Habitat associations of bats in the green spaces of Davao City, Mindanao, Southern Philippines
Green spaces in synanthropic environments are known to provide suitable habitats for wildlife species; however, these green spaces also influence the dynamics of bat populations, especially due to their sensitivity to habitat fragmentation, which has conservation and ecological implications. Currently, ....
A predation attempt by a Samar Cobra, Naja samarensis Peters 1861, on a Banded Bullfrog, Kaloula pulchra Gray 1831, on the Island of Mindanao, Philippines
Herein we describe a predatory attempt by a Samar Cobra on a Banded Bullfrog in Davao City, and chronicle the antipredator responses of the frog against the snake....
Tropical field stations yield high conservation return on investment
Conservation funding is currently limited; cost-effective conservation solutions are essential. We suggest that the thousands of field stations worldwide can play key roles at the frontline of biodiversity conservation and have high intrinsic value. We assessed field stations’ conservation return on investment and explored ...
Field Observations of Same-sex Non-reproductive Mounts in Adult Male Philippine Long-tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis)
We recorded multiple non-reproductive mounts (NRMs) among adult males with two detailed observations of anogenital contacts and ejaculations of the mounters. There are several hypotheses that may explain why these s..
Removal from the wild endangers the once widespread long-tailed macaque
In 2022, long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), a once ubiquitous primate species, was elevated to Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. In 2023, recognizing...
Inventory of terrestrial vertebrate wildlife species in a private-owned forest patch in Tagum City, Mindanao, Philippines
The 93-hectare Hijo Forest, owned by the Hijo Resources Corporation, is known for its rich flora and fauna species, such as the populations of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and Philippine warty pigs ...
Diversity of spiders (Araneae) in the anthropic land covers of Davao City, Philippines
In addition to protected landscapes, anthropic land covers (ALCs) can also harbor spiders in human-modified landscapes (HMLs). This study determined the diversity of spiders in seven different ALCs ...
A detailed assessment of threats to tarsiers and its habitat: A case of Tarsiers Carlito syrichta (Linnaeus, 1758) in Hindang, Leyte
Using field-based observations, camera traps, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with the stakeholders, we generated baseline data on tarsiers in Mt. Bontoc, their habitats, and the existing and possible future threats. Results revealed that...
Masturbation in a Free-ranging Male Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis (Raffles, 1821) on Mindanao Island, Philippines
Here, we describe a masturbation event by a male long-tailed macaque froma free-ranging troop inhabiting a beach forest in Hijo Plantation, Madaum, Tagum City, Davao del Norte,Mindanao, Philippine ...
Notes on the defensive strategies of Kalophrynus sinensis Peters, 1867 against predation by Stegonotus muelleri (Duméril et al., 1854) on Leyte Island, Philippines
On 20 August 2021 at 19:12 h, we observed an adult S. muelleri preying on K. sinensis at Hindang NaturePark in Hindang, Leyte, Philippines (10.4606°N,124.7370°E).....
Interspecific amplexus between Kalophrynus sinensis Peters, 1867 and Occidozyga laevis (GĂĽnther, 1858) on Mindanao Island, Philippines
At 07:43 h on 12 June 2021, we opportunistically observed interspecific inguinal amplexus between K. sinensis and O. laevis during a field survey in New Israel, Makilala, North Cotabato, Philippines ...
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The first complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Cynopterus brachyotis (Chiroptera, Pteropodidae) from the Philippines
The technical limitations of capillary sequencing in providing insights on phylogeny have been greatly aided in recent years by the implementation of next generation sequencing platforms which can generate whole mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequences. In this study, enriched mitochondrial DNA of Cynopterus brachyotis from Mindanao, Philippines...
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Predation on a Parachute Gecko Gekko sp. by Long-tailed Macaques Macaca fascicularis (Raffles, 1821) in Mt. Apo Natural Park, Philippines
Long-tailed macaques are omnivores feeding on plants and animal matter. They are known to feed on meat occasionally, and it represents a very small portion of their diet. This paper reports a predation event by long-tailed macaques on a parachute gecko in Mt. Apo Natural Park, Philippines. Two macaques were involved in the predation: a juvenile mac...
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Suspected African Swine Fever (ASF) mass die-offs in Philippine Warty Pigs (Sus philippensis) in Tagum City, Mindanao, Philippines
African Swine Fever (ASF) is an economically important reemerging infectious disease (EID) that has spread phenomenally throughout the world. Although it does not pose direct health risks to humans, the disease can cause devastating losses in livestock production due to its almost 100% mortality rate in domestic pig populations. Trade and commerce...
Local Community Perceptions of the Ecological and Socio-Economic Benefits of Spiders in Small-Scale Urban Green Spaces for Conservation Reinforcement
Spiders are among the most ubiquitous arthropods that can dwell on diverse habitats, which include small-scale urban green spaces (UGS). To promote urban biodiversity, we assessed the awareness of a local community situated within UGS in Davao, Philippines about the ecological roles of spiders. Data were obtained by administering survey ques- tionn...
