10mmon in corai reefs. intertidal and sublittoral

zones to a depth of about 10 meters. Occasionally co\\ected for food. This species is a predatory sea
snaii and is beiieved to feed mostly on marine moiiuscs inciuding other cone snails. This snail is
venomous, \ike aii cone snaiis.

CROWN OF THORNS

Acanthaster planci (Linnaeus, 1758)

Sulangan, Eastern Samar 201 7

This species is a large sea star common in shallow waters down to 30 m. It has elongated spines on its
rays and body which are venomous. This sea star is known to be predators of coral polyps that cause
severe damage to the coral reefs. It is commonly found in throughout lndo-Pacific region, ranging

from Indian Ocean to Pacificaii

CROWN OF THORNS

Acanthaster planci (Linnaeus, 1758)

Sulangan, Eastern Samar 201 7

This species is a large sea star common in shallow waters down to 30 m. It has elongated spines on its
rays and body which are venomous. This sea star is known to be predators of coral polyps that cause
severe damage to the coral reefs. It is commonly found in throughout Indo-Pacific region, ranging

from Indian Ocean to Pacific.

DARK-FINGERED CRAB

Zosimus aeneus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Guiuan, Eastern Samar 201 7

The presence of neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, and saxitoxin in the flesh of this crab made it the most
poisonous crab ever. Superficially, the lobulated appearance and distinctive pattern of brownishyellow
blotches on its body is a warning that it should not be eaten. Often seen on rocky-corally beach during
low tide, some people often collect it for food with lethal result. It is known to occur throughout the
Indo-Pacific from East Africa to Hawaii.

JEWEL BEETLES FAMILY: BUPRESTIDAE Catoxantha opulenta (Gory, 1832)

The Family Burestidae is a group of “jewel" beetles with metallic and glossy iridescent colorations. This
group is among the largest of all beetle fauna comprising some 15,000 species in 450 genera. Their
cylindrical or ovoid shape coupled with their very bright colours and complicated patterns, make them a
very highly prized and sought after

item for insect collectors.

Catoxantha opulenta is widespread in the Philippines and neighbouring countries like Thailand,
Malaysia, and Indonesia. They can grow to as big as 45 to 60 millimetres (1.8 to 2.4 in) and possesses a
prominent metallic dark bluish-green elytra with two yellow transverse band. The larvae of these
species bore in wood of Lagerstroemia speciosa (L) Pers. or more commonly known as “Banaba”. They
have a life cycle of 1

year and adults emerge in June.

Map indicates the majority of the collections made from these specimens.