The MSU Wild: Gensan

𝐈𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞—𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫. 🐸🐍

Using ecological niche modeling, it reveals how two introduced species, a tiny frog and a stealthy snake, are reshaped by ecosystems across the Philippines in ways we often don’t notice. It seems that both species are strongly associated with lowland, human-modified environments, but they differ in how climate influences their distribution.

The greenhouse frog (𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘴, Cope 1862) tends to occupy patchy, localized areas and is highly sensitive to moisture and temperature, thriving in moderately wet, cooler microhabitats but declining in excessively rainy conditions. In contrast, the common wolf snake (𝘓𝘺𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘴, Boie 1827)is already widespread and more tolerant of environmental variation, with its distribution mainly limited by minimum temperature and strongly supported by urban and disturbed habitats.

As climate change intensifies rainfall patterns and reshapes habitats, these differences become even more important. The frog may struggle or shift into new pockets of suitable environments, but the snake is likely to keep expanding, using our own built environments as stepping stones. What this tells us is simple but powerful—our cities, landscapes, and climate choices are not just affecting native wildlife, they are also creating opportunities for invasive species to thrive. Understanding these patterns is not just science, it is a call to pay attention to the biodiversity around us, because even the smallest or most overlooked species can have lasting impacts on the ecosystems we depend on.

If you spot any of these species on campus, please report it through our page. Your observations will greatly help in monitoring their spread.

For more details:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J6QHjC2NJuyEp-ezq6kG9QbDWixC9cKR/view?usp=sharing

🦎🌿 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬

Our campus isn’t just a place for students; it’s also a thriving home for reptiles that quietly go about their roles in keeping our environment balanced. From basking on sunlit rocks to gliding through fallen leaves, these resilient creatures remind us of nature’s harmony even in the heart of our daily routines.

Reptiles act as natural pest controllers, seed dispersers, and even indicators of a healthy ecosystem. Their presence tells us that our surroundings still support a web of life where each species no matter how small or scaly has a purpose.

So, the next time you cross paths with one of these fascinating creatures, pause and appreciate their beauty from afar. They pose no threat to us all they ask is a little space and respect in the place we both call home.

✨🦎 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆! 🌏💚

Featured here is the 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐤 (𝐸𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑎𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑎), one of our most familiar yet underrated reptile neighbors. These shiny-scaled skinks play vital roles in maintaining ecosystem balance from controlling insect populations to serving as prey for larger predators, they are key players in the food web.

Their presence is also a sign of a healthy environment, as they thrive in areas with good ground cover and balanced ecosystems. Let’s appreciate these quiet guardians of nature and continue to protect their habitats because when reptiles thrive, ecosystems do too. 🌿

✨ 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐠𝐬! (𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲: 𝐒𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐞) ✨

Ever spotted a shiny, metallic “beetle” that isn’t actually a beetle? That’s a jewel bug—a member of the Scutelleridae family, known for its brilliant colors and shield-like back that covers its wings and abdomen, making it look like a tiny living gem. These true bugs feed on plant juices, sometimes from crops, and can release a stinky odor when disturbed (just like their stink bug cousins!). With around 450 species worldwide, jewel bugs prove that even the smallest creatures can shine the brightest! 💎🌿

Location:
Found around the College of Agriculture premises.

🌿 𝗛𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗦𝗨𝗮𝗻𝘀, 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁! 🐦

Remember our post about the birds around campus? Here’s a deeper look into their diversity and distribution across different our campus— and the results are pretty fascinating! (𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲)

𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
➡️A total of 32 bird species were recorded from February to May 2025.

➡️Two previously recorded species were not spotted, even after reaching the plateau of the rarefaction curve — meaning our sampling effort was enough with a maximum of 32 species.

➡️Area 1 had the highest number of species (30!) 🎉 (𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑚 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚).

➡️Areas 1, 4, and 5 shared similar bird communities, while Areas 2 and 3 showed a different but less diverse composition.


💬𝗦𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀?
1. Our campus can support a rich variety of birdlife, even with all the buildings and human activity around.

2. The species across areas are quite even, suggesting that bird habitats on campus are fairly uniform — with low habitat variability.

3. However, Area 2 had the lowest diversity and evenness, which could get worse if the area isn’t managed properly.

🌱 In short: MSU-Gensan isn’t just a campus — it’s a living habitat. Let’s keep it that way by protecting the green spaces our birds call home! 💚

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𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀, 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲!

