AQUACULTURE EXTENSION MANUAL NO. 43 APRIL 2009 Philippine Freshwater Prawns (Macrobrachium spp.) Maria Rowena R. Eguia Henry E. Dejarme Westly R. Rosario Editha C. Roxas Daisy Wowor Aquaculture Department Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center www.seafdec.org.ph Government of Japan Trust Fund AQUACULTURE EXTENSION MANUAL NO. 43 APRIL 2009 Philippine Freshwater Prawns (Macrobrachium spp.) Maria Rowena R. Eguia Henry E. Dejarme Westly R. Rosario Editha C. Roxas Daisy Wowor Aquaculture Department Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center www.seafdec.org.ph Government of Japan Trust Fund Aquaculture Extension Manual No. 43 PHILIPPINE FRESHWATER PRAWNS (Macrobrachium spp.) April 2009 ISBN 978-971-8511-91-6 Published and printed by Aquaculture Department Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines Copyright ©2009 Aquaculture Department Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Tigbauan, Illoilo, Philippines All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without the permission in writing from the publisher Cover page photo: Macrobrachium in tray by ML Cuvin-Aralar For your comments/suggestions, please contact: SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department Tel (63-33) 511-9170, 511-9171 Fax (63-33) 511-9070, 511-8709 Email aqdchief@seafdec.org.ph AQD website http://www.seafdec.org.ph FOREWORD SEAFDEC/AQD started research on the breeding, larval production and grow-out culture of the freshwater prawn since the 1980s, in recognition of its importance as a highvalue aquaculture species. The presence of inland bodies of water in the Philippines make the freshwater prawn a desirable culture species in landlocked areas. This publication shows the results of the study conducted by SEAFDEC/AQD’s Binangonan Freshwater Station, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mindanao State University and the Government of Japan Trust Fund on the natural distribution of freshwater prawns in the Philippines. In addition, research done in Indonesia (a SEAFDEC member-country) also found its way in this manual through Dr. Daisy Wowor, who shared her expertise in taxonomy and ecology of freshwater crustaceans. Included in this publication are information on the distinguishing features, biology, habitat, distribution and economic importance of 22 notable species of Macrobrachium in the Philippines. We hope that aquaculturists, researchers, fishers, students and teachers would find this useful in their work. May the knowledge and information gained from this manual contribute to increased awareness towards sustainable aquaculture in the countryside. Joebert D. Toledo, D. Agr. Chief SEAFDEC/AQD CONTENTS Foreword ............................................................................................................................ i Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 History and status of prawn farming in the Philippines .............................................. 2 Abundance of Philippine freshwater prawns in the wild ............................................. 3 Distribution ................................................................................................................. 3 Taxonomy .......................................................................................................................... 5 Classification ................................................................................................................ 5 General morphology ......................................................................................................... 5 External characteristics ................................................................................................ 5 Macrobrachium species in the Philippines ......................................................................... 8 Macrobrachium australe (Koua river prawn) .................................................................. 8 M. bariense ....................................................................................................................10 M. cowlesi ......................................................................................................................11 M. equidens (Rough river or Estuarine prawn) ........................................................... 12 M. esculentum (Sweet river prawn) ............................................................................. 14 M. gracilirostre ...............................................................................................................16 M. horstii .......................................................................................................................17 M. idae (Orana river prawn) ....................................................................................... 19 M. jacobsoni ...................................................................................................................21 M. jaroense ( Jaro river prawn) .. ................................................................................... 22 M. lanceifrons (Philippine river prawn) ...................................................................... 24 M. lar (Giant jungle prawn, Monkey river prawn, Tahitian prawn) ........................... 26 M. latidactylus (Scissor river prawn, Broad fingered river prawn) ............................... 28 M. latimanus (Mountain river prawn) ........................................................................ 30 M. lepidactyloides (Malayan scale prawn) .................................................................... 31 M. mamillodactylus (Knobtooth prawn)....................................................................... 33 M. nipponense ................................................................................................................35 M. placidulum ............................................................................................................. 36 M. dacqueti (Giant river prawn) ....................................................................................37 M. rosenbergii.................................................................................................................39 M. scabriculum (Goda river prawn).............................................................................. 41 M. weberi .................................................................................................................... 42 Glossary..................................................................................................................... 43 References ....................................................................................................................... 45 About the authors ........................................................................................................... 48 Acknowledgement .......................................................................................................... 50 INTRODUCTION In the Philippines, efforts in collecting and identifying freshwater prawns belonging to the taxonomic group Macrobrachium date back to 1907. It was from October 1907 – May 1910 that the USS Albatross, the first US Navy vessel for marine research, surveyed the fisheries and aquatic resources of the Philippines and its neighboring countries. Although this was historically the first recorded survey, the results of Macrobrachium species collection were published only in 1993. The Smithsonian Institute keeps in its archives, reports related to Caridean shrimps (especially Macrobrachium spp.) in Philippine inland and marine waters as collected during the Albatross Philippine Expedition (Chace 1983; Smithsonian Institution Archives website). The first publication on Macrobrachium species in the Philippines was written by Cowles (1914), who collected samples from Mindoro, Palawan and Manila in Luzon and examined the University of the Philippines’ specimens originally collected from Samar and Leyte in the Visayas and selected areas in Mindanao. He identified nine species and one subspecies of Macrobrachium which in his time, were all classified under the genus Palaemon (Cowles 1914). In the fifties, local scientists like Domantay (1956) and Estampador (1959) also studied and published relevant information on Philippine freshwater prawns. Other publications, mostly general species catalogues published by FAO and by the Smithsonian Institution Press (Chace & Bruce 1993) also became available starting in the 1980s (Holthuis 1980; Chan 1998). In 2001, the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported the status of commercially important freshwater prawns in Luzon, Philippines (Agasen unpublished). Recently, scientists from the National University of Singapore published papers on Philippine freshwater shrimps, the data for which were based on some samples collected in 1985 under the Monbusho International Scientific Research Program of the Government of Japan (Cai & Shokita 2006) and fairly recent collections made by Wowor & Ng (2007) to differentiate two M. rosenbergii subspecies. Quite a number of these publications came out only recently as there has been a renewed interest in the species, particularly those that have aquaculture potential. From 2005–2007, the Binangonan Freshwater Station of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD–BFS) in cooperation with BFAR and the Mindanao State University, with support from the Government of Japan Trust Fund, conducted a survey that validated the identity and current natural distribution of Philippine species of freshwater prawns (under the genus Macrobrachium) as part of the research program that helps promote sustainable freshwater prawn aquaculture particularly in rural areas. This manual covers the results of the aforementioned study and incorporates all available taxonomic information on Macrobrachium. It mainly describes the different Macrobrachium species found in the Philippines. Although there are a number of publications on freshwater prawns, manuals that use a format easily understood by the layman is scarce. It is hoped that this publication will be useful for researchers, academicians, fisherfolk, students and aquaculturists, as a field guide in the identification of the different Philippine freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium spp.). Our ultimate aim is to create an awareness of the variety of existing endemic prawn species and promote their conservation as they form part of the Philippines’ rich aquatic biodiversity. History and status of freshwater prawn farming in the Philippines Caridean prawns under the scientific group Macrobrachium includes the giant freshwater prawn (M. rosenbergii) which is the largest and most important cultured freshwater prawn species in Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. The Philippines has giant freshwater prawns or “ulang” and several other freshwater prawn species that are considered edible in the provinces where they abound. Propagation of some of the less popular species has been tried based on research conducted in the Philippines (e.g., Macrobrachium lanceifrons) and in the Pacific islands, particularly in Fiji and Vanuatu (M. lar). Freshwater prawn farming in the Philippines refers mainly to the culture of M. rosenbergii. Commercial prawn culture in the Philippines began in 1981 when a privately owned growout farm and a hatchery were established in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan respectively (both in Luzon, Philippines) to produce prawns for the domestic market. The farm employed foreign expertise but for unknown reasons it found little