Olga Nuneza

Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology | MSUIIT · Department of Biological Sciences

Understanding the love language of the selected Philippine endemic anurans is the key to their conservation. Bioacoustic is a non-invasive method of studying anuran ecology, reproductive biology, evolution and physiology.

Flores ABA, Diesmos AC, Nuňeza OM. 2022. Morphological description and life history of the Philippine endemic Limnonectes leytensis Leyte swamp frog in Rogongon, Iligan City, Philippines. Biodiversitas 23: 133-139. The Philippine endemic Limnonectes leytensis (Leyte Swamp Frog) is a widespread species, however, most studies concerning it only focus...

The island of Mindanao where the Province of Lanao del Norte is situated is rich in biological diversity. Most plants and animals on this island are endemic-naturally occurring and are found nowhere else in the world. Despite the wealth of biodiversity studies, no known information has yet been formally published on the flora and fauna of Iligan Ci...

During a herpetological survey we observed an interspecific amplexus between two different anurans, namely Black‐spotted Sticky Frog (Kalophrynus pleurostigma) and Big‐eyed Frog (Pulchrana grandocula) (Fig. 1). They were found near a pond where Pulchrana grandocula was abundant. No eggs were produced at the time of observation.

Hoya josetteae is a poorly known Philippine endemic species described by Milton Medina andDale Kloppenburg in 2016 based on a single specimen collected from Maharlika, MarilogDistrict, Davao City. In May 2021, we have serendipitously recollected the species in GingoogCity, Misamis Oriental, extending its distributional range northward of Mindanao i...

Hoya josetteae is a poorly known Philippine endemic species described by Milton Medina and Dale Kloppenburg in 2016 based on a single specimen collected from Maharlika, Marilog District, Davao City. In May 2021, we have serendipitously recollected the species in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, extending its distributional range northward of Mindana...

Sphingidae (Hawkmoth or Sphinxmoth) is a known bioindicator that is naturally affected by environmental issues such as deforestation and pollution. Members of this family are widely distributed in Southeast Asia and play vital roles as indicators of habitat quality and biomass degradation. This study highlights the diversity and assessment of hawkm...

Bark and leaves of Artocarpus blancoi locally known as Antipolo has been used as folkloric medicine in the Philippines. However, evaluation of the phytochemical constituents and cytotoxicity profile of the bark and leaf extracts of A. blancoi has not been fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical properties, antioxidant ac...

This study highlights the ecology, natural history, and a new distribution record by providing a unique habitat occurrence record in karst ecosystem and describes a tail anomaly of the endemic Mamanwa Bent-toed Gecko Cyrtodactylus mamanwa in the province of Dinagat. The detection of a new population on Unib Island in the southwestern Dinagat extend...

Nuneza OM, Rodriguez BC, Nasiad JGM. 2021. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by the Mamanwa tribe of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines. Biodiversitas 22: 3284-3296. Traditional knowledge on medicinal plants plays an important role in public healthcare and development of drugs. In the Philippines, studies on...

Philippines has rich floral biodiversity accompanied with an abundant source of medicinal plants easily accessible in the locality. In terms of ethno-medical properties, Chrysophyllum cainito has been used to treat various diseases. In this study, C. cainito leaves were collected and evaluated for cytotoxicity using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Bioas...

Anurans are considered good indicators of habitat quality due to their bi-phasic life mode, limited dispersal abilities, and sensitivity to environmental changes brought about by habitat fragmentation, pollution, climate change, and emerging infectious diseases. This study aimed to determine species diversity and local distribution of anurans in lo...

The brachyuran fauna of the large southern Philippine island of Mindanao is poorly known, with only a few freshwater and estuarine crab species described or recorded in the last 30 years. Renewed interest in crab biodiversity has led to recent, small-scale surveys (2016-2019) of freshwater and estuarine habitats in various localities in Mindanao, w...

Alpinia elegans (C.Presl) K.Schum. is an endemic Philippine medicinal plant used in the treatment of various conditions such as muscoloskeletal diseases, hemoptysis, headache, migraine, stomach ache, and as an anti-relapse for women. The major phytochemical constituents of the ethanolic extract from the leaves of Alpinia elegans were screened and t...

Association of tiger beetles with parasites have been noted mostly on the larval stages only. At present, infestation of Hexathrombium sp. mites has been recorded in Philippines tiger beetles. This study investigates mite infestation of adult tiger beetles collected from four different islands namely, Cebu, Bohol, Negros, and Mindanao.

The objective of the study was to determine the phytochemicals present in the leaf extracts of Diospyros blancoi A. DC and to evaluate its antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. Qualitative phytochemical tests were used to detect the presence of bioactive compounds present in leaf extracts of D. blancoi. Antioxidant activity was measured through...

