Philippine Journal of Science RESEARCH NOTE
151 (S1): 73-77, Marine Botany
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 22 Jul 2021

Use and Distribution of Bangia cf. fuscopurpurea
(Bangiales, Rhodophyta) in the Northern Philippines

Glenn Cedrick V. Gamus¹, Richard V. Dumilag²*, and Sandra L. Yap¹

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University, Nicanor Reyes Sr. St., Sampaloc, Manila 1015 Philippines
²Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University−Magallanes Campus
Aguada Norte, Magallanes, Sorsogon 4705 Philippines

*Corresponding author: richard.dumilag@sorsu.edu.ph

[Download]
Gamus GC et al. 2022. Use and Distribution of Bangia cf. fuscopurpurea (Bangiales, Rhodophyta)
in the Northern Philippines. Philipp J Sci 151(S1): 73–77. https://doi.org/10.56899/151.S1.05

 

ABSTRACT

Edible seaweeds in the northern Philippines have been reported earlier, but detailed information on the utilization and distribution for most of these recorded species remains limited. A case in point is that of Bangia cf. fuscopurpurea, locally known as “bubuok,” which appeared in a listing of edible seaweeds of the province of Ilocos Norte. A survey across 12 areas in the northern Philippines revealed that knowledge about the use of bubuok is limited only to locals from two sites in Ilocos Norte (Burgos and Laoag) and one site in Cagayan (Claveria). Like most edible seaweeds in the northern Philippines, B. cf. fuscopurpurea is consumed mainly as a salad. It is not widely sold in the market and is mostly used for personal subsistence. It is confirmed to be thriving in the rocky intertidal areas of Burgos in Ilocos Norte and growing abundantly only during the wet season (November–January). Additional studies on the taxonomy, phylogeography, and possible use of Bangia cf. fuscopurpurea as a seaweed crop for the northern Philippines are highlighted.