| Citation |
IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group 2018. Platymantis spelaeus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T17520A58473230. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T17520A58473230.en. Downloaded on 14 May 2019. |
Description |
Geographic Range
NATIVE
Extant (resident)
Philippines
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS
1-4
UPPER ELEVATION LIMIT
400 metres
LOWER ELEVATION LIMIT
20 metres
Geographic Range in detail
ESTIMATED AREA OF OCCUPANCY (AOO) (KM²)
CONTINUING DECLINE IN AREA OF OCCUPANCY (AOO)
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN AREA OF OCCUPANCY (AOO)
ESTIMATED EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE (EOO) (KM²)
1641.72
CONTINUING DECLINE IN EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE (EOO)
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE (EOO)
CONTINUING DECLINE IN NUMBER OF LOCATIONS
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF LOCATIONS
RANGE DESCRIPTION
This species is known only from limestone karst and caves on southern Negros Island, at 20–400 m asl, in the central Philippines. Additional surveys on the southern part of Negros in limestone karst habitat did not record this species, therefore it is thought to be restricted to its currently mapped range (A. Diesmos pers. comm. March 2018). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 1,642 km2, which it thought to contain fewer than five threat-defined locations.
Population
CURRENT POPULATION TREND
Decreasing
NUMBER OF MATURE INDIVIDUALS
POPULATION SEVERELY FRAGMENTED
No
CONTINUING DECLINE OF MATURE INDIVIDUALS
Population in detail
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS
NO. OF SUBPOPULATIONS
CONTINUING DECLINE IN SUBPOPULATIONS
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN SUBPOPULATIONS
ALL INDIVIDUALS IN ONE SUBPOPULATION
NO. OF INDIVIDUALS IN LARGEST SUBPOPULATION
DESCRIPTION
During the rainy season, it is very common and abundant in forested limestone areas, but during the drier months of the year it is rarely encountered (A. Diesmos pers. comm. March 2018). A survey conducted by researchers from Silliman University in the Phillipines found individuals in 86 of 147 caves surveyed, with 6-16 individuals in each cave (and the population was hence estimated to be ca 800 individuals). Due to ongoing decline in the extent and quality of habitat, the population is suspected to be decreasing.
Habitat and Ecology
SYSTEM
Terrestrial
HABITAT TYPE
Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic), Forest
GENERATION LENGTH (YEARS)
CONGREGATORY
MOVEMENT PATTERNS
Not a Migrant
CONTINUING DECLINE IN AREA, EXTENT AND/OR QUALITY OF HABITAT
Yes
Habitat and Ecology in detail
HABITAT AND ECOLOGY
This species inhabits caves and limestone forest in lowland forests. Breeding takes place by direct development. It will not tolerate habitat disturbance (A. Diesmos pers. comm. March 2018).
CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
Habitats Suitability Major importance
1. Forest 1.5. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Suitable Yes
1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Suitable Yes
7. Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) 7.1. Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) - Caves Suitable Yes
7.2. Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) - Other Subterranean Habitats Suitable Yes
Threats
Residential & commercial development
Housing & urban areas
Agriculture & aquaculture
Annual & perennial non-timber crops
Energy production & mining
Mining & quarrying
Threats in detail
THREATS
The major threat is habitat loss and degradation as a result of shifting agriculture, human encroachment, guano mining and the quarrying of limestone. The latter two threats are particularly detrimental to the very specific habitat of this species.
CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
Threats Timing Stresses Scope Severity Impact score Invasive species Virus
1. Residential & commercial development 1.1. Housing & urban areas Ongoing
1. Ecosystem stresses 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Low Impact: 3
2. Agriculture & aquaculture 2.1. Annual & perennial non-timber crops 2.1.1. Shifting agriculture Ongoing
1. Ecosystem stresses 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Low Impact: 3
2.1.2. Small-holder farming Ongoing
1. Ecosystem stresses 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Low Impact: 3
2.1.3. Agro-industry farming Ongoing
1. Ecosystem stresses 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Low Impact: 3
3. Energy production & mining 3.2. Mining & quarrying Ongoing
1. Ecosystem stresses 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1.2. Ecosystem degradation
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