success in prawn production and soon enough the first and only commercial prawn farm in the Philippines ceased its operations (Yap 1999). In 1992, M. rosenbergii stocks from Thailand were brought in by BFAR as part of a research collaborative project under the ASEAN-EC-Aquaculture Coordination Development Program (AADCP). Simultaneous with the importation was the procurement of prawns mostly from Bulacan, Pangasinan and Laguna in Luzon, Philippines for use as founder stocks (Rosario & Tayamen 2007). Breeding trials were made and then gradually, BFAR was able to establish two prawn hatcheries using the already domesticated Thai M. rosenbergii. Prawn culture in the Philippines was revived as cooperator farms in areas near the two BFAR hatcheries in Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija in Luzon started to operate. Albeit with limited postlarval prawn production, the BFAR National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) and the Nueva Ecija-based National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center (NFFTC) hatcheries vigorously pursued the promotion and dissemination of the extensive method of farming prawns in freshwater ponds with the ultimate aim of commercializing the technology (Tayamen 2005). Since SEAFDEC/AQD-BFS restarted its research program on freshwater prawns in 2004, it has for past years sold seedstock to private and/or local government unit (LGU)-assisted freshwater prawn growers in Southern Luzon. Regular farmer clients particularly in Laguna Province use M. rosenbergii juveniles for their integrated rice-prawn farming projects. Since one of SEAFDEC/AQD’s mandates is to support BFAR-led national fisheries and aquaculture programs, it has also been actively promoting Macrobrachium culture through training and extension work. Although freshwater prawn culture technology was introduced into the Philippines more than three decades back, the Philippines has yet to produce significant volumes of farmed freshwater prawns. The Philippines hopes to boost its production by genetically improving the quality of existing hatchery stocks and further refining seed production and husbandry methods. The problems of costly and limited availability of postlarvae may be solved through the current research initiatives of both SEAFDEC and BFAR as they aim to establish sound prawn breeding and farming strategies. 2 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department Abundance of Philippine freshwater prawns in the wild The country’s domestic market is supplied mainly with freshwater prawns from capture fisheries. According to BFAR, an average of 202.5 metric tons of giant freshwater prawns alone (M. rosenbergii) were caught in 1993. The catch gradually increased from 281 metric tons in 1994 to 711 mt in 1996, then decreased from year to year until 2002 where only 291 mt were obtained from capture fisheries (Galicia & Eleserio 2003). The variable annual catch depended much on the catch per unit effort, the abundance of the species based on the spawning months and fisheries ordinances/regulations on the method employed in each fishing ground. Considering the other commercially important Palaemonid species from capture fisheries, it can be noted that there are more than 3900 metric tons of annual freshwater prawn catch. In a localized survey on economically important Philippine freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium spp.) in the wild, Agasen (2001) reported the presence of Macrobrachium rosenbergii in 10 out of 15 fishing grounds in Luzon. Seven other species namely, M. lepidactylus, M. equidens, M. idella, M. malcolmsonii, M. rude, M. mamillodactylus, and M. lanchesteri were identified in the different fishing grounds that were surveyed. However, except for M. rosenbergii, which is relatively easy to identify, the identity of the other species mentioned in the Agasen report and in some local studies require validation by crustacean taxonomists. For instance, the identity of the dominant Macrobrachium species collected from Laguna de Bay has often been reported as M. idella or M. nipponense (Agasen 2001; Antiporda 1984). From the recently completed SEAFDEC-led survey, it was verified that the actual identity of the dominant Macrobrachium species in Laguna de Bay is M. lanceifrons or the Philippine river prawn. Problems with species misidentification together with the need to look for potential sources of good quality M. rosenbergii broodstock have therefore prompted an updated and more accurate taxonomic survey of freshwater prawns in the Philippines. Natural distribution From our recent survey, fourteen Macrobrachium species were identified as occurring naturally in Philippine waters. Figure 1 is a Philippine map showing the collection sites with information on the different species specific to each site. However, apart from those identified in our survey, Cai & Shokita (2006) reported one introduced stock (M. nipponense) and three more native species (M. placidulum, M. scabriculum and M. latimanus) that have been collected in areas not included in our sampling sites. Agasen (unpublished 2001) likewise reported several other prawn species like M. rude, M. malcolmsonii, M. lanchesteri and M. idella, however as mentioned earlier, the identity of the species in this 2001 survey remains to be verified as the process of identification lacked validation by a taxonomist. Chace & Bruce (1993) described several other species, to include M. bariense, M. cowlesi and M. jacobsoni as having been identified from the Albatross Philippine expedition collections in 1907–1910. This manual shall individually describe the characteristics of a total of 22 species which, to date, are confirmed to be found in the Philippines. It is hoped that through this manual, awareness on the importance of this genetic resource both for aquaculture and conservation shall be promoted. Philippine freshwater prawns 3 SPECIES IDENTIFIED: M. australe M. equidens M. esculentum M. horsti M. idae M. jaroense M.lanceifrons M. lar M. latidactylus M. lepidactyloides M. mamillodactylus M. dacqueti M. rosenbergii M. weberi Figure 1. Sampling sites in the Philippines and the freshwater prawn species collected from each 4 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department TAXONOMY Classification Kingdom: Animalia Linnaeus, 1758 Phylum: Arthropoda Latreille, 1829 Subphylum: Crustacea Brannich, 1772 Class: Malacostraca Latreille, 1802 Subclass: Eumalacostraca Grobben 1892 Superorder: Eucarida Calman, 1904 Order: Decapoda Latreille, 1802 Suborder: Pleocyemata Burkenroad, 1963 Infraorder: Caridea Dana, 1852 Superfamily: Palaemonoidea, Rafinesque 1815 Family: Palaemonidae, Rafinesque 1815 Subfamily: Palaemoninae, Rafinesque, 1815 Genus: Macrobrachium GENERAL MORPHOLOGY External characteristics Since Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Figure 2) is a highly popular, commercially valuable species we shall refer to this as the reference species in describing the general external features of freshwater prawns. Freshwater prawns vary in size from small to very large. The largest species in the group of Palaemonid prawns, the giant freshwater prawns (especially males) can reach a maximum total body length of 320–330 mm (Ismael & New 2000; New 2002). Figure 2 shows the basic parts of a freshwater prawn. antennular flagella Chela CEPHALOTHORAX ABDOMEN antennal scale rostrum eye antennal spine pear-shaped 2nd pleuron antennal flagellum3rd cheliped or maxilliped 2nd pereiopod hepatic spine CARAPACE ABDOMINAL SEGMENTS (6) pleopods (5) pereiopods or walking legs uropod telson Figure 2. Basic parts of a freshwater prawn Philippine freshwater prawns 5 Figure 3. Parts of the cephalothorax of species belonging to the taxonomic group Palaemoninae (line drawing from Pereira, 1997). A. carapace; B. antennal spine; C. branchiostegal spine; D. hepatic spine; E. supraorbital spine; F. branchiostegal suture; G.branchiostegal groove; H. rostrum; I. rostrum keel; J. spinules berried female with eggs egg cluster Figure 4. Berried female freshwater prawn Like the shrimps, freshwater prawns have two parts –   t  he cephalothorax (head) and the abdomen (tail). Cephalothorax is a fusion of the cephalon and the thorax and the fusion is such that no distinct separation or segmentation is visible. The cephalon has six pairs of appendages: the eyes, antennules, antenna, mandibles, maxillula and maxillae (not indicated in Figure 2). The last three pairs of appendages comprise the small mouthparts which are usually covered by the first three pairs of appendages of the thorax. The head is protected by a smooth and hard shield cover known as carapace. It is smooth, spinulate or tuberculate depending on the species. The spinules and tubercles are especially developed in old adult males. The carapace has a hepatic spine (see Figure 3) and a branchiostegal suture but does not possess a branchiostegal spine. The carapace has a pointed upper front part referred to as the rostrum. The rostrum, which seldom has an elevated basal crest (Chace & Bruce 1993), has teeth on both its dorsal and ventral sides. The number of dorsal teeth refers to two sets or range of numbers as follows: e.g., 4–6 + 5–7, where “4–6” refers to the range of the number of teeth that can be found on the carapace and posterior to the orbital margin, while “5–7” is the possible number of dorsal rostral teeth found anterior or in front of the orbital margin. The thorax has eight 6 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department appendages. The first three thoracic appendages are referred to as maxillipeds and are also considered as mouthparts. However of the three maxillipeds, the third maxilliped (see Figure 2) is often mistaken for a walking leg. The remaining five of the eight appendages found in the thorax are called pereiopods or true walking legs. The first two pairs of pereiopods may or may not have pincers or chelae (a pereiopod with chelae is also called cheliped) while the last three pairs (also called walking legs) have simple dactylus or fingers that are shorter than their propodus (Chan 1998). The prawn’s abdomen is made up of six somites or segments each covered with a flap called pleuron. Its second abdominal segment has a greatly expanded pleuron that is pear–shaped and overlaps the end part of the first pleuron and the anterior part of the third pleuron (Figure 2). This characteristic sets the Macrobrachium spp. apart from the penaeid shrimps. In penaeids, the second pleuron does not overlap with the end part of the first pleuron. Each of the Macrobrachium’s abdominal segment possesses a pair of appendages referred to as pleopods or swimmerets. In female prawns, the pleopods have attachment sites for eggs since it is under the abdomen where “berried” prawns (mature female prawns with eggs, Figure 4) carry their eggs. The sixth or last abdominal segment has hard and stiff swimmerets and these are called uropods. The uropods, together with the telson (the middle appendage on the end of the sixth abdominal segment) form the tail fan of the prawn. The tail fan is used by the animal in propelling itself or in swimming in a backward motion. There are 175 recognized species and subspecies of Macrobrachium in the world of which 39 species have been recorded in the Philippine-Indonesian region. (Chace & Bruce 1993). The taxonomic key for describing adult males from some of these various minor 2nd pereiopod merus ischium carpus major 2nd pereiopod propodus finger or dactylus pincer or chela Figure 5. The major parts of a cheliped rostral teeth total length body length carapace length Figure 6. Principal measurements