LAKSAmBUHAY

The UPLB Journal of Natural History

Laksambuhay. Biodiversity.

The name “laksambuhay” coined from the Tagalog words laksa meaning abundant, numerous or multitude (although originally literally referring to ten thousand) and buhay meaning life, refers to the megadiverse nature of our country, the Philippines, which is home to a huge number of plant, animal and microbial species known nowhere else but in this part of the world.  

Laksambuhay, is believed to have been coined by environmental advocates in the 90s and at least to our knowledge, one of our former colleagues, Mr. Danilo S. Balete. Through this, we also pay homage to them and to UPLB’s heroes of biodiversity, and pledge that we will keep the torch of the science of systematics burning.

Featured ArticleS

Potential Strike Risks of Birds at Basa Air Base, Pampanga, Philippines

Bird strikes cause significant operational and economic losses, even loss of human lives. This avifauna survey was conducted to determine the bird species at the Basa Air Base, Floridablanca, Pampanga and recommend additional measures to mitigate bird strikes. A fiveday survey was conducted during 5-9 July 2022 coinciding with the wet season and nonmigratory season of birds. Line transect walks, point counts, and mist netting were conducted to record birds primarily during the day although night sampling was also conducted to identify birds that may pose danger to aircrafts at night. The 28 species of birds observed were predominantly resident and common species associated with open areas. Birds were categorized as low, moderate, or high risk based on the areas frequented, size and abundance, and impact of the existing Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) system on them. Recommendations to enhance bird strike prevention include BASH system modification, habitat manipulation, management of bird populations, and continuous monitoring of birds and bird strike incidents.

A Preliminary Terrestrial Vertebrate Survey of Kamantigue Cave and Surrounding Karst Area in Lobo, Batangas, Philippines

The study was conducted to provide an inventory of terrestrial vertebrate species of Kamantigue Cave and surrounding karst areas based on field surveys conducted in September 2022. A total of 87 terrestrial vertebrate species were documented, with birds having the highest number of species recorded (75 species). Endemicity was high at 36% (31 species), comprised of 25 Philippine endemics and six Luzon Island endemics. Meanwhile, we recorded five species of birds listed as threatened, underlining the importance of the remaining forest fragments in the area as habitat and refuge for species of high conservation value. Unregulated human visitations, habitat destruction, land conversion, and hunting are among the prevalent threats to terrestrial vertebrates observed in the study area. Without proper intervention, possible roost abandonment of cave-dwelling bats, displacement and population decline of other terrestrial vertebrate species in the area, could happen. The baseline data obtained from this survey can be utilized in preparing a conservation management plan for the cave and surrounding forest patches and promoting its biodiversity protection.

Records of Canopy-dwelling Twig-nesting Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae in the Lower Elevations of Mount Makiling, Luzon, Philippines

A survey of canopy-dwelling twig-nesting hymenopterans in the lower elevations (~350 masl) of Mount Makiling in Luzon, Philippines, was conducted by placing traps raised to the canopy level at about 15-17 meters high. The traps were monitored for establishment of hymenopteran populations for five months. Documented hymenopterans include the ants (Formicidae) Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius, 1793) (Dolichoderinae), Technomyrmex vitiensis Mann 1921 (Dolichoderinae), and Colobopsis vitrea (Smith 1860) (Formicinae). Te. vitiensis is a new island record for mainland Luzon.

Sampling Adequacy and Seasonal Variation in Bat Diversity and Abundance in Puting Bato Cave Complex, Polillo Island, Philippines

In May and November 2013, we resurveyed bats in four caves within the Puting Bato Cave Complex (herein named Puting Bato 1, 2, 3-4, and 5), employing repeated mist-netting at cave entrances across two different climatic seasons (dry - May sampling; wet - November sampling). Our previous survey of the cave complex in 2009 employed one-time sampling per cave and documented nine species. In the 2013 resurvey, a total of 1,489 bats representing 17 species were captured. Significantly, more bats were captured during the dry season in May (928 vs. 563), although species richness was the same (15 spp.). One cave had 13 bat species, which makes it the most species-rich cave in the Philippines based on published cave bat surveys. Shannon Index values (as a measure of diversity) varied seasonally, and among caves, diversity index was highest in May for Puting Bato 1 and 5, whereas Puting Bato 3-4 had a higher diversity in November. Adult females and pregnant bats were significantly more numerous in May, whereas juvenile captures were higher in November; adult male captures remained almost the same. Pregnant bats accounted for 62% of the adult females in May, but only 4% in November. These results could explain the variation in bat abundance during the two seasons, supporting our prediction that seasonal variation in bat abundance may, in part, be due to inherent fluctuations in reproductive activity and population recruitment. This study demonstrates that repeated sampling in caves across seasons and years led to an increase in the number of recorded bat species by almost 50%, and provides insights into the seasonal dynamics of bat diversity and abundance among cave-dwelling bat species.

