Philippine Biodiversity Notes

The Web of Life

Levels of Biological Diversity

• Genetic Diversity: Refers to the variety of genetic information contained within all individual plants, animals, and microorganisms.

• Species Diversity: Refers to the variety of living species.

• Ecosystem Diversity: Refers to the variety of biotic communities, habitats, and ecological processes, encompassing habitat differences and diverse ecological processes.

Biodiversity and the Healthy Society

• Definition: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms on Earth, from the smallest microorganisms (mycoplasma) to the largest animals (blue whales).

• It is a short term for ‘biological diversity’.

Three Levels of Biodiversity (Detailed)

• Genetic Diversity: Variations in the different genes present in individual organisms (e.g., differences in genetic sequences among humans).

• Species Diversity: Variations within and among populations in a species, as well as differences between and among species.

• Ecosystem Diversity: Diversity observed among the ecosystems in a particular region.

Engagement: Philippine Biodiversity Status

• Focus on our living and non-living resources.

Terms Related to Biodiversity

• Endemic Species: Species that are native or restricted to a particular area. Examples in the Philippines include:

  • Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)

  • Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta)

  • Rafflesia speciosa

• Endangered Species: Species categorized as very likely to become extinct in the near future. Examples include:

  • Manatee

  • Panda

Endangered Birds in the Philippines

• Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)

  • Lives in rainforests of Isabela, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao.

  • Similar to Papua New Guinea's Harpy Eagle (Harpyopsis novaeguinea).

  • Diet: large snakes, hornbills, civet cats, flying lemurs, and monkeys (reason for being called monkey-eating eagle).

  • Estimated population: 100 to 300, making it endangered.

  • One of 400 exotic bird species in the Philippines at risk of extinction if not protected.

• Philippine or Red-vented Cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia)

• Palawan Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron emphanum)

• Sulu Hornbill (Anthracoceros montani)

• Cebu Black Shama

  • The Philippine Eagle might follow the Cebu flowerpecker which is now presumed extinct.

• Mindoro Imperial Pigeon (Ducula mindorensis)

Endemic and Endangered Birds (Examples)

• Negros Bleeding Heart Pigeon (Gallicolumba platenae)

• Visayan Wrinkled Hornbill (Aceros waldeni)

• Red-bellied Pitta (Pitta erythrogaster)

Endemic and Widespread Bird

• Grand Rhabdornis

Endangered Mammals in the Philippines

• Philippine Spotted Deer (Cervus alfredi)

  • Considered one of the world's rarest mammals.

  • Lives in the dwindling forests of Panay Island.

• Calamian Hog Deer (Calamian Deer)

  • Deer that cannot be found elsewhere

  • Longer and darker legs compared to other hog deer.

  • By 1996, population declined to about 900.

The Tamaraw: A Critically Endangered Buffalo

• Unique species of dwarf wild buffalo (Bubalus mindorensis) endemic to Mindoro.

• Distinguishing Features:

  • Size: Approximately 106 cm tall at the shoulder, 220 cm long (head to body), 60 cm tail length.

  • Horns: V-shaped, growing close together at the top of the head.

  • Markings: Light markings on their faces.

  • Hair: Slightly hairier than other buffalo.

  • Status: Listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

  • Behavior: Generally solitary, becoming nocturnal to avoid humans.

• Population Decline:

  • From 10,000 in the 1900s to 369 in the late 1980s, and as few as 20 in the wild.

  • There are 335 tamaraws in the Philippines as of 2023 and been declining since 2018, when it peaked at 523.

• In livestock farming in the Philippines, there were approximately $2.78$ million carabaos in 2023.

Philippine Tarsier

• Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta)

  • Measures only about 12 centimeters in length.

  • Cannot move its two big eyes; can turn its head 180 degrees.

  • Found in Samar, Leyte, Bohol, and Mindanao.

  • Named for its elongated tarsus bone.

  • Approximately 1,000 tarsiers inhabit the wilds of Corella town in Bohol.

  • Philippine Tarsier Foundation Inc. ensures their continued existence.

Palawan Bearcat

• The Palawan bearcat population is threatened by human activities.

Philippine Mouse Deer

• Philippine Mouse-Deer (Tragalus nigricans)

  • Found south of Palawan, on Balabac Island.

  • World's smallest hoofed mammal, locally known as Pilandok.

  • Stands about 40 centimeters at the shoulder level.

  • Declared as endangered in 1996 by the World Conservation Union.

Dugongs

• Dugongs (sea cows)

  • The only herbivorous marine mammals, often sighted in Philippine waters near Palawan and southern Mindanao.

  • Can live more than 70 years.

  • Commercial exploitation banned by the Philippine government since 1991.

Giant Fruit Bats

• Two species of giant fruit bats roam the 10,000-hectare Subic Forest National Protected Area.

  • Considered the biggest roosting site of bats in the world.

• Golden-Capped Fruit Bat Acerdon jubatus

Smallest Bats

• Philippine Bamboo Bat (vespertilionid)

  • The smallest bat in the world, belonging to the vespertilionid family.

  • Measures about 4 centimeters (1 1/2 inches) in length with a 15 cm wingspan.

