Phillippine Island Biogeography

In the Holocene extinction, sea levels rose drastically. The Philippines, being one of the biodiversity hotspots, experienced a huge hit. Due to its increase in isolation and decrease in species, the islands have to completely redefine their ecology.

Tubemint

Tubemint (fistulamentha) is a genus of mint descended from spearmint. They grow to a foot in diameter and only a few inches tall. The plant is fairly unremarkable save for its flowers. The flower stalks are 3 feet tall and have a cluster of tubular red and white flowers at the top. They are pollinated by butterflies and are rich in minty nectar. When they fruit the berries they put on act as a laxative for birds which aids in seed dispersal.

Gangatanupa

Gangatanupa (arantiogallus) are a small genus found only on larger islands. They grow about 3 feet tall and come in a bright orange color. Their name means fire-chicken in dupaninan agta.

They have long legs and short wings. They walk around the jungles eating small seeds and insects just like their ancestors. They also can't fly. Tail feathers are about two feet in length. They also come in a bright orange and have the ability to rapidly shake and make a rattling noise to attract mates. Mating season depends entirely on tubemint and if it doesnt bloom that year and give the chickens enough nectar and berries, they won't mate.

Kayopanyichi

Kayopanyichi (sucovespertilio) are a genus of bat descended from harpy fruit bats. They measure in at 1.5 feet in length. Their name translates to wood bat in Ibatan.

They are completely flightless due to a lack of ground predators. Their wings have decreased in size but are still functional in keeping them warm at night. Rather than fly, they climb. However, they will occasionally glide for short distances.  They climb onto tree trunks and use their large thumb spikes to bore holes in trees and suck the sap out. They also eat wood-boring insects.

Doorcrabs

Doorcrabs (ianuabrachium) are a monospecific genus of hermit crab, more specfically the purple hermit crab. They measure in at a few inches in length. Claws are brown and the rest of the body is a magenta color. 

One claw is significantly larger than the other, it also has a very short lower pincher. The claw serves as a shield from predators and a door to their burrow. Their burrows are on trees in holes carved out by birds or kayopanyichi. They use their smaller claw to hollow out their burrow. They back into their burrow which acts like their shell. They hide away until night comes where they descend and scavenge on dead leaves and carcasses.