A preliminary study on bats in a small-scale mining site in south central Mindanao, Philippines

Abstract

Land-use change and its associated activities have been strongly linked to the decline of many bat species populations globally. This study was conducted with a primary goal to document the bat diversity on a small scale mining site in Baranggay Kinayao. Bagumbayan. Sultan. Kudarat. Philippines. A total of 227 individuals were identified, representing two families (Pteropodidae and Hipposideridae). eight genera, and eight species of bats. Three species are endemic to the Philippines namely Haplonycteris fischeri, Ptenochirus jagori, and the Vulnerable Megaerops wetmorei. Pteropodid Cynopterus brachyotts were found to be the most dominant and tolerant species in the area compared to all species combined, hi addition, a significant decrease in bat activity was noted during active blasting period, as evidenced by a low capture rate compared to non-blasting period. This preliminary finding suggests the need for further exploration of how human-induced noise increase the effects of the land-use change to bat diversity and population.