A research paper entitled “Population Genetics and Phylogeography pf Arctodiaptomus dorsalis (Marsh, 1907): A Case of Human-mediated Panmixia within Luzon, Philippines” by Department of Biological Sciences academic staff Shea Kathleen P. Guinto, MSc was awarded the First Place of the Oral Presentation award in the 11th DOST ASTHDRP Graduate Scholars Conference held from September 26-27, 2023 at the Philippine International Convention Center. The 2023 edition of the conference bore a theme calling for a “Resilient, Unified, and Sustainable Philippines.” Guinto co-authored the paper with Ryuji J. Machida and her dissertation adviser, Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD.
Guinto, a Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences student of the Graduate School, studied the freshwater calanoid copepod which was named an invasive species. Genomic DNA were extracted to represent seven populations in Luzon. The noted population increase is attributed to “the suspected initial introduction via ornamental aquarium fish trade practices in 1905 and then a population range expansion through a single or multiple introduction event towards other nearby inland waters through accidental movement of A. dorsalis individuals via human-mediated activities, particularly aquaculture, which have persisted since 1972.”
