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ELBA Bioflux, 2015, Volume 7, Issue 1.
www.elba.bioflux.com.ro 10
ELBA BIOFLUX
Extreme Life, Biospeology & Astrobiology-
International Journal of the Bioflux Society
Species richness and endemism of cave
herpetofauna in Northern Mindanao, Philippines
1Olga M. Nuñeza, 2Marie R. Calizo-Enguito, 2Yunalyn Labajo-Villantes,
1Amy G. Ponce
1Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics
Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, Tibanga, Iligan City, 9200
Philippines; ²Department of Natural Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Misamis
University, Ozamis City, Philippines. Corresponding author: O. M. Nuñeza,
olgamnuneza@yahoo.com
Abstract. The Philippines is a biodiversity-rich country with high percentage endemism of reptiles and
amphibians. However, cave herpetofauna particularly in Mindanao, the country’s second largest island, is
poorly known. In this study, 19 caves in Mindanao were surveyed using the modified cruising method to
document the herpetofaunal species present giving particular attention to endemic species. Nine species
of herpetofauna (four amphibians and five reptiles) belonging to six families were recorded. The endemic
Hylarana grandocula was the most abundant and widespread among the amphibian species while the
endemic Cyrtodactylus annulatus was the most widely distributed reptile species. A 44 % endemicity was
recorded. Kitaotao cave 5, which has suitable microhabitats, had the most species of herpetofauna. More
reptilian species were found in a coastal cave. Assessment of more caves in Mindanao could increase the
total number of herpetofaunal species. The presence of endemic species in caves indicates the need to
protect these particular caves where the endemic species are found.
Key Words: amphibians, biodiversity, endemic, Hylarana grandocula, reptiles.
Rezumat. Filipine reprezinta o ţară bogată din punct de vedere al biodiversitaţii, unde se manifestă un
enedemism ridicat la reptile şi amfibieni. In orice caz, herpetofauna cavernicolă, în mod particular în
Mindanao, a doua insula din ţară ca suprafaţă, este puţin cunoscută. În acest studiu, 19 peşteri din
Mindanao au fost explorate folosind metoda deplasării modificate pentru a documenta speciile de
herpetofauna prezente, cu o atenţie specială pentru speciile endemice. Noua specii de herpetofaună
(patru amfibieni şi cinci reptile) aparţinând la şase famili, au fost identificate. Endemitul Hylarana
grandocula a fost cel mai abundent şi răspândit dintre speciile de amfibieni în timp ce endemitul
Cyrtodactylus annulatus a fost specia de reptile cea mai răspândită. A fost observată o endemicitate cu
un procent de 44 %. Peştera Kitaotao, care are microhabitate adecvate, adăposteşte cele mai multe
specii de herpetofaună. Cele mai multe specii au fost găsite într-o peşteră de pe coastă. Studierea mai
multor peşteri din Mindanao poate creşte numărul total de specii de herpetofaună. Prezenţa speciilor
endemice in peşteri indică necesitatea de a proteja peşterile în care au fost găsite aceste speci endemice.
Cuvinte cheie: amfibieni, biodiversitate, specii endemice, Hylarana grandocula, reptile.
Introduction. The Philippine archipelago, which is composed of more than 7,100 distinct
islands (Ambal et al 2012), holds a concentration of species diversity and endemism of
global importance (Peterson et al 2000) and recognized as one of the most important
centers of herpetofaunal diversity in Southeast Asia (Diesmos et al 2002). It consists of
102 amphibian species (Alcala et al 2006) of which 78 are endemic and 258 reptile
species of which 170 species (66 %) are recognized to be endemic (Diesmos et al 2002).
Biodiversity study on Mt. Malindang recorded 257 terrestrial vertebrate species of which
26 amphibians and 33 reptiles were identified (Nuñeza et al 2006). In the study
conducted by Beukema (2011) in Mt. Kitanglad Range, 22 herpertofaunal species were
recorded of which 12 are reptiles and 10 are amphibians and 15 of these species
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constitute new records for the area. Brown & Alcala (1994) described several species of
Philippine frogs of the Rhacophoridae family from Mindanao. Relox et al (2010) in their
study in Mt. Hamiguitan reported that of the 15 reptiles and nine amphibians recorded,
endemicity reached 80 % for reptiles and 77.8 % for amphibians. However, published
studies of cave herpetofauna in the caves of Mindanao, the second largest island in the
archiplegao, are limited although limestone habitats are abundant (DENR-PAWB 2008).
