Ceuthostoma palawanense

Ceuthostoma palawanense naturally occurs in primary forest at low elevations, which are more prone to land conversion and habitat degradation. Subsequent tree cover loss was recorded in the Municipalities of Arborlan and Puerto Princesa which accounted to 15,500 hectares between 2000 to 2018, based on the Global Forest Watch data (GFW 2020). Given that the species is occurring in chromite-rich areas, mining activities serve as one of the drivers of change leading to tree cover loss. Some loss is also attributed to natural disturbances. In addition, natural forest harvesting, shifting cultivation, expansion of agricultural land and urban centers, and tourism could be a threat to the population of the species (Eder 1990, Panela 2014).

The species was included in the DAO 2017-11 or the Updated National List of Threatened Species in the Philippines as Critically Endangered (DENR 2017). Through this administrative order pursuant to Republic Act no. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001, illegal and excessive tampering of the species from its natural habitats, together with other species specified therein, are inhibited. Its unauthorized utilization, trade, and disturbances made in its natural habitats are punishable by the law. One subpopulation of the species is within the Puerto Princesa Subterranean National River National Park: a protected area under the Presidential Proclamation no. 212. Hence, this serves as in situ conservation for the species. Although the species is protected according to law, there is still a need to monitor its presence in the wild. Further research and inventory work is recommended to account the population size of the species and determine the threats that directly affect each subpopulation.