Preliminary Report on the Anurans of Mts Palay-Palay Mataas-Na-Gulod Protected Landscape, Luzon Island, Philippines

Abstract

I provide information on the anurans of Mts. Palay-Palay Mataas-naGulod Protected Landscape (MPPMNGPL) and its immediate vicinities based on field surveys conducted on accessible localities in 1998, 2006, and 2009. A total of 14 species representing four anuran families in 10 genera were recorded from the area. Baseline data on species richness, habitat and altitudinal distribution, and natural history of anurans are presented. The anuran assemblage exhibited high levels of endemicity (57%). Anurans were recorded in elevations from as low as 40 masl to more than 600 masl with the non-endemic species generally distributed in the lowlands while most of the endemics were restricted to higher elevations. Majority of the non-endemic species were usually associated with human-modified habitats while most of the endemic species were restricted to forest habitats. Eight microhabitat types were identified and a large proportion of anurans occurred in bodies of water and forest floor litter.