Most of the surveys on limestone habitats were in the Visayas, notably by Alcala et al
(2004), who surveyed limestone and non-limestone forest fragments to elucidate the
effects of fragmentation and degradation of tropical rainforests on tropical herpetofauna.
Siler et al (2009) also reported a new species of limestone-forest frog from Eastern
Samar Island.
Cave is home for wildlife species (Biswas 2010) and characterized by total
darkness, almost constant air and water temperature, relative humidity approaching
saturation and a relatively poor supply of nutrients (Engel 2007). Its fauna constitutes
one of the important components of biodiversity (Biswas 2009). However, cave
herpetofauna in Mindanao is poorly known. In this study, 19 caves in selected areas in
Mindanao were surveyed to document the herpetofaunal species present, giving
particular attention to endemic, threatened, and socioeconomically important species.
Material and Methods
Sampling Sites. This study was conducted in the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis
Oriental and in the cities of Iligan and Valencia (Figure 1). Nineteen caves were
sampled, of which four caves (Hindang Cave 1, Hindang Cave 2, Hindang Cave 3 and
Dalipuga Cave) are in the city of Iligan, two caves (Gitagum Cave 1 and Gitagum Cave 2)
are in Gitagum, Misamis Oriental, six caves (Minsalirac Cave 1, Minsalirac Cave 2,
Minsalirac Cave 3, Minsalirac Cave 4, Blue Waters Cave and Kabyao Cave) are in Quezon,
Bukidnon, five caves (Kitaotao Cave 1, Kitaotao Cave 2, Kitaotao Cave 3, Kitaotao Cave
4, Kitaotao Cave 5) are in Kitaotao, Bukidnon and two caves (Salawaw Cave and Kariis
Cave) are in Valencia City. Table 1 shows the 19 caves sampled with corresponding
description.
Sampling Methods. A modified cruising method was employed to document the
herpetofauna in the caves. The caves were sampled for a total of 2521 man-hours from
April to August 2010 at 700 hours-1500 hours and 1800 hours-2100 hours. Cave sites
were described following Alcala et al (2007). Reference works such as Inger (1954),
Brown & Alcala (1978, 1980), Alcala (1986), and Alcala & Brown (1998) were used for
species identification. Distribution and conservation status of herpetofauna species was
based on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2014) while a list of socioeconomically
important species was based on key informant interviews. Paleontological Statistics
Software Package by Hammer et al (2001) was used for cluster analysis.
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Figure 1. Map of the world (A) (www.marloncabilan.wordpress.com 2012) and the
Philippines (B) (www.google.com.ph/maps 2015) showing the location of 19 caves (red
dots) (C) (www.car-navi.ph 2010).
