Two New Nepenthes Species from the Unexplored Mountains of
Central Mindanao, Philippines
Noel E. Lagunday1*, Florfe M. Acma2, Veneracion G. Cabana3,
Novo M. Sabas4 and Victor B. Amoroso2
1Central Mindanao University, University Town, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines
2Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences and Center for
Biodiversity Research and Extension in Mindanao,
Central Mindanao University, University Town, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines
3Mountain View College, College Heights, Valencia City, Bukidnon, Philippines
4SULADS Comprehensive High School for the Lumads,
Sto. Domingo, Lumintao, Quezon, Bukidnon, Philippines
*Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABSTRACT
Nepenthes L. is the sole genus of the family Nepenthaceae. Having the highest rate of endemism of this family, the Philippines is considered a center of diversity of the genus Nepenthes along with Sumatra and Borneo. Recent explorations in Mindanao and Luzon raised the number of Philippine Nepenthes species to 50. This study reports the discovery of two new Nepenthes species, N. malimumuensis and N. manobo in the unexplored region of the Pantaron range of central Mindanao making the range a home to eight species. Habitat destruction has the biggest impact on the population of Nepenthes spp. in the Pantaron range. The Pantaron range is not a protected area therefore the diversity, distribution, conservation and habitat preservation of the new endemic Nepenthes species reported herein need to be monitored closely.
INTRODUCTION
Nepenthes species bear specialized leaves that can lure and catch arthropods, frogs, rodents and small birds, due to their highly specialized foliage, which takes the form of hollow, water-filled vessels, or pitchers (McPherson 2009; Cheek & Jebb 2013).
Nepenthes populations prefer nutrient deficient substrates allowing them to adapt alternative strategies such as carnivory, aquaplaning, myrmecotrophy, detrivory and mutualism with arthropods and mammals such as the mountain shrew rats and bats in obtaining nutrients (Moran et al. 2003; Greenwood et al. 2011; Grafe et al. 2011). . . . . read more
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