UPLB Museum of Natural History Zoological and Wildlife Museum New Series Chiroptera Collection

Study Extent

The University of the Philippines Museum of Natural history collects bat specimens from all over the country. Currently, the dataset contains collections from certain localities in the following provinces: Pangasinan, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Marinduque, Romblon, Cebu, Surigao del Norte, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur.

Sampling

Bats captured through mist nets, and harp traps are processed and identified during the fieldwork. Data gathered from the bats are handwritten in catalog sheets and are tagged with field numbers. Specimens are first preserved in formalin and will be transferred later on to alcohol. The catalog sheets are then transcribed to a record book (manual documentation) after which the specimens are tagged with museum accession numbers before digitization.

Method steps

1. In sampling bats, mist nets and harp traps are set in expected flyways. Captured bats are then retrieved for processing which will involve series of measurements, identification and determination of age, sex, as well as reproductive condition (if applicable). The following metrics are measured: total length, tail length, ear length, foot length, and weight. All data collected from the field are written in catalog sheets and all specimens collected for preservation in formalin/alcohol are tagged with unique field numbers which is a combination of the collectors initials followed by numbers.
2. In the Zoology and Wildlife Museum, data gathered from the field are transferred to record books (for manual recording) excel spreadsheets. Each specimen is given a unique museum accession number (UPLB-MNH_Z-NS followed by numbers) are are ready to be digitized in excel spreadsheets.

Most of the collected bats were identified at species level with the exception of a few records that are only identified until genus level.

1. Chiroptera
   common name: Bats rank: order

This dataset covers bat collections of the UPLB MNH Zoological and Wildlife Museum in selected sites of the Philippines. Currently, the dataset contains collections from certain localities in the following provinces: Pangasinan, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Marinduque, Romblon, Cebu, Surigao del Norte, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur.