TAXONOMY, ECOLOGY, AND EXPLOITATION OF NYPA (Nypa fruticans) INHABITING

NEREID WORMS IN SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES: IMPLICATIONS ON THEIR SPECIES

RANGE AND CONSERVATION

JEANIE T. ORATE
CHRISTALYN S. ALIBANGBANG

An Undergraduate Thesis Proposal

Submitted to the Faculty of the
College of Science and Environment
Mindanao State University at Naawaan
9023 Naawan, Misamis Oriental
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements of the
Degree of

Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology

September 2017
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………….……...1

1.1 Rationale…………………………………………………………….................2

1.2 Objectives of the study…………………………………………….................2

1.2.1 General objectives………………………………………………...…...2

1.2.2 Specific objectives……………………………………………………...2

1.3 Significance of the study……………………………………………….………2

1.4 Scope and limitations…………………………………………………..…..…..3

1.5 Definition of terms……………………………………………………..…...…..3

2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE…………………………….…..………...4

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS…………………………………….…..…………..6

3.1 Study area…………………………………………………………..……..…….6

3.2 Field work……………………………………………………….…………........7

3.2.1 Collection of nereid worm…………………………….…………...…..7

3.2.2 Voucher specimen…………………………………….…………...…..7

3.2.3 Interview………………………………………………….……….…….8

3.3 Laboratory analysis…………………………………………….………….…...8

3.4 Data analysis……………………………………………………....……..…….9

3.4.1 Taxonomy……………………………………………….…………..….9

3.4.2 Ecology and exploitation……………………………….………….….10

3.4.2.1 Habitat characterization…………………….…………….…..10

3.4.2.2 Organic matter content analysis…………….……..………...10

 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Rationale

The Nypa palm worm, Namalycastis rhodochorde (Namanereidinae: Nereididae: Polychaeta), is

so called because of its association to dead parts of Nypa fruticans. The polychaete species, although

just currently identified (Gil, 2016), has long been used as bait for fishing and commercial species in some

countries (Junardi et al., 2014). They are described to be very large in size, bright pink in color when alive

and have the potential to be invasive since they are exported alive into various countries for bait trade

(Glasby et al., 2007). They are commonly known as “nuke worms” or” the Vietnamese “nuclear worms” in

the United States and are rather deemed as threat to the environment by many people because of their

potential to be invasive and carry disease-causing bacteria (Candus, 2002). Though, many fishermen

would still prefer to use them as fish bait because of their cheaper price.

The rising popularity of the nereid worms have paved the way for scientific studies to be

conducted. Varying from their adaptation to range of salinity and temperature on laboratory scale (Milleret

al., 2004) up to their maturity. The occurrence of these worms in Southeast Asian countries have been

recorded such as in Indonesia and Vietnam, where these species are said to be exported to the US

(Junardi et.al, 2014). There has been personal collection of these type of worms in two areas of southern

Philippines, and the species are currently thought to be N. rhodocorde (K. Natingga and V. Leopardas,

pers. comm., August, 2017). Local interviews showed that the neried worms are commercially and non-

commercially used as fish bait. However, in a study conducted by Vallejo et al. (2014) no N. rhodocorde

was described from the Philippine and China Seas.

Furthermore, information on the ecology and exploitation of N. rhodocorde in the Philippines is

lacking. Thus, a study is needed to fill the gap. These information are crucial in aiding culturing activities

which is one potential effort for the commercialization of these worms, and in establishing new information

on the geographic distribution of this species. In addition, since these worms are wildly harvested (Glasby

et al., 2007), they are subjected to overexploitation. Ongoing culture of N. rhodocorde (Moss & Unabia,

1
2013) can protect wild population of this species (Junardi et al., 2014). The idea that this species may

occur in southern Philippines (K. Natingga and V. Leopardas, pers. comm., August, 2017) is interesting in

the context of biodiversity and conservation. Thus, there is a need to conduct a study to establish the

taxonomy and knowledge on the ecology and exploitation of the supposed to be N. rhodocorde

1.2 Objectives of the study

1.2.1 General objective

This study aims to establish the record of Namalycastis rhodocorde in Southern Philippines.