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Table 1
Description of the 19 caves sampled in Northern Mindanao, Philippines
Cave
Sites
Coordinates Elevation
meters
above
sea level
Water
Bodies/
Droplets
Diameter
of cave
entrance
(m)
Height of
the cave
entrance
(m)
Type of
Substrate
Type of
Disturbances
Presence of
stalactites,
stalagmites,
crevices and
boulders
Guano
depth
Temperature
°C
Relative
Humidity
%
E T I E T I
Iligan
City
Hindang
Cave 1
08°18’121’’
N
124°21’394
” E
2522 Absent 8.3 5.44 muddy - Few
Stalactites,
Big boulders
20 cm
depth
27.3
27.3
25.4
89
89 91
Hindang
Cave 2
08°18’122”
N
124°21’389’
’ East
531 Absent 2.8 3.30 muddy markings
and graffiti
Moderate
stalactites
Few
Stalagmites,
Cave
crevices,
Small
boulder
absent 26.5
26.5
27 81
81 84
Hindang
Cave 3
08°18’104’’
N
124°21’373’
’ E
525 absent 3.9 2.93 - markings
and graffiti
Moderate
Stalactites,
Few
crevices,
boulders
25 cm
depth
26.5
26.5
27 87
87 89
Dalipuga
Cave
08°18’112’’
N
124°21’39’’
E
239 present 15 9.45 muddy spelunking
and treasure
hunting
Moderate
stalactites,
wall
crevices and
boulders
absent 24 24 24 82
82 82
Gitagum,
Misamis
Oriental
Gitagum
Cave 1
08°34’322”
N
124°22’55”
E
90 absent 4.14 2.24 dry Cooking
inside cave
Few
stalactites
absent 26 26 27 73
73 74
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Gitagum
Cave 2
08°34’272’’
N
124°22’510’
’ E
77 absent 1.9 0.82 dry Low human
disturbance
Few
stalactites,
Moderate
crevices
27 27 26 74
74 76
Quezon,
Bukidnon
Minsalirac
Cave 1
070 42’017’’
N
125003’322’
’ E
282 absent 7 6 dry Low human
disturbance
Moderate
stalactites,
Few
stalagmites,
wall
crevices
Rare 24 24 23 85
85 86
Minsalirac
Cave 2
070 42’014’’
N
125003’219’
’ E
356 absent 3 5 dry Low human
disturbance
Moderate
stalactites,
Few
stalagmites,
Moderate
wall
crevices
Rare 28 28 26 83
83 87
Minsalirac
Cave 3
070 42’014’’
N
1250
03’219’’ E
356 absent 2.5 2 dry Low human
disturbance
Moderate
stalactites,
Few
stalagmites,
Moderate
wall
crevices
Rare 28 28 26 83
83 87
Minsalirac
Cave 4
070 42’006’’
N
125003’209’
’ E
341 absent 2 2 dry - Moderate
stalactites,
Few
stalagmites,
wall
crevices
Rare 28 28 27 91
91 90
Blue
Waters
Cave
070 42’062’’
N
125003’249’
’ E
241 present 4 5 dry treasure
hunting
Few
Stalactites
and
stalagmites,
Few wall
crevices
Rare 27 27 27 79
79 84
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Kabyao
Cave
070 42’062’’
N
125003’249’
’ E
278 absent 6 7 dry spelunking
and treasure
hunting
Numerous
Stalactites
and
stalagmites,
wall
crevices
4 cm
depth
24 24 24 85
85 89
Kitaotao, Bukidnon
Kitaotao
Cave 1
070 42’062’’
N
125003’249’
’ E
316 absent 8 10 muddy Low human
disturbance
Few
stalactites
and
stalagmites
absent 26 26 26 88
88 88
Kitaotao
Cave 2
070 42’062’’
N
125003’249’
’ E
328 Absent 4 5 dry Low human
disturbance
Stalactites
and
stalagmites
Few 27.5
27 26 87
87 89
Kitaotao
Cave 3
070 42’062’’
N
125003’249’
’ E
372 Absent 2.5 5 Dry vandalism
was noted on
the walls
Moderate
stalactites
and
stalagmites
Few 25 25 25 74
74 74
Kitaotao
Cave 4
070 42’062’’
N
125003’249’
’ E
333 Present 7 7.5 - Low human
disturbance
Moderate
stalactites
and
stalagmites
absent 25 25.5
25.5
89
89 89
Kitaotao
Cave 5
070 42’062’’
N
125003’249’
’ E
360 Absent 3.5 4 - Low human
disturbance
Moderate
stalactites
and
stalagmites
Rare 26 26 25 89
89 89
Valencia City,
Bukidnon
Salawaw
Cave
070 42’062’’
N
125003’249’
’ E
728 Present 3 6 muddy Low human
disturbance
Numerous
Stalactites,
stalagmites,
and
columns
Moderate 23.5
22.5
23.5
75
.5
95.
5
91
Kariis
Cave
07º 42.062”
N
125º03.249
” E
437 present 20 25 muddy Low human
disturbance
Numerous
Stalactites,
stalagmites,
and
columns
Abundan
t
25.5
27 24 - - -
Legend: E- entrance zone, T-twilight zone, I- inner zone
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Results and Discussion. Nine herpetofaunal species (four amphibians and five reptiles)
belonging to six families were recorded in the caves surveyed (Table 2). This result was
lower than the recorded number of species in forest habitats of Mt. Sambilikan (Nuñeza
et al 2012) but higher than the recorded number of herpetofauna species in Fiji PABITRA
(Morrison & Naikatini 2008).