used in characterizing prawns Philippine freshwater prawns 7 species focus mainly on (a) the number of “teeth” on the rostrum; (b) the morphological features and size or length of specific pereiopod parts relative to the other pereiopod parts (e.g. carpus length in terms of merus length, etc.); (c) presence/absence of pubescence/ tubercles/spinules on the different parts of the second pereiopod; (d) equal or unequal size of chelipeds; and (e) the length of the rostrum in relation to the antennal scale, among others. To enable a better understanding of the taxonomic description for each of the species in this manual, we have included pictures showing the major parts of the second pereiopod (Figure 5) as well as the principal measurements (Figure 6) used in describing prawns. In this manual, the various length measurements are expressed in millimeters. The manual format is such that photographs of live/preserved specimens and/or line drawings, a summary of the distinguishing features, habitat, distribution or collection sites in the Philippines (and in the rest of the world), economic importance and other important information about the species are provided. Data on the sites where the species are found are based on the following: (1) Cai & Shokita (2006) publication; (2) Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas (2005–2007) survey; (3) Chace & Bruce (1993) publication on the Albatross Philippine expedition in 1907–1910 and the (4) Liu et al. 2007 paper on molecular systematics of East Asian Macrobrachium species. MACROBRACHIUM SPECIES IN THE PHILIPPINES Macrobrachium australe (Guérin–Méneville 1838) Koua river prawn DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. The maximum recorded total length of M. australe is 105 mm for males and 77 mm for females (Holthuis 1980). From the recently collected Philippine samples, the longest specimen is 100 mm with a carapace length of 46 mm. The rostrum has a gap in its anterior dorsal part; the dorsal or upper rostral teeth usually range from 2–4 + 7–10 while the ventral teeth ranges from 2–8 (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pereiopods are long, subcylindrical, unequal in length and dissimilar in form. They are covered with spinules, spines and short velvety hair. The cutting edges of the fingers have more than 10 teeth. The palm of the second major pereiopod is not covered by dense stiff bristles unlike the minor pereiopod’s chela which has stiff bristles. The bristles on the minor chela functions like a net to catch prey with (Mariappan et al. 2000). On the other hand, the major chela is used for picking up prey. This major chela is slightly longer than the carpus while the carpus is less than twice as long as the merus. HABITAT. M. australe lives in freshwater but part of their early development requires staying in salt and/or brackishwater. 8 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department chela slightly longer than carpus subcylindrical palm fingers w/ teeth 2nd pereiopods unequal in length NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Caboroan, Bauang River in La Union; Iraan and Agan Rivers in Mindoro1; Buguey in Cagayan2; and Naujan River in Mindoro3 • Visayas – Tangyan River in Igbaras, Iloilo,;Cairawan River in Laua-an, Antique2; Malaga River, Hinunangan Bay in Leyte; and Mananga River in Cebu3,4 • Mindanao – Pikit Side of Liguasan Marsh2 Rest of the world The Koua river prawn is a common and widely distributed species in the Indo-West Pacific (from Madagascar and the Seychelles through the Indian Ocean to Taiwan, Indonesia and the Pacific Islands). ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. Macrobrachium australe is noted to be an important commercial species in Fiji and Madagascar (Holthuis 1980; also as cited in New et al. 2000). 1Cai & Shokita 2006 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 3Chace & Bruce 1993 4Liu et al. 2007 Philippine freshwater prawns 9 Macrobrachium bariense (De Man 1892)a (a) (b) (c) Figure 7. Line drawings of the (a) carapace (from Chace and Bruce, 1se9cF9oig3nu)rd,e(bp6.)esLemrceinoaienojdopdrrpoaeswdreeiin(cofgoprsoonodmdf(ftpdrhoeeemr(eMad)ieoacMnpar,oaa1npd,a8c1(e9f8r92(of2)rm)o,omafdnCMdeh(.Mcab)ceaamnraiinn,eod1nr8sBsee9ruc2ocen),,da1p9ne9rd3ei)(o,cp()obmd) m(ifnraojoomrr de Man, 1892) of the Macrobrachium bariense. DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. M. bariense has a maximum carapace length of about 15 mm and a rostrum that nearly reaches the level of the tip of the antennal scale (Figure 7a). The dorsal margin of the rostrum is almost straight, with teeth ranging from 4–6 + 8 and 2–4 subequally spaced ventral rostral teeth (Chace & Bruce 1993). This prawn has robust, unequal and dissimilar second pereiopods which are covered with blunt spines. The major second pereiopod has a compressed palm and fingers that have at least 6 teeth spread out along the cutting edges. The chela of the major second pereiopod is twice as long as carpus, and the carpus is shorter than merus and has no longitudinal grooves. The minor second pereiopod (or the smaller second pereiopod) has fingers that open widely unlike the fingers of the major second pereiopod. It is covered with scattered long stiff bristles and the fingers have no teeth. HABITAT. Adults thrive in freshwater; no data on habitat preference for early stages NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines (first reported in 1908, Albatross Philippine Expedition) • Luzon – none found in the surveyed areas • Visayas – none found in the surveyed areas • Mindanao – Malabang River in Mindanao3 Rest of the world Indonesia and Palau Islands (Marquet et al. 2002) ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. No data available aThis species was reported in Chace & Bruce (1993). Unfortunately, no digital photograph is available for this species as we have not found the species in our survey. However, Chace & Bruce (1993) published a line drawing of the M. bariense species based on a sample collected in Mindanao in May 1908 during the Albatross Philippine expedition 3Chace & Bruce 1993 10 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department Macrobrachium cowlesi (Holthuis 1950)b DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. This species has a maximum carapace length of 20 mm. Its rostrum does not go beyond the tip of the antennal scale and the dorsal margin of the rostrum is slightly convex (Figure 8a). It has 6–7 + 8 subequally spaced dorsal rostral teeth and two ventral rostral teeth (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pereiopods are robust, unequal in length, dissimilar in form and covered with blunt spines. The major or larger second pereiopod has a compressed palm with two patches of dense, long, soft velvety hair. The fingers of the major chela have one large tooth and at least ten tubercles along the cutting edges (Figure 8b) or opposing internal margins. The fingers are gaping and subequal to the palm in length. The chela is about thrice as long as the carpus and the carpus is shorter than the merus. On the other hand the minor second pereiopod has fingers less than 1 1/2 times as long as the palm, no teeth (Figure 8c) and are covered with scattered long stiff bristles (Figure 8b). HABITAT. No data available NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – known only from two syntypes from Manila water supply • Visayas – none found in the surveyed areas • Mindanao – none found in the surveyed areas Rest of the world Sumba in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia (Holthuis 1978) ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. No data available (a) (b) (c) FiguFriegur8e .7L. Lininee ddrarwaiwngsinbagssedboan sCeowdleos n(19C14o) wofltehes((a1) c9ar1ap4ac)eo, (fb)thmeajo(ras)econd carapace,pe(rbei)opmoda, joanrdse(cc)onmdinopr esreecoinodpopedre,ioapnodd ((tcw)omreinndoerrinsgse) coofndthe pereiopoMda(ctrwoboracrheiunmdcoewrliensi.gs) of M. cowlesi bThis species was also reported in Chace & Bruce (1993) and was identified from a sample found in the Manila water supply. Unfortunately no digital photograph is available for this species as we have not found the same in our survey Philippine freshwater prawns 11 Macrobrachium equidens (Dana 1852) Rough river or Estuarine prawn DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. The earlier recorded maximum total length for M. equidens is about 98 mm (Holthuis 1980). A sample from our survey was 140 mm long with a carapace length of about 25 mm. The rostrum, which reaches the distal end of the antennal scale, has a convex or slightly sinuous dorsal margin thus making the rostrum look upturned. There are 2–4 + 7–9 unequally spaced dorsal rostral teeth while the number of ventral rostral teeth ranges from 4–7 (Chace & Bruce 1993). Cai et al. 2004 pointed out differences in rostral form and body color in some samples hence taxonomic confusion is possible. The long second pair of pereiopods is marbled, dark brown in color like a tortoise shell and, except for the fingers, is abundantly covered with spines and spinules. Subequal in length and similar in form, the second pereiopods have fingers (the movable dactylus and the fixed finger called pollex) covered with soft, dense, short velvety hair. The fingers only have one or two enlarged proximal teeth on the cutting edges while the rest of the edges do not have teeth. The fingers are roughly ¾ as long as the “hairless” palm. The chela is longer than the carpus, while the carpus is 1 2/3 to 1 ¾ as long as the merus. BIOLOGY . M. equidens breed in brackishwater and seawater (Chan 1998). They produce small eggs that hatch into free-swimming larvae that are part of the marine plankton (as cited in Yeo et al. 1999). This species is only one among 20 known Macrobrachium spp. whose early larval development has been studied under laboratory conditions (Ngoc-Ho 1976; Koizumi 2001). HABITAT. Usually estuarine but prefers living in brackishwater. Smaller animals can be found in mangrove creeks and prawn ponds. M. equidens rarely goes beyond tidal freshwater. 12 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Bahile River in Palawan1; Villaflor River in Mindoro1; Naguilian River1 Abra River3; Barroro River in La Union1,3; Cagayan, Sta Ana and Pamplona Rivers in Cagayan3; Pantal River and Bayambang swamp in Pangasinan3; Donsol River in Sorsogon3 • Visayas – Siwaragan River in San Joaquin, Panay Island1 • Mindanao – Tambulig/ Aurora in Zamboanga del Sur2, Layawan in Oroquieta2, San Francisco River in Surigao del Norte1 Rest of the world M. equidens is found in a very wide area in the Indo-West Pacific, from Madagascar to South China, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands (Kutty et al. 2000; Cai et al. 2004). It is also found in Nigeria where it is an introduced species that contributes to 3.8% of the total catch of the multi-species Macrobrachium fishery in the Cross River Estuary (Chace & Bruce, 1993; Nwosu FM 2008). It has been noted that this species colonized the eastern Niger Delta sometime in 1980–1981 (Powell 1986). The mode of introduction is untraceable but there is a possibility that it came with the ballast water of oil tankers moving in and out of the Niger Delta (Powell 1986). ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. It is an important commercial species in the Philippines (Domantay 1956; New & Valenti 2000), as well as in India and Indonesia (Holthuis 1980). M. equidens could be tested for possible introduction into aquaculture (Kutty et al. 2000). REMARKS/OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION. M. equidens and M. mammillodactylus females are observed to be similar (Chace & Bruce 1993). The main difference is that the M. equidens’ second chelipeds are marbled like tortoise shell while M. mammillodactylus’ chelipeds are longitudinally striped. Cowles (1914) noted that M. equidens lacks the conspicuous T-shaped pigment mark on the lateral surface of the carapace in M. mammillodactylus. 