The University of San Carlos Department of Biology, together with the Department of Computation Biology of University of Lausanne, Switzerland, have a joint research project entitled, “Color Polymorphism, Hybridization, and the Adaptive Radiation of the Clownfish Clade”.  

Clownfish or anemone fish are reef fishes that exhibit color polymorphism, an important evolutionary mechanism both at an intra and interspecific level.  The aim of this research is to primarily investigate patterns of diversity and differentiation at both phenotypic and genetic levels among several Amphiprion species. 

Clownfish were popularized in 2003 through the movie “Finding Nemo.”

This current study is part of a broader effort to understand how marine species adapt to environmental changes, contributing to conservation and fisheries management efforts.  The collected samples, results and publications will be jointly owned by University of San Carlos and University of Lausanne, as per agreement.

Presentation of research findings on May 7, 2025 was attended by Johann Friedrich C. Tejada (Fishing Regulation Officer-II/Tech Asst. ORD, BFAR VII), Rommel G. Bacabac, Ph.D. (RDEPO Deputy Director), and Danilo B. Largo, Ph.D. (ITSO manager, Marine Biology Section head).

With reporting from the USC Department of Biology