Unique Flora
The mangrove forest of Apo Reef Island exhibits the old-growth form or type, having mature stands of mangrove species and mangrove associates with little to no regenerants on its understory.
Mature trees of Rhizophora mucronata and Rhizophora apiculata dominate the mangrove forest.
On the other hand, scattered trees of Sonneratia alba, Brugiera gymnorhiza, Xylocarpus granatum, Batigi (Pemphis acidula), and Ceriops zippeliana were also recorded. Molave (Vitex parviflora), few mangrove species of Bruguiera cylindrica, Rhizophora lamarckii, Rhizophora stylosa, Xylocarpus rumphii, and Avicennia marina were also recorded
For the beach forest, a total of 107 mature individuals were accounted for. Ipomoea pes-caprae, Heliotropium, Pandanus tectorius, Canavalia maritima, and Crinum asiaticum were found in the accreting shorelines of Apo Reef Island. Terminalia catappa has the largest diameter at breast height h among the species recorded at the sampled beach vegetation.
Tape seagrass (Enhalus acoroides), Spoon seagrass (Halophila ovalis), Noodle seagrass (Syringodium isoetifolium), Sickle seagrass, and Thalassia hemprichii are also present.
Unique Fauna
Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus), Chevron butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifascialis), Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), Blackbar devil (Plectroglyphidodon dickii), Scaly damsel (Pomacentrus lepidogenys), Green humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), Yellow-tail parrotfish (Scarus hypselopterus) , Blacktail reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus), Snaggletooth shark (Hemipristis elongata), Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini), Great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran), Pelagic thresher (Alopias pelagicus), Whitespotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari), Pink whipray (Himantura fai), Mangrove whipray (Himantura granulata), Cowtail stingray (Pastinachus sephen), Round ribbontail ray (Taeniurops meyeni), Porcupine ray (Urogymnus asperrimus), Alfred manta (Manta alfredi), Devil ray (Mobula sp.), Tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus), Whale shark (Rhincodon typus), Ocellated eagle ray (Aetobatus ocellatus), Brown-marbled grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus), Squaretail coralgrouper (Plectropomus areolatus), Bower’s parrotfish (Chlorurus bowersi)
Corals: Acroporidae, Merulinidae, Euphyllidae, Coscinaraeidae, Diploastraeidae, Lobophyllidae, Faviidae, Fungiidae, Poritidae, Helioporidae, Leptastreidae, Agariicidae, Milleporidae, Montastraeidae, Pachyseridae, Plerogyridae, Pocilloporidae, Psammocoridae, Astrocoeniidae, Tubiporidae, Dendrophylliidae
Other Invertebrates: Prickly redfish (Thelenota ananas), Giant clam (Tridacna gigas), White teatfish (Holothuria fuscogilva),
Birds: Black-naped Tern (Sterna sumatrana) and Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Pied Imperial Pigeon (Ducula bicolor), Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis), Pacific Reef Heron (Egretta sacra), Long-toed Stint (Calidris subminuta) and Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Barred Rail (Hypotaenidia torquata), Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), Philippine Megapode (Megapodius cumingii), Mantanani Scops Owl (Otus mantananensis), Malay plover (Charadrius peronii), Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica), Japanese paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone atrocaudata), Beach thick-knee (Esacus magnirostris), Spotted imperial pigeon (Ducula carola), Christmas frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi), Streaked shearwater (Calonectris leucomelas)
Marine Turtles: green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Mammals: Dugong (Dugong dugon), Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Invasive Species: Crown-of-thorns starfish