1.2.2 Specific Objectives

This study specifically aims to:

1. Provide valid taxonomic identification of the nypa inhabiting worms

2. Characterize its habitat (water salinity, temperature, habitat type,….); and,

3. Describe its exploitation condition through local interviews.

1.3 Significance of the study

Namalycastis rhodocorde is wildly harvested (Glasby et al., 2007) and is commercially and non-

commercially used as fish bait. These activities if not regulated would lead to overexploitation and habitat

degradation. There are no papers published regarding the existence of these species in the Philippines

(Vallejo et al., 2014), although there has been personal accounts of their occurrence and exploitation in

the country. The limited scientific information regarding this worms also limits our current understanding to

its species distribution, ecology and exploitation. Therefore, this paper will have important contribution to

the taxonomic advancement in marine polychaetes of the country, as well as to the development of

conservation policies of this exploited species.

2
1.4 Scope and limitations
This study will establish the new record of Namalycastis rhodocorde in the Philippines,

particularly in Southern part of the country. The researchers will observe the ecology, exploitation and

describe habitat of the species. The scope of this study is to provide a valid taxonomic identification for

the existing marine nereid worms in areas where there are Nypa fruticans (nypa palms) in southern

Philippines. This is a follow-up study to confirm accounts that these worms are possibly the Namalycastis

rhodocorde which is currently having limited literature in terms of species range, ecology, and

exploitation. The collection of the samples will be conducted in one of the areas in southern Philippines;

this site was previously collected for a possible N. rhodocorde species. For taxonomy the researchers will

limit on the morphological characteristics as the bases for identification. The ecological and exploitation

aspects will be based on short-term observations on field and on local interviews.

1.5 Definition of terms

Bait - food used to entice fish or other animals (Collins Spanish Dictionary, 2005)

Exploitation - the action of making use of and benefiting from resources. (American Heritage® Dictionary
of the English Language, 2016)

Invasive - not native to and tending to spread widely in a habitat or environment. (Collins English
Dictionary, 2014)

Nuclear worm - another name given to Namalycastis rhodocorde (Candus, 2002)

Polychaetes - refers to any worm of the class Polychaeta (phylum:Annelida). (Jewett and Feder, 1983)

Wildly - in an uncontrolled or excited way (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language,
2011)

Ecology - the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. (Collins
English Dictionary, 2014)

Species range - is the area where a particular species can be found during its lifetime.
(Kirkpatrick and Barton, 1997) 

3
 1. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Polychaetes usually dominate the benthic community (Dean, 2008) and so with the lives of many

fishermen. These worms are commonly used as fish bait in many countries both locally and commercially

(Candus, 2008).

In aquaculture some species of polychaetes are also used as source of maturation feed (Moss &

Unabia, 2013). According to them, other countries such as USA export frozen polychaetes to Hawaii to

support the currently rising industry of shrimp culture. There even are countries that use their local

polychaetes to sustain their shrimp culture for a cheaper price which could have been an ideal source for

Hawaii. However, there are possible risk in their exportation that is why Moss and Unabia conducted a

study to culture local polychaetes found in Hawaii to determine their suitability and applicability in the

shrimp culture industry in their country.

Polychaetes are also proven to be useful in determining the status of the marine environment (Reish &

Gerlinger, 1997).They are widely used in various fields, yet there is little understanding with regards to

their ecology and evolution (Fauchald, 1997).The poor understanding to their ecology and evolution would

hinder their susceptibility to sustainable management. Thus, studies are necessary for their sustainability.

One of the widely harvested polychaete species is the Namalycastis rhodocorde. The exportation

of N.rhodocorde to different countries for fish bait trade, paved the way for scientific studies regarding

these species to be conducted. These nereid worms are exported alive, thus they harbor a great potential

for invasion (Glasby et.al, 2007) which threatened a lot of people particularly the biologists (Candus,

2002).

These species are different from other species of Namalycastis. According to Glasby, Miura,

Nishi & Junardi (2007), these species have very short tentacular cirri, lacking spinigerous chaetae in both

the reduced notopodia and the neuropodia of the parapodia. They also have many falcigerous chaetae in

the anterior parapodia that are either completely smooth or basally serrated.

4
 Another study by Miller, et.al (2004), concluded that these palm worms were able to adapt in a

salinity range of 1-30 ppt. They also found out that at <13°C, these worms will not last for five days.

Another important characteristic of this species is their maturity. According to Junardi, Anggraeni, Ridwan

& Yowono (2014), the changing of body colour from pink to reddish in female or from pink to greenish in

male, is one of the sign of maturity. Another morphologically sign for their maturity, is the softer body they

possess which is caused by the thinning of body wall. Knowing the maturity of these species is important

in learning their population dynamics and management.

