Riehll Juztin A.

Cortez
Rayan Celestino
Bernadith Dagasdas
Althea Basilides
Allyssa Pagaduan
BS Biology II-B

BIO102
General Ecology
Article Review
Final Examination

Jose, R.P. Aureo, W.A. Narido, C.I. Aurestila, W.J.A. Reyes, T.D. (2021). Bat Diversity and its
distribution in Balinsasayao Twin Lakes, a wildlife sanctuary of Negros Oriental,
Philippines.

I. Introduction
The researchers had tackle about the Chiroptera or bats and its importance in
Neotropical rainforests like the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park, a wildlife
sanctuary and a watershed which is the ideal site for their study. These species
comprises the 40-50% of all mammal species. Neotropical bats are known as great
pollinators of night blooming flowers, dispersers of seeds, and agents for a broad
spectrum of plants and rainforests regeneration. They also discussed that these faunal
members are seem to be sensitive to the loss and fragmentation of their natural habitat
in which some species are threatened and possibly extinct.

II. Objectives
The study aims to survey areas of remaining habitats in Balinsasayao Twin
Lakes Natural Park that support significant bat populations and assess their
conservation importance.

III. Materials and Methods

The researchers conducted the survey between 23rd of April up to 8th of May,
2019 at the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes, which is situated in the southern mountains of
the Negros Island. The researchers used 20 mist nets with length of 6 meters to sample
bats. Ocular inspection of the selected net locations were done taking into the
considerations of the presence of fruit trees and water system such as creeks which
are known to be the foraging and roosting sites of the bats. Captured bats were
identified based on their species level specifically on their sex, age, reproductive
condition and biometrics such as length of their forearms (FA), hind foots (HF), ears
(€), tail vents (TV) and their total lengths (T). After being identified and examined, they
were then marked using indelible ink on their wing membranes and released back to
the forest. Data gathered were calculated for species diversity and were done per
sampling station using the formula of Magurran (2004), and were then tested for
normality and heterogeneity using PROC Univariate of Statistical Package for Social
Science (SPSS) version 7.0. After running the aforementioned test, least square
 differences (LSD) was compared to the means of independent variables with
significant variations at p≤0.05.

IV. Results and Discussion

In the mist netting conducted, there is a total of 10 species of bats in three
families (Pteropodidae, Megadermatidae, and Rhinolophidae) were identified: eight
fruit bats (Cynopterus brachyotis, Eonycteris spelaea, Haplonycteris fischeri,
Macroglossus minimus, Nyctimene rabori, Ptenochirus jagori, Rousettus
amplexicaudatus and, Pteropus pumilus) and two insect bats (Megaderma spasma
and Rhinolophus arcuatus).
Based on the total number of individuals captured per species, it was observed
that fruit bats were more abundant than insect bats which indicates the capacity of fruit
bats to thrive successfully in almost all types of habitats. C. brachyotis had the most
numbers with 100 individuals in all the nine sampling stations. The said species can
tolerate a wide range of habitats enabling it to exist in both non-forest and forest areas.
The presence also of other fruit bats such as P. jagori and H. fischeri, one of the
endemic species in the Philippines could be attributes to the vegetation of the area
consisting of secondary growth forest. In contrast, the low number of capture of insect
bats is probably because of their ability to etholocate that enable themm to evade the
mist nets installed.
Among the nine sampling stations, Station 1 has the highest diversity index
with a value of 1.83. Its high diversity is due to the variety of vegetation specifically
indigenous tree species, fruiting trees, and fern plantation near the forest edge.
However, Stations 4 and 7 differs significantly with the rest of the stations. Station 4
has the lowest value of 1.27 diversity index which has an elevation at about 1000
meters that mostly covered with indigenous trees such as Almaciga. It was observed
that growth of young trees made the area more densely covered. While Station 7 is an
open area that has an elevation of 900 meters, mostly dominated with cogon and
plantation of abaca and coconut trees.
The sites had little differences in their elevations and vegetation, hence, bats
being mobile can easily move from one area to another. The higher or lower number
of individuals and number of species in the nine sampling stations could be attributes
of the availability of suitable places to forage and presence of food sources in the area.

V. Conclusion
The survey demonstrates that although the area is a secondary forest, it is
capable of supporting variety of fruit-eating bat species, especially those Endangered
and Nearly threatened species. Data also suggests that the area provides food and
protection to these species. The researchers suggest continuous semi-annual
monitoring of bat populations in the area and dessimination of research data to the
local communities through Information, Education and Communication (IEC).