Protected Areas as effective habitats of Pteropodid Bats (Mammalia Chiroptera): a case study of Mt. Hamiguitan, Mt. Apo and Mt. Kitanglad, Mindanao, Philippines

Protected areas are effective reservoirs of a rich endemic bat diversity (Mammalia Chiroptera) in the Philippines but are threatened due to habitat disturbances. Hence, this study aimed to document and review the pteropodid bats in the selected protected areas in Mindanao (Philippines) such as Mt. Hamiguitan, Mt. Apo and Mt. Kitanglad. Different habitat types of fruit bats were surveyed from the lower to the higher elevation using the mist-netting method. Results showed that the two protected areas contain 10 species of fruit bats namely Alionycteris paucidentata, Ptenochirus jagori, Ptenochirus minor, Megaerops wetmorei, Haplonycteris fischeri, Harpyionycteris whiteheadi, Rousettus amplexicaudatus, Macroglossus minimus, Cynopterus brachyotis and Pteropus vampyrus. The protected areas also harbor endemic in intact forest while non-endemic species mostly in disturbed portions. Thus, protected areas are effective habitats for endemic fruit bat species and vital indicators of a healthy forest ecosystem. This review recommends sustainable forest management and conservation for the present and future generations.