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Conservation ecology of in Mt. Hilong-hilong, a Key Biodiversity Area on Mindanao Island, the Philippines

Arturo G. Gracia Jr., Alma B. Mohagan, Janezel C. Burlat, Welfredo L. Yu Jr., Janine Mondalo, Florfe M. Acma, Hannah P. Lumista, Riah Calising & Krizler Cejuela Tanalgo

26 April 2021 | Vol. 13 | No. 5 | Pages: 18110–18121 DOI: 10.11609/jot.6760.13.5.18110-18121

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Threatened Taxa Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2021 | 13(5): 18110–18121 ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) OPEN ACCESS htps://doi.org/10.11609/jot.6760.13.5.18110-18121

#6760 | Received 02 October 2020 | Final received 01 November 2020 | Finally accepted 15 April 2021

ARTICLE

Conservaton ecology of birds in Mt. Hilong-hilong, a Key Biodiversity Area on Mindanao Island, the Philippines

Arturo G. Gracia Jr.1* , Alma B. Mohagan2 , Janezel C. Burlat3 , Welfredo L. Yu Jr.4 , Janine Mondalo5 , Florfe M. Acma6 , Hannah P. Lumista7 , Riah Calising8 & Krizler Cejuela Tanalgo9*

1Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematcs, College of Arts and Sciences, Surigao del Sur State University (Main Campus), Rosario, Tandag City 8300, Surigao del Sur, the Republic of the Philippines. 1,3,4,5,8Department of Secondary Educaton, College of Teacher Educaton, Surigao del Sur State University (Main Campus), Rosario, Tandag City 8300, Surigao del Sur, the Republic of the Philippines. 1,2,6,7The Graduate School, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon 8714, Philippines. 2,6,7Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon 8714, the Republic of the Philippines. 9Landscape Ecology Group, Center for Integratve Conservaton, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Menglun, Mengla 6663030, Yunnan Province, P.R. China. 9Center of Conservaton Biology, Core Botanic Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Mengla 6663030, Yunnan Province, P.R. China. 9Internatonal College, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P.R. China. 9Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematcs, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan 9407, North Cotabato, the Republic of the Philippines. 1 [email protected] (corresponding author), 2 [email protected], 3 [email protected], 4 [email protected], 5 [email protected], 6 [email protected], 7 [email protected], 8 [email protected], 9 [email protected] (corresponding author). *These authors contributed equally to the manuscript and share senior authorship

Abstract: The identfcaton of key areas for conservaton and protecton according to science-based evidence is an important component to circumvent the negatve impacts of environmental changes within geopolitcal territories and across the globe. Priority areas for biodiversity played an important role to ensure the protecton of many species partcularly those that are unique and threatened. There are more than 200 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in the Philippines, yet many important research and biodiversity data are either unpublished or unconsolidated. Birds are commonly studied indicators for KBA identfcaton due to their high species richness, diversity, and sensitvity to forest ecosystems. By combining data from past and present surveys, we accounted for a total of 148 species of 51 families, with 20 new records from recent feld surveys. Our analysis showed a high level of endemism within Mt. Hilong-hilong with 36% Philippine endemic, 14% restricted to Mindanao faunal region and 11% migrant. In terms of conservaton, 8% of the species were considered in threatened categories. The species richness and endemism were higher in lowland to mid-elevaton areas compared to higher elevaton areas of the KBA. Endemism (i.e., Mindanao endemic) and increasing body mass were important determinants of binary extncton risk for bird species in Mt. Hilong- hilong. The high biodiversity in Mt. Hilong-hilong indicates an example of the vital role of KBAs in preserving natonally and globally important bird species. Lastly, we emphasise the importance of collaboraton and integratng past and present informaton to synthesise relevant informaton to complement ongoing conservaton eforts in Mt. Hilong-hilong and other key habitats in the Philippines.

Keywords: Anthropocene, collaboraton, deforestaton, ecological indicators, endemism.

Editor: Namaal De Silva, The George Washington University, Washington, USA. Date of publicaton: 26 April 2021 (online & print)

Citaton: Gracia Jr. A.G., A.B. Mohagan, J.C. Burlat, W.L. Yu Jr, J. Mondalo, F.M. Acma, H.P. Lumista, R. Calising & K.C. Tanalgo (2021). Conservaton ecology of birds in Mt. Hilong-hilong, a Key Biodiversity Area on Mindanao Island, the Philippines. Journal of Threatened Taxa 13(5): 18110–18121. htps://doi.org/10.11609/ jot.6760.13.5.18110-18121

Copyright: © Gracia Jr. et al. 2021. Creatve Commons Atributon 4.0 Internatonal License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproducton, and distributon of this artcle in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publicaton.

Funding: None.

Competng interests: The authors declare no competng interests.

For Author details & Author contributon see end of this artcle.

Acknowledgements: This manuscript was crafed amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, in which writng, and reviewing were challenging for both the authors and the editorial process. We would like to thank the three anonymous reviewers and the editors of JoTT for their constructve comments that benefted the improvement of the manuscript. We would like to acknowledge also the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the issuance of GP, the Local Government Unit of Awasian and Tandag Water District for the logistcal support, and to all the people who contributed to the success of this endeavour.

18110 Birds of Mt. Hilong-hilong, Philippines Gracia Jr. et al. J TT INTRODUCTION Gonzales et al. 2009). Deforestaton poses a key threat to biodiversity loss in the country, driven by logging and The Philippines is the world’s second-largest shifing agriculture. For example, at least 74% of tree archipelago and its unique biogeographical features cover loss in 2001–2018 was caused by deforestaton with more than 7,000 islands allowed the diversifcaton alone (Global Forest Watch 2020). In 2002–2019, an of taxa, making it one of the megadiverse tropical estmated 3.1% or 145,000ha of humid forest was lost country (Heaney & Regalado 1998). Birds are amongst in the Philippines, equivalent to a 12% tree cover loss the most diverse group in the Philippines, consttutng (Global Forest Watch 2020). more than 50% of the country’s land vertebrates, and The quality of the environment plays an important large proportons are considered distnct and globally role in shaping the structure and functon of biodiversity threatened (Peterson et al. 2000), with 724 described (Fried et al. 2019; Lelli et al. 2019), generally described species and at least 200 country endemics (Clements using populaton density, species abundance, trait et al. 2019). These numbers will probably increase with diversity, and distributon across diferent habitats proper taxonomic studies when integratve (Davidar et al. 2005). To prevent eventual decline and approach is made (Sánchez-González & Moyle 2011; species extncton, important areas for conservaton Gonzalez et al. 2013). such as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are identfed by The diversity of birds in the Philippine contributes to conservaton biologists and respectve governmental the ecological balance and integrity of remnant natve policymakers based on high biodiversity potental. vegetaton (Peterson et al. 2000). Birds have large range KBA identfcaton is not solely dependent on the distributon, high mobility, and diverse traits that are species richness but in accordance to the presence of sensitve to ecological changes (O’Connell et al. 2000; populaton or species that are (1) threatened globally, (2) Trindade-Filho et al. 2012). Therefore high avian species distributed in a small restricted range (e.g., endemism), richness can serve as an important ecological indicator (3) restricted use during some stage of their life cycle, in terrestrial ecosystems (Canterbury et al. 2000). The and lastly (4) restricted to a specifc biome (Eken et al. functonal trait diversity across birds provides various 2004; Ambal et al. 2012). Birds are included as indicator key ecosystem services in diferent systems, from intact groups for terrestrial KBAs identfcaton due to their forests to more disturbed urbanised areas (Sekercioglu wide-breadth of diversity and sensitvity to ecosystem et al. 2016). Frugivorous and nectarivorous birds are conditons (Canterbury et al. 2000; O’Connell et al. 2000; vital for seed dispersal and pollinaton, respectvely, Eken et al. 2004). Currently, there are 228 KBAs in the therefore maintain gene fow and persistence of the Philippines, of which 101 are terrestrial (51,249 km2) populaton of many important tropical plant species and 27 are fully protected, 25 partally protected, and 49 (Ingle 2003; García & Martnez 2012). This group also unprotected (Ambal et al. 2012). Although KBAs holds serves as natural foresters in degraded areas through high biodiversity, not all are protected, and thus ofen seed rain and dispersal (Gonzales et al. 2009; Mueller challenged by several factors, partcularly anthropogenic et al. 2014). Insectvorous birds can suppress actvites due to lack of well-defned statuary protecton pests and can reduce the use of environmentally policy prohibitng encroachments and the persistence harmful pestcides in agricultural landscapes (Koh 2008; of threats (Butchart et al. 2015; Cai 2013; Knight et al. Sekercioglu 2012). Carnivores are vital in the check 2007). The efectveness of conservaton policies and and balance of prey populatons, for example, rodent initatves ofen requires extensive and wide informaton populatons in urban or agricultural landscapes with on biodiversity, yet knowledge gaps contnue to be high reproductve potental (Donázar et al. 2016). a challenge, limitng efectve and efcient decision The Philippine biodiversity, however, is threatened making (Butchart et al. 2015; Nori et al. 2020). by various environmental and human pressures (Brooks The Island of Mindanao in the southern part of the et al. 1999) that may disrupt species diversity, their Philippines holds many biodiversity-rich ecosystems ecological functon and services. Given the growing with a high concentraton of endemic species (Paz et al. populaton in the Philippines, a large proporton of 2013; Sanguila et al. 2016; Amoroso et al. 2019). The species and habitats are threatened by land-use changes majority of the endemic and threatened species are to accommodate human needs (Brooks et al. 2002; Posa concentrated in intact forests identfed or protected & Sodhi 2006; Posa et al. 2008). In the Philippines, by the government to conserve the species from total over 67% of bird species are dependent on intact extncton (Sanguila et al. 2016; Amoroso et al. 2019). pristne forests ( Dutson et al. 1993; Brooks et al. 1999; Mt. Hilong-hilong (Fig. 1) is a KBA in Mindanao that lies

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2021 | 13(5): 18110–18121 18111 J TT Birds of Mt. Hilong-hilong, Philippines Gracia Jr. et al. on the boundaries of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, MATERIALS AND METHODS and Surigao del Sur Provinces in the northern porton of the Diwata Range of northeastern Mindanao or Caraga Entry protocol and acquisiton of permit region. The whole KBA has an area of 2,432km2 with Prior to the feld surveys, as a courtesy, we visited the highest elevaton at 2,012 metres above sea level the major stakeholders from the local government (The Haribon Foundaton 2018). Several taxonomic and and the local people in the area. This was followed by biodiversity studies have been conducted in Mt. Hilong- obtaining of the Wildlife Gratuitous Permit (GP # R13- hilong, focusing partcularly on birds. Albeit informaton 2017-0036) following the procedure of the Department remains scatered or inaccessible. A major knowledge of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the gap concerning Philippine birds in KBAs is the lack of clear Republic of the Philippines. understanding of the relatonship of species diversity, the extent of the threatening process, and extncton Field survey risks. Understanding biotc potental and vulnerability We conducted feld surveys in Tandag Watershed are essental to developing efectve conservaton in Mt. Hilong-hilong, Barangay Awasian, Tandag City, prioritsaton in a certain habitat or ecosystems (Segan Surigao del Sur, situated between 9.075o N and 126.154o et al. 2016; Tanalgo & Hughes 2019). Here, we integrate E. We primarily recorded birds using transects and point feld data collected in 2017 and the past survey to assess counts. We utlised established trails to establish 2-km and analyse the overall biotc potental and diversity transects in each elevaton range. Birds were observed paterns for birds in Mt. Hilong-hilong in Mindanao during peak actvity, from 05.00h to 10.00h and from Island, Philippines. Our study further aims to understand 14.00h to 18.00h, for four consecutve days per transect the conservaton priorites of birds in this KBA based with fve feld researchers as observers. The samplings on their ecological status and potental threats. Our were performed in the frst four days for transect 1 and synthesis will serve as complementary science-based the next four days for transect 2. The overall sampling evidence to support ongoing conservaton eforts in Mt. efort was 180 observer-hours per transect. Point counts Hilong-hilong. were carried out at every 250m of the transect making

Figure 1. Elevatonal map of Mt. Hilong-hilong showing the boundaries of the Key Biodiversity Area. Map was generated using QGIS version 3.14.

