Philippine E-Journals

Herpetofaunal Diversity of Mt. Banahaw de Lucban

Russel R. Atienza | Lemuel A. Pabico | Essex Vladimer G. Samaniego

 

Abstract:

Determining the diversity of herpetofauna in Mt. Banahaw de Lucban was the main purpose of this study. Moreover, it tackled the identification, classification and determination of the conservation status of its herpetofauna. The study focused on three habitat types namely; secondary lowland forest, montane forest and mossy forest. Methods used in herpetological search were drift fences with pitfall and funnel traps, time strained searches in strip transect and photo- identification. Samplings were done in August and October 2014, in a day and night basis. A total of 45 individuals from 15 species were identified and classified up to its lowest taxonomic unit, 36 of which are amphibians from eight species while nine are reptiles from seven species. Amphibians species belonging to three families (Ceretobatrachidae, Dicroglossidae, and Ranidae) and reptiles species belonging to four families (Viperidae, Colubridae, Scincidae, and Gekkonidae) were observed. Secondary lowland forest has the highest diversity while mossy forest has the least. Nine species are of least concern, four species are vulnerable and two species are not evaluated.