  • Weighs approximately 1.5 grams (1/20 ounce).

Endemic and Endangered Bats

• Mindoro Pallid Flying Fox

  • Smallest flying fox in the Philippines.

• Philippine Tube-Nosed Bat (Nyctimene rabori) of Negros Island

  • Considered highly endangered.

Extinct Bats

• Bare-backed Fruit Bat (Dobsonia chapmani)

  • Believed to have become extinct in the 1970s due to forest destruction, disturbance by guano miners, and hunting.

Kagwang

• Flying Lemur (Kagwang)

  • The continuous denudation of tropical forests threatens the remaining population.

  • Used to abound in Basilan, Leyte, Samar, Bohol, and Mindanao.

  • Declared as an endangered species, and commercial exploitation is banned.

Visayan Warty Pig

• Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons)

  • 1994: Endangered

  • 1996 - 2004: Critically Endangered

The Cloud Rat

• Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat (Phloeomys pallidus)

  • Widespread in northern and central Luzon, from sea level to high mountains.

  • Found in primary and secondary forests and heavily disturbed scrub.

  • Cloud rats can be eaten and considered a delicacy in some indigenous communities.

  • However, many species are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.

The Largest Reptile

• Salt Water Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

  • The world's largest reptile is found in the Philippines.

  • Different from Mindoro's freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis).

  • A tale exists of a 27-foot saltwater crocodile killed near Lake Taal in Batangas in 1823, requiring 40 men to bring it ashore.

Philippine Flat-Headed Frog

• Philippine Flat-Headed Frog (Barbourula busuangensis)

  • Found in Busuanga, Culion, and Palawan.

  • Inhabits clear, unpolluted, swift-flowing mountain streams and rivers in lowland rainforests.

  • Usually floats near the surface of the water unless disturbed, then hides under submerged rocks.

Gray’s Monitor

• Gray’s Monitor (Varanus olivaceus)

  • Found in southern Luzon and Catanduanes Island in the Philippines.

  • Inhabits the forested slopes of low mountains.

Our Turtles

• Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

• Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)

• Hawksbill Sea Turtle

• Philippine Pond Turtle (Heosemys leytensis)

• Philippine Green Turtle

• Leatherback Sea Turtle

Whale Sharks

• Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus)

  • Donsol, Sorsogon, is a sanctuary to a group of 40 whale sharks, the largest fish in the world.

  • Locally known as "butanding", they visit Donsol from November to May.

  • They travel across the oceans but are sighted in larger groups in Sorsogon waters.

  • Discovered to be ovoviviparous in 1996.

  • Declared as an endangered species in 1998, banning its plunder and exploitation.

  • The Department of Tourism is promoting eco-tourism to protect whale sharks in Donsol.

Dwarf Goby

• Dwarf Goby (Pandaka pygmaea)

  • The world's smallest freshwater fish, found in the Philippines.

  • Measures 1.2 centimeters (less than half an inch).

  • Discovered in Malabon River in 1925 by American Ichthyologist Albert Herre.

Sinarapan

• Sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonensis)

  • World's smallest commercial fish, found only in Lakes Bato and Buhi in Camarines Sur province.

  • Grows to an average length of 1.25 centimeters.

  • Unabated fishing threatens its population.

  • A thousand would fill a tablespoon.

Endemic and Endangered Sea Fish

• Chaetodontoplus caeruleopunctatus (Blue-spotted angelfish)

• Exyrias (goby or biya)

• Sawtail Catshark

• Philippine Anchovy: Dilis or Bolinao

Seahorses

• Over 500 of the world's 700 coral species are found in the Philippines, part of the Coral Triangle.

• At least 50 known seahorse species inhabit temperate and tropical waters, concentrated in the Philippines.

• Hippocampus (Greek for "bent horse") is the seahorse's scientific genus name.

• 47 nations and territories are involved in buying and selling seahorses, with China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan being the largest importers.

• The Philippines is among the largest exporters.

Largest Shells

• Tridacna gigas

  • Grows as large as one meter in length and weighs 600 pounds.

  • One of the world's largest shells, found under Philippine waters.

Smallest Shells

• Pisidum

  • The world's tiniest shell, found under Philippine waters.

  • Less than 1 millimeter long.

Most Expensive Shells

• Glory of the Sea (Connus gloriamaris)

  • Found in the Philippines and considered one of the most expensive shells in the world.

Endemic Trees and Fruits

• Velvet Apple, Mabolo (Diospyros discolor)

• Endemic fruit trees in the Philippines include durian, mabolo, pili, and bignay.

• More than 150 species of palms and dipterocarps are found in the hotspot, with around two-thirds found nowhere else in the world.

Our Endemic Flowers

• Of the 1,000 species of orchids found in the Philippines, 70 percent are restricted to the hotspot.

• As many as 9,000 flowering plants can be found in the country.

• Gingers, begonias, gesneriads, orchids, and pandans are particularly high in endemic species.

The Web Of Life

• Everything is connected to everything else.

• There is strength and stability in the unity of differences.

Closing

• Magandang buhay at Maraming Salamat po!