Sorsoganon researcherdiscovers new records of species in home province

Like small pieces of a puzzle, copepods complete the picture of a deep and diverse aquatic world.

In the early 1990s and in 2020, copepods, or microcrustacean species and their associated symbionts have been studied in the country – although only marked by two studies – one from a Japanese, and Filipino, researcher.

However, research by a group of students from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), led by Gabrielle Ailen Beatrize Gandia, have seemingly surfaced a new piece of the puzzle in the search for copepod species in the country.

VISIBLY INVISIBLE

Copepods are small, almost invisible organisms that cannot be seen by the naked eye, thanks to its miniscule size of a millimeter, which can go upwards of ten millimeters. This makes it quite difficult to catch, and otherwise be observed.

Said Gandia, “we used instruments smaller than a needle’s point to observe [these] species.”

In their observations, the copepods were found to be sexually dimorphic, or having separate specimens of both a male and female. However, it was also noted that the antenna of the copepods distinguished their actual sex.

According to Dussart and Defaye in 2001, these organisms serve as both consumers and producers, showing its importance in the aquatic food chain. Without it, another possible source of food under water may be lost.

In addition to this, copepods also serve as a natural sensor to balances in the ecosystem, being a “bioindicator,” according to Papa and Briones in 2012 and 2014, respectively. This ability of the copepods comes from their ability to “sense” the changes in the temperature, saltiness, acidity, and basicity of water, in a seemingly barometric manner.

However, they also serve as hosts of Diphyllobothrium latum and Dracunculus medinensis, both nematode parasites, which can invade copepods – in turn, complications from these parasites may spread to other consuming organisms, including humans.

CLEAR SURPRISES

Said Gandia, there are “no health risks to the copepods [we] observed.” However, looking into the way that copepods propagate in different areas, which will be important to ensure both health and public security.

In the study, Gandia and her team observed 19 site samples around Sorsogon – 12 of which were found to have copepods.

“It’s like completing a puzzle – in fact [our] thesis adviser immediately approved of our thesis when he heard that I was from Sorsogon,” Gandia said in an exclusive interview.

As of the writing, UST mapped locations in Iloilo, Quezon, Albay, Legazpi, and Buhi, with Gandia and her team’s study being the third in the country to focus on copepod and symbionts research.

“Our research is long-term,” Gandia said. “In terms of length, our research took a year to do,” showing that research is both a tedious and committed thought process.

OUTSIDE THE LAB

In a laboratory setting, copepods not only serve as an archive of Earth’s ecosystem, but a standard for new research. Like zebrafish, copepods can also be “model organisms” – or “model systems,” Gandia said, standards for public health and ecological research.

In addition to this, copepods’ ability to sense various changes in water can help it not only sense impending climate change, but also health risks. Red tide, which is caused by the rising water temperature levels combined with various factors, can be detected by the copepods. In turn, observation on copepods will not only unlock easy detection but also rapid response.

Outside the research setting, Gandia also desires to help her community. After publishing, Gandia plans to forward the findings to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), hoping to spark interest in further researching the copepods.

She has also since sent the paper to her town mayor in Irosin, Sorsogon, with the thought of forwarding the community’s efforts in protecting the species.

GARGANTUAN DISCOVERIES

Copepods, although microscopic, hold gargantuan potential in understanding the ecosystem. It uncovers more than the diet, but the possible effects of unseen harm to a greater picture.

Through Gandia and her team’s research on an otherwise invisible organism, there were no surprises on its effects on health and public security, ensuring safety on a larger demographic.

Outside the laboratory, Gandia wants to educate the public. Through this study, which not only shows the biodiversity of the country but the richness of our waters, interest will be pulled into these miniscule organisms.

And although small – they are gargantuan leaps in a puzzle of a beautiful picture of the wondrous and rich Philippine ecosystem.

But now, the puzzle is complete – filled with the wondrous lives of the organisms under water.