18112 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2021 | 13(5): 18110–18121 Birds of Mt. Hilong-hilong, Philippines Gracia Jr. et al. J TT a 9-point staton on a 2-km transect line. We conducted gradient using descriptve statstcs and Chi-square test surveys for 20 minutes at every point. All bird species of independence (χ2). We performed simple generalised observed and vocalisatons during the transect walk and linear modelling (GLMs) using the gamlj module in in the point-statons were counted. Jamovi (v 1.2.6) (Gallucci 2019) to predict the binary We also performed mist-netng to supplement extncton risk (global) of species recorded in Mt. Hilong- the sampling. We set 22 standard-sized mist nets in hilong, with adult body mass (kg), endemism, and every site at the heights: ground nets (0–5 m above feeding group as explanatory variables. We choose the the ground; N= 8), sub-canopy nets (at 5–10 m; N= 7), best model based on the model with the lowest Akaike and canopy nets (10m above ground; N= 7), to capture informaton criterion (AIC) values. ground-dwelling, sub-canopy, and canopy-dwelling We categorised and quantfed key threatening species, respectvely. A total of 168 net-days was carried process for each species as direct human-use, land- out. We checked nets as regularly as possible to ensure use driven, and natural threats using the species threat no individuals are tangled for a long period. Captured index following Tanalgo & Hughes (2019) based on the individuals were placed in a cloth bag to avoid further IUCN Red List assessment (IUCN 2020) as rudimentary stress, and were then identfed using feld guides by analysis to determine species risk from potental threats. (Kennedy et al. 2000). All captured individuals were We classifed direct threats like those that potentally released in the same area where they are captured. impact species biology and populaton immediately (e.g., huntng and harvestng), land-use driven are Synthesis of secondary data and analyses threats that afect species habitats (e.g., deforestaton We performed a simple meta-analysis to evaluate and agricultural conversion), and natural threats are the diversity paterns of birds in Mt. Hilong-hilong by threats that include the climate and geological driven combining present survey data and previously published threats (e.g., storm or extreme heat). We compared the accounts. We only included those studies that contain number and means of key threatening process across a complete dataset that includes elevaton of records, endemism and conservaton status using the non- species name, conservaton status, endemism, and parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. feeding guilds. We curated and updated the species names and their species-specifc informaton using the data from the Internatonal Union for the Conservaton RESULT of Nature Red List (IUCN 2020). We exclude in the fnal analysis those species with dubious identfcaton and Bird records from the recent feld survey ecological status. The elevaton of species where the A total of 82 bird species with 20 new species species was recorded was binned in intervals (e.g., 0–100, records from 14 orders, 40 families, and 66 genera were 101–500, 500–1,000, 1,000–2,000 m) as representatve documented in the present feld survey in Mt. Hilong- of lower to higher elevaton gradients. We determined hilong (Supplementary Data 1 htps://doi.org/10.6084/ species feeding guilds based on published literature m9.fgshare.13168916.v1). The number of species (e.g., Kennedy et al. 2000; Mohagan et al. 2015; Tanalgo in the recent survey was lower compared to the 120 et al. 2015, 2019) and grouped species into frugivores reported by the Philippine Eagle Foundaton (2007) (feeding on fruits), nectarivores (feeding on nectars and from the four other sites of Mt Hilong-hilong located foral parts), granivores (feeding on seeds), insectvores at Adlay, Sipang-pang, Pinasandi, and RTR. White- (feeding on and small arthropods), carnivores Collared Kingfsher Todiramphus chloris, Tricoloured (feeding on large invertebrates and vertebrates), and Munia Lonchura malacca, and Yellow-vented Bulbul omnivores (feeding on both plant and resources). Pycnonotus goiavier were the most observed species We performed all statstcal tests and data in all statons, partcularly in the less forested areas, visualisatons using the open-source sofware Jamovi such as grassland and cultvated-areas. Forest-dwelling 1.2.6 (The Jamovi Project 2020). We omited abundance- species Mindanao afnis, White- based data (e.g., species counts) to standardise the eared Brown-dove Phapitreron leucots, and Yellow- quantfcaton and comparison. Species richness was breasted Fruit-dove Ramphiculus occipitalis were only based on absolute species count per elevaton gradient observed in the dense dipterocarp forests of the KBA. interval. We compared richness and proporton of In the present survey, eight per cent (N= 7 spp.) of the ecological status, e.g., conservaton status, populaton species were categorised as threatened. Whereas there trends, endemism, and feeding guilds across elevatonal were 52% (N= 43 spp.) endemic species consttuted by

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2021 | 13(5): 18110–18121 18113 J TT Birds of Mt. Hilong-hilong, Philippines Gracia Jr. et al. 35 (43%) species endemic in the Philippine, and eight Table 1. Diversity summary of birds in Mt. Hilong-hilong in (10%) are endemic to Mindanao Island. terms species richness according to feeding guild, endemism, movement patern, conservaton status, and populaton status. See Supplementary Data 1 for full list of species listed and analysed in the Synthesis of bird diversity paterns in Mt. Hilong-hilong study htps://doi.org/10.6084/m9.fgshare.13168916.v1

We synthesised present and previous studies to Number of Record from new Diversity atributes % estmate bird species biodiversity in Mt. Hilong-hilong. species feld survey We tallied a total of 148 bird species belonging to 51 Feeding guild families (Supplementary Data 1 htps://doi.org/10.6084/ Carnivores 18 12 10 m9.fgshare.13168916.v1). This number approximately Frugivores 28 19 18 represent 20% of the 724 Philippine bird species. The Granivores 5 3 2

families Columbidae (N= 13 spp., 9%), Muscicapidae Insectvores 73 49 41

(N= 10 spp., 7%), Cuculidae (N= 9 spp., 6%), Nectaridae Nectarivores 15 10 9 (N= 9 spp., 6%), and Dicaeidae (N= 8 spp., 5%) were the Omnivores 9 6 2 most represented families. Within feeding guilds, half Endemism of the overall species were insectvorous (N= 75 spp., Non endemic 75 51 39 51%) followed by frugivorous (N= 28 spp., 19%), and carnivorous (N= 18 spp., 12%) (Table 1). Overall, without Philippine Endemic 53 36 35 considering the elevatonal gradient distributon, we Mindanao Endemic 20 14 8 found signifcant relatonships between species feeding Migraton Patern guild and endemism (χ2= 21.7, df= 10, P= 0.016), and Full Migrant 16 11 10 across conservaton status (χ2= 50.9, df= 20, P< 0.001). Non migrant 132 89 72 Thirty-six per cent (N= 53 spp., 36%) of the species Conservaton status

