Green Tide-Causing Species in Northern Mindanao, Philippines: Taxonomic Profiling and Morphological Descriptions

Abstract

“Green tide”, or green macroalgal bloom, is increasingly prevalent in many localities around the world where it could contribute to ecological imbalance in coastal ecosystems. An outbreak was reported in the coastal waters along Macajalar Bay at El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, Philippines. Thus, examination and determination of the composition of the green benthic macroalgae species associated with “green tide” events in the area were conducted to better understand the origin and persistence of “green tide” blooms there and to provide initial information concerning the dynamics of the blooms. Four species of green algae, composing the “green tide” species, were identified from the study area, namely: Cladophora vagabunda, Ulva clathrata, U. intestinalis, and U. reticulata. Members of the genus Ulva often dominate the mass accumulation of fast-growing ephemeral algae frequently reported worldwide; this is one of the few reports of Cladophora species causing noxious marine blooms.