1Cai & Shokita 2006 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 3Chace & Bruce 1993 Philippine freshwater prawns 13 Macrobrachium esculentum (Thallwitz 1891) Sweet river prawn top view of M. esculentum rostrum not beyond antennal scale inflated compressed palm teeth on cutting edges merus longer than carpus carpus shorter than chela (and palm) DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. M. esculentum can grow to as long as 71 mm while the maximum carapace length is about 25 mm. Its rostrum does not go beyond the distal end of the antennal scale. It has 5–6 + 7–8 dorsal rostral teeth and two ventral rostral teeth (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pair of pereiopods is robust, unequal in length and dissimilar in form and covered with spines. The larger or major second cheliped has an inflated compressed palm which is covered entirely with long velvety hairlike structures (see photo above). The fingers of the major second cheliped are not covered with dense velvety hair and have at least ten teeth along the cutting edges. The fingers, which are gaping, are either longer or shorter than the palm. The chela and the palm are longer than the carpus while the carpus is shorter than merus and has no longitudinal grooves. On the other hand, the fingers of the minor second pereiopod are longer than the palm. 14 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department BIOLOGY. No data available HABITAT. The sweet river prawns live in freshwater (Holthuis 1980) but are also noted to be euryhaline (Liu et al. 2007). NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Bauang River in La Union1;Buguey in Cagayan2 • Visayas – Cairawan River, Lau–an in Antique2; Cebu4 • Mindanao – Agusan River in Agusan del Sur2 Rest of the world M. esculentum is also found in Taiwan (Shy & Yu 1998 as cited in Liu et al. 2007) and Indonesia. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. Domantay (1956) first reported this species in the Philippines, where it is also listed as one of the most important commercial species (also as cited in New et al. 2000). 1Cai & Shokita 2006 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 4Liu et al. 2007 Philippine freshwater prawns 15 Macrobrachium gracilirostre (Miers 1875)c DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. M. gracilirostre’s rostrum does not reach the end of the antennal scale and its dorsal margin is almost straight and very slightly convex or sinuous. There are 5–6 + 3–4 dorsal rostral teeth while there are only 2 ventral ones (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pereiopods are long, subequal in length, look similar and are covered with rounded appressed scales. Its fingers are hairless except for few tufts of scattered long stiff bristles. The fingers (dactyl and pollex), which are ¾ as long as the palm, do not open widely and have 1–2 enlarged teeth on the proximal part of the cutting edges. The chela is about 1 ½ times as long as the carpus, the carpus is longer than the merus and has no longitudinal grooves. The recorded maximum carapace length of M. gracilirostre is about 25 mm. BIOLOGY. No data available HABITAT. Freshwater for adults but no data available for larval stages NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – none found in the surveyed areas • Visayas – Malaga River, Leyte3 • Mindanao – none found in the surveyed areas Rest of the world According to Chace & Bruce (1993), M. gracilirostre is also found in Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, the Moluccas, Lesser Sunda Islands, New Ireland, Fiji and Samoa Islands. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. No data available cUnfortunately, we have not found any M. gracilirostre in our survey. However, Chace & Bruce (1993) published a line drawing of this species based on a sample collected in Malaga River, Leyte in July 1909 during the Albatross Philippine expedition 3Chace & Bruce 1993 16 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department Macrobrachium horstii (De Man 1892) rostrum does not reach end of antennal scale chela less than 2x as long as carpus merus shorter than carpus fingers not gaping widely fingers half as long as palm compressed palm w/ no pubescence PHOTO BY MN SANTOS DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. M. horstii’s maximum total length based on recently collected samples is 38 mm while the maximum carapace length is 20 mm. The rostrum, which does not reach the end of the antennal scale, is roughly 0.55 times the length of the carapace. The rostrum’s dorsal margin is moderately convex with 4 + 8 subequally spaced rostral teeth. The number of ventral rostral teeth ranges from 2–3 (Chace & Bruce 1993). The stout and rather long second pereiopods look similar and are subequal in length. It is covered with appressed scales. The fingers, which have 3–4 teeth and 2 rows of tubercles on the distal cutting edges, do not open widely. The fingers are half to about three quarters as long as the palm. The chela is less than twice as long as the carpus. The carpus is slightly longer than the merus, which does not have longitudinal grooves. Philippine freshwater prawns 17 BIOLOGY. No data available HABITAT. Freshwater and brackishwater (Liu et al. 2007) NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Cabraran River4 (Yeo et al. 1999) • Visayas – Leyte1 (Cai & Ng 2001); Cairawan River (Laua-an, Antique)2 • Mindanao – none found in the surveyed areas Rest of the world Sulawesi, Lombok and Bali in Indonesia (Holthuis 1950); Australia; Taiwan (Chace & Bruce 1993) ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. No data available 1Cai & Shokita 2006 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 4Liu et al. 2007 18 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department Macrobrachium idae (Heller 1862) Ida’s river prawn, Orana river prawn or long-armed prawn rostrum / straight dorsal margin subcylindrical palm carpus longer than chela DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. The reported maximum total length of M. idae is 69 mm while the maximum carapace length is 20 mm. The rostrum reaches nearly as far as or slightly beyond the antennal scale and its dorsal margin is straight or very slightly sinuous. The number of subequally spaced dorsal rostral teeth is 2–3 + 6–9 while the ventral rostral teeth is 3–4 (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pereiopods or chelipeds are long, similar in shape, subequal in length and covered with tubercles. The chela of the second pereiopods have subcylindrical palms which are more than half as long as the carpus and the movable finger is entirely covered by short velvety hair. Both fingers have two large teeth. Compared to the carpus, the chela and merus are shorter. Philippine freshwater prawns 19 BIOLOGY. No data available HABITAT. Freshwater/brackishwater NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Tarlac2; Naujan River in Mindoro3; Laguna de Bay; Albay; Camarines Sur (Estampador 1959); Sorsogon2 • Visayas – none found in the surveyed areas • Mindanao – none found in the surveyed areas Rest of the world M. idae is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific. It is found in Madagascar (Kutty et al 2000), Thailand (Naiyanetr 1992), Malay Peninsula (Ng 1990), Indonesia (Holthuis 1950; Chace & Bruce 1993) and Singapore ( Johnson 1963). ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. M. idae is commercially important in Madagascar and in South India. It can be tried in experimental aquaculture (Kutty et al. 2000). 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 3Chace & Bruce 1993 20 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department Macrobrachium jacobsoni (Holthuis 1950)d DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. M. jacobsoni’s maximum recorded carapace length is less than 25 mm. The rostrum has a straight dorsal margin and almost reaches the tip of the antennal scale (Figure 9a). The number of subequally spaced dorsal rostral teeth ranges from 5–6 + 7–9. Its margin is nearly straight or slightly convex. The number of ventral rostral teeth is 3–4 (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pereiopods are robust, distinctly unequal in length, look similar and covered with spines. The larger second pereiopod has a compressed palm (about 1 ¾ times as long as the carpus) clothed with long velvety hair while the fingers have at least ten teeth along the cutting edges but do not have dense velvety hair (Figure 9b). The chela is 3 ½ times as long as the carpus, while the carpus is more than 4/5 as long as the merus. BIOLOGY. No data available HABITAT. No data available NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – none found in the surveyed areas • Visayas – none found in the surveyed areas • Mindanao – no specific site mentioned (Chace & Bruce 1993) Rest of the world (a) M. jacobsoni is found in Sinabang area of Pulau Simeulue off the Indian Ocean coast of northwestern Sumatra, Indonesia. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. No data available (a) (a) (b) (b) (b) (c) Figure 8. Line drawings based on Holthuis (1950) of the (a) carapace, (b) major second pereiopods (two renderings), and (c) minor pereiopod of the Macrobrachium jacobsoni. Figure 9. Line drawings based on Holthuis (1950) of the (a) carapace, (b) major second pereiopods (two renderings), and (c) minor pereiopod of M. jacobsoni (c) (c) dThis species was reported in Chace & Bruce (1993) and was identified from a sample found in Mindanao. Figure 8. Line drawings based on Holthuis (1950) of the (a) carapace, (b) major Unfortunately, nsoecodnidgiptearleipophoodsto(gtwroaprhendiesrianvgsa)i, laabndle(cf)ormtinhoirs psepreeicopieods aosf wthee have not found them in our survey FiguMreac8r.oLbrinaechdiuramwjiancgosbbsoansei.d on Holthuis (1950) of the (a) carapace, (b) major second pereiopods (two renderings), and (c) minor pereiopod of the Macrobrachium jacobsoni. Philippine freshwater prawns 21 Macrobrachium jaroense (Cowles 1914) Jaro river prawn PHOTO BY JC MENDOZA no defined basal crest compressed palm distinct longitudinal groove palm as long as carpus fingers 1.25x as long as palm 22 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. The earlier recorded maximum length of M. jaroense is 72 mm for males and 62 mm for females (Holthuis 1980 as cited in New et al. 2000) while the maximum carapace length is less than 20 mm. From the recently collected samples, M. jaroense’s maximum total length is 76 mm. Its rostrum does not go beyond the tip of the antennal scale. The dorsal margin of the rostrum is curving upwards but the rostrum has no distinct dorsal crest. There are 4–6 + 5–7 dorsal rostral teeth that are unequally spaced (more widely spaced on the posterior end) while there are 2–3 ventral rostral teeth (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pereiopods are robust, similar but unequal in length. They are covered with appressed scales. The larger second pereiopod has a compressed palm with one or two enlarged teeth at the proximal edge and two rows of tubercles on each distal cutting edge of the fingers. The fingers are slightly gaping and are concealed with tufts of long stiff bristles. The palm is as long as the carpus while the carpus is longer than the merus. The carpus has a distinct but shallow longitudinal groove. The minor or smaller second pereiopod has fingers that are 1 ¼ times as long as the palm. BIOLOGY. No data available HABITAT. Adults found in freshwater while no data on habitat preference is available for larval stages NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Pugo River, Alag, Villaflor; Bongabong and Iraan Rivers in Mindoro; Gabriel, Tag Bariri and Papait Rivers in Palawan1 • Visayas – Manuanga and Sagay Rivers in Cebu; Pitogo River in Panay1,3; Hibucawan River near Jaro, Leyte3; Tangyan River in Igbaras, Iloilo2; Cairawan River, Laua-an in Antique2 • Mindanao – Pikit side of Liguasan Marsh; Layawan in Oroquieta2 Rest of the world M. jaroense is also found in Taiwan (Hwang and Yu 1982; Chace & Bruce 1993). ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. This species is one among several commercially important prawns in the Philippines (Domantay, 1956; New et al. 2000). 1Cai & Shokita 2006 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 3Chace & Bruce 1993 Philippine freshwater prawns 23 Macrobrachium lanceifrons (Dana 1852) Philippine river prawn rostrum slightly curve upwards 2nd pereiopods unequal length, similar form subcylindrical palm eggs  berried female M. lanceifrons DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. The maximum total length from recently collected samples is 53 mm although the largest reported M. lanceifrons is 61 mm (with a maximum carapace length of 20 mm). The tip of the rostrum is slightly curved upwards in full grown prawns. The rostrum sometimes extends beyond the tip of the antennal scale. Dorsal rostral teeth ranging from 1–2 + 7–11 are subequally spaced (the teeth are more widely spaced in the anterior margin) while the ventral rostral teeth range from 2–4 (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pair of pereiopods is long, slender and equal in length when the prawns are young but become unequal when fully grown. The pereiopods are covered with spines. Compared to female M. lanceifrons, male prawns have longer pereiopods with long velvety hair on the movable finger. The fingers have 1–2 enlarged teeth at the proximal edge and two rows of tubercles along the distal cutting edges. Upon reaching 30 mm total length, female M. lanceifrons produce eggs from 179 to 781 pieces depending on the female breeder’s size (Rasalan et al. 1969). 24 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department BIOLOGY. A linear relationship between the number of eggs carried by berried females and carapace length has been shown in M. lanceifrons (Rasalan et al. 1969). HABITAT. Freshwater NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Binga Lake, Sampalok Lake in San Pablo, Laguna; Naujan Lake in Mindoro; Pagsanjan River in Laguna; Naguillan river in La Union1; Tarlac; Laguna Lake2; Santa Cruz in Laguna; Marikina river, Antipolo3; San Juan River near Manila (Estampador 1959) • Visayas – none found in the surveyed areas • Mindanao – Lake Mainit in Caraga region2 Rest of the world It is the only endemic Macrobrachium species for the Philippines as it has not been reported elsewhere. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. Locally called hipon tagunton, it is one of the commercially important prawn species in Laguna de Bay or Laguna Lake, Luzon, Philippines as it is used for human consumption and for duck feed (as cited in New et al. 2000). Except for M. lanceifrons, many of the other species noted to be found in Laguna Lake in the 1950’s and earlier (e.g. M. equidens etc. as reported in Estampador 1959) are no longer caught in Laguna Lake. 1Cai & Shokita 2006 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 3Chace & Bruce 1993 Philippine freshwater prawns 25 Macrobrachium lar (Fabricius 1798) Giant jungle prawn, Monkey river prawn, Tahitian prawn fingers 3/4 or as long as palm subcylindrical palm merus shorter than the carpus, which is shorter than the palm rostrum does not reach end of antennal scale DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. The maximum recorded total length for M. lar is 181 mm and the maximum carapace length is 55 mm. The rostrum does not reach the end of the antennal scale. The dorsal rostral teeth formula is 2 + 5–7 while the ventral rostral teeth ranges from 2–4 (Chace & Bruce 1993). M. lar’s second pair of pereiopods are long, slender and usually unequal in length but similar in form. These pereiopods are covered with soft appressed spines. The palm of the cheliped is subcylindrical. The gaping fingers, which are ¾ to as long as the palm, have only one large tooth at its proximal part. The chela is more than 3 ½ times as long as the carpus, the palm is slightly longer than the carpus while the carpus is shorter than the merus. The carpus has a shallow longitudinal groove. The chela is more developed in males. Berried females bear greenish eggs. BIOLOGY. They feed on almost anything, from algae and plant matter. Adults are found mainly in freshwater streams while larvae complete at least 11 zoeal marine pelagic stages within three months. Once they reach the postlarval stage, the prawns go to freshwater habitats to complete their life cycle. 26 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department HABITAT. Freshwater except for juvenile stages which are found in brackishwater or seawater NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Sapilan Village, Tag Bariri in Palawan; Villaflor river in Mindoro1; Sablan in Benguet; Calawagan River, Varadero Bay and Mountain in Mindoro3; Buguey, Pamplona and Gonzaga in Cagayan; Real in Quezon and Baler in Aurora2 ; San Juan river near Manila; Bataan; Puerto Galera in Mindoro (Estampador 1959) • Visayas – Manuanga and Sagay Rivers in Cebu1,3,4; Cairawan river in Laua–an, Antique2 • Mindanao – Layawan in Oroquieta2; Nonucan River; Iligan Bay and a small stream in Mati, Pujada Bay3; Zamboanga and Pasananca (Estampador 1959) Rest of the world Widely distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific: from East Africa to the Ryukyu Islands; an introduced species in Hawaii (Holthuis 1980); Indonesia (Chace & Bruce 1993) ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. Domantay (1956) listed M. lar as a commercially important species in the Philippines. As it is large, it is caught and eaten as traditional food in Mauritius, Indonesia, Tahiti, Fiji, Guam, Marianas and Vanuatu (Nandlal 2005). M. lar has been used for experimental aquaculture in Malaysia, Taiwan, Hawaii and Tahiti (Holthuis 1980). This species is also commercially valuable in Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Indonesia and the Marianas Islands (Holthuis 1980; also as cited in New et al. 2000). 1Cai & Shokita 2006 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 3Chace & Bruce 1993 4Liu et al. 2007 Philippine freshwater prawns 27 Macrobrachium latidactylus (Thallwitz 1891) Scissor river prawn, broad-fingered river prawn fingers 2/3 as long as palm compressed palm carpus longer than merus fingers 1 2/3 as long as palm DISTINGUISHING FEATURES The maximum total length of M. latidactylus from recently collected samples is 81 mm while the maximum carapace length is about 25 mm. The rostrum does not reach the tip of the antennal scale. Its dorsal rostral margin is very slightly convex. The dorsal rostral teeth range from 3–5 + 10–11 while the number of ventral rostral teeth is from 2–5 (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pair of pereiopods is robust, spiny, unequal in length and does not look the same. The large or major second pereiopod has a compressed palm with fingers that are not hairy and have at least seven teeth on the cutting edges. The gaping fingers are about 2/3 to 1 1/3 times as long as the palm. The chela is 3/4 times as long as the carpus and the carpus is 1 ¼ times as long as the merus. The minor second pereiopod has fingers (with no teeth) that are 1 2/3 times as long as the palm. BIOLOGY. No data available HABITAT. Freshwater and brackishwater 28 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Malayas river in Victoria, Mindoro; Alag River in Mindoro; Naguillan river in La Union; Sta Rosa; Sta Cruz River in Palawan1; Lubang Island and Naujan River in Mindoro; Malabon market; a river in Batangas; Tayabas in Quezon; Basud River; Nato River in Lagonoy Gulf; Legaspi in Albay; Damaea River3; Buguey in Cagayan; Sorsogon2; Mariveles, Bataan; and Camarines Sur (Estampador 1959) • Visayas – Siwaragan river in San Joaquin, Panay Island; Daakrongsod river in Cebu1,; Tangyan river in Igbaras, Iloilo; Divisoria in Leyte; Antique in Panay Island2; Pangarauan River; Port Caltom in Busuanga Island; Malaga River, Hinunangan Bay in Leyte3; Bohol4; Samar; and Jaro in Leyte (Estampador 1959) • Mindanao – San Francisco River in Surigao del Norte1; Surigao River3; Oroquieta, Lake Lanao in Lanao del Sur; Mangagoy river in Surigao del Sur2,3; Zamboanga River3; Agusan River2 (Estampador 1959) Rest of the world Commonly found in the Indo-West Pacific, distributed widely throughout Indonesia, Malaysia (Chace & Bruce 1993), Thailand ( Johnson 1963), Southern China, Taiwan, Sri Lanka to Ryukyu Islands. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. No data available 1Cai & Shokita 2006 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 3Chace & Bruce 1993 4Liu et al. 2007 Philippine freshwater prawns 29 Macrobrachium latimanus (von Martens 1868)e PHOTO BY PKL NG DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. The maximum carapace length of M. latimanus is about 30 mm. The rostrum does not reach the tip of the antennal scale and the rostrum’s dorsal margin is convex. The dorsal rostral teeth range from 1–2 + 5–10 while the ventral rostral teeth range from 2–4 (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pair of pereiopods covered with soft and pliable spines is robust, subequal in length and similar in form. M. latimanus has compressed palms with fingers that are not densely pubescent. The fingers have at least one large tooth and few smaller teeth on the cutting edges. The fingers which are not noticeably gaping are ½ to as long as the palm. The chela is about 3 times shorter than the merus which has a faint longitudinal groove. BIOLOGY. Akane et al. (2006) studied the complete larval development of M. latimanus from laboratory-reared material in Japan. Based on their research, M. latimanus has eleven zoeal stages and one decapodid stage. HABITAT. Freshwater and brackishwater NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Maagnas, Lagonoy Gulf 3 • Visayas – Loquilocon in Samar3 (Estampador 1959); Cebu4 • Mindanao – Mount Apo3 Rest of the world India, Sri Lanka, Ryukyu Islands, Indonesia, eastward to Marquesas ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. No data available eThis species was first described by von Martens in 1868 based on a male specimen collected from Loquilocum in Samar Island. However, we have not found this species in our survey 3Chace & Bruce 1993 4Liu et al. 2007 30 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department Macrobrachium lepidactyloides (De Man 1892) Malayan scale prawn PHOTO BY MN SANTOS rostrum does not reach tip of antennal scale fingers 1 3/4 times longer than palm DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. M. lepidactyloides has a maximum total length of 87 mm and a maximum carapace length of 25 mm. The rostrum does not reach the tip of the antennal scale and its dorsal rostral margin is slightly sinuous. The unequally spaced dorsal rostral teeth range from 5–7 + 4–6 while the ventral rostral teeth range from 2–4 (Chace & Bruce 1993). The robust second pair of pereiopods is unequal in length, dissimilar in form and covered with appressed scales. The large second pereiopod has a distinct broad, compressed and inflated palm with fingers that are not densely pubescent. The fingers have one large tooth and two rows of tubercles along the distal cutting edges. The chela is more than twice as long as the carpus while the carpus is as long as the merus. The carpus has a shallow longitudinal groove. The smaller second pereiopod has gaping fingers that are 1 ¾ times as long as the palm. The fingers are concealed with long stiff bristles and they have no teeth. BIOLOGY. No data available Philippine freshwater prawns 31 HABITAT. Freshwater but is noted to be euryhaline (Liu et al. 2007) NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Tag Bariri, Panitian and Panibacan rivers in Palawan; Agan river in Mindoro1; Abra River2 • Visayas – Siwaragan river in San Joaquin, Panay1; Antique2 • Mindanao – Mabuhay river in Mindanao; Zamboanga River3 Rest of the world Indo-West Pacific, Malay archipelago, Fiji, Indonesia (Chace & Bruce 1993), Taiwan ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. Domantay (1956) listed this species among the economically important prawns in the Philippines (also as cited in New et al. 2000). 