The Herpetological Importance of Mt. Hamiguitan Range, Mindanao Island, Philippines

We provide the                first accounts of                the amphibians and reptiles of Mt. Hamiguitan Range in south eastern Mindanao. Three sites were visited: dipterocarp, transitional dipterocarp-montane and mossypygmy forests. The combination of transect sampling, pitfall trapping and microhabitat searches produced records of 34 species (15 frogs, 14 lizards and five snakes). We provide information on the herpetofaunal assemblage of Mt. Hamiguitan including data on species richness, elevational distribution and microhabitat preferences. High levels of species richness and endemism were observed especially in the dipterocarp forest site located outside the boundaries of the protected area. Our data suggest that Mt. Hamiguitan range should be considered an important subcenter of herpetological diversity.  Future conservation efforts should focus particularly on lowland forests

Diet Composition of Six Anuran Species (Amphibia: Anura) in Terminalia Forest, Mindanao Island, Philippines

The diet of six anuran species (Kaloula conjuncta, Philautus acutirostris, Polypedates leucomystax, Occidozyga laevis, Fejervarya cancrivora and Rana granducola) was determined using the gut content analysis. Nineteen food items were identified with Hymenoptera: Formicidae as the most frequently occurring food item appearing in the guts of 5 out of 6 species.  Coleoptera, Diptera, and Orthoptera followed appearing in 4 out of 6 species. The constantly frequent occurring food item for each species was: Hymenoptera for K. conjuncta and P. leucomystax; Hemiptera for O. laevis; and Orthoptera for R. grandocula. Degree of food preference (DFP) differed for each food item. Preferential food items (2<DFP<3) were Hymenoptera for K. conjuncta and P. leucomystax and Orthoptera for R. granducola. Presence of accidental occurrence and occasionally preferred food items was prominent in P. acutirostris. The occurrence of tadpole in the gut of O. laevis suggesting batracophagy is reported here. The recovery of food items that serve as bioindicators for water quality suggest that the water quality in the area was good. Thus, this study strongly supports the protection of the area for conservation of both anurans and their prey

Species Composition and Microhabitats of Frogs within Arakan Valley Conservation Area, Cotabato, Mindanao Island, Philippines

Species composition and microhabitats of frogs in the Arakan Valley Conservation Area in Cotabato, Mindanao, with three interconnected mountain ranges, were documanted using belt transect sampling. Frogs were sampled at 4 sites - one on Mt. Mahuson, two on Mt. Sinaka and one within the Kabalantian-Binoongan mountain range. Twenty-five frog species in 15 genera repesenting 5 families (Bufonidae, Megophyridae, Microhylidae, Ranidae and Rhacophoridae) were recorded, 9 of which are reported to be vulnerable. Fourteen species in 4 families were Philippine endemics, 9 of which are restricted to the Mindanao faunal region. Most species were encountered on ground microhabitats although majority of the individuals were seen on arboreal microhabitats. Overlaps in microhabitat use were also observed. Further, 56 % of the species were observed on forest edges. The high percentage of endimism may strengthen the importance of the site for conservation and the observed existence of species near edges might also highlight the conservation of all types of habitat