Philippine Terrestrial Biodiversity

• The topic is Philippine Terrestrial Biodiversity as Environmental Indicators

Taxonomy and Classification

• Taxonomy classifies living organisms and, Carolus Linnaeus developed Binomial nomenclature in the 18th century.
• Binomial nomenclature assigns each organism a genus and species name.
• Taxonomic hierarchy is a classification system that comprises eight ranks: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
• A sample of the taxonomic ranks include: Domain Eukaryota, Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Primates, Family Hominidae, Genus Homo, and Species Sapiens.

Philippine Terrestrial Biodiversity

• The Philippines possesses high biodiversity and endemism.
• Endemic species serve as important environmental indicators.
• Reptiles, amphibians, and insects exhibit the highest endemicity among the classes.

Types of Terrestrial Organisms

• Arboreal organisms live in trees such as the Philippine Tarsier.
• Semi-aquatic organisms live partly in water, such as otters.
• Terrestrial organisms live on land such as the Tamaraw.
• Burrowing organisms dig underground such as shrews.

Endemic Mammals

• The Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) is exclusively found in Mindoro
• The Palawan Porcupine (Hystrix pumila) is the only porcupine species in the Philippines.
• The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta), is one of the smallest primates, inhabiting Bohol, Leyte, Samar, and Mindanao.
• The Palawan Stink Badger (Mydaus marchei) is the only endemic carnivore in the Philippines.
• The Philippine Flying Lemur (Cynocephalus volans) stands as the only colugo species in the country.

Arthropods

• Insects belong to the Phylum Arthropoda and possess an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed legs with at least three pairs.

Importance of Biodiversity as an Environmental Indicator

• High biodiversity signifies a healthy ecosystem.
• A decline in endemic species indicates environmental stress.
• Sensitive species signal pollution or habitat changes and, keystone species maintain ecosystem balance.
• Biodiversity monitoring aids in conservation efforts and policy-making.

Conservation Implications

• Habitat destruction, climate change, and poaching pose threats to endemic species so, protecting ecosystems is vital for maintaining biodiversity.
• Legislation and protected areas ensure species survival.

Mammalian Biodiversity

• Mammals in the Philippines exhibit high endemism.
• Mammals play ecological roles such as seed dispersal, pest control, and maintaining food web balance and are divided into different orders based on physical/behavioral traits.

Artiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates)

• Artiodactyls are hoofed mammals that walk on an even number of toes.
• Some artiodactyls such as the Tamaraw, are critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
  • The Bovidae Tamaraw is an Artiodactyla, and is a small wild buffalo in Mindoro is both endangered and critically endangered.
  • The Tragulidae Palawan Mouse-deer is an Artiodactyla and can only be found in Palawan.

Carnivora (Meat-eating Mammals)

• Carnivores are predators or scavengers, helping control prey populations and maintain ecosystem balance, and are threatened due to habitat destruction and poaching.
  • The Mustelidae Palawan Stink Badger produces a strong odor when threatened.

Primates

• Primates are intelligent mammals with grasping hands and social behaviors and, some are important bioindicators of forest health.
  • The Cercopithecidae Long-tailed Macaque, is a monkey often found in forests/mangroves and considered to be a pest.
  • The Lorisodae Slow Loris, is nocturnal and has a toxic bite.
  • The Tarsiidae Philippine Tarsier, is found in Southeast Asia, has big eyes, and can rotate its head nearly 180 degrees.

Pholidota (Pangolins)

• Pangolins are covered in protective scales and feed on ants and termites and are heavily trafficked for their scales and meat.
  • The Manidae Malayan Pangolin, is found in Palawan and threatened by illegal wildlife trade.

Rodentia

• Rodents make up the largest group of mammals, playing important roles in seed dispersal and soil aeration and some are considered pests.
  • The Hystricidae Palawan Porcupine or Hystrix, is a nocturnal rodent has sharp quills, and can only be found in Palawan

Scandentia (Tree Shrews)

• Tree shrews are small, squirrel-like mammals that live in forests and feed on insects and fruits.
  • The Tupaiidae Mindanao Tree Shrew or Urogale, is a small fast-moving mammal.

Chiroptera (Bats)

• Bats are pollinators, seed dispersers, and insect controllers.
• The Philippines has high bat diversity, with many species endemic to the country.

Megachiroptera (Fruit Bats and Flying Foxes)

• Those in the Pteropodidae family, are large bats that feed on nectar and fruits and help in forest regeneration.

Microchiroptera (Insect-eating Bats)

• The Megadermatidae Common Asian Ghost Bat uses echolocation to hunt insects at night.
• The Emballonuridae Black-bearded Tomb Bat is known for its "Loud calls" and lives in caves & hallow trees.
• The Molossidae Wrinkle-lipped Bat preys on flying insects.

Dermoptera (Flying Lemurs)

• Flying lemurs, also called colugos, are gliding mammals that feed on leaves and live in forests.
  • The Cynocephalidae Philippine Flying Lemur or Kagwang, has a gliding membrane.

Insectivora

• The Erimacaeidae Dinagat Island Gymnure
• The Soricidae Asian House Shrew

Insect Biodiversity (Phylum Arthropoda)

• Insects comprise a large portion of Philippine biodiversity, playing vital ecological roles.

