Philippine helicostyline land snail diversity, distribution and areas of endemism: an effect of forest type? (COA Academic Grant Brief Report)

摘要

The terrestrial malacofauna of the Philippines has received little attention in terms of biodiversity studies, or even assessments for conservation. Among the most speciose groups of land snails in the Philippines is the subfamily Helicostylinae. This project aimed 1) to determine whether areas of endemism coincide with different forest types based on distributions, and 2) to compare species assemblages (including non-helicostyline land snails) in different forest types. Through the Conchologists of America research grant, I conducted fieldwork in several sites in the Philippines, especially the southcentral region of Mindanao Island. The grant covered transportation expenses for myself and one to three volunteers (depending on the site).