were country endemic, 20 species (14%) restricted to Data Defcient 1 1 0

Mindanao faunal region, and 16 (11%) species were Least Concern 124 84 71 migratory (Table 1). Large proporton of species (N= Near Threatened 11 7 4 135 spp., 91%) were considered in non-threatened Vulnerable 11 7 7 category (Least Concern and Near Threatened), eight Endangered 1 1 0 per cent (N= 12 spp., 8%) were threatened (Vulnerable and Endangered), and one per cent data defcient Populaton status species. Although the majority of the species were non- Decreasing 79 53 43 threatened there was a signifcant number of endemic Increasing 5 3 4 species within this category (χ2= 57.9, df= 8, P<0.001) Stable 60 41 33 with 30% (N= 40 spp.) endemic in the Philippines and Unknown 4 3 2 10% (N= 14) endemic in Mindanao Islands. There were fewer number of threatened species but there was a signifcantly higher percentage of species in declining populaton trends (N= 78 spp., 53%) versus with stable 2; Supplementary Data 2 htps://doi.org/10.6084/ (N= 59 spp., 40%) and increasing populaton trends m9.fgshare.13169396.v1). (N= 5, 3%) (χ2= 40.70, df= 12, P< 0.001). Moreover, We found more species in the lower elevatonal the 66% (N= 48 spp.) of all endemic have signifcantly gradient interval (N= 115 spp., 78%) albeit presence decreasing populaton trends compared to only 44% (N= of partcular families did not signifcantly difer across 32 spp.) of the non-endemic species (χ2= 29.00, df= 6, elevaton gradient (χ2= 110, df= 150, P< 0.994). Within P< 0.001) (Table 1). Furthermore, using a simple logistc the KBA, higher endemism proporton were recorded regression model, we demonstrated that adult body in the lower (49%) and mid-elevaton (61%) (χ2= 9.16, mass and endemism were signifcant determinants of df= 9, P< 0.423) (Fig. 3), but only difered signifcantly binary extncton risk of birds in Mt. Hilong-hilong. Our within conservaton status (χ2= 21.60, df= 12, P< 0.04) best model (AIC= 136.133) indicated that larger species (Fig. 3). We found no signifcant relatonship amongst (β= 0.590, SE= 0.168, P< 0.001) and those Mindanao elevatonal gradient and feeding guild (χ2= 9.92, df= 18, (β= 3.227, SE= 0.864, P< 0.001) and Philippine endemic P< 0.934) (Fig. 3). (β= 2.557, SE= 0.802, P< 0.001) in contrast to non- endemic species were more likely at higher risk (Fig.

18114 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2021 | 13(5): 18110–18121 Birds of Mt. Hilong-hilong, Philippines Gracia Jr. et al. J TT 84% of non-endemic species were threatened by direct- human threats (e.g., huntng) (Kruskal-Wallis test: χ2= 19.03, df= 2, P< 0.001). Natural threats were higher among endemic species (Kruskal-Wallis test: χ2= 10.15, df= 2, P= 0.01). In terms of average threats per species, Mindanao endemic has higher mean number of threats (mean= 2.00 ± 1.98) compared to non-endemic (mean= 1.41 ± 1.52) and Philippine endemic species (mean= 1.12 ± 1.53). Threatened probability DISCUSSION

Biodiversity assessments and monitoring provide important informaton to understand species diversity and conservaton (Tanalgo et al. 2015). Field data, Body mass (kg) partcularly from rapid biodiversity surveys are ofen Figure 2. Simple logistc regression showing the link amongst species undervalued, but when carefully synthesised are useful extncton probability, adult body mass (kg), and endemism of birds in Mt. Hilong-hilong. to inform the local state of biodiversity, which aids or complement prioritse key areas, habitats, and species (Tanalgo et al. 2019). Mt. Hilong-hilong interests many natural history scientsts and conservaton Potental threats biologist within and outside the region. Yet, most Fundamental to developing efectve conservaton ornithological studies and surveys that occurred are agenda is to identfy potental threatening processes rarely published. The Philippine Eagle Foundaton and their extent. We utlized the IUCN Red List data pioneered the ornithological surveys on the western for each species recorded in Mt. Hilong-hilong as a side of the mountain and reported 120 species with 51% rudimentary basis for determining the extent of potental Philippines endemics (The Philippine Eagle Foundaton threats faced by species; IUCN categories are globally 2007). This was followed by an ecological study on the standardised to provide a useful framework for our efects of vegetaton on birds in Mt. Hilong-hilong by analysis. Overall, endemic and threatened species face a Paz et al. (2013). Forty-six species were observed in San higher proporton of threats (Fig. 4A). Direct human use Antonio located on the western side of the mountain and land-use driven threats, such as land conversions are (Hosner 2012). By combining past and current survey the key potental threat for the majority of the species data from Mt. Hilong-hilong, we found an increase in (Fig. 4). Threatening processes signifcantly difered recorded species and higher proportons of endemism, across conservaton status and endemism. Overall as other species were not previously recorded before threats (Kruskal-Wallis test: χ2= 52.50, df= 4, P< 0.001; were pooled together, supportng the importance of Land-use drive threats, χ2= 111.29, df= 4, P< 0.001; Mt. Hilong-hilong in conserving important populatons Natural threats, χ2= 27.81, df= 4, P= <0.001) signifcantly of birds in the KBA zone. Key Biodiversity Areas are difered across conservaton status except for direct identfed sites across large scale networks by identfying human threats (Kruskal-Wallis test: χ2= 6.62, df= 4, P= areas that contain unique, vulnerable, and irreplaceable 0.157) (Fig. 4B,C). When conservaton categories were populaton (Eken et al. 2004). KBA's primarily concerns compared, threatened species have higher mean threats to aid the conservaton and protecton of populaton (mean= 3.85 ± 0.99) compared to non-threatened viability of highly-threatened species or populatons species (mean= 1.165 ± 1.47) (Fig. 4A). based on global-scale criteria (e.g., the IUCN Red List) There was a signifcant diference in the number (Margules & Pressey 2000). Although our analysis of species threatened by diferent threats categories showed lower numbers of threatened species (N= 12 within endemism categories (Fig. 4B,C). There were spp., 8%), we found a higher proporton of species with 48% and 47% of threatened by land-use driven threats in declining populatons (N= 79 spp., 53%) in Mt. Hilong- Mindanao and Philippine endemic species, respectvely hilong. Likewise, we found high proportons of species (Kruskal-Wallis test: χ2= 18.02, df= 2, P< 0.001), while with restricted distributons (N= 73 spp., 50% endemism

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2021 | 13(5): 18110–18121 18115 J TT Birds of Mt. Hilong-hilong, Philippines Gracia Jr. et al.

