MALACOLOGY LABORATORY
Animal Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences
University of the Philippines Los Baños
ONGOING PROJECTS
Monitoring and Analysis of Microplastic Pollution in Selected Lakes of San Pablo City,
Laguna (MAPPS)
Duration: April 2026 - March 2028
Funded and Monitored by: National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP)
Objective: To conduct comprehensive monitoring and analysis of microplastics in the biological and
environmental samples in selected lakes of San Pablo City
Conservation Assessment of Freshwater Mollusks in the Philippines
Duration: 2025-2026
Funded by: IUCN Freshwater Biodiversity Specialist Group
Objective: To assess the conservation status of selected species of freshwater mollusks in the Philippines
Project 1. Surveillance of Invasive Alien Species in Tropical Maars: Biology and
Ecology of Invasive Mollusks and Fish in the San Pablo Lakes (under the 7 LAMPS
Program Phase 2)
Duration: October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2026
Funded by: Department of Science and Technology Grants-in-Aid (DOST-GIA)
Monitoring Agency: National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP)
Objective: To analyze the biology and ecology of invasive alien mollusk and fish species in Lakes Sampaloc,
Yambo, and Palakpakin of San Pablo City, Laguna
Microplastic Contamination in the Freshwater Mollusks in the Philippines
Duration: 2022-present
Objective: To investigate the presence of microplastics in gastropods and bivalves in various freshwater
ecosystems; and examine their effects on the biology of mollusks
Diversity and Community Ecology of Mollusks in the Tropical Mountains and Karst
Ecosystems of the Philippines
Duration: 2007-present
Objective: To survey and analyze the diversity and community dynamics of terrestrial mollusks among
the major mountains, and karst ecosystems of the Philippines
Effects of Pollutants on the Freshwater Snail, Radix quadrasi
Duration: 2002-present
Objective: To determine and evaluate the toxic effects of various pollutants on the adult and embryos of this endemic
freshwater eupulmonate snail
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Molecular Phylogenetics of Cyclophorid Land Snails of Luzon Island, Philippines
Duration: January-December 2021
Funded by: Natural Science Research Institute Research Grant (UP Diliman)
Collaborators: Dr. Gizelle Batomalaque (Project Leader; UP Diliman), Dr. Ian Kendrich Fontanilla
(UP Diliman) and Dr. Zenaida Baoanan (UP Baguio)
Project 1. Macroinverterbrate Community Dynamics in the Tropical Volcanic Lakes of San Pablo, Laguna (under the 7 LAMPS Program Phase 1)
Duration: January 15, 2019-January 14, 2022
Funded by: Department of Science and Technology Grants-in-Aid (DOST-GIA)
Monitoring Agency: National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP)
Land Mollusks in Karst Ecosystem of Luzon Island, Philippines: Diversity, Distribution
and Conservation Status
Duration: April 2019-October 2020
Funded by: UP System Enhanced Creative Work Research Grant (ECWRG)
Land Snails of Mount Banahaw: Diversity and Ecological Patterns
Duration: January 2017-December 2018
Funded by: UPLB Basic Research Grant
Malacofauna of Polillo Group of Islands
Duration: January-December 2013
Funded by: Natural Science Research Institute Research Grant (UP Diliman) and Tohoku University
Collaborators: Dr. Ian Kendrich Fontanilla (UP Diliman) and Dr. Satoshi Chiba (Tohoku University)
DNA Barcoding of Philippine Stylommatophoran Land Snails
Duration: January 2011-December 2014
Funded by: Natural Science Research Institute Research Grant (UP Diliman)
Collaborator: Dr. Ian Kendrich Fontanilla (Project Leader; UP Diliman)
Reproduction and Growth of the Pulmonate Land Snail, Ryssota otaheitana Ferussac 1821
under Laboratory Conditions
Duration: May 2009-December 2011
Funded by: National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP)
Land Snail Diversity along the Elevational Gradients of Mount Makiling, Philippines
Duration: June 2010-June 2012
Funded by: Commission on Higher Education