Status of Mammals in the Expansion Sites of the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Mindanao, Philippines

Abstract

Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the Mindanao faunal region, which is home to about 21 species of mammals. This study provides data on mammal assemblage and assessment on the added value of the ca. 2.99 km2 MHRWS expansion sites to the already protected zone. Faunistic inventory and assessment documented 19 species of mammals belonging to 16 genera, eight families and five orders. This adds nine species to the previously reported mammals of Mt. Hamiguitan range making it a home to 30 species. Relatively low diversity of mammals (H’=0.615) in the expansion sites is attributed to poor soil resulting to low forest productivity and habitat loss due to mining, logging and shifting cultivation. This unique assemblage of vulnerable and endemic species of bats and mammals in Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary expansion sites calls for more sampling effort and conservation strategies to maintain its bat and mammal assemblage.