Figure 3. Distributon of birds in Mt. Hilong-hilong across elevatonal gradient interval based on: A—endemism, | B—conservaton status | C—feeding guilds.

level) and this conforms to the other three criteria based could be associated with relatvely intact, denser and on species irreplaceability (Margules & Pressey 2000). diverse vegetaton of natve plants within the KBA zone Key Biodiversity Areas with relatvely more intact partcularly in the lower to mid-elevaton, thus more vegetaton represents an important site for conservaton suitable to support wide-suit of bird species and their safeguarding populatons of bird taxa from multple diferent life-histories. Tanalgo et al. (2019) compared threats (Plumptre et al. 2019). The risk of extncton for diferent habitats in the lowlands of south-central birds in Mt. Hilong-hilong is higher among Mindanao and Mindanao and found more endemic species in protected Philippine endemic. Our study found high proportons areas and at reforested sites with beter vegetaton of endemic species within Mt. Hilong-hilong, and this structure compared to more homogenised plantatons

18116 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2021 | 13(5): 18110–18121 Birds of Mt. Hilong-hilong, Philippines Gracia Jr. et al. J TT

Figure 4. Species threat index of potental threatening processed based on: A—proporton of overall threats | B—direct human threats | C— land-use driven threats | D—natural threats, across endemism. Error bars represent the standard deviaton.

and urbanised areas. Previous studies also showed that (Bujoczek et al. 2020; Hatield et al. 2020; Tchoumbou the density and richness of endemic bird species are et al. 2020). Declining strict forest-dwelling species strongly correlated with the vegetaton intactness and at a regional scale is widely associated with human structure (Mills et al. 1991; Daniels et al. 1992; Mejías disrupton to habitats that reduce the space occupied by & Nol 2020). Although the majority of avian species in and afect the foraging grounds of a diverse set of species Mt. Hilong-hilong are considered least threatened, yet (Brooks et al. 1999; Renjifo 2001). Global meta-analyses large proportons are facing threats from direct-human showed that bird species richness and abundance threats such as huntng, albeit there is no clear evidence were partcularly susceptble to decline in areas with detailing the extent of this threat for birds and other low structural heterogeneity such as plantatons and wildlife in the KBA. Whereas land-use driven threats farmland conversions (Bohada‐Murillo et al. 2020). The such as deforestaton and agricultural expansion remain contnuous conversion within or near intact habitats a key threat to 49% of species partcularly those forest- for agricultural expansions during the last decades has dwelling species with narrow distributons. In contrast driven high biodiversity loss in many hotspot regions with other threats, deforestaton and agricultural including the Philippines (Brooks et al. 2002). Apart from expansions led to habitat fragmentaton that may the high diversity of forest-dwelling birds in Mt. Hilong- immediately infuence the alteratons of diversity and hilong, we recorded at least 16 migratory species. Intact compositon of natve species present in these systems areas (e.g., protected areas and key biodiversity areas)

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2021 | 13(5): 18110–18121 18117 J TT Birds of Mt. Hilong-hilong, Philippines Gracia Jr. et al. as interconnected networks of conserved and protected the intactness of forest, in which species responded sites are crucial for migratory birds serving as routes negatvely to disturbance gradient, for example, supportng the full annual cycle of at least 9% of global omnivores, insectvores and frugivores were lowest in migratory birds (N= 1,451 spp.) (Runge et al. 2015). numbers in areas with selectve logging and plantaton We found more endemic and threatened species in conversions within a tropical rainforest (Tchoumbou et the lower elevaton (0–100 m) and mid-elevatons (100– al. 2020). The intactness of KBAs strongly relies on the 500 m) of Mt. Hilong-hilong, but this should be taken physical features (e.g., landscape structure), presence with prudence as the sampling efort or the employed of threats, and changes in land-use (Rayner et al. 2014). techniques per elevaton may vary. This diversity To circumvent these threats, protected areas and other patern (i.e., species richness) may be explained by the forms of designated sites serve as a chief tool optmising vegetaton structure in relatonship to elevaton in the the conservaton and protecton of many species KBA. In a previous study in Mt. Hilong-hilong, Paz et (Butchart et al. 2015). Conservaton initatves such as al. (2013) showed that vegetaton and elevaton were the establishments of KBAs allows the identfcaton of key drivers afectng endemic species distributon in important areas for protecton (i.e., the establishment the KBA. Vegetaton is a key determinant of increased of protected areas) from human alteraton. Yet, the species richness and diversity (Canterbury et al. 2000; identfcaton of KBAs alone is not sufcient to ensure Tchoumbou et al. 2020) and the efect of elevaton may the protecton of its ecosystems and important taxa; it negatvely afect vegetaton and consequently species requires efectve monitoring of its biodiversity and the diversity and richness across many animal taxa including extent of the potental threatening process (Beresford birds (Katan & Franco 2004; McCain 2009). In a study et al. 2020). To optmise the role of KBA to safeguard in the Rwandan mountains, elevaton was found to critcal habitats and their biodiversity it should be have inverse efects and vegetaton structure positvely primarily protected frst by the statutory policy. infuenced bird diversity (Derhé et al. 2020). Similarly, In conclusion, our synthesis demonstrated the this patern was observed in the eastern Himalaya; presence of high diversity of endemic and threatened bird Acharya et al. (2011) demonstrated that intermediate species in Mt. Hilong-hilong harbour, and the vital role of elevatons had the highest bird species richness, where the KBA as an important habitat for bird conservaton and primary productvity was at the optmal peak. protecton. Our study exhibited that local biodiversity In terms of feeding groups, the majority of the could be efectvely understood by integratng fndings species recorded in Mt. Hilong-hilong are insectvorous, from multple datasets, partcularly those from rapid frugivorous, and carnivorous. Elevaton has been surveys and assessments (Fig. 5) (Tanalgo et al. 2019). shown to afect the distributon of functonal groups, Here, we acknowledge that our fndings were based on for example, elevaton strongly infuences insectvorous the synthesis of the diferent dataset that employed birds but not on frugivorous birds in tropical forest varying sampling methods and approach (e.g., intensity landscapes as infuenced by their varying foraging and efort, taxonomic identfcaton) that may have afect strategies across diferent vegetaton (i.e., more insect the robustness of data (Manu & Cresswell 2007) thus, biomass) and climate strata (Jankowski et al. 2013; careful interpretaton is required. Yet these caveats Santllán et al. 2020). Although there was no signifcant warrant more intensive eforts and opportunites to relatonship found between feeding groups and produce robust data across elevatonal and vegetaton elevaton, species that were recorded strictly or specifc gradient to fully elucidate their relatonship to species in an elevaton may represent an important indicator to diversity and other ecological indicator groups. future monitoring of bird response to habitat system The rapidly changing environment and the growing within Mt. Hilong-hilong. Species feeding guild can development outside and the lowlands of KBA where indicate habitat structure or quality for species to habitat change is likely to occur and could pose persist. A study comparing a protected area with an important atenton and concerns for conservaton. agricultural area in Serenget showed that at least 50% For instance, from 2002–2019 at least 4.66Kha of of insectvorous and granivorous birds found in forests humid primary forest was lost within the KBA zone, were absent in agriculture, suggestng that more intact which most likely caused by deforestaton and shifing ecosystems can safeguard a large proporton of specialist agriculture (Global Forest Watch 2020). In additon to species (O’Connell et al. 2000; Sinclair et al. 2002). In land-use changes, direct human impacts to birds such a similar study, bird functonal diversity depended as huntng in the KBA may pose another threat to many on the overall habitat types (Tanalgo et al. 2019), and populatons. These threatening processes will likely

