Impacts of typhoons Molave and Goni on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in Apo Reef Natural Park, Philippines.

Philippine coral reefs have significantly declined over the past 40 years, resulting in reduced coral cover and shifts in the composition of associated organisms. While research on offshore reef systems often focuses on benthic habitat cover and reef fish, limited information remains on post-disturbance macroinvertebrate communities at a local scale. This study examines the impacts of two tropical cyclones on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in Apo Reef Natural Park (ARNP), Philippines.

Effects of competition on the territorial behaviour of a farmer damselfish, Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus (Perciformes: Pomacentridae).

Aggression and territory size of the farmer damselfish Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus were examined in the presence of adjacent territories of conspecific and heterospecific farmers that maintain algal turf territories on the reefs of Anda, north-western Philippines. Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus territories with no adjacent neighbours had a mean size of 1.2 m whereas those adjacent to conspecifics were 47% smaller.