Abstract
Bats (order Chiroptera) form a large proportion of the species-rich mammalian fauna of the Philippines, and while the threats posed to these animals are well documented, for many species there is currently insufficient data to enable even a basic assessment of their conservation status. This is true for Panay Island, located in the Western Visayas region of the archipelago, where the need for surveying remaining suitable bat habitat has been identified as a priority. Between 5 April and 9 May 2011 a survey of 21 caves was undertaken on Panay, along the central section of the west coast of the island and within the southern section of the Northwest Panay Peninsula. Survey methods included visual observations, emergence counts and the recording of echolocation calls. Of the caves surveyed, 19 were found to support bats or show signs of their use, and at least 12 different species were observed. Three large maternity colonies of the Common Rousette Rousettus amplexicaudatus and two of the Dusky Roundleaf Bat Hipposideros ater were noted as having particular significance in terms of their conservation value for local populations. Potential maternity colonies of Asian Lesser False Vampire Megaderma spasma, Black-bearded Tomb Bat Taphozous melanopogon and Diadem Roundleaf Bat Hipposideros diadema were also observed but not confirmed. M. spasma was the most frequently encountered species, occurring in small numbers at five different caves. Other species/genera encountered in small numbers were the Arcuate Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus arcuatus, Common Short-nosed Fruit Bat Cynopterus brachyotis, Philippine Sheath-tailed Bat Emballonura alecto, Yellow-faced Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus virgo, Bent-wing (Miniopterus) and Myotis bat species, and at least one other Horseshoe (Rhinolophus) bat species. Ten of the caves were confirmed to support multiple bat species. An indication of current threats and recommendations for further survey and management priorities are provided.
Highlights
The mammalian fauna of the Philippines is considered to be one of the most species-rich in the world, with a high level of endemism; it is one of the most extensively endangered (Heaney 1993; Heaney et al 1998)
Study Area Survey effort was focused in the province of Antique, and in particular the municipality of Libertad around the southern coast of the Northwest Panay Peninsula, where the Philippine Spotted Deer Conservation Foundation (PSDCF) has its base of operations
Other species/genera encountered in small numbers were the Arcuate Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus arcuatus, Common Short-nosed Fruit Bat Cynopterus brachyotis, Philippine Sheath-tailed Bat Emballonura alecto, Yellow-faced Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus virgo, Bent-wing (Miniopterus) and Myotis bat species, and at least one other horseshoe (Rhinolophus) bat species
Summary
The mammalian fauna of the Philippines is considered to be one of the most species-rich in the world, with a high level of endemism; it is one of the most extensively endangered (Heaney 1993; Heaney et al 1998). The threats to these species are well known, ranging from direct impacts (destruction of caves through development pressure, disturbance of roost sites through insensitive tourism activities, harvesting of bats as a local source of food and collection of guano) to additional indirect pressures such as loss of foraging habitat from ongoing deforestation (e.g., Mickleburgh et al 1992; Mendoza & Mallari 1997; Hutson et al 2001) Despite these known and increasing threats, for many species there is currently insufficient data (location of caves and the species they support, population estimates and trends, local threats) to enable even a basic assessment of their conservation status (Oliver & Heaney 1996; Heaney & Regalado 1998; O’Malley et al 2006; Turner et al 2006; Heaney et al 2010). Islands and caves in particular have been identified as two crucial issues where co-ordinated actions are required to ensure the survival of bats, but which currently receive insufficient attention from many conservationists (Mickleburgh et al 2002)
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