The nymph of the perlid Neoperla obliqua Banks, 1913 from Mt. Malindang, Mindanao Island, the Philippines is described and associated with the male and female adults using DNA barcodes. Using pairwise CO1, the nymph was associated with 99.9 ± 0.14% interspecific similarity, while comparison between sexes generated a 0.2% intraspecific divergence be...

The leaves of crepe ginger (Costus speciosus (J. Koeng.) Sm. are utilized by the Subanen tribe of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines to treat diabetes. However, the hypoglycemic potential of this plant is not yet well-established. Thus, the present study investigated the in-vitro alpha-amylase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of the lea...

Endemic species of oceanic islands are vulnerable due to their geographical isolation and small population sizes. For endangered island species, captive breeding program is an important strategy for conservation and sustainable management. Pachyrhynchus sarcitis is a flightless weevil decorated with colourful markings and distributed exclusively on...

To assess the species richness and endemism of birds and mammals, this study was conducted in and near eight waterfalls in Agusan del Sur, Philippines. A combination of mist netting, transect walk, and McKinnon's List methods were employed to document birds while mammals were documented through mist-netting and key informant interviews. Fifty-nine...

Rose apple which is also known as water apple or "tambis" is a watery fruit that is native to Eastern Australia. This fruit is actually very rich in fibers, proteins, vitamins and iron. The health benefits of rose apples include their ability to detoxify the liver, improve digestion, protect against diabetes, boost the immune system, lower choleste...

Aim We investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of diversification among colourful and flightless weevils, the Pachyrhynchus orbifer complex, to test the stepping‐stone hypothesis of colonization across the Taiwan–Luzon volcanic belt. Location Southeast Asia. Methods The phylogeny of the P. orbifer complex was reconstructed from a multi‐loc...

A new mayfly species, Sparsorythus buntawensis sp. nov. (Tricorythidae) from Layawan River of Mt. Malindang in Mindanao Island, the Philippines is described based on nymphal and adult morphologies. Sparsorythus buntawensis sp. nov. differ from all known members of the genus primarily in the deeper cleft of the hypopharynx and wider distance between...

Reliable species identification provides a sounder basis for use of species in the order Odonata as biological indicators and for their conservation, an urgent concern as many species are threatened with imminent extinction. We generated 134 COI barcodes from 36 morphologically identified species of Odonata collected from Mindanao Island, represent...

Myrmecodia tuberosa Jack (Rubiaceae) has been used as part of traditional Philippine remedies for a wide range of therapeutic usages. The results of this will prove the curability and effectiveness of this plant to some diseases and illnesses, and for the safety of aqueous and its ethanolic extracts. The present study was aimed to evaluate phytoche...

A new perlid stonefly, Phanoperla constanspina sp. nov. is described from Mt. Malindang, northern Mindanao, Philip-pines. The male of the new species is distinguished by lacking lobes on penial sac and large black spines at the penial apex. The female is distinguished by the egg. DNA barcoding was used to associate male, female, and nymphal specime...

We revise the Southeast Asian Pholcus bicornutus group in which males are characterized by a unique pair of horns on their ocular area, each of which carries at its tip a brush of hairs. In two species, the two hair brushes are ‘glued’ or ‘waxed’ together by an unidentified substance into a very consistently curved and pointed single median tip. In...

The Philippines is a megadiverse country as well as a global biodiversity hotspot with high diversity of butterflies. This study aimed to determine the species richness of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) in Bega Watershed, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Philippines. A survey using the sweep netting method was conducted on May 8-14, 2014. Three sa...

We describe eight new species of the genus Pholcus, and document their microhabitats. Four species are assigned to the previously described Pholcus ethagala group: P. tanahrata Huber sp. nov., P. uludong Huber sp. nov., and P. bukittimah Huber sp. nov. from the Malay Peninsula, and P. barisan Huber sp. nov. from Sumatra. These species are all litte...

Most spider groups use plants and ground as their microhabitats. In this study, microhabitats of pholcid spiders were investigated in Marilog and Mount Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao, Philippines to determine the microhabitat utilization of leaf-dwelling and forest ground-dwelling pholcids. Based on quantitative analysis, pholcid spiders we...

The root of " kawilan " (Embeliaphilippinensis) is known by the Talaandig tribe of Bukidnon, Philippines to cure tumors, cysts, and few types of cancer yet it lacks scientific authentication of its medicinal properties. In the present study, the antioxidant activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of E. philippinensis roots was evaluated by determ...

Ethnobotanical documentation was conducted in the Municipality of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur. This was done through informal interviews, walk-through interviews, and focus group discussions with seven selected healers of the Subanen tribe. There were 89 medicinal plant species documented belonging to 39 genera under 41 families. Leaves were the mos...

