Luzon island in the Philippines home to greatest concentration of unique species of mammals
Q. Which is the largest island of the Philippines?- Published on 18 Jul 16a. Luzon
b. Manila
c. Iloco
d. Mimaropa
ANSWER: Luzon
Luzon Island in the Philippines has undergone massive deforestation and is host to the world’s greatest concentration of unique species of mammals.
- After studying the forest of Luzon for 15 years, scientists discovered there are 56 species of non-flying mammals of which 52 are nowhere else in the world.
- At over 100,000 square kilometre, Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines and includes the Filipino capital of Manila.
- Luzon has never been connected to any continental land-the species have been isolated.
- The island of Luzon has another feature causing it diversity- it is covered by mountains and mountaintops form what scientists call “sky islands” which are pockets of distinctive habitat that the animals adapt to.
- Among the 28 new species discovered by the team, are four species of tiny tree mice with with whiskers that reach to the ankles.
- Most of the new species are in tropical cloud forests located high in the mountains where typhoons can drop 4-5 metres of rain per year.
