Endemic

Species in
the
Philippines
Louise Albis BA-MM101

Endemic Species in the Philippines

Mammal: Visayan Spotted Deer

The Visayan spotted deer (Rusa alfredi), also known as the Philippine spotted deer, is a
nocturnal and endangered species of deer located primarily in the rainforests of the Visayan islands of
Panay and Negros though it once roamed other islands such as Cebu, Guimaras, Leyte, Masbate, and
Samar. It is one of three endemic deer species in the Philippines, although it was not recognized as a
separate species until 1983. An estimated 2,500 mature individuals survived worldwide as of 1996,
according to the IUCN, although it is uncertain of how many of them still survive in the wild. The diet
of the deer, which consists of a variety of different types of grasses, leaves, and buds within the forest,
is the primary indicator of its habitat. Since 1991 the range of the species has severely decreased and
is now almost co-extensive with that of the Visayan warty pig.
In April 2009 a team of British and Filipino scientists discovered evidence of two separate
groups of deer in the North Negros Natural Park. These signs (scat and feeding sites) are believed to be
the first scientific evidence of the deer's activity for over 25 years. It is estimated that an estimated
300 animals survive on the island of Negros. Conservation efforts are currently underway with the
intention of preserving the remaining population of the species but are poorly funded and supported.
The deer is small and short-legged yet it is the largest endemic species of deer among the
Visayas. Adults range from 125 to 130 cm (49 to 51 in) long from the head to the base of the tail, 70 to
80 cm (28 to 31 in) in shoulder height and 25 to 80 kg (55 to 176 lb) in weight. This species is easily
distinguished from other species of deer in the Philippines by the distinctive "A" pattern of beige spots
which dot its deep brown back and sides. Other distinctive features include cream underparts and
white fur on the chin and lower lip. The animal's head and neck are brown, but lighter than the body,
and the eyes are ringed with paler fur. Males are larger than females and have short, thick, bumpy
antlers.

Endemic Species in the Philippines

Reptile: Philippine Crocodile

The Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), also known as the Mindoro crocodile or the
Philippine freshwater crocodile, is one of two species of crocodile that are found in the Philippines, the
other is the larger Indo-Pacific crocodile or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). The Philippine
crocodile, the species endemic only to the country, became data deficient to critically endangered in
2008 from exploitation and unsustainable fishing methods, such as dynamite fishing.Conservation
methods are being taken by the Dutch/Filipino Mabuwaya foundation, the Crocodile Conservation
Society and the Zoological Institute of HerpaWorld in Mindoro island. It is strictly prohibited to kill a
crocodile in the country, and it is punishable by law.
The Philippine crocodile is a crocodilian endemic to the Philippines. It is a relatively small,
freshwater crocodile. They have a relatively broad snout and thick bony plates on its back (heavy
dorsal armor). This is a fairly small species, reaching breeding maturity at 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and 15 kg (33
lb) in both sexes and a maximum size of approximately 3.1 m (10 ft). Females are slightly smaller than
males. Philippine crocodiles are golden-brown in color, which darkens as it matures.

The Philippine crocodile is only found on the islands of the Philippines

The Philippine crocodile has been extirpated in Samar, Jolo, Negros Island, Masbate, and
Busuanga. There are still surviving population in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park within the
Luzon rainforest, San Mariano, Isabela, Dalupiri island in the Babuyan Islands, and Abra (province) in
Luzon and the Ligawasan Marsh, Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, Pulangi River in Bukidnon and Possibly in
the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Mindanao. It was historically found in parts of Visayas and until
the numbers were drastically cut by, mainly, habitat destruction.

Endemic Species in the Philippines

Bird: Philippine Crocodile

The rufous hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax), also known as Philippine hornbill and locally as kalaw
(pronounced kah-lau), is a large species of hornbill. It is endemic to the Philippines, where it occurs in
primary, mature secondary and disturbed forests on 11 islands: Luzon and Marinduque (race
hydrocorax), Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Panaon, Biliran, Calicoan and Buad (race semigaleatus), Dinagat,
Siargao, Mindanao (plus Balut, Bucas and Talicud) and Basilan (race mindanensis). It is still common
locally, notably in the Sierra Madre of Luzon, but continues to suffer from substantial hunting pressure
and widespread loss of habitat. The bill of the nominate subspecies is entirely red, while the bills of
the subspecies semigaleatus and mindanensis are pale yellow on the distal half.

Endemic Species in the Philippines

Insect: Magellan Birdwing

The Magellan Birdwing (Troides magellanus) is a large and striking Birdwing butterfly found in
the Philippines and on Taiwan's Orchid Island. This butterfly is named for the explorer Ferdinand
Magellan who was killed in the Philippines in 1521. Distribution: Philippines Batan Island, Babuyan
Island, Luzon, Polillo, Marinduque, Cuyo Island, Samar, Cebu, Leyte, Bohol and Mindanao
Male: The fore wings are ground colour black. The veins are bordered by white colour.The
underside of the forewings is very similar to the upperside, but some veins are bordered by yellow.The
hind wings are golden yellow. The veins and the marginal edge of the hindwing are black. The golden
area has an opal, green colour or blue colour at a certain angle. The underside of the hindwing is very
similar to the upperside and also has the optical effect.

The body (abdomen) is yellowish, but the underside is yellow. Head and thorax are black.

Female: Troides magellanus is sexually dimorphic.The female is larger than the male. The
ground colour of the female is dark-brown to black. The veins are bordered by white colour-shading.
There is a golden area with dark veins on the hind wings. At the edge there is a postdiscal chain of
golden spots.The underside is very similar to the upperside.

Endemic Species in the Philippines

Plant: Rafflesia philippensis

Rafflesia philippensis is a parasitic plant species of the genus Rafflesia that was named by
Blanco in his Flora de Filipinas in 1845. R. philippensis is known only from a mountain located between
the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, Luzon where it was first discovered. Its plant host is Tetrastigma
pisicarpum. This species went unnoticed since its first description by Blanco but was rediscovered in
2003 by members of the Tanggol Kalikasan, a local environment conservation group in Quezon province
who first saw and photographed the open flower of this species. It was brought to the attention of
Manuel S. Enverga University (MSEUF), who formed a team composed of students and faculty to
document the newly discovered Rafflesia species. The species is known to occur as a small single
population within the vicinity of Mount Banahaw National Park (1403.239 N, 12129.214 E), a
protected area located south of the Laguna-Quezon provincial boundary line, between Laguna de Bay
to the north and Tayabas Bay to the south. The mountain rises to about 2,100 meters above sea level.
The park has been closed to the public since 2003 to allow the forest to recover from the adverse
effects of human activities in the area. The population of R. philippensis is located along a trail in
Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon province.