1Cai & Shokita 2006 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 3Chace & Bruce 1993 32 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department Macrobrachium mamillodactylus (Thallwitz 1892) Knobtooth prawn rostrum does not go beyond antennal scale carpus 2x as long as merus chela 1 1/4x as long as carpus finger half as long as palm subcylindrical palm DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. The maximum total length recorded for M. mamillodactylus is 137 mm (Hothuis 1980) while the maximum carapace length is 40 mm. The rostrum, which has a sinuous dorsal margin, usually does not go beyond the antennal scale. The dorsal rostral teeth (which are more widely spaced posteriorly than anteriorly) range from 2–3 + 9–12 while there are 2–5 ventral rostral teeth (Chace & Bruce 1993). M. mammillodactylus has distinctively long and slender second pereiopods which are covered by tubercles. The second pair of pereiopods is similar in form but sub–equal in length. The subcylindrical palm has fingers that have two large teeth at the proximal edge and a row of tubercles on the distal cutting edges. The fingers are half as long as the palm. The chela is 1 ¼ – 1 ½ times as long as the carpus, while the carpus is as long as to twice as long as merus. BIOLOGY. No data available HABITAT. Freshwater but is noted to be euryhaline (Liu et al. 2007) Philippine freshwater prawns 33 NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Panibacan River in Palawan1; Aringay River in La Union and San Juan River3; Sampalok Lake in San Pablo, Laguna (Estampador 1959) • Visayas – Bohol4 • Mindanao – Tambulig and Aurora in Zamboanga del Sur; Mangagoy river in Surigao del Sur and Pikit side of Liguasan Marsh, Bislig; and Agusan River2 Rest of the world Indo-West Pacific – New Guinea, Indonesia (Chace & Bruce 1993), Southern China and Taiwan ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. Domantay (1956) listed this species among the economically important prawns in the Philippines. It is also of interest to capture fisheries in Indonesia (as cited in New et al. 2000). 1Cai & Shokita 2006 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 3Chace & Bruce 1993 4Liu et al. 2007 34 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department Macrobrachium nipponense (de Haan 1849)f Oriental river prawn HTTP://ANIMALPICTURESARCHIVE.COM DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. M. nipponense’s maximum total length is 86 mm for females and 75 mm for males (Holthuis, 1980). This prawn has a long and straight rostrum which reaches and/or slightly goes beyond the tip of the antennal scale. The dorsal rostral teeth ranges from 2–4 + 7–11 while the ventral teeth ranges from 2–3. It has long second pereiopods which are similar in shape, equal in length, and are covered with spinules, spines and tubercles. The fingers have two large teeth at the proximal edge and the entire fingers are covered with numerous tufts of moderately long stiff bristles. The carpus is shorter than the chela but longer than the merus. BIOLOGY. Kulesh & Guiguinyak (2008) studied growth heterogeneity in the Oriental river prawn. They discovered that the first to become adults in a single clutch of M. nipponense are those that hatched from small eggs. HABITAT. Freshwater (Liu et al. 2007) and brackishwater NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Lake Buhi and Binahugan River in Buhi, Camarines Sur2 • Visayas – none found in the surveyed areas • Mindanao – none found in the surveyed areas Rest of the world Japan, Korea, mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Myanmar. Like in the Philippines, it is also an introduced species in Singapore. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. M. nipponense is considered as one among several prawn species of economic importance in northern China. It is also commercially valuable in Japan. fThis species was reported in Cai & Shokita (2006). It was found in Lake Buhi from a collection made in 1985. We have not found this species from the sites we surveyed 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 Philippine freshwater prawns 35 Macrobrachium placidulum (De Man 1892)g DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. The maximum reported carapace length of M. placidulum is less than 20 mm. M. placidulum appears to be related to M. lepidactyloides. This species has a rostrum that has a convex dorsal margin and it does not reach the tip of the antennal scale. The dorsal rostral teeth ranges from 4–6 + 5–7 while the ventral rostral teeth ranges from 1–2 (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pair of pereiopods is robust, dissimilar and unequal in length. These pereiopods are covered with oval appressed scales. The larger second pereiopod has a compressed palm with slightly gaping fingers that have one large tooth, several small teeth and two rows of tubercles along the cutting edges. The chela of the major second pereiopod is 1 ½ – 2 1/3 times as long as the carpus while the carpus is shorter than the merus. The minor second pereiopod has fingers 2/5 – 9/10 as long as its palm. The fingers are gaping with no teeth nor row of tubercles and its cutting edges are concealed with long stiff bristles. BIOLOGY. No data available HABITAT. Freshwater and brackishwater (Liu et al. 2007) NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Aninoan River in Mindoro and Iraan River1; Calawagan River in Mindoro; Yawa River in Legaspi3 • Visayas – Manuanga River in Cebu1; Malaga River; Hinunangan Bay in Leyte3,4 • Mindanao – Zamboanga River3 Rest of the world Eastern Indonesia from Makassar Strait to New Guinea and in New Hanover in the Bismarck archipelago, Palau and Fiji ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. No data available gThis species was reported in Chace & Bruce (1993) and Cai & Shokita (2006). Unfortunately, we have not found the species in our survey 1Cai & Shokita 2006 3Chace & Bruce 1993 4Liu et al. 2007 36 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department Macrobrachium dacqueti (Sunier 1925)h Giant river prawn pleural condyle w/ orange markings segments with widely spaced elevated medium spines greyish blue to olive grey color rostrum beyond tip of antennal scale high to moderately high basal crest hMacrobrachium dacqueti (known by many as Macrobrachium rosenbergii) is not the real species of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The two species have been proven to be two separate species based on DNA marker studies (allozyme, mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers). These studies have shown that the two species have been genetically isolated for a significant evolutionary time frame (Wowor & Ng 2007). Dr. Wowor and Professor Ng have submitted a proposal to the International Commission for Zoological Nomenclature for the Macrobrachium dacqueti to be known through the scientific name of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Wowor & Ng 2008). The main reason for such an application is the fact that the name (M. rosenbergii) has been identified or used with this species in numerous research publications and by the aquaculture industry for a long time. On the other hand, M. rosenbergii from Australia, Philippines, and Papua should be given a new name (Macrobrachium wallacei) with a new holotype which will be available soon Philippine freshwater prawns 37 DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. The reported maximum total length of M. dacqueti is 255 mm while the maximum carapace length is 100 mm. The basal crest of the rostrum is moderately high to high compared to that of M. rosenbergii (De Man 1879). M. dacqueti has a long rostrum that distinctly reaches beyond the tip of the antennal scale. The unequally spaced dorsal rostral teeth range from 2–3 + 9–11 while the number of ventral rostral teeth is 8–15 (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pair of pereiopods is long and similar in shape but it is subequal in length. These pereiopods are covered with spines and spinules and have slightly compressed subcylindrical palms. The movable finger is densely clothed with short velvety hair while the fixed finger is bare. Both fingers have two large teeth at the proximal end. The chela has an indistinct longitudinal groove and is almost 1 ¾ times as long as the carpus, and the carpus is almost 1 ½ times as long as the merus with an indistinct longitudinal groove. The color of the adult prawn’s body is olive gray to grayish blue while the young has longitudinal streaks of darker and lighter color (Wowor & Ng 2007). It also has a striking red color on the joints of legs and steel blue colored chelipeds. Males have three morphotypes, namely blue claw, orange claw and small type. The various morphotypes can be differentiated by the color of the claws and the size (as suggested by the morphotype name). BIOLOGY. This is a well-studied species as it has been successfully domesticated for commercial aquaculture (Wowor & Ng 2007). Several conference proceedings and manuals on its biology, mode of reproduction and therefore methods for propagation and culture are available hence will not be described in detail here (New 2002). HABITAT. Freshwater but larvae requires brackishwater to survive. The larvae should be placed in brackishwater (12 ppt) within 2–3 days from hatching. NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Calumpit in Bulacan and Dagupan in Pangasinan2 • Visayas – none found in the surveyed areas • Mindanao – Dinas, Tambulig and Aurora in Zamboanga del Sur, Sebuguey Bay, Siay in Zamboanga Sibugay2 Rest of the world Distributed naturally in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malay Peninsula, Borneo where it is known locally as udang galah, and Java (local name: udang satang, as mentioned in Estampador 1959), Sri Lanka, East Pakistan, Indonesia and Southern China (Cai et al. 2004; Wowor & Ng, 2007). ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. This is what is known as the giant Malaysian prawn or giant freshwater prawn. It is extensively cultured as it is the most commercially important among the Macrobrachium species. Note: a stock of M. dacqueti was introduced from Thailand into the Philippines for aquaculture purposes. 