The Philippines: A Biodiversity Hotspot

Fig trees (Ficus minahassae) grow along a stream in the rain forest of Northern Sierra Made Natural Park.
Eye of a Panay monitor lizard, Varanus mabitang. A new species discovered in Panay Island, Philippines in 2001. IUCN Red List: Endangered only found in remnant forest on Panay.
A healthy coral reef at Apo Reef, Phillippines with various hard corals and schools of damselfish and other fish species in clear water.
A female jawfish, her mouth filled with nearly hatched eggs.
A crab carries an upside-down jellyfish for camouflage or protection.
An aerial view of the Calamian islands.
Close-up of a jumping spider, Myrmarachne sp., that resembles an ant in Northern Sierra Made Natural Park.
A golden-crowned flying fox in flight.
A musky fruit bat (Ptenochirus Sp.) eating a fig in Sierra Madre Natural Park.
Nudibranch (Nembrotha lineolata) grazes on colonial tunicates. Coron Island vicinity, Philippines
A close-up of the head of a Philippine Dwarf-kingfisher (Ceyx melanurus).
Red-banded wrasse in Apo Reef.
An endangered Philippine eagle perches on the gloved hand of a captive breeding specialist at the Philippine Eagle Center.
A woman attempts to plant rice in the rocky soil of a burned down forest. Slash and burn agriculture.