Birds and mammals of the fragmented forests along the Anahawin River, Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park, Mindoro Island, Philippines

Issue Date

1-1998

Abstract

Two forest sites along the Anahawin river were studied for their avian and mammalian fauna. Both sites were inside Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park in Calintaan, Mindoro Occidental Province, Mindoro Island, Philippines. A total of 75 birds and 27 mammals were identified in both study sites. Endemicity was high with 44 Philippine endemics (29 birds and 15 mammals) recorded. Four out of the eight known Mindoro endemic mammals, and four out of the six Mindoro endemic birds were present in the study sites. The two sites were both covered with patches of secondary lowland rainforest that were surrounded by "parang" vegetation, "kaingin" and grasslands. The forest habitats around Mt. Iglit were heavily fragmented by indiscriminate logging and excessive slash and burn (kaingin) agriculture. Although the two sites differ in elevation and extend of forest cover, both sites had similar avian and mammalian composition. Among the Mindoro endemic species noted were the Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), Mindoro rat (Rattus mindorensis), Scarlet-collared Flowerpecker (Dicaeum retrocinctum), Mindoro Hornbill (Penelopides mindorensis), Black-hooded Coucal (centropus steerii) and the Mindoro Bleeding-Heart (Gallicolumba platenae). There were 11 Mindoro endemic races of birds and two mammals and a total of 21 Mindoro endemic taxa. These include the Mindoro warty pig (Sus philippensis oliveri), Mindoro brown deer (Cervus mariannus barandanus), Philippien Hawk-Owl (Ninox philippensis mindorensis), Colasisi 9Loriculus philippensis mindorensis) and Blue-crowned Racquet-tail (Prioniturus discurus mindorensis). The notable records were that of the two new and underscribed species of mammals endemic to the island, namely the Mindoro "pallid" flying for (Pteropus sp.), and the Mindoro forest mouse (Apomys sp.). Some 16 threatened species of birds and mammals were also observed. These include nine threatened Philippine endemic birds (including four Mindoro endemics) and seven mammals, all vulnerable to habitat loss and severe over hunting.

Source or Periodical Title

Sylvatrop: the technical journal of Philippine Ecosystems and Natural Resources

ISSN

0115-0022

Volume

8

Issue

1-2

Page

43-61

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

illustrations ; map; table

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

BIRDS; MAMMALS; FAUNA; BIODIVERSITY; HABITATS; ENDEMIC SPECIES; NATIONAL PARKS; PHILIPPINES

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