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 38 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man 1879) pleural condyles with distinct bright red markings young M. rosenbergii rosenbergii with distinct patterns on the carapace and abdominal pleura all blue antennae all blue antennae low basal crest covered with abundant spinules and widely spaced large spines pleural condyles with bright red markings DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. The maximum reported total length is 255 mm. M. rosenbergii shares the same traits as M. dacqueti except for the following distinguishing features: (a) low to moderately low basal crest of the rostrum; (b) the segments of the second pair of pereiopods are covered with spinules interspersed with widely spaced, medium sized elevated spines; and (c) light brown to very dark brown carapace and abdomen with brown mottled pattern and bright red markings on the pleural condyles. Philippine freshwater prawns 39 BIOLOGY. Attempts have been made by the Mindanao State University and the Binangonan Freshwater Station of SEAFDEC/AQD to domesticate this species. The larval development for this species is longer than that of M. dacqueti based on preliminary runs. Based on breeding trials, this species takes more than a year and a half to mature compared to M. dacqueti which is able to spawn in 4–6 months (Eguia unpublished). HABITAT. Freshwater but larvae requires brackishwater to survive. The larvae should be placed in brackishwater (12 ppt) within 2–3 days from hatching. NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – Calumpit in Bulacan and Sorsogon2; Palawan (Wowor & Ng 2007) • Visayas – Zarraga and Leganes in Iloilo2 • Mindanao – Dinas, Tambulig and Aurora in Zamboanga del Sur; Sebuguey Bay; Siay in Zamboanga Sibugay; Lake Apo in Bukidnon; Pikit and Dapitan2 Rest of the world Eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia (Wowor & Ng 2007) ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. In the Philippines, wild caught M. rosenbergii prawns form an important part of the commercial fishery and are sold for human consumption at the same selling price as the M. dacqueti. 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 40 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department Macrobrachium scabriculum (Heller 1862)i PHOTO BY UWE WERNER WWW.WIRBELLOSE.DE/PICS DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. The reported maximum carapace length of this species is 40 mm. M. scabriculum’s rostrum does not reach the tip of the antennal scale. The dorsal rostral margin is convex. The subequally spaced dorsal rostral teeth range from 4–5 + 8–10. The ventral rostral teeth range from 2–3 (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pair of pereiopods is robust, dissimilar in shape, unequal in length and covered with spinules and spines. In large males, the major second pereiopod has compressed palms. The whole palm and proximal part of the fingers are clothed densely with long velvety hair. The fingers have at least 20 teeth along the cutting edges. In females and young, only the fingers are covered with long velvety hair. The chela is 2 ¾ – 3 ½ times as long as the carpus while the carpus is 4/5 to quite as long as the merus. The merus has a distinct longitudinal groove. The small second pereiopod has fingers which are 1 ¼ – 1 ½ times as long as the palm. The fingers have five small teeth on the proximal cutting edges. BIOLOGY. No data available HABITAT. Adults thrive in freshwater, no data on larval stages’ habitat. NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – none found in the surveyed areas • Visayas – Cairawan River in Antique • Mindanao – San Francisco River in Surigao del Norte1 Rest of the world Eastern Africa, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka and Indian Ocean coast of Sumatra, North Borneo ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. No data available iThis species was reported in Chace & Bruce (1993) and Cai & Shokita (2006). 1Cai & Shokita 2006 Philippine freshwater prawns 41 Macrobrachium weberi (De Man 1892) subcylindrical palm carpus longer than palm finger half as long as palm DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. The reported maximum carapace length for this species is 30 mm. It has a crested rostrum which reaches near or beyond the tip of the antennal scale. The unequally spaced dorsal rostral teeth range from 1–2 + 9–12 while the ventral rostral teeth range from 4–6 (Chace & Bruce 1993). The second pair of pereiopods is long, slender, equal in length, similar in form and covered with spines. The palm of the second pereiopod is subcylindrical with fingers wholly covered with dense short velvety hair and 1–2 large teeth on the proximal cutting edges. The non-gaping fingers are about half as long as the palm. The carpus is longer than the palm. The carpus is 1 ¾ times as long as the merus. BIOLOGY. No data available HABITAT. Adults live in freshwater; no data available on larval stages’ habitat NATURAL DISTRIBUTION. In the Philippines • Luzon – none found in the surveyed areas • Visayas – Iloilo City market1 • Mindanao – Liguasan Marsh2 Rest of the world New Guinea, Sulawesi ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. No data available 1Cai & Shokita 2006 2Eguia, Dejarme & Roxas 2005–2007 42 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department GLOSSARY abdomen – posterior section of the body, usually contains digestive organs; in crustaceans, includes several segments and the tail allozyme markers – molecular markers based on a protein form referred to as allozyme which is detectable by a biochemical technique known as gel electrophoresis; these markers describe the level of genetic variability in organisms antennal scale – a flat leaflike extension formed by the exopodite or an outer branch or ramus of a biramous appendage; also called a scaphocerite antennules – a small antenna or similar organ, especially one of the first pair of small antennae on the head of a crustacean antenna – one of the paired, flexible, segmented sensory appendages on the head of a crustacean functioning primarily as an organ of touch anterior – before or toward the front appendages – a part or organ, such as an arm, leg, tail, etc., that is joined to the axis or trunk of a body appressed – lying close and flat against another part; parallel or nearly parallel to and often in contact with surface of origin; used to describe disposition of hairs, etc. basal crest – an elevated ridge, peak or similar projection on the rostrum of the prawn berried – bearing eggs; used especially of egg-bearing crustaceans biodiversity – the variety of life forms, the different plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form brackishwater – water that has more salinity than freshwater but not as much as seawater; it contains between 0.5 to 30 grams of salt per liter or 0.5-30 parts per thousand (ppt) branchiostegal spine – a small projection in the antero-lateral angle of the prawn’s carapace branchiostegal suture – a sharp suture or line-like indentation that continues from the branchiostegal groove towards the anterolateral border of the carapace bristles – stiff, hairlike structures carapace – a hard bony or chitinous exoskeleton covering the head and thorax of crustaceans (e.g. prawns, crabs, etc.) Caridean – referring to prawns or decapod crustaceans classified in the infraorder Caridea, found widely around the world in both fresh and saltwater chelae – pincerlike claw of a crustacean such as prawns, lobster, crabs cheliped – either of the paired appendages bearing chelae in crustaceans chitinous – of or resembling chitin which is a tough, protective, semitransparent substance forming the prinicipal component of exoskeletons in shrimps, prawns, etc. cephalon – the head of an organism cephalothorax – the combined head and thorax (body) of many crustaceans, such as prawns Philippine freshwater prawns 43 crustacean – any of various predominantly aquatic arthropods of the Class Crustacea, including lobsters, crabs, shrimps and barnacles, characteristically having segmented body, a chitinous exoskeleton, and paired, jointed limbs decapodid – referring to crustacean of the order (level of classification) Decapoda, such as crab, lobster, shrimp or prawn, characteristically having ten legs, each joined to a segment of the thorax distal – situated farthest from point of attachment or origin; away from center or origin DNA marker – deoxyribonucleic acid marker or any unique DNA sequence dorsal – of, toward, on in or near the back or upper surface of an organ, part or organism endemic – present in a particular locality estuarine – of or relating to or found in estuaries estuary – part of the wide lower course of a river where its current is met by the tides; an arm of the sea that extends inland to meet the mouth of a river exoskeleton – exterior protective or supporting structure or shell of many animals, especially invertebrates (e.g. crustaceans) genome – all hereditary material possessed by an organism growth heterogeneity – differences in growth rate hepatic spine – an anteriorly-directed spine or small projection on the hepatic (liver) region of the carapace mandibles – mouth parts mitochondrial DNA markers – type of genetic markers based on the mitochondrial genome mottled pattern – spotted or blotched with different shades or colors Palaemonid – shrimps or prawns belonging to the Family or taxonomic classification Palaemon pereiopods – walking legs of crustaceans e.g. shrimp/prawn plankton – group of very small plant or animal organisms that float or drift in great numbers in fresh or saltwater pleopods – swimming legs located under the abdomen of crustaceans pleuron – either of the lateral plates on the thoracic and abdominal segments of an arthropod eg. crustaceans pollex – thick short innermost digit of the forelimb prey – to hunt, catch or eat proximal – opposite of distal; near center or origin pubescence – a covering of soft down or short hairs robust – sturdy and strong in form rostral teeth – toothlike projections on the rostrum rostrum – a snoutlike projection sinus - a recess or space between two divisions; a space or indentation somite - segment species – a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and produce fertile offspring spinulate – having spinules spinules – small spines or thorns subspecies – a genetically distinct geographical subunit of a species swimmeret – technically called pleopods, these are legs primarily used for swimming and brooding the eggs and catching food 44 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department taxonomic – relating to taxonomy or classification of organisms in an ordered system that indicates natural relationships telson – last division of the body of a crustacean, it possesses a forked “tail” thorax – middle region of the body of a crustacean between the head and abdomen tubercles – a small rounded projecting part or outgrowth, a knoblike process in the surface of the skin or bone tuberculate – covered with tubercles uropod – one of the last pair of posterior abdominal appendages of certain crustaceans, e.g., prawns/shrimps ventral – relating to or situated on or close to the front or lower surface of the body of an animal zoea – larval form of decapod crustaceans, characterized by one or more spines on the carapace and rudimentary limbs on the abdomen and thorax REFERENCES Agasen EV. 2001. 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SEAFDEC/AQD, Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines. 34 pp Wowor D, Ng PKL. 2007. The giant freshwater prawns of the Macrobrachium rosenbergii species group (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 55 (2): 321–336 Wowor D, Ng PKL. 2008. Palaemon rosenbergii De Man, 1879 (currently Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Crustacea, Decapoda): proposed conservation of usage by designation of a neotype. Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 65 (4): 288–293 Yap WG. 1999. Rural aquaculture in the Philippines. RAP Publication 1999/2000. Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Bangkok, Thailand. 82 pp Yeo DCJ, Cai Y, Ng PKL. 1999. The freshwater and terrestrial decapod Crustacea of Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Supplement 6: 197–244 ABOUT THE AUTHORS MARIA ROWENA R. ROMANA–EGUIA is a Scientist involved in aquaculture genetics research at the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department. Rowena is currently into prawn breeding research and the use of molecular markers in the management and selective breeding of several aquaculture species (giant freshwater prawn, mudcrab and tiger shrimp). Rowena finished her BSc Zoology at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines in 1982 and MSc Genetics at the University of Wales, Swansea, United Kingdom in 1984, the latter through a scholarship grant from the International Development Research Centre of Canada. She obtained her PhD Agricultural Science (major in Fish Population Genetics) degree from the Tohoku University as a Ronpaku Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science from 2001 to 2003. Rowena also trained in biotechnology in Japan and local research agencies. HENRY E. DEJARME is a Professor at the Mindanao State University at Naawan, Naawan, Misamis Oriental. He is also currently the University’s Director of Fisheries Training and Extension Division. Henry has extensive research experience in both freshwater (giant prawns, tilapia) and marine (milkfish, mangrove crab, rabbitfish) aquaculture species as well as in undertakings in mangrove resource assessment and rehabilitation. He is also involved as a project leader in the establishment and operation of a model freshwater prawn pond in Naawan. Henry has a BSc Biology degree from MSU Marawi and an MS Fisheries degree from the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas. He completed his academic requirements under the PhD Environmental Science program of the UP Diliman, Quezon City. All of his tertiary academic studies were pursued through various government scholarship grants. He also trained in prawn farming systems techniques in Hawaii. 48 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department WESTLY R. ROSARIO is currently the Interim Executive Director of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippine Department of Agriculture. He also sits as the Chief of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Bonuan– Binloc, Dagupan, Pangasinan. Westly completed his BSc Fishery Education degree from the Pangasinan State University in Binmaley, Pangasinan, Philippines in 1978 and obtained a Master of Agriculture degree, major in Fisheries Science from the Texas A&M University in the US through a USAID GOP grant in 1982. In 2005, he obtained a Doctor of Fisheries Technology degree from the Iloilo State College of Fisheries in Iloilo, Philippines and has 30 academic units in the PhD program on Rural Development at the Central Luzon State University in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. As an administrator at the BFAR– NIFTDC, he has to his credit, the establishment of the Asian Fisheries Academy (AFA) in the Philippines. He likewise spearheaded numerous projects with international fund support. These include projects on milkfish, saline tilapia and selective breeding of freshwater prawns. EDITHA C. ROXAS is an Aquaculturist at the National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Bonuan–Binloc, Dagupan, Pangasinan where she has been working for 11 years to date. She has attended several local and international training courses in the farming and breeding of marine and freshwater aquaculture species, the most recent of which is the Macrobrachium rosenbergii Aquaculture Management Course held in Kedah, Malaysia. Editha holds a degree in BSc Biology from the Lyceum Northwestern University in Dagupan, Pangasinan, Philippines. She is currently pursuing her MSc studies in Aquaculture at the Pangasinan State University in Binmaley, Pangasinan, Philippines. Editha is presently involved in the Freshwater Prawn Genetic Improvement Project at BFAR–NIF TDC. DAISY WOWOR is a Scientist (taxonomist) and curator of the crustacean collection of the Division of Zoology or Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia for more than 20 years apart from five years as a manager for the crustacean collection. Her research expertise includes taxonomy and ecology of freshwater crustaceans. Daisy also supervises BSc and MSc students doing crustacean research. Daisy obtained her BSc Fisheries degree from the Bogor Agricultural University in Bogor, Indonesia in 1980 and completed her MSc Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences degree at the University of Maryland in the USA in 1993. In 2005, she finished her PhD Biology degree at the National University of Singapore. The World Bank granted Daisy with scholarships for both her MSc and PhD studies. Her recent research involvement and publications cover mainly the taxonomy of freshwater prawns, with particular interest in Macrobrachium species. Philippine freshwater prawns 49 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Government of Japan Trust Fund and its former and current Project Co-Managers for AQD, Dr. Koichi Okuzawa and Dr. Hiroshi Ogata, are gratefully acknowledged for the support provided to the authors as this enabled the successful implementation of their prawn taxonomic survey. MRR Eguia is also thankful to Prof. Peter KL Ng of the Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore for introducing her to Dr. Daisy Wowor, thus making the research collaboration possible. The authors would also like to thank Dr. Clarissa Marte, Dr. Maria Lourdes Aralar, and Dr. Fe Dolores Estepa for their feedback and inputs in reviewing this manual. Finally, Ms. Milagros Castaños and Mr. Rommel Guarin of SEAFDEC/AQD’s Development Com are acknowledged for their assistance in the layout and preparation of this manual. 50 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department RECENT SEAFDEC/AQD PUBLICATIONS AQUACULTURE EXTENSION MANUALS (AEM) & STATE-OF-THE-ART SERIES (SAS) AEM 43 Philippine Freshwater Prawns (Macrobrachium spp.) MRR Eguia et al (2009). 50 pp AEM 42 Seed Production and Grow-out of Mud Crab (Scylla paramamosain) in Vietnam. NC Thach (2009). 26 pp AEM 41 Grow-out Culture of the Asian Catfish Clarias macrocephalus (Gunther). EB Coniza et al. (2008). 29 pp AEM 40 Breeding and Seed Production of the Asian Catfish Clarias macrocephalus (Gunther). JD Tan-Fermin et al. (2008). 28 pp AEM 39 Abalone Hatchery. AC Fermin et al. (2008). 31 pp AEM 38 Tilapia Broodstock and Hatchery Management. R Eguia, MRR Eguia (2007). 48 pp AEM 37 Giant Clam Hatchery, Ocean Nursery and Stock Enhancement. SS Mingoa-Licuanan, E Gomez (2007). 110 pp AEM 36 Tilapia Farming in Cages and Ponds. RV Eguia, MRR Eguia (2004). 40 pp (in print or CD) AEM 35 Best Management Practices for Mangrove-Friendly Shrimp Farming. DD Baliao, S Tookwinas (2002). 50 pp (Filipino version also available) AEM 34 Biology and Hatchery of Mud Crabs Scylla spp. ET Quinitio, FD Parado-Estepa (2008, 2nd ed.). 47 pp AEM 33 Induced Breeding and Seed Production of Bighead Carp. AC Gonzal et al. (2001). 40 pp AEM 32 The Farming of the Seaweed Kappaphycus. AQ Hurtado, RF Agbayani (2000). 26 pp (Filipino version also available) AEM 30 Net Cage Culture of Tilapia in Dams and Small Farm Reservoirs. DD Baliao et al. (2000). 14 pp AEM 29 Grouper Culture in Floating Net Cages. DD Baliao et al. (2000). 10 pp AEM 26 Pen Culture of Mudcrab in Mangroves. DD Baliao et al. (1999). 10 pp AEM 24 Grouper Culture in Brackishwater Ponds. DD Baliao et al. (1998). 18 pp AEM 23 Pagpapaanak ng Tilapya. RV Eguia et al. (2007). 64 pp AEM 22 Pag-aalaga ng Tilapya. RV Eguia et al. (2007). 68 pp AEM 21 Feeds and Feeding of Milkfish, Nile Tilapia, Asian Sea Bass and Tiger Shrimp. Feed Development Section (1994). 97 pp AEM 16 Diseases of Penaeid Shrimps in the Philippines. CR Lavilla-Pitogo et al. (2000) 83 pp SAS Environment-Friendly Schemes in Intensive Shrimp Farming. DD Baliao (2000). 24 pp SAS Closed Recirculating Shrimp Farming System. S Tookwinas (2000). 28 pp TEXTBOOKS, MONOGRAPHS, LABORATORY BOOKS Seaweeds of Panay (2006). AQ Hurtado et al. 50 pp, 2nd ed. Diseases in Farmed Mud Crabs Scylla spp.: Diagnosis, Prevention and Control (2004). CR Lavilla-Pitogo, LD de la Peña. 89 pp (in print or CD) Diseases of Cultured Groupers (2004). K Nagasawa, ER Cruz-Lacierda (eds.). 81 pp (in print or CD) Handbook of the Mangroves of the Philippines – Panay (2004). JH Primavera et al. 106 pp Laboratory Manual of Standardized Methods for the Analysis of Pesticide and Antibiotic Residues in Aquaculture Products (2004). IG Borlongan, JNP Chuan. 46 pp (in print or CD) Laboratory Manual of Standardized Methods for Antibicrobial Sensitivity Tests for Bacteria Isolated from Aquatic Animals and Environment (2004). L Ruangpan, EA Tendencia. 55 pp (in print or CD) Nutrition in Tropical Aquaculture (2002). OM Millamena et al. (eds.). 221 pp Health Management in Aquaculture (2001). GL Po et al. (eds.). 187 pp An Assessment of the Coastal Resources of Ibajay and Tangalan, Aklan (2001). LMB Garcia (ed.). 60 pp Ecology and Farming of Milkfish (1999). TU Bagarinao. 117 pp CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS Proceedings of the Regional Technical Consultation on Stock Enhancement (2006). JH Primavera, ET Quinitio, MR Eguia (eds.). 150 pp Responsible Aquaculture Development in Southeast Asia (2001). LMB Garcia (ed.). 274 pp Mangrove-Friendly Aquaculture(2000). JH Primavera et al. (eds.). 217 pp FOR FREE DOWNLOADS, VISIT : www.seafdec.org.ph/publications Flyers, reports, newsletters, videos, photos ABOUT SEAFDEC The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) is a regional treaty organization established in December 1967 to promote sustainable fisheries and responsible aquaculture in the region. The member countries are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The policy-making body of SEAFDEC is the Council of Directors, made up of representatives of the member countries. SEAFDEC has four departments that focus on different aspects of fisheries development: • Training Department (TD) in Samut Prakan, Thailand (1967) for training in marine capture fisheries • Marine Fisheries Research Department (MFRD) in Singapore (1967) for postharvest technologies • Aquaculture Department (AQD) in Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines (1973) for aquaculture research and development, and • Marine Fishery Resources Development and Management Department (MFRDMD) in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia (1992) for the development and management of fishery resources in the exclusive economic zones of SEAFDEC member countries AQD is mandated to: • Conduct scientific research to generate aquaculture technologies appropriate for Southeast Asia • Develop managerial, technical and skilled manpower for the aquaculture sector • Produce, disseminate and exchange aquaculture information AQD maintains four stations: the Tigbauan Main Station and Dumangas Brackishwater Station in Iloilo province; the Igang Marine Station in Guimaras province; and the Binangonan Freshwater Station in Rizal province. AQD also has a Manila Office in Quezon City.