According to Jones et al (2003) species diversity within caves is affected by food
or resource availability. Stevens & O’Connor (2006) also reported that habitat area,
temperature, humidity, rainfall, latitude and altitude also affect species diversity.
Kitaotao cave 5 was the most species-rich probably because it has low human
disturbance.
Table 2
Species richness of herpetofauna in 19 caves in Northern Mindanao
Sampling Site Amphibians Reptiles Total
Iligan City
Hindang Cave 1 1 2 3
Hindang Cave 2 1 2 3
Hindang Cave 3 0 0 0
Dalipuga Cave 0 1 1
Gitagum, Misamis
Oriental
Gitagum Cave 1 2 1 3
Gitagum Cave 2 1 1 2
Quezon, Bukidnon
Minsalirac Cave 1 0 1 1
Minsalirac Cave 2 0 1 1
Minsalirac Cave 3 1 0 1
Minsalirac Cave 4 1 0 1
Blue Waters Cave 1 0 1
Kabyao cave 0 1 1
Kitaotao, Bukidnon
Kitaotao Cave 1 0 1 1
Kitaotao Cave 2 1 0 1
Kitaotao Cave 3 1 0 1
Kitaotao Cave 4 1 0 1
Kitaotao Cave 5 4 0 4
Valencia, Bukidnon
Salawaw Cave 1 1 2
Kariis Cave 1 0 1
Total Number of
Species
4(2) 5(3) 9(5)
Legend: (endemic species)
This observation concurs with the study of Heinen (1992) that species richness and
diversity of herpetofauna are higher in less disturbed sites. Moreover, anuran diversity
and species richness are lower in disturbed areas (Suazo-Ortuno et al 2008). This
indicates that less disturbed sites could harbor many species. The Kitaotao cave 5 was an
easy walk through because it has only one opening and one chamber. The presence of a
body of water makes it a good microhabitat for breeding amphibians. According to the
Natural Resources Conservation Service (2006), amphibians usually dwell in areas with
water and cool areas where the air is humid enough to keep their body moist. Alcala et al
(2006) reported that 85 % of the Philippine amphibians are highly dependent on and
sensitive to moisture. This factor could also explain the richness of Kitatotao cave 5.
However, in the Blue Waters cave only one species was recorded, while in Hindang cave
3 no single species was documented. Blue Waters cave is a tourist destination because of
its clear water. Residents and tourists use the cave as picnic grounds leaving trash
behind. In Hindang cave 3, human disturbance as seen from markings and graffiti was
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moderate in the entrance zone and none in the inner zone. Amphibians and reptiles are
particularly sensitive to habitat disturbance (Natural Resources Conservation Service
2006) and thus disturbed areas have significantly lower herpetofauna diversity than in
the undisturbed area (Surasinghe 2007), however there are also few species that can
tolerate disturbance (Heinen 1992) like some frog and toad species which could tolerate
or even increase after disturbances (Moorman et al 2011). Human activities can have
adverse effects on animal distribution and abundance (Ruddock & Whitfield 2007).
Moreover, human disturbance is increasingly becoming a concern to conservationists
because, as human populations continue to expand, ecotourism is increasing as a
potential revenue source, and wildlife in diminishing areas of refuges are exposed to
greater human recreational and other anthropogenic activities (Wight 2002; Christ et al
2003). In Hindang Cave 1, Hindang Cave 2, and Gitagum Cave 1 three herpetofauna
species were documented in each cave. Hindang Cave 1 is the biggest cave among
Hindang caves. It was also least disturbed, being located far from human settlements
and the landowner prohibited people from exploring the cave. Hindang cave 1 is located
near a forest which makes this cave a good site for reptiles and amphibians. Many
crickets were observed that might serve as food for reptiles and amphibians. The same
observation was obtained by Browne (2009) that amphibians prefer elongated prey such
as crickets or insect larvae. Hindang Cave 2 has three interconnecting chambers. There
was a small extraneous debris found in the three cave zones in addition to fallen rocks
and boulders that created holes suitable for reptiles, which also provide quick escape
from predators. Gitagum Cave 2 is a small three-chambered cave with open canopy
cover. Just like Hindang Cave 1 and Hindang Cave 2, Gitagum Cave 2 consists of
abundant holes and crevices. Spiders, ants, cockroaches, bugs and crickets were
observed in the caves, which are available for reptiles and amphibians as food. Macro-
invertebrates serve as the primary food base of many amphibians and reptiles (Poulton
2004). Moreover, human disturbances in this site were low.