Characteristics of Arthropods

• Exoskeleton is a hard outer shell for protection and, segmented into distinct parts with jointed legs.
  • More than three pairs of jointed legs facilitates movement and adaptation
  • The Philippines has 20,940 insect species, and 69.8% are endemic.

Importance of Biodiversity as Environmental Indicators

Conservation Implications

Class: Amphibians

Amphibian Orders

• Gynmophiona has the Ichthyophiidae Caecilians and are limbless.
• Anura has the Bufonidae True Toads which are Terrestrial, has no discs but has rough warty moist skin.
• Anura has the Disoglossidae Disk-tounged frogs and are Aquatic
• Anura has the Pelobatidae Litter Toads which have a large head and narrow body and are Terrestrial, and has no discs
• Anura has the Ranidae True Frogs, and has a Spindle shaped body
• Anura has the Rhacophoridae Old World Tree frogs, and have large discs
• Anura has the Microhylidae Narrow-mouthed Frogs. Their bodies are less rubust and has Small mouth, pointed snout.

Class: Reptiles

• Most Reptiles are adapted for terrestrial life, and have amniotes CaCO3 eggshells, and Keratinized scales

Reptile Orders

• Crocodylia has the Crocodylidae Philippine Crocodile and, is the Most endangered in the world
• Testudinata has the Emydidae Fresh water turtles, which has No teeth, and has horny beaks
• Squamata has the Dibamidae Blind Earless Legless Skink and has no eyelids
• Squamata has the Gekkonidae Gecko They perform Tail autotomy-detaches tails to escape from predators
• Squamata has the Agamidae Dragon and Flying Lizards and are Territorial
• Suamata has the Varanidae Monitor Lizards. They are the Largest lizard
• Suamata has the Ophidia Snake body form, and has no movable eyelids and external car drums

Class: Aves

• Shore Birds
  • Charadriformes, Family Sternidae, Common Name Bridled Tern
  • Charadriformes, Family Scolopacidae, Common Name Redshank
  • Charadriformes, Family Pillaropodidae, Common Name Red-Necked Phalarope
  • Charadriformes, Family Charadriidae, Common Name Oriental Plover
  • Charadriformes, Family Recurvirostridae, Common Name Pied Avocet
  • Charadriformes, Family Jacanidae, Common Name Pheasant-tailed Jacana
• Water Birds
  • Podicipediformes, Family Podicipedidae, Common Name Grebes/Little Grebe
  • Anseriformes, Family Anatidae, Common Name Ducks (Tufted Duck/Philippine duck) - Gruiformes, Family Rallidae, Common Name Stary-breasted Rail
• Water Birds
  • Coniiformes, Family Ciconiidae, Common Name Worry-necked store - Coniiformes, Family Theirskiornithidae, Common Name Blacked-faced Spoonbill - Coniiformes, Family Ardeidae, Common Name Chinese egret
• Game fowl - Galliformes, Family Megapodiidae, Common Name Tabon Scrubfowl - Galliformes, Family Phasianidae, Common Name Palwan Peacock- Pheasant
• Raptors - Falconiformes, Family Falconidae, Common Name Philippine Falconet - Falconiformes, Family Accipitridae, Common Name Philippine Hawks-Eagle
• Pigeons and Doves -Columbiformes, Family Columbidae, Common Name Pink bellied Imperial- Pigeon -Columbiformes, Family Columbidae, Common Name Nicobar Pigeon -Columbiformes, Family Columbidae, Common Name Yellow-breasted fruit-dove -Columbiformes, Family Columbidae, Common Name Luzon bleedingheart
• Parrots -Psittaciformes, Family Psittacidae, Common Name Colasist or Hanging Parrot -Psittaciformes, Family cacatuidae, Common Name Philippine Cockatoo
• Nocturnal Birds -Caprimulgiforms, Family caprimulgidae, Common Name Long-tailed Nightjar -Caprimulgiforms, Family podagridae, Common Name Philippine Frogmouth -Caprimulgiforms, Family strigidae, Common Name Philippine Scops- owl -Caprimulgiforms, Family Tytonidae, Common Name Mindanao

Class: Mammalia

Mammalia orders

• Order Dermoptera Famly Cynocephalidae: Kagwang/ Phil Flying Lemur
• Order Chiroptera Famly Pteropodidae: Fruit bats/ Flying foxes
• Microchiroptera - Insect eating bats Famly Megadermatidae: False Vampire bats
• Emballonuridae ( has Sheath - tailed Bats, and Black Beaded Tomb Bat)
• Rodentia Famly Tarsiidae: Philippine Tarsier Famly Viverridae: Civets
• Famly Mustelidae: Weasels Otters and Badgers

Class: Insecta

Insecta orders

• Crushacea -Famly Crabs CrayFish Prawns
• Arachinda
  • Famly Spiders Mites Scorpions
• Myrianpoda -Famly Millipedes and Centipedes
• Insecta
• Manodea
  • Famly Praying Mantis
• Blattodea
  • Famly Cockroaches
• Isoptera
• Famly termites
• Siphonaptera
  • Famly fleas
• Ordonta
  • famly dragon Flies and Damflies
• Dermaptera
  • Famly Earwigs
  • Famly Flies
• Lepidoptera
• Famly Butterflies, and insects