Economically Important Marine Mollusks in Ilocos Sur

Abstract

The study generated benchmark information on the economically important marine mollusks in Ilocos Sur. Specifically, it tried to classify each of the organisms in terms of the local name, English name, and scientific name; identify the importance of these organisms; and determine the index of similarity of the data gathered per coastal municipality. Data collectors were assigned to gather. The needed data from the different coastal areas of Ilocos Sur. The study revealed that there were one hundred twenty (120) commercially important mollusks found in Ilocos Sur. San Esteban has the highest species diversity as indicated by the total mumber of identified mollusks species which is sixty five (65) and the least number of species are found in Sta. Lucia which is two (2). From these 120 species of mollusks, seventy two (72) belong to Class Gastropoda and forty eight (48) belong to ClassBivalvia. Most ofthe mollusks are utilizedas human food. The similarity indices among the gathered data varied from 0%- 95.24%. The highest Index of Similarity exists between Sto. Domingo and Sta. Catalina, while the lowest is between Sinait and Sta. Lucia, Cabugao and Sta. Lucia, Sto. Domingo and Sa. Lucia, San Vicente and Candon, San Vicente and Sta. Lucia, San Vicente and Tagudin, San Vicente and Sta. Cruz, Sta. Catalina and Sta. Lucia, Wigan andSanta, Wigan and Narvacan, Wigan and Candon, and Wigan and Sta. Lucia with 0%.