Distribution patterns of the anurans of Mts. Palay-Palay/Mataas na Gulod National Park Luzon Island, Philippines

• Main Author: Maranan, Rubie Laysa
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1999
• Subjects: Amphibians; Anura; Species; Island fauna; Isolating mechanisms; Animal Experimentation and Research; Other Animal Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/1991
• Institution: De La Salle University

The species diversity, distribution patterns, and aspects of modes of life (food habits and mating calls) of the anurans of Mts. Palay-Palay/Mataas na Gulod National Park, Luzon Island, Philippines, are studied from August to December, 1998.Sampling was done in various habitats in this mountain range and its immediate vicinities. A total of 13 anuran species, belonging to three families in seven genera were recorded each species is given a taxonomic treatment in the systematic account. About seven taxa (4 species and 3 subspecies) are endemic to the Philippines and two are restricted to Luzon. One species of Platymantis is possibly undescribed. Although the anuran assemblage in the study area has a high degree of endemism, it is lower compared with the endemism of other mountains of eastern Luzon. Species diversity increases in an eastward trend since the western regions of the country receive the lowest amount of annual rainfall. A probable explanation of the richness of the anurans in the study area, together with other mountains, is discussed in line with the Energy-Stability-Area (ESA) Theory of Biodiversity. Mt. Palay-Palay is shown to be faunistically similar to Mt. Maquiling, however, it conspicuously lacks five ranids, two rhacophorids and three microhylids. The absence of these species in the study area may be due to inadequate sampling. Species richness decreased with an increase in elevation. Non-endemic species are usually associated with man's habitations and man-controlled environs while endemic species are usually restricted to forest habitats. Seven microhabitat types were identified and a large proportion of the anurans occurred only in two microhabitat types. Four microhabitats are known to have important functions in the life history of amphibians, viz. diurnal shelters, calling site, breeding site and oviposition site. Four schemes of local distribution were observed and these appear to be determined by the spatial occurrence of individuals. Some 19 food items-both animal and plant materials-were identified most important were ants. Mating calls are not only crucial to mating but also exposes exposes anurans to predators.