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Alma B. Mohagan

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (1): 0223-0239

    Michelle S. Suelo, Alma B. Mohagan, Aprille Joy M. Luceño, Chris Rey M. Lituañas, Joliesa Mae S. Toledo, Rona Mae P.  Viernes & Reggie Y. Dela Cruz
    Morphological description and ecological status of Hawkmoths (Lepidoptera Sphingidae) in selected areas of Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.1.223.239

    ABSTRACT
    Hawkmoths which belongs to order Lepidoptera and family Sphingidae are known for their vital ecological role on biodiversity. They are responsible for pollinating tropical flora due to the presence of their proboscis making Sphingidae family be considered of great ecological and economic importance. The light trapping technique was a successful method in the collection of hawkmoths species in selected areas of Vintar, Valencia City, Musuan and Bacusanon, Pangantucan, Bukidnon. A total of 54 individuals where collected which consist of 15 species belonging to 9 genera (Acosmeryx, Ambulyx, Amplypterus, Cechenena, Daphnis, Hippotion, Marumba, Pergesa and Theretra). Morphological description became the basis of its identification. Ecological status of each species based on the checklist of Hogenes & Treadaway revealed that among the species collected, three species are endemic to the Philippines and thesa are Ambulyx bakeri, Ambulyx johnsoni and Ambulyx wilemani. One species is categorized as rare (Amplyterus panopus), three species are uncommon and the rest of the species collected are all common and widely distributed to the Philippines.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 11 (2): 623-630

    Michelle Senobin-Suelo & Alma B. Mohagan
    Endemism of Sphinx Moth (Lepidoptera Sphingidae) in the Agroecosystem of Bacusanon, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, Philippines
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.2.623.630

    ABSTRACT
    Sphinx moths, or also known as hawkmoths, clearwing moths or hummingbird moths, are nocturnal insects which plays an essential role in the stability of terrestrial ecosystems. There are 117 species of sphinx moth occurring in the Philippines of which 62 species can be found in Mindanao Island. The light trap sampling technique was employed to successfuly collect crepuscular sphinx moths species. This paper aimed to provide information on species composition, endemism, local status and morphological data of sphinx moths in Bacusanon, Pangantucan, Bukidnon. A total of 25 individuals of sphinx moths were documented, which belongs to 9 genera of 13 species namely Acherontia lachesis, Acosmeryx anceus subdentata, Agrius convolvuli, Ambulyx johnsoni, Amplypterus panopus mindanaoensis, Amplypterus panopus panopus, Hippotion boerhaviae, Hippotion rosetta, Marumba ambroinicus luzoni, Psilogramma menephron, Theretra clotho, Theretra nessus and Theretra oldenlandiae. Of the 13 species, the local status revealed that 11 species are common, 1 species rare and 1 species uncommon. Twelve (12) or 92.3% species are endemic to the Philippines.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 10 (3): 237-248

    Alma B. Mohagan, Olga M. Nuñeza, Angel C. Alcala, Jose A. Escarlos Jr., Arturo G. Gracia Jr., Eric Claire T. Selpa, Leonil Jun B. Baguhin, Fulgent P. Coritico & Victor B. Amoroso
    Species richness and endemism of Reptilian Fauna in four Long-Term Ecological Research sites in Mindanao, Philippines
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2019.10.3.237.248

    ABSTRACT
    Reptiles are highly sensitive to environmental change and are vulnerable to habitat disturbance. This study was conducted to determine the species richness and endemism of reptiles using the modified cruising method in 12 randomly selected plots inside a 1-hectare plot in four Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites in Mindanao, namely: Mts. Apo, Kitanglad, Hamiguitan, and Malindang. Twenty-two reptile species belonging to eight families and 16 genera were documented in the four LTER sites. The level of reptile endemism was 64% where three out of 14 endemic species are found only in Mindanao. Mt. Hamiguitan had the highest species diversity (H’=2.4972) and species richness (n=18) with 11 (72%) endemic species, while the rest of the sites had very minimal number of species (n≤2). Among the recorded species, Psammodynastes pulverulentus had the highest number of individuals which was only recorded in Mt. Hamiguitan while the Philippine endemic, Parvoscincus decipiens was the most distributed species. Two threatened species, Hydrosaurus pustulatus and Ophiophagus hannah with vulnerable conservation status were recorded. Seriation analysis showed that high- elevation areas such as Mts. Apo and Kitanglad only host endemic and restricted species while Mt. Hamiguitan, a low-elevation forest, hosts endemic, non-endemic, and threatened species. Results suggest that the Mindanao LTER sites are good habitats for endemic and vulnerable species of reptiles and protection is needed.