There have been accounts that N.rhodocorde could possibly be the same with the nypa inhabiting

worms in southern Philippines (K. Natingga and V. Leopardas, pers. comm., August, 2017). They are

locally used as fish bait and are wildly harvested but they have no record of existence in the Philippines.

The extensive collection of the possible N. rhodocorde and other species of polychaetes without

prior understanding with regards to their ecology and biology will be destructive. In addition, knowledge

with regards to their ecology and biology would aid in the possibility of culturing these worms to support

the rising demands.

5
 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study Area

Aurora is classified as a second-class municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Sur,

Philippines and has a population of 50,755 people in 44 barangays. It has a vast area of natural

mangrove forest and their associates, the Nypa fruiticans (K. Natingga, pers. comm., August, 2017).

3.2 Field Work

6
 3.2.1 Collection of nereid worms

Hand-picking method will be used in acquiring the nereid worms sample. Protective gloves will be

used by the researchers all throughout the picking process. The present nereid worm in each nypa will

also be counted. The collected nereid worms and dead Nypa fruticans will be segregated into labelled

bottle jars and will be fixed using 4% formalin.

Site 1A

Legend:
S =Site S1AN1
S2AN2
A = Aurora
N = Nypa
= polychaete S3AN3
Figure 2.

3.2.2 Preparation of voucher specimen

Two nereid worm will serve as voucher specimen. The formalin will be washed off from the

samples in the lab and will be replaced with 70% ethanol for preservation (Wilson, 2005).The preserved

worms will be put separately in a bottle a bottle jar with proper label.

7
3.2.3 Interview

Interview with some of the local people in Aurora will be conducted by the researchers . The

sample questions will be translated into vernacular.

3.3 Laboratory Analysis

The fixed nereid worm will be brought to the laboratory for analysis and identification.

Stereoscope and an online identification key for polychaetes will be used for identification and

morphological. Prior to the collection, a voucher specimen owned by Dr.Leopardas, was examined and

documented. The pictures were sent to an expert in polychates for identification.

Figure 3. Basic structures of a polychaete

Adapted from Invertebrate Anatomy Online. Retrieved September 13, 2017 from
http://lanwebs.lander.edu/faculty/rsfox/invertebrates/nereis.html. Copyright 2001 by Richard Fox
Lander University

8
Figure 4.

Adapted from Phylum Annelida: Habitat, Features and Classification.Biology Discussions.Retrieved

Sepetember 13, 2017, from http://www.biologydiscussion.com/invertebrate-zoology/phylum-
annelida/phylum-annelida-habitat-features-and-classification/33285. Copyright © 2017
biologydiscussion.com

3.4 Data analysis

3.4.1Taxonomy

The taxonomic identification of the nypa inhabiting worm will be confirmed by a polychaete expert

in correspondence with Dr. Leopardas (adviser). Collaborating individuals could be the first author of

“A new species of ‘Namalycastis’ (Polychaeta: Nereididae: Namanereidinae) from the shores of

South-East Asia” in the name of prof. Christopher Glasby. Available taxonomic keys for genus of

Nereididae family will also be used.

9
 3.4.2 Ecology
3.4.2.1 Habitat characterization
Data gathered through short-term observation will be used as basis for the habitat characterization.

Water samples will be brought to the laboratory for a salinity analysis using a refractometer. Air and water

temperature will be determined using a mercury thermometer. The thermometer will be inserted to the

sediment at 5 cm depth to obtain the water-sediment temperature. Sediment samples will also be

collected for organic matter content analysis. Parts of nipa palms where polychaete samples will be

collected will also be brought to laboratory for ashing to get the organic matter content.

3.4.2.2 Exploitation

The generalizations from the data acquired through interviews with the local people will be the

basis for determining the exploitation trend for the nypa inhabiting worms.

10
Figure 5. Flow Chart of methods that will be followed in this study.

11
 BUDGETARY PLAN

Item Quantity Amount

Bond paper 1 ream P 140.00

Ballpen 5 pcs. P 35.00

Folders 5 pcs. P 30.00

Internet P 1,000.00

Printing P 1,000.00

Hardbound 1 P 600.00

Transportation 5 persons P 1,300.00

Food 5 meals in 5 persons P 2,500.00

Bottle jars 12 P 500.00

Formalin 1 (15ml) P 50.00

Distilled Water 1 (4000ml) P 80.00

Labor 1 P 100.00

Panel 2 P 500.00

Adviser 1 P 500.00

TOTAL P 8,335.00
GANTT CHART

12
 2017 2018
Novembe Decembe Marc
September October January February April May
  r r h
Proposal
Packaging                  

