Abstract
Watersheds are critical habitats for a diverse array of organisms. Among all the fauna, anurans are excellent biological indicators of environmental health. The community structure is often associated with a relationship between species diversity and diet. An anuran survey was conducted along riparian zones of three selected barangays of Calayagon Watershed (Guinabsan, Rizal, and Malpoc), Philippines. Extensive opportunistic methods for a total of 480 man-hours were spent traversing the area. A total of 195 individuals, consisting of seven species from four families, were recorded. Seventy-two percent of the individual species were regarded as Least concern, and 14 % were Near-threatened. Of the species recorded, 57 % are Philippine endemic, and 29 % are Invasive alien species. Fejervarya vittigera (44.66 %) gained the highest number of individuals across sampling stations. Overall diversity index is high H’= 1.43. The most abundant species in each sampling site were subjected to diet analysis (R. marina, F. vittigera, and F. moodiei). The most dominant prey item were plant matters followed by insect orders. In terms of the number of prey items, the order Hymenoptera was the most abundant. The study was the first to record the diet of the Philippine endemic F. vittigera, and F. moodiei. Noted anthropogenic threats include agricultural expansion and urbanization. Strict implementation of ordinances and policies towards the conservation and protection of a healthy bio-system for anurans and all organisms in the area is highly recommended.
Article History
Received: July 14, 2021; Accepted: Oct 08, 2021; Published: Feb 08, 2022
Recommended Citation
Salo, J. B.,
& Solania, C. L.
(2022).
Preliminary Survey and Diet Analysis of Anurans in The Riparian Zone of Calayagon Watershed, Agusan Del Norte, Philippines,
Journal of Bioresource Management, 9
(1).