AVIFAUNA CHECKLIST OF MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY - GENERAL SANTOS:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SqrHipxQP9YkLIC97GiSoaM4gOVk6-9acXHhgPSmtjc/edit?usp=sharing

🎶 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐳𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐚

That constant buzzing sound you hear on quiet nights around campus? Chances are it’s from 𝗸𝗮𝘁𝘆𝗱𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗮. These insects use their songs as a way for males to attract females, and studies show their calls aren’t just random noise. Males actually change how they sing depending on the situation—getting louder and more dramatic when a female is nearby or adjusting their rhythm when competing with other males (Krobath 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭., 2017).

What’s more, some species even synchronize their calls, creating a chorus effect that helps them stand out in the noisy night (Hartbauer 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭., 2012). Their ability to adapt to background noise and time their buzzing makes them fascinating examples of acoustic communication in insects.

So, the next time you’re walking across campus at night and hear that steady buzz, remember—you’re eavesdropping on a katydid concert designed to impress and compete.

Additional readings about the studies!

References:

Krobath, I., Römer, H., & Hartbauer, M. (2017). Plasticity of signaling and mate choice in a trilling species of the Mecopoda complex (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 71(11), 164.

Hartbauer, M., Siegert, M. E., Fertschai, I., & Römer, H. (2012). Acoustic signal perception in a noisy habitat: lessons from synchronising insects. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 198(6), 397-409.

🪱 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐦 (𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑦𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑢𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑘𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑖)

You might be surprised to know that this flatworm, now occasionally seen around our campuses and gardens, has quite a history in the Philippines. It was introduced in the early 1980s to control the invasive giant African snail (𝐿𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎) (Gerlach 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭., 2021). The idea was simple: let a predator eat the pest.

At first, the flatworm did reduce snail numbers in some areas. But soon it became clear that the results were short-lived and inconsistent. Worse, the flatworm didn’t stick to eating just pest snails—known to be a generalist, it also preyed on native snails and other invertebrates, posing risks to local biodiversity.

Today, 𝘗. 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘬𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘪 is listed among the 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀. Its story reminds us that introducing “solutions” to nature without careful long-term planning can create new problems for ecosystems.

The question now is, "What can you do as a student knowing that this invasive species is on our campus?" Well, just by reporting their sightings around the campus, you can help us keep track of its presence. So, if you spot one slithering around campus, take a pic and share it. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆.

For more readings about this species, see the study below!
Reference:
Gerlach, J., Barker, G. M., Bick, C. S., Bouchet, P., Brodie, G., Christensen, C. C., ... & Yeung, N. W. (2021). Negative impacts of invasive predators used as biological control agents against the pest snail Lissachatina fulica: the snail Euglandina ‘rosea’and the flatworm Platydemus manokwari. Biological Invasions, 23(4), 997-1031.

Did you know?
Aside from our online bird diversity repository, you can also spot 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 around the school!

Have you seen any of them lately? Drop a comment below and tell us where!🐦

These posters were made by the 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗭𝗢𝗢𝟭𝟬𝟴 – 𝗢𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 (𝗔.𝗬. 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱) as their way of appreciating our campus biodiversity and sharing that awareness with fellow students and faculty.

🪺 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐒𝐔-𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧: 𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧 🪺

As part of our campus biodiversity observations, several bird nests were also recorded within MSU-General Santos. One particular nest stood out—it was built not only with natural materials but also with man-made ones such as plastics.

This shows how birds can adapt to our presence and disturbances. However, it also comes with a heavy cost. The use of synthetic materials may introduce microplastics to the hatchlings, disrupting their growth, reducing survival rates, and potentially increasing overall mortality in bird populations.

What may look like a simple nest is actually a reflection of how human activities leave lasting impacts on wildlife—even in places we share with them. 🌿🐦

𝐋𝐄𝐓'𝐒 𝐃𝐎 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓: reduce single-use plastics, dispose of our waste responsibly, and help create a safer environment for the wildlife that shares our campus. Small actions can make a big difference.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗠𝗦𝗨𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗸 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘!🐾

The MSU Wild: Gensan proudly introduces its 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗸 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿 celebrating the wildlife that thrives within our grounds. More than just dates and months, this calendar highlights the beauty and importance of the animals we share our campus with.

From the vibrant Garden Sunbird (𝐶𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑦𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑗𝑢𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑠), locally known as Tamsi, flitting among the trees, to the newly recorded Brahminy Blind Snake (𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑡𝑦𝑝ℎ𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑠 𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑠), a tiny burrowing species often mistaken for an earthworm—these are just glimpses of the biodiversity that makes MSU-Gensan a living classroom of nature.