Mammals of Cleopatra’s Needle Critical Habitat: Outcomes of a rapid assessment

Abstract

A rapid biodiversity assessment of mammalian fauna was conducted in the Cleopatra’s Needle mountain range in the biodiversity hotspot province of Palawan, Philippines to determine species diversity of, anthropogenic activities affecting and conservation status of the species in the area. Standard methods of research sampling for capturing or observing volant and non-volant mammalian species included: baited cage trapping, drift-fenced pitfall trapping, camera trapping, mist-net trapping and opportunistic hand-capturing or observing. A total of 12 mammalian species were documented. Maxomys panglima and Crucidura palawanensis were the most commonly captured species with the use of baited cage traps and pitfall traps, respectively. The rare Chiropodomys calamianensis was also captured with a baited cage trap. Aonyx cinereus is listed as Vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species; Prionailurus bengalensis heaneyi and Sus ahoenobarbus, are listed as Vulnerable under the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources’ 2017 National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories. The results revealed this area is an important habitat for threatened and poorly studied species of mammals, most of which are imperiled by individual threats and habitat loss.