Density, distribution, and diet of invasive alien species of frogs in Mount Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape (MBSCPL) in Luzon Island, Philippines 


Essex Vladimer G. Samaniego* & Wilfredo B. Barrera, Jr.*

*College of Arts and Sciences, Southern Luzon State University, Lucban 4328 Quezon, Philippines 

ABSTRACT

The Mount Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape is a biodiversity-rich area with various flora and fauna as its habitat, and invasive species are a significant threat to its biodiversity. The density, distribution, and diet of an alien invasive species of frog in the Mount Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape were determined. A total of 698 frogs were collected from the ten municipalities where the protected area is bounded (0.025 km2 in total area surveyed). Rhinella marina has the highest number of individuals (404) and density (0.016 km2 ) while Hoplobatrachuis rugulosus has the lowest (8) due to its habitat which is freshwater. Variance over mean ratio showed all species exhibit aggregate distribution with values V/M > 1. Insects from families Formicidae (ants) and Blattidae (termites) are the most abundant on their diet, except for H. rugulosus which prefers insects belonging to order Coleoptera (beetles), while family Formicidae is the constant food group in terms of Frequency of Occurrence and categorized as a secondary preference in terms of Degree of Food Preference. Accidental occurrences and occasionally preferred food items such as organic and inorganic matter were both present in R. marina and Kaloula pulchra. Anuraphagy was also observed in R. marina and H. rugulosus, with a notable record of skink (Reptilia, Scincidae) as a prey item in R. marina. The diet of the IAS is indicative of its generalist and carnivorous diet and its potential impact on the native vertebrate fauna in the area.

Siyasig Vol XI_Samaniego et al Density alien frogs.pdf

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