Philippine Journal of Science
152 (6A): 2061-2075, December 2023
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 20 Jun 2023

Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity of Caves and Limestone
Forests in Southern Sierra Madre Mountain Range,
Luzon Island, Philippines

Renz Angelo J. Duco1,2, Anna Pauline O. de Guia2,3, Judeline C. Dimalibot2,3†,
Julius A. Parcon2, Edison A. Cosico2, Charlie R. Malizon2, Ammie R. Aguila2,
Phillip A. Alviola2,3, and Juan Carlos T. Gonzalez2,3

1Biodiversity Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology,
University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines
2Museum of Natural History, CFNR Quadrangle, Upper Campus,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
3Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines

*Corresponding author: rjduco@up.edu.ph
†Deceased: May 2022

[Download]
Duco RA et al. 2023. Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity of Caves and Limestone Forests in Southern
Sierra Madre Mountain Range, Luzon Island, Philippines. Philipp J Sci 152(6A): 2061–2075.
https://doi.org/10.56899/152.6A.03

 

ABSTRACT

The caves and karst forests of southern Sierra Madre are a unique and understudied habitat that is home to a high number of endemic and globally threatened species. These habitats provide essential resources for the local terrestrial vertebrate fauna, although increasing anthropogenic disturbances pose a serious threat to existing wildlife populations. Here, we provide an inventory of terrestrial vertebrate fauna of caves and limestone forests of three ecotourism areas within the southern Sierra Madre in CALABARZON Region, Philippines. A combination of various field survey methods (i.e. line transect surveys, mist netting, opportunistic catching, cage trapping) was conducted from 2021–2023 to determine the diversity of amphibians, reptiles, non-volant mammals, bats, and birds in the three sites. A total of 160 species (13 amphibians, 23 reptiles, 98 birds, four non-volant mammals, and 22 bats) were recorded in this study. Endemicity was high at 46% with 56 Philippine endemics, including 21 species endemic to the Greater Luzon Island. In addition, we recorded 18 locally and globally threatened species based on the IUCN Red List and DENR-DAO 2019-09. The high species richness and presence of threatened species underline the high conservation value of the study areas. However, unmanaged growth of tourism and habitat fragmentation threaten their biodiversity. The data generated will be used to guide the classification, proper management, and conservation of these karst areas, caves, and their resources by the national government and local government units.