Abstract
Species Richness and Endemism of Amphibians along the Riparian System of Clarin River, Misamis Occidental, Philippines
Emmarie F. Mapi-ot, Clifford P. Bendoy, Magdalene Mae d. S. Palacio
Taking into account that amphibians are very good indicators of ecosystem
health, a study of frog and toad species diversity was conducted along
the riparian environment of Clarin River, Misamis Occidental Province,
Philippines. We used visual encounter surveys to determine species richness of
amphibians present in the area. With an initial goal of establishing a baseline
about amphibian species diversity in this river drainage, we conducted surveys
that resulted in records documenting the occurrence of twelve species in ten
genera and five families. Seven species (58.33%) are endemic to the
archipelago; these additionally include a Mindanao Faunal Region endemic,
Pulchrana grandocula and two Mindanao Island endemics, Ansonia muelleri
and Ansonia mcgregori. Among the recorded endemic species, three are
classified as "Vulnerable" to extinction. The highest species richness (N=8)
and calculated species diversity (H’=1.829) were recorded at sampling
Site Two (midstream). Threats to amphibian population persistence in the
Clarin River drainage include anthropogenic disturbances such as land
conversion and overhunting for human subsistence. The presence of endemic
and formally classified endangered species indicates the need to protect this
riparian system as an important habitat resource for endemic western
Mindanao amphibian populations.
KEYWORDS: diversity, endangered, indicators, threats, vulnerable
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