Pilot Fecal DNA Barcoding on Selected Fruit Bats in Davao City, Philippines
The “Species from Feces” DNA barcoding offers new opportunities to study the challenging taxonomy and systematics of Philippine bats using a minimally-invasive strategy that employs a short 200-bp mitochondrial encoded cytochrome c oxidase I (mt COI) sequence. A pilot application of the technique to five species of fruit bats collected from Davao C...
Community Structure of Road Associated Avifauna along the Urban Gradient in Mintal, Davao City, Southern Philippines
The community structure of avifauna along the urbanization gradient in Mintal, Davao City was surveyed and analyzed. A total of 4,210 individuals from 34 species belonging to 23 families were recorded, where seven species are Philippine endemics and five are introduced species. Correlation and regression analysis showed a positive relationship betw...
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Predation of Platymantis luzonensis Brown, Alcala, Diesmos and Alcala, 1997 on a Stick Insect (Insecta: Phasmatodea) in Mt. Makiling, Philippines
Platymantis luzonensis Brown, Alcala, Diesmos and Alcala, 1997 is a ceratobatrachid frog endemic to the Philippines. This species belongs to the Platymantis guentheri group (Alcala and Brown, 1999) and is restricted to the southeastern region of Luzon Island and to the Polillo group of islands, ranging in altitude from 100 to 1200 metres above sea level (Brown et al., 1997;...
Three decades of Philippine nonhuman primate studies: research gaps and opportunities for Philippine primatology
The Philippines is considered a megadiverse country. However, there are few published studies on its nonhuman primate (NHP) species (Carlito syrichta, Macaca fascicularis, and Nycticebus menagensis). Understanding the nature and extent of existing NHP research in the Philippines would help us to determine research gaps and opportunities. Thus, stud...
Native and invasive alien anuran species in urbanized areas in Davao City, Philippines, with preliminary study of feeding biology
This article presents the anuran species in urbanized areas, diet overlaps between native and invasive alien anuran species, and its implications on conservation and ecological health in urban environment. Visual encounter technique following the road as a transect was done to determine the diversity of anurans, and stomach content extraction was e...
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Predation of Samar Cobra Naja samarensis Peters, 1861 on the invasive Cane Toad Rhinella marina (Linnaeus, 1758) in Davao City, Philippines
Naja samarensis Peter, 1861 commonly known as the “Samar cobra,” is endemic to the Philippine Islands, recorded in Dinagat, Siargao, Camiguin, Bohol, Leyte, Samar, and Mindanao categorized by the IUCN as Least Concern (Sy et al., 2009; Leviton et al., 2014; Sanguila...
Density and diet of invasive alien anuran species in a disturbed landscape: A case in the University of the Philippines Mindanao, Davao City, Philippines
Density and diet of invasive alien anuran species in a disturbed landscape: A case in the University of the Philippines Mindanao, Davao City, Philippines. Biodiversitas 20: 2554-2560. The population density and diet composition of three invasive alien anuran species (IAS) (Kaloula pulchra, Hoplobatrachus rugulosus, and Rhinella marina), ...
Plasmodium knowlesi and other malaria parasites in long-tailed macaques from the Philippines
Macaca fascicularis (long-tailed macaque) is the most widespread species of macaque in Southeast Asia and the only species of monkey found naturally in the Philippines. The species is the natural host for the zoonotic malaria species, Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium cynomolgi and for the potentially zoonotic species, Plasmodium inui....
Nuisance Behaviors of Macaques in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan, Philippines
Different nuisance behaviors of macaques have been reported in different parts of the world where humans and macaques have been living in the same habitats and sharing the same resources. In this study, nuisance behaviors of Long-tailed Macaques were documented in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park using direct observation, survey que...
Estrous Cycle and Early Pregnancy of White Mice Exposed to Methomyl
Methomyl is an oxime carbamate pesticide that is widely used in the Philippines. This insecticide is known to be an endocrine disrupting chemical and a potent genotoxic in mammalian cells. However, limited studies were conducted specifically on its direct effects on estrous cycle and its teratogenic effect. This study aimed to (a) assess the effect...
Effect of Road To Avian Diversity, Abundance and Richness in Selected Rice Fields along Laguna National Highway, Philippines
With the destruction of our natural wetlands, rice fields are man-made ecosystems which serve as an important alternative wetland habitat for birds. In this study, two selected ricefields along Laguna National Highway were sampled to determine the species of both landbirds and waterbirds in ricefield ecosystems during the summer season using transe...
Awareness and Perception on Wildlife and Conservation of Teachers and College Students in Los Baños, Laguna Philippines
The Philippines is considered as a biodiversity hotspot, however, different threats could cause the demise of its biological treasures. One of these threats could be the lack of awareness and the negative perception of the people towards wildlife and conservation. In this study, 303 students and 52 teachers from Laguna State Polytechnic University-...
Prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in selected recreational pools in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines
Water-borne protozoan parasites, (i.e. Cryptosporidium and Giardia), have received considerable attention over the past few years because of their role as ubiquitous etiological agents of diarrhea and other related diseases of humans and animals. Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts have been found in water samples collected from selected pool...
Rediscovery of Nepenthes samar
In this paper, Nepenthes samar is newly reported from two different sites at both of which it is threatened. The first photographs of live plants are published. For the first time, information is presented on the current status of the species in the wild and on the threats it faces there, and on features of the plant, such as lower pitchers and inf...