Macrofaunal Assemblages of Zion Cave in Maitum, Sarangani Province

This study investigated the macrofaunal assemblages of Zion Cave in Maitum, Sarangani Province, along a transect of 13 stations, focusing on faunal species inventory and determining relative species abundance. Captured macrofauna were identified at the family and species level using biometric data and taxonomic keys. Physicochemical factors such as air temperature, guano volume and roost stains were also measured. Four species of invertebrates belonging to family Rhaphidophoridae, Scarabaeidae, Subulinidae and Phrynichidae, and 2 species of vertebrates belonging to family Rhinolopidae and Hipposideridae were identified. Cave-adapted species were observed to be scarcely distributed in the dark zone and mostly resided at the deepest chambers. A 27°C temperature at entrance zone was recorded and decreased towards the dark zone with the lowest reading of 22°C. Relative humidity was constant at 92% in all chambers. A minimal amount of guano deposits were observed in the chamber where the bats were found roosting. Old guano deposits along the disturbed zones of the cave were also recorded. Several stations were observed bearing significant size of roost stains indicating previous colonization of bats. Various human disturbances like vandalisms, ground holes and solid litters were observed in accessible chambers of the cave. Extensive exploitation of Cave Zion greatly altered its natural ecology resulting to a decrease in species density and abundance.