Table 3 shows the species of amphibians and reptiles found in the caves surveyed.
The Philippine endemic, Hylarana grandocula was found in eight sites and was the most
abundant species. This species was found mostly in cave entrance and mid inner zone.
According to Gunn (2004), amphibians are commonly encountered at the entrance of the
cave with high air humidity and buffered temperature changes. Hylarana grandocula is
an inhabitant of undisturbed and disturbed streams and rivers in lowland forests
(Diesmos et al 2004a). The presence of Hylarana grandocula, which feeds mainly on
invertebrates (Alcala & Brown 1998), indicates the presence of food source in the cave.
This species was also recorded in the study of Alcala et al (2012a) in caves and limestone
habitat. Kalophrynus pleurostigma was found only in Kitaotao Cave 5 where two
individuals were found. According to Diesmos et al (2004b), Kalophrynus pleurostigma is
found occasionally in disturbed forests and breeds in small pools of water. This could be
the reason for the existence of Kalophrynus pleurostigma in Kitaotao Cave 5 which is a
less disturbed habitat with presence of bodies of water. Limnonectes magnus was found
in three sites (Gitagum cave 1, Kabyao cave and Kitaotao cave 5) while Platymantis sp.
was found in five sites (Kitaotao cave 2, Kitaotao cave 3, Kitaotao cave 4, Kitaotao cave
5 and Salawaw cave) and both were usually seen at the cave entrance up to five meters
inwards for L. magnus and up to 10 meters for Platymantis sp. Alcala et al (2012b)
reported that frogs are generally found in moist and cooler portions of the caves,
particularly near the entrance and in moist rock crevices which are also the location of
amphibian species found in this study. Calls of Platymantis sp. were heard in the four
caves in Kitaotao (caves 1-4). This species made its call inside rock crevices and holes
where it cannot be seen. It was observed to be very sensitive to noise that it
automatically stopped calling with just one small noise. It took 1-3 hours before it made
another call. Calls of Limnonectes magnus, Hylarana grandocula, and Kalophrynus
pleurostigma were also heard in Kitaotao cave 4. The calls emanated from the
accumulated debris at the entrance of the cave which was observed to be the
microhabitat of these anurans. Of the reptiles, Cyrtodactylus annulatus was found to be
widespread being found in eight sites, which is expected since this species is known to
occur in limestone caves.
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Table 3
Species list of herpetofauna in 19 caves in Northern Mindanao
SPECIES A B
C D
E
F
G
H
I J K
L
M N
O
P Q R S Total
AMPHIBIANS
Family
Dicroglossidae
Limnonectes
magnus+
(Large Swamp
Frog)
0 0
0 0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0 0
0 0 5 0 0 10
Family
Microhylidae
Kalophrynus
Pleurostigma
(Black-spotted
Narrow-mouthed
frog)
0 0
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0 0 2 0 0 2
Family
Ranidae
Platymantis sp. 0 0
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 3
5 2 2 1 0 13
Hylarana
grandocula*
(Big-eyed Frog)
2 1
0 0
2
1
0
0
0
1
2
0
0 0
0 0 3 0 2 14
REPTILES
Family Elapidae
Ophiophagus
hannah^
(King Cobra) 0 0
0 0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0
0 0 0 0 1
Family
Gekkonidae
Cyrtodactylus
annulatus*
(Small Bent-toed
Gecko)
0 1
0 1
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
1 0
0
0 0 0 1 8
Family Scincidae
Sphenomorphus
fasciatus*
(Banded
Sphenomorphus)
0 1
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0
0 0 0 0 1
Sphenomorphus
jagori*
(Jagor's
Sphenomorphus)
1 0
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0
0 0 0 0 1
Sphenomorphus
variegatus
(Blacked –spotted
Sphenomorphus)
1 0
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0
0 0 0 0 1
Total Number of
Individuals 4 3
0 1
6
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1 3
5
2 12 1 3 51
Total Number of
