Cave bats and their habitats in Nug-as and Mt. Lantoy key biodiversity area (KBA), Cebu, Philippines

Issue Date

1-2016

Abstract

Bats play a vital role in maintaining energy flow inside caves. To assess the status of these bats and the caves itself where they reside, five caves in the Karst landscape of Nug-as and Mt. Lantoy KBA in Argao, Cebu were surveyed. The surveyed caves are namely: Balay’g Kolon (9.90315°N, 123.5465°E), Stalagmite (9.9140°N, 123.5439°E), Balay’g Halas (9.9126°N, 123.5407°E), Kasiyay (9.9003°N, 123.5454°E) and Balay’g Periko (9.9193°N, 123.5656°E). Mist nets were setup inside or at the cave entrance to capture bats for biometric measurements. Vegetation was characterized using the quadrat method within the 500 m radius of the cave entrance. Hydrogeological features were noted by carrying out a British Cave Research Association (BCRA) grade 3C survey. Results showed that four out of the 13 cave-dwelling insect bat species listed for Cebu in 2009 are found in the two of five caves surveyed. Out of the four species found, Megaderma spasma and Hipposideros ater are documented as new distribution records for the Municipality of Argao. Shannon (H’) index for cave bats ranged from 0.45 to 1.04. Vegetation Shannon (H’) index at the cave entrance ranged from 1.44 to 2.78. As for the hydrogeological assessment, all caves are considered dry and total cave lengths ranged from 7.6 m (Balay’g Halas) to 109.7 m (Balay’g Periko). Cave ceiling heights ranged from 0.5 m (Balay’g Halas) to 8.9 m (Kasiyay). All caves can be classified as simple based on its low complexity index values (CI≈1). Coefficient of verticality (CV) ranged from 0.04 to 7.9 (due to 60-m drop at Balay’g Halas), which means the caves surveyed in Mt. Lantoy KBA developed horizontally. Cave temperatures ranged from 29.4°C (Kasiyay) to 31.8°C (Balay’g Periko). The cutting of trees for charcoal making and vandalism/graffiti occur in all caves and its immediate vicinity. Frequently observed disturbance includes cave visitation (80%), presence of garbage (60%), local cultural use, speleothem collection, and the use of torches inside. The cave with the highest number of disturbance indicators is Balay’g Periko Cave (61.5%) and Balay’g Halas the least (20%).

Source or Periodical Title

Asia Life Sciences

ISSN

0117-3375

Volume

25

Issue

2

Page

621-637

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

maps, illustrations, tables

Language

English

Subject

Argao, Balay’g Halas Cave, Balay’g Kolon Cave, Balay’g Periko Cave, Cave survey, Cebu, Kasiyay Cave, Key biodiversity area, Mt. Lantoy, Nug-as, Philippines, Stalagmite, Unclassified caves

Digital Copy

yes

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