18118 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2021 | 13(5): 18110–18121 Birds of Mt. Hilong-hilong, Philippines Gracia Jr. et al. J TT

Figure 5. Schematc diagram showing the key importance of collaboratve eforts for conservaton such as the biodiversity data sharing and integraton from diferent feldwork and research to develop synthesis for clearer understanding of biodiversity paterns to inform beter or complement existng conservaton eforts. This fgure was generated using the free version of clipart from htps://logomakr.com/

afect many species partcularly larger species (e.g., and Management 22(2): 6–12. large-fruit doves) and those with narrow distributons Amoroso, V.B., A.B. Mohagan, F.P. Coritco, N.E. Lagunday, A.P. Yorong, R.D. Colong & R.G. Ponce (2018). Avifaunal assemblage in (Tanalgo 2017). Thus future studies must aim to the expansion sites of the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, understand and explore the extent and impacts of Mindanao, Philippines. Nature Conservaton Research 3: 103–109. htps://doi.org/10.24189/ncr.2018.069 these threats to species in Mt. Hilong-hilong. Future Beresford, A.E., P.F., Donald & G.M. Buchanan (2020). Repeatable conservaton priorites should advocate more protecton and standardised monitoring of threats to Key Biodiversity Areas in of endemic species which more tends to be threatened Africa using Google Earth Engine. Ecological Indicators 109: 105763. htps://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105763 in Mt. Hilong-hilong. Furthermore, we demonstrate Bohada‐Murillo, M., G.J. Castaño‐Villa & F.E. Fontúrbel (2020). The here that collaboratve eforts may promote efectual efects of forestry and agroforestry plantatons on bird diversity: A conservaton by combining diferent data from diferent global synthesis. Land Degradaton & Development 31(5): 646–654. htps://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3478 survey eforts that ofen remain in grey literature, enable Brooks, T.M., R.A. Mitermeier, C.G. Mitermeier, G.A.B.D. Fonseca, biodiversity synthesis by increasing relevant informaton A.B. Rylands, W.R. Konstant, P. Flick, J. Pilgrom, S. Oldfeld, G. to beter understand species diversity (Tanalgo et al. Magin & C. Hilton‐Taylor (2002). Habitat Loss and Extncton in the Hotspots of Biodiversity. Conservaton Biology 16(4): 909–923. 2019). Bolstering eforts promotng transparent and htps://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.2002.00530.x collaboratve science-based conservaton interventon Brooks, T.M., S.L. Pimm, V. Kapos & C. Ravilious (1999). Threat is central to beter complement and sustain existng from deforestaton to montane and lowland birds and mammals in insular South-east Asia. Journal of Animal Ecology 68(6): 1061– conservaton management not only in Mt. Hilong-hilong 1078. htps://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2656.1999.00353.x (Mohagan et al. 2015; Amoroso et al. 2018) but across Bujoczek, M., J. Rybicka & L. Bujoczek (2020). Efects of disturbances in a subalpine forest on its structural indicators and bird diversity. all other important biodiversity sites in the country (Fig. Ecological Indicators 112: 106126. htps://doi.org/10.1016/j. 5). ecolind.2020.106126 Butchart, S.H.M., M. Clarke, R.J. Smith, R.E. Sykes, J.P.W. Scharlemann, M. Harfoot, G.M.Buchanan, A. Angulo, A., Balmford, B. Bertzky, T.M. Brooks, K.E. Carpenter, M.T. Comeros-Raynal, J. Cornell, REFERENCES G.G. Ficetola, L.D.C. Fishpool, R.A. Fuller, J. Geldman, H. Harwell, C. Hilton-Taylor, M. Hofman, A. Joolia, L. Joppa, N.Kingston,I. Acharya, B.K., N.J. Sanders, L. Vijayan & B. Chetri (2011). Elevatonal May, A. Milam, B. Polidoro, G. Talph, N. Richman. C. Rondinimi, Gradients in Bird Diversity in the Eastern Himalaya: An Evaluaton of D. Segan, B. Skolnik, M. Spalding, S.N. Stuart, A. Symes, J. Taylor, Distributon Paterns and Their Underlying Mechanisms. PLOS ONE P. Viscont, J. Watson, L. Wood & N.D. Burges (2015). Shortalls 6(12): e29097. htps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0029097 and Solutons for Meetng Natonal and Global Conservaton Ambal, R.G.R., M.V. Duya, M.A. Cruz, O.G. Coroza, S.G. Vergara, N. de Area Targets. Conservaton Leters 8(5): 329–337. htps://doi. Silva, N. Monliyaw & B. Tabaranza (2012). Key Biodiversity Areas in org/10.1111/conl.12158 the Philippines: Priorites for Conservaton. Journal of Threatened Cai, M. & D. Petenella (2013). Protectng biodiversity outside Taxa 2788–2796. htps://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o2995.2788-96 protected areas: can agricultural landscapes contribute to bird Amoroso, V.B., A.B Mohagan, F.P Coritco, S.H Laraga, N. Lagunday, conservaton on Natura 2000 in Italy? Journal of Environmental K.L. Domingo, R.D. Colong & R.G. Ponce (2019). Status of Mammals Engineering and Landscape Management 21(1): 1–11. htps://doi. in the Expansion Sites of the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife org/10.3846/16486897.2012.663089 Sanctuary, Mindanao, Philippines. Journal of Environmental Science Canterbury, G.E., T.E. Martn, D.R. Pett, L.J. Pett & D.F. Bradfor

