Sacred Mountain and Its Anurans

The first time I got interested to wildlife research was when I was taking Bio 198 (Methods of Research). Our professor required us to draft the first three chapters of our thesis. That’s when I decided to read the literature about wildlife research with special emphasis to anurans. Whenever a colleague asked of my thesis problem, I told them that I would conduct a diversity study of anurans in Sacred Mountain. I see in them a disappointing glow, as if my research is one of worthless theses that year. In fact, that’s what exactly in their mind.

Diversity studies are receiving less attention. Most students have this wrong idea that studies of these kinds are the simplest and for the lazy ones. It has the simplest methods. I heard of students saying “In one week time, I can finish my thesis if it’s a diversity study.” But after a year, I hoped to have eradicated this idea. Would they label me lazy student the fact that I was top of my class and was involved into several extracurricular activities? I don’t think so.

I remember one time when I started my report in MOR with bold declaration. I said, “Diversity studies are not crap! Making this study as a back-up study in case your original study does not work out is no doubt an insult to people like me who is genuinely interested with the subject matter.”

Fast forward, in our batch I was second to defend my thesis. To gather my data, I have to visit Sacred Mountain several times in December. From the local folks, they believe the mountain has spirits in their dialect are collectively called tonong. Other theory as to origin of its name has a biological importance. A biologist gave the name some time in 1980’s to discourage the local people from exploiting the forests.

The mountain has not been previously studied along with other parts of Lanao province. According to my wildlife professor, security issue shoo away potential researchers who would like to document the fauna of the province. In the words of my professor, Lanao is a “heaven” for wildlife researchers may it be herpetologist or ornithologist. This is the first initial attempt to document the anuran species of Sacred Mountain.

The study recorded 174 individuals belonging to 14 species with Chaperina fusca being the most abundant. Eight species are endemic to Philippines, Mindanao, and Southeast Asia. Only two species are threatened – Philautus surrufus (endangered) and Limnonectes magnus (vulnerable). The high abundance of C. fusca is encouraging as this species mainly inhabit primary forests indicating the forests remain in a good state.

I know from the literature that there is expression of great concern about extinction of amphibians globally as one in every three amphibian species is threatened with extinction. It is in this light of amphibian declines that the need has been expressed about gathering baseline and long term information. This decline is also manifested in the amphibian fauna of the Philippines because of several environmental threats with habitat destruction being the most immediate. Our country is enjoying a distinction being a global center of herpetological diversity and endemism and is now recognized as one of the most important center of herpetological diversity in Southeast Asia. However, it is also regarded by nearly every major international conservation organization as one of the top global priorities for conservation action. This study is conducted to initially provide baseline information.

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Title: Preliminary Study on Diversity of Anurans in Sacred Mountain (Mount Mupo) National Park, Marawi City, Philippines

Researcher: Cyrollah R. Disoma, BS Zoology (2013)

Adviser: Dr. Apolinario A. Alicante

Abstract: This study was conducted to assess the diversity of anurans in Sacred Mountain (Mount Mupo) National Park using Opportunistic Visual Encounter Survey. Fieldwork was conducted from December 16, 2012 to January 5, 2013 at three stations of different elevations. The assessment recorded 14 species of anurans, belonging to families Bufonidae, Microhylidae, Ranidae and Rhacophoridae. Eight species are endemic with two found only in Mindanao. Two species are in the threatened category – Philautus surrufus (Endangered) and Limnonectes parvus (Vulnerable). Chaperina fusca was found to be abundant in the Sacred Mountain Range. The Shannon‟s Index of Diversity is 0.9011, indicating relatively high diversity. Evenness is 0.7862 indicating relatively even distribution. The high level of endemism indicates the conservation importance of the range.

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References:

Dr. Arvin Diesmos and Dr. Angel Alcala are the authority in Philippine Herpetology.

Nuñeza OM, Ates FB, Alicante AA, Enguito MC, and Bruno AT. 2006. Vertebrate Faunal Diversity and Relevant Interrelationships of Critical Resources in Mt. Malindang, Misamis Occidental. Biodiversity Research Program in Mindanao: Focus on Mt. Malindang and Environs. SEAMEO SEARCA, College, Laguna.

Beukema W. 2010. Herpetofauna of disturbed forest fragments on the lower Mt. Kitanglad Range, Mindanao Island, Philippines. Salamandra. 47(2). 90-98a

Diesmos AC, Brown RM, Alcala AC, Sison RV, Afuang LE, Gee GV. 2002. Philippine Amphibians and Reptiles: An Overview of Species Diversity, Biogeography, and Conservation. (unpublished manuscript)

Monney KA, Darkey M L, and Dakwa KB. 2011. Diversity and distribution of Amphibians in the Kakum National Park and its surroundings. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation. 3(8): 358-366

Nuñeza OM, Ates FB, and Alicante, AA. 2010. Distribution of endemic and threatened herpetofauna in Mt. Malindang, Mindanao, Philippines. Biodiversity and Conservation. 19: 503 518.

Nuñeza OM, Fabricante KM, Alicante AA, Sucaldito MP, and Ponce, AG. [date unknown]. Herpetofaunal Diversity and Endemism in Mt. Diwata Range, Agusan del Sur, Philippines.