Proposal Revision
                 
Proposal Defense
                 
Preparation of
Materials                  
Data Collection
                 
Collection of other
Parameters                  
Data Analysis
                 
Thesis Manuscript
Writing                  
Submission of 1st
Draft Revision                  
Thesis Defense
                 
Thesis Revision
                 
Submission of
Hardbound Doc.                  
Graduation
                 

4. LITERATURE CITED

13
Bait-Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons &
Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

Candus, T.2012. Biologists fear Vietnamese bait could harm Md.Nuclear worms might harbor foreign
bacteria. THE BALTIMORE SUN, Retrieved from http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2002-07-
15/news/0207150062_1_bait-worms-northern-snakehead

Dean, H. K.2008.The use of polychaetes (Annelida) as indicator species of marine pollution: a review,
Revista de Biología Tropical, vol. 56.

Ecology. (n.d.) Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014. (1991, 1994,
1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014). Retrieved September 26 2017
from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ecology

Exploitation. American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publishing Company.

Fauchald, K.1997.THE POLYCHAETE WORMS Definitions and keys to the Orders, Families and Keys to
the Orders, Families and Genera. NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY,
Science Series 28

Fox, R.2007.Invertebrate Anatomy Online. Lander University. Retrieved from

http://lanwebs.lander.edu/faculty/rsfox/invertebrates/nereis.html

Gil, J. (2016). Namalycastis rhodochorde Glasby, Miura, Nishi & Junardi, 2007. In: Read, G.; Fauchald, K.
(Ed.) (2017). World Polychaeta database. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species
at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=884153on 2017-09-19

Glasby, C. J., Miura, T., Nishi, E., & Junardi.2007. A new species of ‘Namalycastis’ (Polychaeta:
Nereididae: Namanereidinae) from the shores of South-East Asia. Beagle Rec. Mus. Art. Gall,
NT23, 21-27

Jain, K.2013. Phylum Annelida: Habitat, Features and Classification.Biology Discussions. Retrieved from
http://www.biologydiscussion.com/invertebrate-zoology/phylum-annelida/phylum-annelida-habitat-
features-and-classification/33285

Jewett & Feder, 1983. Depth distribution, habitat associations, and differential growth of newly settled
southern Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi) in embayments around Kodiak Island, Alaska or
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

Junardi, J., Anggraeni, T., Ridwan, A., Yowono, E. 2014.The maturity of Nypa palm worm
Namalycastis rhodocorde (Nereididae:Polychaeta).AIP Conference Proceedings 1589, 320.

 Kirkpatrick, M. & Barton, N. H.1997.  "Evolution of a Species' Range," The American Naturalist150, no. 1

1-23.

14
Miller, D.C., Dale, R.K., Brown, J.R., & Huggins, P.D.2004. Temperature and Salinity Tolerance of
Vietnamese Bait Worms Namalycastis sp. Implications for Establishment of a Tropical Import in
the Southeastern USA.

Moss, D., &Unabia, C.2013. Aquaculture Potential of Hawaiian Polychaetes for Use as a Shrimp
Maturation Feed.

Reish, D.J. & T.V. Gerlinger. 1997. A review of the toxicological studies with polychaetous annelids. B.
Mar.Sci. 60: 584-607.

Vallejo, S., Parra, L., Muir, A., Gonzalez, J., Piotrowski, C., & Sato, M.2014.Polychaete species
(Annelida) described from the Philippine and China Seas. Zootaxa, 3842(1), 001-068.

Wildly. (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved
September 26 2017 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/wildly

Wilson, R.2005.Marine invertebrates sample processing procedures. Museum Victoria.

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 APPENDIX

Survey Questionnaire for exploitation of Neried worms

Name: _________________________________________________ Date: ___________________

Occupation: _____________________________________________ Age: ____________________

Civil Status: Single Married Widow/Widower Sex: Male Female

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________

Years of residency: ____________________________________________________________________

Questions YES NO

1. Are you familiar with the nipa inhabiting worms?

2. Do you collect these worms?

3. Are they edible?

4. Are they for sale?

5. Are these worms inhabiting in the Nypa fruticans here in Aurora ever
since?

6. Are they present throughout the year?

7. What are they used for? Food

Aquaculture
Fish Bait
Others

Disclaimer:

Signed by: ____________________

16