The study was conducted to determine species diversity and guild structure of spiders inTawi-tawi and Basilan. Opportunistic sampling was conducted using a combination of pitfall trapping, aerial and ground collection, vial-tapping and beat netting methods. Forty-three spider species were documented belonging to 29 genera and 10 families in Tawi-ta...

Microhabitat utilization is an important factor for species diversification. This study examined the microhabitat utilization of leaf-dwelling pholcids. The occurrence of 241 collected samples showed different degrees of plant occupancy as evaluated by Bodenheimer Constancy: Schismatoglottis sp. (constant; 51.25%), Homalomena philippinensis (access...

The study assessed the condition of the ovary and the ovarian follicles of juvenile Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fed with Trichanthera gigantea leaf meal (TLM) for a duration of one month reared in an experimental scale aquaponics system. Specifically, the growth was determined by the total body length (TL, cm), body weight (BW, g) ovarian st...

Farmers in the Philippines are accustomed to raising mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domestica) in a semifree range management system where ducks are not totally confined within cages or houses. This study assessed the hepatic status of layer ducks with age range of 13-24 months from two farms practicing semi-free range management system in Misam...

Caves serve as sanctuaries for birds especially swiftlets, the most common cave-dwelling birds. This study was conducted to determine and compare the diet composition of the two species of swiftlets, Collocalia esculenta and Aerodramus vanikorensis. Examination of the gut contents showed that the two bird species are generally insectivorous and the...

This study was conducted to determine the microhabitats of cave crickets in eight caves in Agusan del Sur. Collection was done on June 22-July 10, 2015. Using hand searching method, cave crickets were collected and observed in different microhabitats. Eleven microhabitats were identified in two different zones. Walls and ceilings in the twilight zo...

Wild hops (Flemingia strobilifera Linn.) is a shrub belonging to Fabaceae family. The leaves of F. strobilifera are commonly used by the Subanen, the indigenous group in Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines to treat inflammation. In this study, the hydromethanolic (80%) and aqueous leaf extracts of F. strobilifera were evaluated for their antiox...

Reptiles are highly diverse with high percentage of endemism in the Philippines. However, reptile diversity in Mindanao, the second largest island in the country,is poorly known. To determine the species richness, diversity, endemism and conservation status of reptiles, this study was conducted from August to December 2013 in six sampling sites of...

This study was conducted in Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Ecological and Techno-Demo Center, Brgy. Imbayao, Malaybalay, Bukidnon. The study aims to determine the microhabitats of pholcid spiders. Using Cruising method combined with visual search, pholcid spiders were searched on the underside of broad-leaf plants, buttresses, between rock and rock crevices, f...

Odonata is a good biological indicator especially in fresh water ecosystem because it is very responsive to habitat and landscape degradation. This study was conducted to determine the species richness of Odonata in the agricultural areas of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte. Eight sampling sites were assessed comprising heavily disturbed and s...

Selected spider species in the Philippines are collected and prepped to wrestle with one another on a stick until one is either dead or incapacitated. This betting game is considered one of the traditional pastimes in the country. This study aims to provide a detailed description of the spider wrestling sport in the three cities and seven municipal...

Pholcidae is one of the species-rich spider families. However, pholcid spiders are poorly studied in Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines. In this study, selected areas of southeastern Mindanao, Philippines were surveyed in order to determine the pholcid fauna in the area. Pholcids were collected using a combination of aerial-hand searchi...

Microhabitats are key determinants of species distribution, abundance, and species diversity. This study was conducted to determine the microhabitats of pholcid spiders at the Center for Ecological Development and Recreation, Impasugong, Bukidnon. Sampling was conducted using the cruising method.All possible microhabitats of pholcids were searched...

The study was conducted in four sampling sites within Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape (RSPL), Bohol, Philippines to determine the microhabitats of pholcid spiders. Using a combination of cruising and visual searching methods, pholcid spiders were searched at 7:00 hours-18:00 hours. Vegetation especially broad-leaf plants and other possible micro...

This study aims to determine the species richness and abundance of spiders in Sacred Mountain, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, Philippines. Beat netting, vial tapping, and pitfall trapping methods were used to collect samples at elevations of 800, 900, and 1000 meters above sea level. Forty-three species belonging to 11 families were documented. Highes...

This study aims to determine the species richness and abundance of spiders in Sacred Mountain, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, Philippines. Beat netting, vial tapping, and pitfall trapping methods were used to collect samples at elevations of 800, 900, and 1000 meters above sea level. Forty-three species belonging to 11 families were documented. Highes...

This study was conducted to determine the species richness and abundance of spiders in Barangay Baganihan, Marilog District, Davao City, Philippines. Sampling was conducted at three sites with elevations of 1000, 1100 and 1200 meters above sea level using conventional collection techniques like sweep netting, beat netting, and vial-tapping. One hun...

