Richness and distribution of reptiles and amphibians in the tropical lowland habitats of Mt. Agad-Agad, Iligan City, Southern Philippines

Knowledge of Philippine herpetofauna is progressively increasing. However, there are still areas in the country that are poorly understood and remain unexplored, particularly in the southern Philippines. Mt. Agad-Agad in Iligan City (Lanao del Norte Province) is a secondary lowland evergreen tropical rainforest in the southern portion of the northern Mindanao region, popular with the general public and a biologically important mountain ecosystem. Herein, we present the species richness and distribution of herpetofauna using standardized sampling methods. We documented 37 species of amphibians and reptiles, recording 20 Philippine-endemic species, three exotic anurans, two threatened reptiles, and one unidentified species of lizard. Species richness was higher in a mixed agricultural area (18 species, n = 108 individuals) compared to secondary growth forest (17 species, n = 86 individuals). This research provides baseline information on the herpetofauna from Mt. Agad-Agad, and additional herpetological knowledge on the distribution and ecology of amphibians and reptiles from the northern Mindanao region

Species Composition and Assessment of Sphingidae in Mt. Agad-Agad, Iligan City, Philippines

Sphingidae (Hawkmoth or Sphinxmoth) is a known bioindicator that is naturally af-fected by environmental issues such as deforestation and pollution. Members of this family are widely distributed in Southeast Asia and play vital roles as indicators of habitat quality and biomass degradation. This study highlights the diversity and as-sessment of hawkmoths of Mt. Agad-Agad (Sitio Langinlanon, Barangay Puga-an) on Iligan City. Two sampling stations were established, the upper and lower Mt. Agad-Agad. Light trap sampling using 2 ×3 m2white silk cloth and 500 watts light bulb was established in selected points of the sampling stations. Six species belong-ing to four genera were recorded of which two species, Acosmeryx socratesand Pol-yptychus trilineatusphilippinensis, were found very rare in the area. Station 2 (lower Mt. Agad-Agad) had the highest number of species recorded compared to Station 1 (upper Mt. Agad-Agad). However, there is no significant difference between the two (t=0.59, critical t=2.2281, p=0.56) sampling stations in terms of species composi-tion. Moreover, two species from the genus Ambulyxare the endemic species ob-served, viz, A. bakeriand A. wilemani

Evolution of genital asymmetry, exaggerated eye stalks, and extreme palpal elongation in <i>Panjange</i> spiders (Araneae: Pholcidae)

We describe several new species of the previously monotypic Panjange lanthana species group from the Philippines and document their extraordinary morphology. Some species show strong male genital asymmetry, a phenomenon that seems to be exceedingly rare in spiders. Males of most species have eye stalks, and in two species these eye stalks are among the longest ever recorded in spiders. Some species show a tendency for male genital (pedipalp) elongation, and one species has the longest and thinnest palps ever recorded in Pholcidae. A cladistic analysis is performed including all described and several undescribed species of Panjange (except for one “problem species”), supporting the lanthana group and its close relationship with members of the possibly paraphyletic cavicola group. The following eight new species are described: Panjange malagos Huber sp. nov.; Pa. casaroro Huber sp. nov.; Pa. camiguin Huber sp. nov.; Pa. hamiguitan Huber sp. nov.; Pa. isarog Huber sp. nov.; Pa. dinagat Huber sp. nov.; Pa. marilog Huber sp. nov.; Pa. bukidnon Huber sp. nov.</p

Distribution of the avifauna of Agusan marsh, Agusan del Sur, Philippines

The Agusan Marsh is the 1009th RAMSAR site, a wildlife sanctuary which serves as wintering ground for migratory and wetland birds from Asian and Western countries, and is considered one of the most ecologically significant wetland ecosystems in the Philippines. This study assessed species diversity and distribution of birds in four habitat types of the Agusan Marsh. Sago, Terminalia, Mixed Swamp and Peat Swamp forests in the Marsh were surveyed from August 2005 to January 2006 using a combination of mist netting (3,337 net days) and transect walk methods. One hundred twenty-six species of birds were identified consisting of 26 migrants, 69 non-endemics, and 31 endemics (23.81% endemism) of which seven species are categorized as threatened. The Mixed Swamp Forest had the highest species richness (S=92) while the Peat Swamp Forest had the highest number of migratory birds (S=26). Highest endemicity was recorded in the Terminalia Forest (20.63%) while the Sago Forest had the least number of bird species. Migratory birds were recorded at the start of sampling in August, their numbers considerably increasing thereafter and reaching a peak in November. In contrast, the number of endemic species declined in the same month. Previously recorded only in Luzon, the migratory Siberian Rubythroat (Luscinea calliope) was also found in Agusan Marsh, indicating that this bird may be found in other places in the Philippines. Forty-six species of birds, which include six migratory species, were reported to be of socioeconomic importance. Changes in structural and floristic composition brought about by forest degradation, such as conversion of forest into agriculture, logging and hunting, were seen as threats to the birds in Agusan Marsh. Results indicate that the Marsh supports a considerable number of endemic, threatened, and migratory bird species. Conservation of the different Marsh habitats is necessary for the protection of the broadest avifaunal diversity

Significant records of birds in Agusan Marsh, Philippines with notes on the conservation importance of the area

