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Olga M. Nuñeza

  • Biodiversity Journal, 13 (2): 0339-0350

    Rhim Ayyah C. Kamir & Olga M. Nuñeza
    Species composition of cave-dwelling reptiles and their microhabitats in Agusan del Sur, Philippines
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.2.339.350

    ABSTRACT
    There are more than 1500 caves known in the Philippines which provide refuge, shelter, and food to many vertebrates including reptiles. The microhabitats inside and around the caves are essential in the survival of these cave-dwelling reptiles. In this work, we provide the checklist and microhabitat utilized by different lizards and snakes occupying cave habitats in Agusan del Sur. We used modified cruising method and visual encounter search to survey reptiles in eight selected caves from Agusan del Sur. A total of ten species belonging to three different families of which seven are Philippine endemic (70%) species were documented. Most of the species were recorded in Agpan cave, Municipality of Trento. Scincid lizards were the most diverse family of reptiles documented to inhabit rotten logs, leaf piles, rocks, and wall crevices of the cave entrances. The presence of these endemic lizards and snakes validates the importance of this natural ecosystem for its conservation and protection.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 11 (2): 593-610

    Inamol Hassan G. Lucman, Olga M. Nuñeza & Aimee Lynn B. Dupo
    Species diversity of Spiders (Araneae) in Mimbilisan Protected Landscape, Misamis Oriental, Philippines
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.2.593.610

    ABSTRACT
    Spiders have a potential role as bioindicator of ecological health. Yet, little is known about them especially in forested areas of the Philippines. This study determined the species diversity of spiders in three different sampling sites established in Mt. Mimbilisan Protected Landscape. A combination of beat-netting and vial-tapping methods was used to collect samples. One hundred eight species of spiders belonging to 17 families were recorded. Fifteen species are a new record to the Philippines. Highest species richness and abundance were observed in the riparian forest (Site 2) and lowest in the mixed dipterocarp forest (Site 1). Salticidae is the spider family with the highest species richness and abundance. Opadometa fastigata of family Tetragnithidae was the most abundant species. A great number of adult spiders (82.42%), which were mostly females (88.00%), was documented. Even distribution (E=0.7676) was recorded in the whole study area. Leaf surfaces and branches or stem of plants were the most recurring microhabitat types of spiders. The spiders were found to belong to seven guilds with the orb weavers as the most dominant guild (37%). The highest diversity was recorded in Site 2 (H’=3.781). Results indicate high spider diversity in Mt. Mimbilisan which highlights the conservation importance of the protected landscape.

  • 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.