Chennie L. Solania

• Biodiversity Journal, 12 (3): 0673-0694

  Chennie L. Solania, Jerry T. Cuadrado, Adam Roy V. Galolo & Eve F. Gamalinda
  Species Richness and Community Structure of Amphibians and Reptiles in Andanan Watershed Forest Reserve, Caraga Region, Philippines
  https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.3.673.694

  ABSTRACT
  The Andanan watershed is a protected natural forest reserve of the Philippines located in the Municipality of Sibagat and City of Bayugan, Caraga Region. This study conducted an extensive opportunistic survey that yielded 49 species of herpetofauna (22 frogs, 5 agamids, 4 gekkonid lizards, 7 skinks, one varanid, 9 snakes, and a freshwater turtle), accounting for 67.35% endemicity in the area. Five habitat types were recorded with a gamma diversity of H’=3.093. The secondary growth forest was statistically significant at P<0.0001 and gained the highest in species diversity (H’=2.654). The old-growth forest harbored a distinct species composition with some species not recorded in other habitat types. Six of the endemic amphibians were associated with high canopy cover, while edible amphibians were associated with open and cleared areas. Eleven out of 19 endemic reptiles were often observed in areas with high air temperature, while most of the snakes were observed in old forest stands. The secondary growth forest's structural complexity provides habitat to many herpetofauna, but the uniqueness of the old-growth forest also supports habitat to pristine forest specialists. The results of habitat associations are relevant in promoting local conservation of the herpetofauna and the ecosystem. The area's high conservation value and the apparent threats (forest degradation and resource extraction) necessitates urgent attention and monitoring.

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