Agusan marsh is one of the most ecologically significant wetland ecosystems in the Philippines. Sago, terminalia, mixed swamp, and peat swamp forests in Agusan Marsh were surveyed from August 2005 to January 2006 using a combination of mist netting (3,337 net days) and transect walk methods to determine the distribution, endemicity, and conservation of birds in Agusan marsh. One hundred twenty-four species of birds were identified with low endemism of 25%. The mixed swamp forest had the highest species richness (S = 92) while sago forest had the least (S = 70). Peat swamp forest had the highest number of migratory birds (S = 26). Highest endemicity was recorded in the terminalia forest (21%). Migratory birds were recorded at the start of sampling in August and considerably increased thereafter reaching its peak in November. A sudden decline in the number of endemic species was observed in November. Forty-six species of birds which include six migratory species were reported to be of socio-economic importance. Changes in the structural and floristic composition brought about by forest degradation such as conversion of forest into agriculture, timber poaching and hunting were seen as threats to the birds in Agusan marsh. Conservation of the different habitats in the marsh is necessary for the retention of the broadest avifaunal diversity

Evolution of genital asymmetry, exaggerated eye stalks, and extreme palpal elongation in Panjange spiders (Araneae: Pholcidae)

We describe several new species of the previously monotypic Panjange lanthana species group from the Philippines and document their extraordinary morphology. Some species show strong male genital asymmetry, a phenomenon that seems to be exceedingly rare in spiders. Males of most species have eye stalks, and in two species these eye stalks are among the longest ever recorded in spiders. Some species show a tendency for male genital (pedipalp) elongation, and one species has the longest and thinnest palps ever recorded in Pholcidae. A cladistic analysis is performed including all described and several undescribed species of Panjange (except for one “problem species”), supporting the lanthana group and its close relationship with members of the possibly paraphyletic cavicola group. The following eight new species are described: Panjange malagos Huber sp. nov.; Pa. casaroro Huber sp. nov.; Pa. camiguin Huber sp. nov.; Pa. hamiguitan Huber sp. nov.; Pa. isarog Huber sp. nov.; Pa. dinagat Huber sp. nov.; Pa. marilog Huber sp. nov.; Pa. bukidnon Huber sp. nov

Species Richness of Odonata in the Agricultural Area of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, Philippines

Odonata is a good biological indicator especially in fresh water ecosystem because it is very responsive to habitat and landscape degradation. This study was conducted to determine the species richness of Odonata in the agricultural areas of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte. Eight sampling sites were assessed comprising heavily disturbed and slightly disturbed agricultural areas. Sampling was done by sweep netting. Thirteen species composed of 10 dragonflies (Anisoptera) and three damselflies (Zygoptera) were documented belonging to 10 genera and three families. Only two endemic species were found. Orthetrum sabina sabina, an Oriental species, was the most abundant species found in all areas. The agroforestry sites which are slightly disturbed areas had higher species richness, abundance, endemism, and diversity. Results indicate that agricultural land use has adverse impact on species richness of Odonata. Keywords: damselflies, diversity, dragonflies, endemic, habitat

The Philippine hair wax spiders and their relatives: revision of the Pholcus bicornutus species group (Araneae, Pholcidae)

We revise the Southeast Asian Pholcus bicornutus group in which males are characterized by a unique pair of horns on their ocular area, each of which carries at its tip a brush of hairs. In two species, the two hair brushes are ‘glued’ or ‘waxed’ together by an unidentified substance into a very consistently curved and pointed single median tip. In the other five species known, the hairs are unglued. We present a first revision of ocular modifications in Pholcidae and identify twenty supposedly independent origins. Most cases are in Pholcinae, and all but one case are limited to the male, suggesting sexual selection as the main driving force in the evolution of ocular modifications in Pholcidae. Previously, the Pholcus bicornutus group consisted of four species limited to the Philippines. We describe four new species, including three species from the Philippines (P. olangapo Huber, sp. nov.; P. kawit Huber, sp. nov.; P. baguio Huber, sp. nov.) and the first representative from outside the Philippines (P. mulu Huber, sp. nov. from Sarawak, NE Borneo) and provide new records and SEM data for three previously described species

Revision, phylogeny, and microhabitat shifts in the Southeast Asian spider genus Aetana (Araneae, Pholcidae)

The previously poorly known Southeast Asian spider genus Aetana Huber, 2005 is revised. Fifteen species are newly described, and the first SEM data and a first phylogenetic analysis of the genus are presented. Four species groups are well supported, one restricted to Borneo, two restricted to the Philippines, and one ranging from the Philippines to Fiji. The cladistic analysis and field observations suggest that the ancestor of Aetana built its web close to the ground, in confined spaces among and under rocks and logs. In at least two cases, evolutionary shifts of microhabitat resulted in species being adapted to life in higher forest strata, with correlated morphological and behavioral changes (lighter coloration; longer abdomen; additional sheet in web or more strongly domed web). The following species are newly described: A. abadae Huber, sp. nov., A. baganihan Huber, sp. nov., A. banahaw Huber, sp. nov., A. kiukoki Huber, sp. nov., A. libjo Huber, sp. nov., A. loboc Huber, sp. nov., A. lozadae Huber, sp. nov., A. manansalai Huber, sp. nov., A. ocampoi Huber, sp. nov., A. paragua Huber, sp. nov. and A. pasambai Huber, sp. nov. from the Philippines; A. gaya Huber, sp. nov., A. indah Huber, sp. nov., A. lambir Huber, sp. nov. and A. poring Huber, sp. nov. from northern Borneo. The female of A. kinabalu Huber, 2005 is newly described. A potential case of female genital dimorphism is documented in A. ocampoi Huber, sp. nov