World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF BATS AT PADER CAVE, VICTORIA, ZAMBOANGA CITY, WESTERN MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES

*Chrislouie N. Rodriguez and Roldan T. Echem

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to gather information on bats in Pader Cave, Victoria, Zamboanga City. Specifically, the study aimed to identify species of bats, species dominance, and occurrence of species per station and document the morphological characteristics of each species identified. Samples of bats captured using mist netting method. Species identification was based on Ingle and Heaney Key to the Bats of the Philippine Islands (1992). A total of 360 individuals belonging to sub-order Megachiroptera were identified in the different elevations of Pader Cave, Victoria, Zamboanga City. The two species are Rausettus amplexicaudatus and the Cynopterus brachyotis. The dominant species is Cynopterus brachyotis (240). Rausettus amplexicaudatus (120) was the least dominant. Site 3 has the most abundant number of bats with the elevation of 67 meter above sea level. Site 1 has the lowest number of bats with an elevation of 54 meter above sea level. The Rausettus amplexicaudatus has the highest total length (250mm) and Cynopterus brachyotis has the lowest length (220mm). Cynopterus brachyotis has the highest density (0.01) and Rausettus amplexicaudatus has the lowest density (0.005). Station 3 has the lowest temperature (24 degree celcius) and station 1 has the highest (27 degree celcius). Based on the data gathered, the results show higher elevation has greater number of bats, considering the pressure in higher elevation is low; there will be a little disturbance which is favourable for the bats to have their rest. The presence of these species indicates that there is still good natural cave in Zamboanga City.

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