Species 3 3
0 1
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1 1
1
1 4 1 2 9
Legend: (A) Hindang Cave 1, (B) Hindang Cave 2, (C) Hindang Cave 3, (D) Dalipuga Cave, (E) Gitagum cave 1,
(F) Gitagum Cave 2, (G) Minsalirac Cave 1, (H) Minsalirac Cave 2, (I) Minsalirac Cave 3, (J) Minsalirac Cave 4,
(K) Blue Waters Cave, (L) Kabyao Cave, (M) Kitaotao Cave 1, (N) Kitaotao cave 2, (O) Kitaotao Cave 3, (P)
Kitaotao Cave 4, (Q) Kitaotao Cave 5, (R) Salawaw Cave, (S) Kariis Cave; *endemic, + near threatened,
^vulnerable
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These species is also found in a wide variety of microhabitats, including among detritus
on the forest floor, under rotting logs in forests and it also congregates in suitable habitat
close to rivers and streams (Brown & Rico 2009). The endemic Sphenomorphus jagori
was only found in Hindang cave 1 with only one individual, although this species has wide
distribution, presumed large population and has tolerance to habitat modification (Brown
et al 2009).
Cluster analysis (Figure 2) shows that the first group consists of cave sites
situated in Bukidnon area (caves N, P, O, R). These N, P, O, R caves are less disturbed
and serve as good habitats for herpetofauna because of the high number of insects found
at the time of study. Platymantis, which is known to be karst habitat-specialised as
reported by Siler et al (2010), was commonly found or shared in N, P, O, R cave sites.
Furthermore, the most similar sites in this group are caves N and P, which are less
disturbed, with presence of water droplets or bodies of water and high availability of food
such as insects. The other group of sites, J to L, had low to moderate disturbance with
sparse vegetation. The Caves E, Q, L formed a branch at <40% similarity because of the
presence of human disturbance in this group affecting the presence of the near
threatened species Limnonectes magnus. According to Diesmos et al (2004c)
Limnonectes magnus inhabits undisturbed and disturbed streams and rivers in lowland
forests and is threatened by habitat loss due to logging and harvesting for human
subsistence. Moreover, the presence of Limnonectes magnus in caves E, Q and L could
be due to the abundant availability of spiders and crickets which serve as food. The
similarity of Caves E and Q at >50% was observed to be due to the occurrence of
anthropogenic activities in both caves where there were occasions that farmers cooked
and took meal inside the cave affecting the presence of Limnonectes magnus and the
endemic Hylarana grandocula. Another group branches out at <30 similarity forming the
group of caves J, B, F, K, S, A. Caves J, B, F are then further clustered to caves B and F
possibly due to sharing of two endemic species found in the sites, namely Hylarana
grandocula and Cyrtodactylus annulatus. Caves K, S, A had >60% similarity but further
clustered to caves K and S at >75% because of the presence of similar species in these
sites. On the other hand, caves M, D, G, H, I, which clustered together, are characterized
by low human disturbance and almost the same ambient temperature values. Moreover,
the reptile species, Cyrtodactylus annulatus was the only species present and shared by
these cave sites.
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0.00
0.12
0.24
0.36
0.48
0.60
0.72
0.84
0.96
Similarity
N
P
O
R
J
B
F
K
S
A
M
D
G
H
I
E
Q
L
Figure 2. Similarity of cave sites in Northern Mindanao using cluster analysis (Bray-curtis). (A)
Hindang Cave 1, (B) Hindang Cave 2, (C) Hindang Cave 3, (D) Dalipuga Cave, (E) Gitagum cave 1,
(F) Gitagum Cave 2, (G) Minsalirac Cave 1, (H) Minsalirac Cave 2, (I) Minsalirac Cave 3, (J)
Minsalirac Cave 4, (K) Blue Waters Cave, (L) Kabyao Cave, (M) Kitaotao Cave 1, (N) Kitaotao cave
2, (O) Kitaotao Cave 3, (P) Kitaotao Cave 4, (Q) Kitaotao Cave 5, (R) Salawaw Cave, (S) Kariis
Cave; *endemic, + near threatened, ^vulnerable.