The aim of this study was to determine the species richness of jumping spiders in Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape (RSPL), Bohol, Philippines. Field sampling was conducted on June 8-15, 2015 for 64 man-hours using beat-netting and vial-tapping methods from all the field layers. One hundred eighteen individuals belonging to 45 species and 21 gener...

Spiders that are used as game or wrestling animals in the Philippines are called derby spiders. This study describes the details of spider wrestling sport in Northern Mindanao through profiling of gamer-respondents and constructing age structures of species commonly used in spider wrestling. Results showed that the higher the income of gamer-respon...

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the α–amylase inhibitory and antioxidant activities, as well as the total phenolics content of methanol (80:20 v/v) and aqueous bark extracts of T. orientalis through in vitro analyses. Preliminary phytochemical profiling was performed to identify the bioactive constituents. Toxicity screening was a...

The egg-type pateros ducks, Anas platyrhynchos domestica, in the Philippines are raised in the traditional semi free-range management system which allows farmers to keep the ducks in flocks as extra activities in between their crop farming routines. This study assessed the follicular development in ducks grown from farms in semi free-range system a...

p> Bats are known to be effective pollinators and seed dispersers that aid in shaping forest ecosystems. This study was conducted using the mist netting method to determine species diversity of fruit bats in three sampling sites in Bega Watershed, Barangay Mabuhay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Philippines. One hundred eighteen individuals comprisin...

This study was conducted to determine the faunal composition of leaf-dwelling pholcids in selected areas of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines. Using the active diurnal manual technique, this study has recorded 180 (53.77%) adult leaf-dwelling pholcids and 156 (46.43%) juveniles in seven sampling localities. Ten species were recorded...

Leaf-dwelling pholcidspiders do not eat plants but leaves serve as microhabitat necessary for their survival, proliferation, and diversification. This paper dealt with microhabitat utilization of leaf-dwelling pholcids in three selected areas of mainland Mindanao part of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.Manual technique by means of turning the...

Studies on the microhabitat preferences of leaf-dwelling pholcids are yet to be generated in the Philippines. In this study, the microhabitat preferences of the 150 specimens of three leaf-dwelling pholcid genera and their association to certain microhabitats at Aurora and Ramon Magsaysay, Zamboanga del Sur were examined. The plant, Schistomatoglot...

The selection of microhabitat by spider communities is influenced by various environmental factors as well as by the plant structure. The study was conducted in the vicinity of Katibawasan falls, Mambajao, Camiguin province. The study aims to determine the microhabitats of pholcid spiders. Using the cruising method combined with visual search, phol...

We describe several new species of the previously monotypic Panjange lanthana species group from the Philippines and document their extraordinary morphology. Some species show strong male genital asymmetry, a phenomenon that seems to be exceedingly rare in spiders. Males of most species have eye stalks, and in two species these eye stalks are among...

The previously poorly known Southeast Asian spider genus Aetana Huber, 2005 is revised. Fifteen species are newly described, and the first SEM data and a first phylogenetic analysis of the genus are presented. Four species groups are well supported, one restricted to Borneo, two restricted to the Philippines, and one ranging from the Philippines to...

The plant species, Ficus nota locally known as “tibig” is traditionally used by the Manobo tribe in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur as an alternative medicine. However, there are no records or documentation on the phytochemical constituent or potential cytotoxicity of the stem of Ficus nota. This study was conducted to test for in vivo brine shrimp letha...

using live traps and indigenous traps in the five sampling sites of Bega Watershed. Nine non-volant mammalian species were documented, of which six are endemic with one species under the vulnerable status. The Philippine endemic, Rattus everetti and the Mindanao Faunal Region endemic, Bullimus bagobus were the only rodents captured. The other seven...

Many plants have been used as traditional medicine. The Antidesma ghaesembilla Gaertn, locally known as “bugnai”, which is also found in Bohol, Philippines is believed to have medicinal properties. Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA) of the ethanolic extract of Antidesma ghaesembilla Gaertn was conducted in order to determine whether this medicinal...

Escherichia coli is a leading bacterial cause of diarrhea in children and adults in the developing world and is one of the primary causes of death worldwide due to improper sanitation and lack of access to clean water. In this study, the E. coli isolates from the fecal samples of recruited pediatric patients of Adventist Medical Center (AMC) in Ili...

Bats are known to be effective pollinators and seed dispersers that aid in shaping forest ecosystems. This study was conducted using the mist netting method to determine species diversity of fruit bats in three sampling sites in Bega Watershed, Barangay Mabuhay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Philippines. One hundred eighteen individuals comprising e...