Journal Publications
February 2023

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 ...

beach forest Mindanao island terrestrial vertebrate fauna threatened species wildlife
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January 2023

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 ...

Araneidae araneofauna biodiversity Philippines urban
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January 2023

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...

Fragmentation Karst Forest Leyte Island Tarsier Threat
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September 2022

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 ...

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July 2022

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).....

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June 2022

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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February 2022

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...

NGS mitogenome bats taxonomy phylogenetic analysis
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February 2022

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...

long-tailed macaques parachute gecko predation
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September 2021

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...

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July 2021

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...

Awareness Arachnids Arthropods Local Knowledge Biodiversity Management
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April 2021

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...

evolution fecal barcoding fruit bats genetic diversity
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October 2020

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...

Abundance Birds Diversity Species richness Urbanization
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September 2020

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;...

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July 2020

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...

Conservation Loris Macaque Philippine nonhuman primates Research gaps Tarsier
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April 2020

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...

diet composition diversity frogs invasive alien species roadkills urban environments
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October 2019

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...

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September 2019

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), ...

Disturbed landscapes frequency of occurrence food preference invasive alien anuran species population density
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April 2019

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....

Simian Plasmodium Macaca fascicularis Palawan Plasmodium knowlesi
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February 2019

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...

Human-macaque interaction nuisance behaviors
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January 2019

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...

Morphology pesticide Philippines teratogenic
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August 2018

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...

abundance diversity ricefield birds richness road effect Philippines
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February 2018

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-...

Awareness Conservation Perception Wildlife Philippines
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December 2017

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...

Giardia Cryptosporidium Recreational pools Immunofluorescence assay Calamba Laguna Philippines
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December 2014

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...

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