Preliminary Survey of the Diversity and Community Assembly of Macroinvertebrates in the Watershed Streams of Mount Makiling, Laguna, Philippines

Aquatic macroinvertebrates are distributed in varied habitats and one where their diversity is most highly concentrated is in tropical forest streams. Despite their many ecosystem services, limited data are available on their biology and ecology in the Philippines. This study aimed to determine the diversity and community assembly patterns of macroinvertebrates in the watershed streams (Molawin, Cambantoc, and Sipit) of Mount Makiling, Luzon Island, Philippines. A total of 27 2.0 x 5.0 m (10 sq.m.) quadrats were randomly set along the three watersheds divided into three stations (downstream, midstream, and upstream). The physico-chemical and habitat features of the streams were measured. Standardized sampling was performed via direct handpicking, kick and sweep technique, and cascade sieving of substrates. A total of 1,358 individuals (four classes, nine orders and 22 families) were collected from the four streams. Hexapods (16 families) constituted 74% of total abundance, followed by gastropods (14%). Molawin had the highest diversity index (H’=2.06) while Cambantoc had the lowest (H’= 1.20). Both Molawin and Sipit had the high taxon evenness (E=0.52) while Cambantoc had the lowest (E=0.19). Taxon accumulation curve exhibited ß-dominated diversity with Sipit having the highest completeness ratio (0.93). Canonical correspondence analysis revealed taxon-habitat specificity where macroinvertebrate communities were strongly influenced by water pH and water velocity. Family biotic index calculated from consolidated data from all sampled stations revealed a fairly poor water quality. The present study suggested a complex macroinvertebrate diversity across the watersheds of Mt. Makiling reflecting its significance as an important biological refuge.

First Report of Mormolyce Hagenback 1825 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from the Philippines

Mormolyce Hagenbach 1825, (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Lebiinae), the genus of violin beetles, is reported for the first time from southern Philippines. Mormolyce phyllodes Hagenbach 1825, particularly its subspecies M. p. engeli Lieftinck & Wiebes, 1968, is reported based on a museum specimen from Isabela, Basilan Island. This extends the distribution of the genus and species northeastward.

Survey of Ectoparasitic Arthropods Associated with Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in Cacupangan Cave, Mabini, Pangasinan

A total of 46 bat flies (9 spp.) belonging to families Nycteribiidae and Streblidae, eight mites (2 spp.) from family Spinturnicidae, one ischnopsyllid flea and one ixodid tick were collected on nine species of bats (Pteropodidae, Rhinolophidae, Vespertilionidae and Hipposideridae; n=56) from Cacupangan Cave and its vicinities in Mabini, Pangasinan. Three new occurrences of ectoparasites were recorded for bat flies Phthiridium mindanaense on Miniopterus schreibersii, Brachytarsina amboinensis on Myotis muricola and Raymondia pseudopagodarum on Rhinolophus inops. All ectoparasite species are known to occur in Luzon but may represent the first records for the province. With regard to infracommunities, the most number of co-occurring species was found on R. amplexicaudatus and M. schreibersii. This study contributed to current efforts to comprehensively document the ectoparasite fauna of Philippine bats.

Spatial Structuring of the Macrofaunal Community of a Relatively Undisturbed Seagrass Meadow in Western Philippines

The study is the first to investigate horizontal and vertical distribution of seagrass associated macrofaunal communities in a high diversity seagrass meadow of the Philippines. The study cross compared seagrass macroinvertebrate communities above- and belowground, in sections of the meadows subjected to different wave exposures to determine differences in community structure of associated macrofauna. The results of multivariate analysis and evaluation of community indices showed a highly dissimilar macroinvertebrate community above- and belowground, across exposed and sheltered section of the seagrass meadow. The observed community dissimilarity was attributed to the differential vertical distribution of foraminiferan and gastropod families, across exposed and less exposed sites. Overall, macroinvertebrate richness was higher belowground while evenness was higher aboveground across study stations. Benthic macroinvertebrate diversity, on the other hand, was highest belowground in the more sheltered section of the seagrass meadow. However, in the more exposed part of the meadow, diversity was highest aboveground. At least in the study area, we speculate that the vertical and horizontal distribution of macroinvertebrates in a meadow was influenced by seagrass community structure and relative exposure to wave action.