Journal of Tropical Biology & Conservation (JTBC)

Species Composition and Distribution of Macrofungi in Mount Malimumu, Pantaron Range, San Fernando, Bukidnon, Philippines

Wayne Anthony L. JABLA — 2026-04-18

Macrofungi are crucial in recycling organic matter needed for the growth and survival of living organisms, including humans, and are essential for maintaining biodiversity. Despite their ecological importance, there is limited documentation on the macrofungi species composition and their distribution in several mountain ecosystems in the Philippines, particularly in Mount Malimumu, Pantaron Range, San Fernando, Bukidnon in Mindanao. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the composition and distribution of macrofungi in Mount Malimumu, through repeated transect walks during the 3-day field survey at two identified sites: tropical lower montane (I) and tropical upper montane rainforests (II), along with an opportunistic sampling method outside the belt transect. A total of 33 macrofungi taxa were collected in the two sampling sites (Site I has 22 and Site II has 11 taxa). The recorded taxa belong to 12 families and 19 genera, representing 0.83% of the Philippine macrofungi taxa. Most macrofungi taxa were from the family Polyporaceae with 49% (16 taxa) and least in families Stereaceae, Rigidoporaceae, Auriculariaceae, Calostomataceae, Fomitopsidaceae, Irpicaceae, Mycenaceae, Physalacriaceae, and Pleurotaceae with 3% (1 taxon for each family). Macrofungi taxa were identified based on their morphological characteristics. They were observed in different habitats and substrates, such as decomposing logs (37%), fallen branches and twigs (33%), ground soil (15%), tree trunks (9%), leaf litter (3%) and others, such us roots of trees (3%). Overall, the results of this study could be a basis for more studies to be conducted on macrofungi taxa in Mount Malimumu and adjacent areas, and determine their importance in the decomposition process of the organic forest material.

Revisiting the Freshwater Ichthyofauna in Sayap Substation, Kinabalu Park: A Thirty-One-Year Update

Jasrul DULIPAT — 2026-04-23

The Sayap Substation in Kinabalu Park, located at 1000 meters above sea level (m asl) lies within a transition zone of sub-montane and lowland forests. Given the dearth of long-term monitoring data to study the possible effects of environmental changes on fish populations, this study provides a 31-year update on ichthyofauna since the first survey conducted in 1992. Five stations were selected near the previous study locations where fish samples were caught via electrofishing and selected environmental parameters were collected concurrently. A total of 258 individuals from two families, four genera, and seven species of fish were recorded in the present survey. Gastromyzontidae (six species, 96.7% of total abundance) was the most dominant family, followed by Cyprinidae (one species, 3.3% of total abundance) in this transition zone. Notably, community composition has shifted over 31 years; genus Parhomaloptera that was dominant in 1992 has disappeared, replaced by Glaniopsis and Protomyzon Glaniopsis composition decreased from 58.9% in 2007 to 30.6% in 2023, with Protomyzon becoming more prevalent. The shifts in community structure coupled with significantly higher water temperature and total suspended solids values serve as early warning signs that the ecological integrity of freshwater systems in Sayap Substation may be under stress. It is imperative to conduct regular monitoring of the freshwater habitat in Kinabalu Park, to identify emerging threats and develop appropriate strategies for conserving the freshwater fish population.

Species Richness, Assessment, and Distribution of Zingiberaceae in the Forest Patches of Barangay Kalabugao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon

Jorengel Mae M. LABO — 2026-05-05

This study was conducted to identify the Zingiberaceae species, assess their conservation status and endemism, and generate a distribution map of the species within the forest patches of Barangay Kalabugao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. Transect walks were performed along established trails, with 5 meters on each side, covering 200 meters for every 2 kilometers. Opportunistic sampling was also carried out across four selected study sites: Site 1 (mid-elevation of Sitio Nasandigan), Site 2 (Mt. Palusongan in Sitio Nasandigan), Site 3 (secondary forest in Sigayan Forest, Sitio Ulayanon), and Site 4 (dipterocarp forest in Barangay Kalabugao). Data revealed 17 Zingiberaceae species (13.05% of the total Zingiberaceae species in the Philippines), representing seven genera, two tribes (Alpinieae and Zingibereae), and two subfamilies (Alpinioideae and Zingiberoideae). The cluster analysis revealed three major groups: Cluster I with eight species, Cluster II with four species, and Cluster III with five species. The study identified two endangered species – Etlingera lacerata Naive and Hedychium philippinense K.Schum., and 10 species of gingers are endemic to the Philippines. Zingiberaceae species were widely distributed across the four forest patches in the area, with only one species found in site 1, eleven species in site 2, three species in site 3, and four species in site 4. The findings of this study are helpful to the local government of Barangay Kalabugao to guide management and promote conservation strategies that could help protect and preserve the remaining Zingiberaceae species in the area.

Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effects of Eucheuma denticulatum (N. L. Burman) F. S. Collins & Hervey in Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Injury

Mohammad Amil Zulhilmi BENJAMIN — 2026-05-08

Oxidative stress-related liver injury is a major global health concern and highlights the need for safe and effective hepatoprotective agents from natural sources. Eucheuma denticulatum (N. L. Burman) F. S. Collins & Hervey, a red seaweed of economic importance, is a primary source of ι-carrageenan with potential medicinal and therapeutic value. This study evaluated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of the ethanolic extract of E. denticulatum (EEED). Antioxidant activity was assessed using total phenolic content (TPC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays, while hepatoprotective effects were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 4 per group) with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury. Biochemical analyses measured serum liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and hepatic antioxidants including glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST). EEED showed low TPC (9.93 ± 0.10 mg GAE/g) and weak DPPH scavenging activity (40.77 ± 0.01%) compared with ascorbic acid (98.24 ± 0.01%) at 5,000 µg/mL. In CCl₄-treated rats, ALT and AST were significantly elevated, while GSH, CAT, and GST were depleted with an increase in MDA. EEED pretreatment reduced ALT by 18–28% and AST by 8–13%, increased GSH by 65–82%, reduced MDA by 53–89%, and improved antioxidant status with increases in CAT of 15–30% and GST of 55–64%. Overall, EEED demonstrated hepatoprotective effects despite low radical scavenging activity, which indicates potential as a natural therapeutic candidate for oxidative liver injury.

A New Record of the Enigmatic Bornean Earless Monitor Lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis) from Brunei Darussalam with Notes on their Retreat Sites

Justin JEFFREY — 2026-05-06

This is a short note without an abstract.