BASILAN AND JOLO FAUNA

JOLO FAUNA

Unlike that of Palawan, which is located between Borneo and the Philippines, the Sulu Archipelago's fauna is not Sundaic (Allen 1998) and, though rather small, is poorly known biologically (L. Heaney, pers. comm., 2000). Although there are some Sulu birds with Sundaic distributions, the avifauna of the Archipelago is essentially Philippine (Dutson et al. 1992). The Sulu hornbill (Anthracoceros montani) is one example of an animal whose likely closest relative, the black hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus), is from Borneo. There is a cline of relatedness to Borneo as one moves north among the islands. Sibutu contains birds of Bornean origin that are not found on Tawitawi (Allen 1998). The Sulus (Sangasanga, Bongao, Simunul, Tawitawi) also support a population of slow loris (Nycticebus coucang), a Sundaic primate that is not found in the remainder of the Philippines (Heaney 1986). There is one endemic mammal in the ecoregion (table 1). The Tawitawi Island rat (Rattus taitawiensis) is considered vulnerable (IUCN 2000).

Tawitawi Island rat (Rattus taitawiensis)

This ecoregion overlaps exactly with the Sulu Archipelago EBA. The EBA contains nine restricted-range birds, four of which are limited to the Sulus. All the restricted-range birds are forest species. Ten bird species qualify as endemic or near endemic to this ecoregion (Kennedy et al. 2000; table 2). Included in the ecoregion are the critically endangered Sulu bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba menagei), Tawitawi brown-dove (Phapitreron cinereiceps), and Sulu hornbill (Anthracoceros montani) and the endangered blue-winged racquet-tail (Prionoturus verticalis). Several endemic bird subspecies may warrant elevation to species status upon detailed review (Stattersfield et al. 1998; Collar et al. 1999).

Sulu bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba menagei)

Tawitawi brown-dove (Phapitreron cinereiceps)

Sulu hornbill (Anthracoceros montani)

Blue-winged racquet-tail (Prionoturus verticalis)

Several widespread but threatened species also occur on the islands, including the critically endangered Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) and vulnerable rufous-lored kingfisher (Todirhamphus winchelli) (Collar et al. 1999; Stattersfield et al. 1998). 

Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia)

Rufous-lored kingfisher (Todirhamphus winchelli)

The critically endangered Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) was historically found on Jolo (as well as Luzon, Mindoro, Masbate, Samar, Negros, Busuanga, and Mindanao), but the only remaining populations are found on Mindoro, Negros, Mindanao, and Busuanga. The current wild population may be approximately 100 nonhatchlings (Ross 1998).

Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) BASILAN FAUNA Basilan is an island province of the Philippines. It is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula. The island chain is one of two partial land bridges to Borneo and is an important migration route for birds. Among the species of flora and fauna found in Basilan are: Yellow-wattled bulbul (Pycnonotus urostictus) The yellow-wattled bulbul (Pycnonotus urostictus) is a species of songbird in the Pycnonotidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta)  The Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta) is a species of tarsier endemic to the Philippines. Its geographic range also includes Maripipi Island, Siargao Island, Basilan Island and Dinagat Island. Tarsiers have also been reported in Sarangani, although they may be different subspecies. Established populations are present primarily on the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. It has also been found on various isolated islands within its known range, such as Maripipi Island, Siargao Island, Basilan Island and Dinagat Island. Mindanao hornbill (Penelopides affinis) The Mindanao hornbill (Penelopides affinis), sometimes called the Mindanao tarictic hornbill, is a medium-small species of hornbill found in the canopy of rainforests on Mindanao, Dinagat, Siargao and Basilan in the southern Philippinse. As is the case with all Philippine tarictic hornbills, it has been considered a subspecies of P. panini. The Samar hornbill is often included as a subspecies of the Mindanao Hornbill.The Mindanao hornbill is often labelled as Penelopides panini in zoos, due to the taxanomic complications of this genus. London Zoo used to keep a bird labeled in this way. There are now very few Mindanao hornbills outside the Philippines. Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens keep an elderly female.