1. Amion,Princess Juliene
CA3A
Endemic Species
Draco Volans (flying Dragon)
Draco volans or the Flying Dragon, is a member of the genus of gliding lizards Draco. It can spread out folds of skin
attached to its movable ribs to form "wings" that it uses to glide from tree to tree over distances upwards of 8 metres
26 ft; however, like all modern reptiles, it lacks the ability to sustain powered flight, and is capable only of gliding. Its
wings are brightly coloured with orange, red and blue spots and stripes, and they provide camouflage when folded.
The flying dragon can reach up to 23 centimetres 9.1 in in length. It feeds on arboreal ants and termites.
--Flying Dragons are brown with bluish coloration on the undersides of their wings and a yellow colored dewlap.
Females tend to have bluish dewlaps and yellow coloring on the wings undersides. Their heads are blunted and fairly
short, and each leg has five clawed toes. Flying Dragons have low, long bodies. They have flaps of skin along the
ribs, which can be extended into wings by the lizard elongating its ribs. They have a dewlap, or gular flap, which can
also be extended. Generally, Flying Dragons grow to a little less than 12 inches in length. Although females are
usually larger than males, their dewlaps are a bit smaller.
--This lizard can get to about 20 cm long. Its wingspan is usually 3/4 of its body length.
--The Flying Dragons are native to the southwest tropical forests of Asia and India, including Borneo and the
Philippine Islands. In the wild, the Flying Dragon will generally claim a territory. Usually, males will mark two or three
trees as their own, and one to three female Flying Dragons will live in each tree.
Importance of Philippine Biodiversity
Biodiversity increases ecosystem productivity; all of the species in that ecosystem, no matter their size, have a big
role. A diverse ecosystem can prevent and recover from lots of disasters. Humans depend on plants and animals. For
example, one quarter of all prescription medicines in the U.S. have ingredients from plants. If a diverse ecosystem is
more productive, it's easier to get these plants.
Humans also directly benefit from a diverse ecosystem: plants, clean water and air, provide oxygen, and control
erosion.
Here are some of the major ways biodiversity helps humans:
Plants absorb greenhouse gases and help stop global warming.
It is easier for biodiverse ecosystems to recover from natural disasters.
Healthy biodiversity of species can provide a variety of food (like meat and produce).
Many of our medicinal drugs come from plants.
All of our wood products come from nature.
We can learn more about our earth by observing a diverse ecosystem.
Many recreational areas benefit from a healthy ecosystem, which promotes tourism.
Biodiversity is beautiful and should be enjoyed.
There are many reasons why the Philippines is both high in species richness and endemism." The reasons
are as follow:
First, the country is located near the equator or in the tropical region. Countries in the tropics are blessed with good
climate that makes them ideal places for life to flourish. Its foggy, mossy and verdant mountains, as well as its warm
and shallow waters host a remarkably large number of diverse and unique species found nowhere else on earth.
Second, the Philippines is an archipelago of many islands. Its more than 7,000 islands have remarkable landscapes
and seascapes of ancient geological origins. It has many ecosystems ranging from forests to freshwater to coral
reefs. They all serve as suitable homes for enormous varieties of plants and animals.
Third, according to Dr. Heaney, "the ancient geological history of the Philippines contributed significantly to its high
biodiversity and endemicity." The Philippines that we have today was a product of the rise and fall of the sea level,
and the appearance and disappearance of the land bridges that connected the then "pieces" of the archipelago.