VOLUME 14 NUMBER 2 (July to December 2021)

Aris A. Reginaldo*^,1, Perry S. Ong†^,2, and Lawrence R. Heaney³

¹Department of Biology, College of Science,
     University of the Philippines, 2600 Baguio City, Philippines
²Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines
     Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
²Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
     60605, USA

The effect of habitat disturbance on small, non-volant mammals in the Philippines is little known. From January to March 2019, we surveyed small mammals in three pine-dominated forest fragments in the southern Central Cordillera to identify the species present and describe habitat use. In each study area, two were in La Trinidad, Benguet Province and one in Baguio City, we trapped in three adjacent areas of disturbed habitats (remnant montane broad-leafed forest patches, pine stands, and agricultural areas). In a total of 10,593 trap nights, we recorded eight species: five native species (Apomys musculus, A. abrae, Bullimus luzonicus, Chrotomys whiteheadi, and Rattus everetti) and three non-native species (Suncus murinus, R. exulans, and R. tanezumi). Seven of the species (five native species) were recorded in Wangal; six species (three natives) in Puguis; and five species (two natives) in Ambiong. Apomys abrae and S. murinus used remnant montane forest patches more commonly than the other habitats. Notably, C. whiteheadi, R. everetti, along with R. tanezumi, were often recorded in the agricultural areas. The set of species is quite remarkable in that native species have persisted in heavily disturbed landscapes in that native species persisted. Disturbance facilitates the establishment of non-native pest species, and their presence may aggravate the adverse effects of disturbance on native species, in addition to causing harm to human activities. Improving habitat quality in pine-dominated forest fragments and controlling the pest species may help facilitate the recovery of native mammal populations.