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18120 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2021 | 13(5): 18110–18121 Birds of Mt. Hilong-hilong, Philippines Gracia Jr. et al. J TT htps://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.7 Author details: AGG is a feld biologist Posa, M.R.C., A.C. Diesmos, N.S. Sodhi & T.M. Brooks (2008). Hope for Threatened Tropical Biodiversity: working on terrestrial vertebrates Lessons from the Philippines. BioScience 58(3): 231–240. htps://doi.org/10.1641/B580309 including birds. He is a university instructor. ABM is a Professor and head Posa, M.R.C. & N.S. Sodhi (2006). Efects of anthropogenic land use on forest birds and buterfies in Subic of CMU museum. Her research interests Bay, Philippines. Biological Conservaton 129(2): 256–270. htps://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2005.10.041 are focused on monitoring terrestrial Rayner, L., D.B. Lindenmayer, J.T. Wood, P. Gibbons & A.D. Manning (2014). Are protected areas maintaining fauna in diferent forest ecosystems of bird diversity? Ecography 37(1): 43–53. htps://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0587.2013.00388.x the Philippines. FMA is a Professor. She Renjifo, L.M. (2001). Efect of Natural and Anthropogenic Landscape Matrices on the Abundance is currently the director of the Center of Subandean Bird Species. Ecological Applicatons 11(1): 14–31. htps://doi.org/10.1890/1051- for Biodiversity Research and Extension 0761(2001)011[0014:EONAAL]2.0.CO 2 in Mindanao (CEBREM). Her research focuses on the conservaton of wildlife Runge, C.A., J.E.M. Watson, S.H.M. Butchart, J.O. Hanson, H.P. Possingham & R.A. Fuller. (2015). fora and fauna in the Philippines. HPL Protected areas and global conservaton of migratory birds. Science 350(6265): 1255–1258. htps://doi. is a Professor and the curator of the org/10.1126/science.aac9180 Botany secton of CMU museum. Her Sánchez-González, L.A. & R.G. Moyle (2011). Molecular systematcs and species limits in the Philippine research interest deals on taxonomy fantails (Aves: Rhipidura). Molecular Phylogenetcs and Evoluton 61(2): 290–299. htps://doi. and ecology of fora and fauna. JM is a org/10.1016/j.ympev.2011.06.013 STEM Teacher at the Purisima Diocesan Sanguila, M.B., K.A. Cobb, C.D. Siler, A.C. Diesmos, A.C. Alcala & R.M. Brown (2016). The amphibians School Inc. Her research interest is about the integraton of educaton and reptles of Mindanao Island, southern Philippines, II: the herpetofauna of northeast Mindanao and towards conservaton. JB is a biological adjacent islands. ZooKeys (624): 1–132. htps://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.624.9814 science educator practtoner. Her Santllán, V., M. Quitán, B.A. Tinoco, E. Zárate, M. Schleuning, K. Böhning-Gaese & E.L. Neuschulz (2020). research interest is on the taxonomy Direct and indirect efects of elevaton, climate and vegetaton structure on bird communites on a of birds. WY is a biological science tropical mountain. Acta Oecologica 102: 103500. htps://doi.org/10.1016/j.actao.2019.103500 educator practtoner. His research Segan, D.B., K.A. Murray & J.E.M. Watson (2016). A global assessment of current and future biodiversity interest is about the taxonomy of vulnerability to habitat loss–climate change interactons. Global Ecology and Conservaton 5: 12–21. birds. RC is a biological science educator practtoner. Her research htps://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2015.11.002 interest is on the taxonomy of birds. Sekercioglu, C.H. (2012). Bird functonal diversity and ecosystem services in tropical forests, agroforests and KCT is an early-career conservaton agricultural areas. Journal of Ornithology 153(Suppl. 1): 153–161. biologist working on developing tools Sekercioglu, Ç.H., D.G. Wenny & C.J. Whelan (2016). Why Birds Mater: Avian Ecological Functon and for conservaton prioritsaton and a Ecosystem Services. University of Chicago Press, 398pp. doctoral candidate at the Center for Sinclair, A.R.E., S.A.R. Mduma & P. Arcese (2002). Protected Areas as Biodiversity Benchmarks for Human Integratve Conservaton of Chinese Impact: Agriculture and the Serenget Avifauna. Proceedings: Biological Sciences 269(1508): 2401–2405. Academy of Science’s Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in Yunnan, Tanalgo, K.C. (2017). Wildlife huntng by indigenous people in a Philippine protected area: a perspectve China. from Mt. Apo Natonal Park, Mindanao Island. Journal of Threatened Taxa 9(6): 10307–10313. htps:// doi.org/10.11609/jot.2967.9.6.10307-10313 Author contributon: AGG, ABM, FMA, Tanalgo, K.C., M.J.M.M. Achondo & A.C. Hughes (2019). Small Things Mater: The Value of Rapid Biodiversity and HPL conceptualised the project. Surveys to Understanding Local Bird Diversity Paterns in Southcentral Mindanao, Philippines. Tropical AGG, JM, JB, WYJ, and RC carried out Conservaton Science 12: 1940082919869482. htps://doi.org/10.1177/1940082919869482 the feldwork. AGG and KCT performed Tanalgo, K.C. & A.C. Hughes (2019). Priority-setng for Philippine bats using practcal approach to guide data curaton and analyses. KCT performed the visualisaton. KCT led efectve species conservaton and policy-making in the Anthropocene. Hystrix, the Italian Journal of the manuscript writng. All authors Mammalogy 30(1): 74–83. htps://doi.org/10.4404/hystrix-00172-2019 reviewed, edited, and approved the Tanalgo, K.C., J.A.F. Pineda, M.E. Agravante & Z.M. Amerol (2015). Bird Diversity and Structure in Diferent submission of the fnal version of the Land-use Types in Lowland South-Central Mindanao, Philippines. Tropical Life Sciences Research 26(2): manuscript. 85–103. Tchoumbou, M.A., E.F.N. Malange, C.T. Tiku, B. Tibab, J. Fru-Cho, T. Tchuinkam, J. Awah-Ndukum, D.A. Nota & R.N.M. Sehgal (2020). Response of Understory Bird Feeding Groups to Deforestaton Gradient in a Tropical Rainforest of Cameroon. Tropical Conservaton Science 13: 1940082920906970. htps://doi. org/10.1177/1940082920906970 The Jamovi Project (2020). Jamovi (Version 1.2) (Version 1.2) The Philippine Eagle Foundaton (2007). Eastern Mindanao Corridor Biodiversity Archiving and Assessment Project Report. A technical report. Trindade-Filho, J., F.L. Sobral, M.V. Cianciaruso & R.D. Loyola (2012). Using indicator groups to represent bird phylogenetc and functonal diversity. Biological Conservaton 146(1): 155–162. htps://doi. org/10.1016/j.biocon.2011.12.004

Threatened Taxa

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2021 | 13(5): 18110–18121 18121 The Journal of Threatened Taxa (JoTT) is dedicated to building evidence for conservaton globally by OPEN ACCESS publishing peer-reviewed artcles online every month at a reasonably rapid rate at www.threatenedtaxa.org. All artcles published in JoTT are registered under Creatve Commons Atributon 4.0 Internatonal License unless otherwise mentoned. JoTT allows allows unrestricted use, reproducton, and distributon of artcles in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publicaton.

ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print)

April 2021 | Vol. 13 | No. 5 | Pages: 18099–18410 Date of Publicaton: 26 April 2021 (Online & Print) www.threatenedtaxa.org DOI: 10.11609/jot.2021.13.5.18099-18410

Artcles Legumes (Angiosperms: Fabaceae) of Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India – Jagdish Dalavi, Ramesh Pujar, Sharad Kambale, Varsha Jadhav-Rathod & Shrirang Yadav, Pp. Spatotemporal movement patern of Asian Elephants Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758 in 18283–18296 Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India – Milind Digambar Patl, Vinayak Krishna Patl & Ninad Avinash Mungi, Pp. 18099–18109 Indigenous knowledge of ethnomedicinal plants by the Assamese community in Dibrugarh District, Assam, India Conservaton ecology of birds in Mt. Hilong-hilong, a Key Biodiversity Area on Mindanao – Pranat Gogoi & Namita Nath, Pp. 18297–18312 Island, the Philippines – Arturo G. Gracia Jr., Alma B. Mohagan, Janezel C. Burlat, Welfredo L. Yu Jr., Janine Mondalo, Short Communicatons Florfe M. Acma, Hannah P. Lumista, Riah Calising & Krizler Cejuela Tanalgo, Pp. 18110–18121 Marine mammal strandings in the northern Palk Bay from 2009 to 2020 Nestng and hatching behaviour of Olive Ridley Turtles Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz, – Vedharajan Balaji & Veeramuthu Sekar, Pp. 18313–18318 1829) (Reptlia: Cryptodira: Cheloniidae) on Dr. Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, India – P. Poornima, Pp. 18122–18131 First distributon record of the Asiatc Toad Bufo gargarizans Cantor, 1842 from India — Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh Communicatons – Sahil Nijhawan, Jayanta Kumar Roy, Iho Mitapo, Gata Miwu, Jibi Pulu & M. Firoz Ahmed, Pp. 18319–18323 Feeding ecology of Walia Ibex Capra walie (Mammalia: Artodactyla: Bovidae) in Simien Mountains Natonal Park, Ethiopia A checklist of fshes of Telangana State, India – D. Ejigu, A. Bekele & L. Powell, Pp. 18132–18140 – Kante Krishna Prasad & Chelmala Srinivasulu, Pp. 18324–18343

Assessment of crop and property damage caused by Semnopithecus vetulus nestor Report on the stngless bees of Bhutan (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) (Bennet, 1833) (Mammalia: Primates: Cercopithecidae) in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka – Tshering Nidup, Pp. 18344–18348 – Sunil Wijethilaka, Lakshani S. Weerasekara, Saumya Bandara & Kithsiri B. Ranawana, Pp. 18141–18147 New records of six termite (Blatodea: Termitdae) species from Kerala, India – Poovoli Amina & K. Rajmohana, Pp. 18349–18354 Habitat preference of the Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata inhabitng Margalla Hills Natonal Park, Islamabad, Pakistan Status, abundance, and seasonality of buterfy fauna at Kuvempu University Campus, – Tariq Mahmood, Shaista Andleeb & Faraz Akrim, Pp. 18148–18155 Karnataka, India – M.N. Harisha & B.B. Hoset, Pp. 18355–18363 The endangered Himalayan Red Panda: frst photographic evidence from its westernmost distributon range Observatons on buterfies of non-protected areas of Titabar, Assam, India – Saroj Shrestha, Sony Lama, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Sonam Tashi Lama & Dinesh Ghale, Pp. – Abhijit Konwar & Manashi Bortamuly, Pp. 18364–18377 18156–18163 Three new distributon records of Conidae (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda: Conoidea) from Ecological niche modelling predicts signifcant impacts of future climate change on two the Andaman Islands, India endemic rodents in eastern Africa – Jayaseelan Benjamin Franklin & Deepak Arun Apte, Pp. 18378–18384 – Aditya Srinivasulu, Alembrhan Assefa & Chelmala Srinivasulu, Pp. 18164–18176 A new record of an endangered and endemic rare Rein Orchid Habenaria rarifora from Avian diversity in a fragmented landscape of central Indian forests (Bhopal Forest Circle) Gujarat, India – Amit Kumar, Yogesh Dubey & Advait Edgaonkar, Pp. 18177–18188 – Mital R. Bhat, Pp. 18385–18389

Nest tree preference shown by Ring-necked Parakeet Psitacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) in Glimpse of climber diversity in Saharanpur District, Utar Pradesh, India northern districts of Tamil Nadu, India – Lalita Saini, Archasvi Tyagi, Inam Mohammad & Vijai Malik, Pp. 18390–18397 – M. Pandian, Pp. 18189–18199 First report of the feshy mushroom Trichaleurina javanica (Rehm) M. Carbone et al. Two new species of Euphaea Selys, 1840 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Euphaeidae) from northern (Ascomycota: Pezizales: Chorioactdaceae) from southern India Western Ghats, India – Munuswamy Kumar, Sekar Nithya & Antony Agnes Kayalvizhi, Pp. 18398–18402 – Shriram Dinkar Bhakare, Vinayan P Nair, Pratma Ashok Pawar, Sunil Hanmant Bhoite & Kalesh Sadasivan, Pp. 18200–18214 Notes

Two new light atracted rove species of Astenus Dejean, 1833 (Coleoptera: Photographic record of Temminck’s Tragopan Tragopan temminckii (Gray, 1831) (Aves: Staphylinidae: Paederinae) from Kerala, India Galliformes: Phasianidae) from eastern Bhutan: an evidence of its westward range – P. Sreevidhya, S.V. Akhil & C.D. Sebastan, Pp. 18215–18226 expansion – Tshering Dorji, Kinley Kinley, Letro Letro, Dawa Tshering & Prem Nanda Maidali, Pp. A new distributon record of mason wasp Pison punctfrons Shuckard, 1838 (Hymenoptera: 18403–18405 Sphecidae: Larrinae) from Noida, Utar Pradesh, India – Rajiv K. Singh Bais & Aakash Singh Bais, Pp. 18227–18236 The Malay Cardamom Meistera aculeata (Roxb.) Škorničk. & M.F. Newman (Zingiberaceae: Alpinioideae) from the Palghat gap: a new record to Kerala, India Diversity of freshwater molluscs from the upper Brahmaputra Basin, – Vadakkeveedu Jagadesh Aswani, Manjakulam Khadhersha Jabeena & Maya Assam, India Chandrashekaran Nair, Pp. 18406–18410 – Jyotsh Sonowal, Munmi Puzari & Devid Kardong, Pp. 18237–18246

Diversity of understory fowering plants in the forest patches of Marilog District, Philippines – Florfe M. Acma, Noe P. Mendez, Noel E. Lagunday & Victor B. Amoroso, Pp. 18247–18256 Publisher & Host Legumes of Kerala, India: a checklist – Anoop P. Balan & S.V. Predeep, Pp. 18257–18282

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