Four species (44%) were recorded to be endemic with one species documented to be
under Near Threatened (Limnonectes magnus) and Vulnerable (Ophiophagus hannah)
category of IUCN (2014) (Table 4). General threats observed to the cave biodiversity
were guano harvesting and treasure hunting which greatly disturb the cave fauna.
According to DENR (2014) guano harvesting also leads to the loss of biodiversity,
specifically of the guano-dependent animals. McFarlane (1986) and Mithra (2012)
observed that caves with excessive disturbance associated with guano harvesting and
tourism lead to the decrease of species. The endemic species were observed to have
wide distribution in the caves, for instance, Hylarana grandocula was found in eight sites
which have bodies of water or have moist environment. Likewise, Limnonectes magnus
was found in three sites, also with bodies of water, and C. annulatus in eight sites. C.
annulatus has wide distribution, presumed large population and inhabits wide variety of
microhabitats (Brown & Rico 2009) while Hylarana grandocula is adaptable with a
N
P
O
R
J
B
F
K
S
A
M
D
G
H
I
E
Q
L
0.00
0.12
0.24
0.36
0.48
0.60
0.72
0.84
0.96
Similarity
ELBA Bioflux, 2015, Volume 7, Issue 1.
www.elba.bioflux.com.ro 21
presumed large population and is also at times common in disturbed habitats (Diesmos
et al 2004a). These endemic species appear to thrive in the cave habitats in this study.
Table 4
Conservation status and distribution range of herpetofauna recorded in selected Caves in
Northern Mindanao, Philippines
Species Common Name Distribution Status
(IUCN, 2014)
Conservation
Status
(IUCN, 2014)
AMPHIBIANS
Family Dicroglossidae
Limnonectes magnus Giant Philippine Frog
Near Threatened
Family Microhylidae
Kalophrynus
pleurostigma Black-spotted
Narrow-mouthed Frog
Least Concern
Family Ranidae
Platymantis sp.
Hylarana
grandocula
Big-eyed Frog Philippine Endemic Least Concern
REPTILES
Family Elapidae
Ophiophagus hannah
(King Cobra) King Cobra Vulnerable
Family Gekkonidae
Cyrtodactylus
annulatus
Small Bent-toed
Gecko
Philippine Endemic
Least Concern
Family Scincidae
Sphenomorphus
fasciatus Banded
Sphenomorphus
Philippine Endemic
Least Concern
Sphenomorphus
Jagori Jagor's
Sphenomorphus
Philippine Endemic
Least Concern
Sphenomorphus
variegatus
Blacked–spotted
Sphenomorphus
Least Concern
Total Number of
Endemic Species
4
Conclusion. Caves in Northern Mindanao support a considerable number of
herpetofauna. Kitaotao cave 5 is the only cave site which had the presence of all
documented amphibians in the study. The presence of endemic and threatened species in
caves indicates the need for protection of the caves. Other caves in Mindanao need to be
assessed in order to come up with a complete database of the cave herpetofauna in
Mindanao.
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Received: 09 February 2015. Accepted: 28 February 2015. Published online: 07 April 2015.
Author:
Olga Macas Nuñeza, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics Mindanao State
University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Tibanga, Iligan City, 9200, Philippines, e-mail:
olgamnuneza@yahoo.com
Marie Rosellyn Calizo-Enguito Department of Natural Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Misamis University,
Ozamiz City 7200, Philippines, e-mail: roselle_888@yahoo.com
Yunalyn Labajo-Villantes, Department of Natural Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Misamis University,
Ozamiz City 7200, Philippines, e-mail: xyzuna@yahoo.com
Amy Guanco Ponce, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics Mindanao State
University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Tibanga, Iligan City, 9200, Philippines, e-mail:
amyguancoponce@yahoo.com
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
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are credited.
How to cite this article:
Nuñeza O.M., Calizo-Enguito M.R., Labajo-Villantes Y., Ponce A.G., 2015 Species richness and endemism of cave
herpetofauna in Northern Mindanao, Philippines. ELBA Bioflux 7(1):10-24.