The first comprehensive research program that dealt with extensive biodiversity assessment of caves in CALABARZON has reported significant milestones – the discoveries of two insect species new to science and a plant species currently in press.
The findings are part of the Program on Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D: Center for Assessment of CaVe EcosystemS in CALABARZON (NICER-CAVES). It is being implemented by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) with funding and technical support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). The program aims to establish a center for research and development on cave biodiversity assessment and conservation.
One of the newly described species is a Philippine spiny stick insect (Stenobrimus pilipinus Eusebio, Lit & Lucañas, sp. nov.) which was discovered from the forest over limestone or karst forest in the Cavinti Underground River and Cave Complex (CURCC) in Cavinti, Laguna. The species was further described to be associated with their host spikemosses (Selaginella spp.) which are found in abundance in karst forests.
Another new insect species on record is a two-pronged bristletail (Parajapyx rarosorum Alviola, Lucañas, & Lit,) which was identified in Minalokan Cave, Cavinti, Laguna. It was described as the second Parajapyx species and the first cave dipluran from the Philippines.
A new plant species of Aristolochia (In press) was also identified in Mt. Binicayan, Pamitinan Protected Landscape, Rodriguez, Rizal. Among its characteristics is its consistent deep 3-lobed and sword-like leaf shape, brownish purple limb and purple red parts of the perianth (the non-reproductive part of a flower).
The project has also reported another important finding, a new distribution record for the Mediterranean recluse spider (Loxosceles rufescens Dufour, 1820).
The species was identified in Kamantigue Cave, Lobo, Batangas and was further noted due to its potential public health implications. The bite of Loxosceles species are known to cause skin injuries in humans which may result in health complications.
In addition to this, the program has also developed a standard operating procedures manual for the biosafe handling of bats during caving along with a prototype of an online database and accessible library of cave organisms.
To date, the NICER-CAVES program has assessed a total of 12 cave ecosystems in Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon. Research and documentation of the fauna, flora, terrestrial arthropods, and microbe diversity of selected caves provided benchmark information on the diversity and ecology of caves in CALABARZON.
New species distribution record of Mediterranean recluse spider: Loxosceles rufescens (Araneae: Sicariidae)
Three of the 12 CALABARZON caves and karst landscapes being explored by the NICER-Caves program: (Top-left) Cavinti Cave in Laguna; (Top-right) Kamantigue Cave in Batangas; (Bottom) Palale Cave in Quezon
The findings underline the need for more research in other less studied and highly threatened cave ecosystems in the Philippines and further ignite the call for a more strengthened conservation efforts for biodiversity in the country.
