Field documentation of Ground Beetles (Carabidae) and Tiger Beetles (Cicindelidae) in the Forest of Lake Danao, Leyte, Philippines

A pioneer study of ground beetles and tiger beetles was conducted in the protected forest of Lake Danao, Leyte, Philippines. A total of 1647 ground and tiger beetle individuals belonging to 26 species were collected. A total of 19 endemic species were recorded of which 12 are Philippine endemic while six (6) and one (1) are endemic to Leyte and Samar, respectively. This result serves as a baseline data of ground and tiger beetles in the forest of Lake Danao. The most dominant tribe recorded is Brachinini under Subfamily Carabinae with 8 species and followed by Cecindelini with 6 species. Tribe Collyridini consists of 5 species while both Lebiini and Chlaeniini have four species each. Most tribes garnered two and one species respectively. New additions in Leyte are Brachinus leytensis, Trigonotoma goeltenbothi, Pheropsophus lumawigi, Pheropsophus azoulayi, Pheropsophus uliweberi, and Pheropsophus sp. The last three species were discovered and identified in this study. Ecological notes were also presented for the species as well as their distribution and occurrence. Conservation should be conducted to the carabid beetles especially the rare and endemic ones in some forests. Strengthened implementation of protection in both protected landscapes against mining, illegal logging, slash and burn farming and human settlements should also be done. published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES