Philippine Amphibians and Reptiles: an Overview of Species Diversity, Biogeography, and Conservation

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Philippine Amphibians and Reptiles: an Overview of Species Diversity, Biogeography, and Conservation 1 Philippine Amphibians and Reptiles: An Overview of Species Diversity, Biogeography, and Conservation Arvin C. Diesmos, Rafe M. Brown , Angel C. Alcala!, Rogelio V. Sison", Leticia E. Afuang#, and Genevieve V. A. Gee$ Biological Sciences Department, College of Science, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, 4115 Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines; Section of Integrative Biology and Texas Memorial Museum, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA; !Silliman University- Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management, SU Marine Laboratory, 6200 Dumaguete City, Philippines; "Herpetology Section, Zoology Division, Philippine National Museum, Padre Burgos Street, 1000 Manila, Philippines; #Conservation International-Philippines, Philam Homes, 1104 Quezon City, Philippines; $Haribon Foundation, Teachers Village, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines 6he Philippine Archipelago is home to a spec- flat-headed frog (Barbourula busuangensis), a fully tacular and diverse assemblage of amphibians and rep- aquatic species inhabiting unpolluted mountain streams tiles. Situated at the interface between the Oriental and and rivers of Palawan. It is one of the only two known Australian faunal zones, the herpetofauna of this largely species of this genus. Frogs of the genus Platymantis oceanic island archipelago has captured the attention are the most diverse; the number of Philippine species and imagination of systematists and biogeographers for currently stands at 26 but dozens of newly discovered nearly 200 years. Previously thought of as having a species are still awaiting description. depauperate herpetofauna, the Philippine archipelago is now recognized as one of the most important center The fauna includes four species of frogs that have of herpetofaunal diversity in Southeast Asia. Informa- been introduced by man either intentionally (Bufo tion generated from recent field surveys coupled with marinus, Hoplobatrachus rugulosus, Rana catesbeiana) analyses of available data on diversity, points to over- or inadvertently (Rana erythraea). Bufo marinus was whelming evidence that the Philippine herpetofauna introduced supposedly to control populations of sugar is far richer, the levels of endemicity are much higher, cane beetles while Hoplobatrachus rugulosus and Rana and the evolutionary history is far more complex than catesbeiana were introduced for the purpose of farm- have been assumed. ing as sources of animal protein. SPECIES DIVERSITY AND ENDEMISM Reptiles Amphibians The reptilian fauna is composed of terrestrial turtles (6 species), marine turtles (5 species), lizards 6he Philippine amphibian fauna is comprised (124 species), terrestrial snakes (106 species), marine of caecilians (Gymnophiona) and frogs (Anura). The snakes (15 species), and crocodiles (2 species). This caecilians are represented by 2 genera and the anurans diverse and complex group is divided into 17 families are represented by at least 22 genera. At present, we and is represented by at least 83 genera. A total of 258 recognize a total of 101 species comprised of 3 species species occur, 170 species or 66% are endemic to the of caecilians and 98 species of frogs. There are no known Philippines (Table 2). endemic genera, however, endemicity at the species level is exceptionally high: 78 of the 101 species (77%) are Five genera are presently recognized as limited to found only in the Philippines (Table 1). the Philippines: Pseudogekko, Parvoscincus, Cyclocorus, Hologerrhum, and Myersophis. Caecilians are worm-like, limbless, and are among Myersophis is monospecific and is known only from the ancient living amphibians. In the Philippines, they the highlands of the Central Cordilleras of Luzon. Ten are restricted to the western and southern islands, known of the 40 or so species of Draco, the flying lizards of thus far from very few localities on Palawan, Basilan, Southeast Asia, are endemic to the Philippines. Four- and Mindanao. The natural history of the three Phil- teen of the 15 species of Brachymeles are likewise con- ippine caecilians is virtually unknown primarily due to fined to the Philippines, with the remaining species the secretive behavior of these animals. Frogs are found known only from Borneo. This genus of legless skinks in most of the islands of the archipelago. The most also exhibits one of the most spectacular Philippine primitive species of frog in the country is the Palawan radiations. The lizard genus Sphenomorphus is the most Diesmos, et. al., 2002 2 speciose taxon with 25 species, all of which are en- · Mindanao PAIC: Mindanao, Samar, demic to the Philippines. Among the snakes, blind Maripipi, Biliran, Leyte, Bohol, Dinagat, snakes of the genus Typhlops are the most diverse with Siargao, Basilan, and adjacent small islands 16 species. They are also known to be among the most · Sulu PAIC: Tawitawi, Jolo, and adjacent small ancient snakes in the world. islands BIOGEOGRAPHY While it is to be expected that aggregate islands )n understanding of the geographical distribu- within a PAIC share a high percentage of faunal ele- tion of the major groups of amphibians and reptiles ments in common, there are many instances wherein has been discussed in detail from the previous taxo- these islands contain endemic species of their own. A nomic and zoogeographic summaries of past workers. fine example is the islands of Panay, Negros, and Cebu These scholarly works ably discussed dispersal routes in the Visayas PAIC. Panay has at least 4 endemic spe- of the fauna, zoogeographical relationships, possible cies (Platymantis panayensis, Parvoscincus sisoni, land-bridge connections, and have also identified fau- Hologerrhum dermali, Pseudorabdion talonuran) that nal subdivisions (or biogeographic regions) of the Phil- have never been found on Cebu and on Negros, con- ippine herpetofauna. The herpetofaunal regions that sidering that the herpetofauna of the latter island is the have been identified range from two to five. best studied in the Philippines. On the other hand, at least 4 species (Platymantis hazelae, Platymantis To a large extent, the biogeography of the Phil- spelaeus, Lipinia rabori, Typhlops canlaonensis) are ippine herpetofauna shows a pattern that is similar to confined to Negros while 2 species that are present on that exhibited by terrestrial birds and non-volant mam- Cebu (Brachymeles cebuensis, Typhlops hypogius) are mals. These biogeographic regions are centers of bio- not known to occur in either Negros or Panay. logical endemism that are concordant with the geo- logic formation of the Philippine archipelago during Data from recent studies suggest that amphib- the Pleistocene Epoch. During the great ice ages of the ians and reptiles have a tendency towards a finer-scale Pleistocene, sea levels were reduced such that islands isolation and differentiation thereby making them ap- that were separated by sea 120 meters deep were con- propriate organisms to use in identifying sub-centers nected. Here, we refer to these ice-age island amal- of endemism. For instance, three species of Platymantis gamations as Pleistocene aggregate island complexes, frogs on Mt. Banahao (an isolated volcano on the is- or PAIC. land of Luzon) have a spatial distribution of less than We recognize 9 herpetofaunal regions in the Phil- 70 square kilometers, are confined to the montane el- ippines albeit arbitrarily. These subdivisions could be- evations on that mountain, and are found only on a come modified further as our knowledge of species dis- single island. This fine-scaled distribution pattern is tributions, faunal boundaries, and taxonomic and phy- particularly exhibited by diminutive frogs, snakes, and logenetic relationships of the herpetofauna improve. lizards and is repeated in many other isolated moun- The herpetofaunal regions are as follows: tains and mountain ranges in the Philippines. · Batanes PAIC: composed of the islands of An understanding of mid- to late-Pleistocene Batan, Itbayat, Sabtang, and several small geology is the key to appreciating the distribution of adjacent islands life in the Philippines and most importantly, in formu- · Babuyanes PAIC: Babuyan, Calayan, lating effective conservation strategies. The recognition Dalupiri, Camiguin, Fuga, and adjacent of these Pleistocene aggregate island complexes is the small islands appropriate framework for appreciation of Philippine · Luzon PAIC: Luzon, Polillo, Catanduanes, biodiversity on all levels, for it is the unique geological Marinduque, and adjacent small islands history of the islands that unites the evolutionary his- · Mindoro PAIC: Mindoro, Ilin, Semirara, and tories of Philippine biodiversity. adjacent small islands · Romblon PAIC: Romblon, Tablas, Sibuyan CONSERVATION · Visayas PAIC: Panay, Guimaras, Negros, Cebu, Masbate, and adjacent small islands 6he most recent publication of the IUCN · Palawan PAIC: Palawan, Busuanga, listed 32 threatened amphibians and reptiles in the Calamian, Culion, Balabac, and adjacent Philippines, and another 10 species that have lower small islands threat categories (Table 3). The critically endangered Philippine Amphibians and Reptiles: An Overview of Species Diversity, Biogeography, and Conservation 3 taxa include 7 species of Platymantis frogs, 1 marine are killed by people), could exact a heavy toll on the turtle, 1 freshwater turtle, and the endemic Philippine population of rare species. This matter needs to be in- crocodile. Amphibians dominate the list while only 9 vestigated. species are reptiles. While a good number of species in this list are
Recommended publications
  • Amphibian Ark Conservation Needs Assessment, Philippines, July 2014 Page 1
    Amphibian Ark Conservation Needs Assessment, Philippines, July 2014 Page 1 Species suited to Conservation Education 42 species Species that are specifically selected for management – primarily in zoos and aquariums - to inspire and increase knowledge in visitors, in order to promote positive behavioural change. For example, when a species is used to raise financial or other support for field conservation projects (this would include clearly defined ‘flagship’ or ‘ambassador’ species). Phylogenetic Cultural/socio-economic Scientific Education Species Biological Distinctiveness significance importance Importance potential Sanguirana everetti 8.659490771 No aspect of biology known to be No No research dependent on this Yes exceptional species Research into availability of founders needs to be prioritised. Known in the area it was first collected like Mt. Apo. Threat: Habitat loss. It is not seen in great numbers anymore in Mindanao and chytrid may already affected them – hard hit (Diesmos). New genetic data suggest that real S. everetti is a SW Mindanao species...not sure what the Apo population would be since it has not be included in a phylogenetic study (Brown). No inferences can be made on the basis of habitat or forest cover. Need actual surveys of populations (Brown). Recommended to be listed as Data Deficient, for its distribution. Data Deficient because no studies can be conducted in that region due to security issues (Brown). Hylarana similis 7.692704126 No aspect of biology known to be No No research dependent on this Yes exceptional species Chytrid infected, effects cannot be reversed in time, high priority, but (Diesmos) they are quiet common on other mountain areas in Luzon, one of the hardest hit frog.
    [Show full text]
  • Maritime Southeast Asia and Oceania Regional Focus
    November 2011 Vol. 99 www.amphibians.orgFrogLogNews from the herpetological community Regional Focus Maritime Southeast Asia and Oceania INSIDE News from the ASG Regional Updates Global Focus Recent Publications General Announcements And More..... Spotted Treefrog Nyctixalus pictus. Photo: Leong Tzi Ming New The 2012 Sabin Members’ Award for Amphibian Conservation is now Bulletin open for nomination Board FrogLog Vol. 99 | November 2011 | 1 Follow the ASG on facebook www.facebook.com/amphibiansdotor2 | FrogLog Vol. 99| November 2011 g $PSKLELDQ$UN FDOHQGDUVDUHQRZDYDLODEOH 7KHWZHOYHVSHFWDFXODUZLQQLQJSKRWRVIURP $PSKLELDQ$UN¶VLQWHUQDWLRQDODPSKLELDQ SKRWRJUDSK\FRPSHWLWLRQKDYHEHHQLQFOXGHGLQ $PSKLELDQ$UN¶VEHDXWLIXOZDOOFDOHQGDU7KH FDOHQGDUVDUHQRZDYDLODEOHIRUVDOHDQGSURFHHGV DPSKLELDQDUN IURPVDOHVZLOOJRWRZDUGVVDYLQJWKUHDWHQHG :DOOFDOHQGDU DPSKLELDQVSHFLHV 3ULFLQJIRUFDOHQGDUVYDULHVGHSHQGLQJRQ WKHQXPEHURIFDOHQGDUVRUGHUHG±WKHPRUH \RXRUGHUWKHPRUH\RXVDYH2UGHUVRI FDOHQGDUVDUHSULFHGDW86HDFKRUGHUV RIEHWZHHQFDOHQGDUVGURSWKHSULFHWR 86HDFKDQGRUGHUVRIDUHSULFHGDW MXVW86HDFK 7KHVHSULFHVGRQRWLQFOXGH VKLSSLQJ $VZHOODVRUGHULQJFDOHQGDUVIRU\RXUVHOIIULHQGV DQGIDPLO\ZK\QRWSXUFKDVHVRPHFDOHQGDUV IRUUHVDOHWKURXJK\RXU UHWDLORXWOHWVRUIRUJLIWV IRUVWDIIVSRQVRUVRUIRU IXQGUDLVLQJHYHQWV" 2UGHU\RXUFDOHQGDUVIURPRXUZHEVLWH ZZZDPSKLELDQDUNRUJFDOHQGDURUGHUIRUP 5HPHPEHU±DVZHOODVKDYLQJDVSHFWDFXODUFDOHQGDU WRNHHSWUDFNRIDOO\RXULPSRUWDQWGDWHV\RX¶OODOVREH GLUHFWO\KHOSLQJWRVDYHDPSKLELDQVDVDOOSUR¿WVZLOOEH XVHGWRVXSSRUWDPSKLELDQFRQVHUYDWLRQSURMHFWV ZZZDPSKLELDQDUNRUJ FrogLog Vol. 99 | November
    [Show full text]
  • Yol.42 No. I 2001 I Ll/3 Jtule Uj I Tllllpltlc L T't Yclvw6j - ^ 20 Brown, Diesmos E Ahaln
    l The State of Phtllptne Herpetolagl 19 THE STATE OF PHILIPPINE HERPETOLOGY AND THE CHALLENGES FOR THE NEXT DECADE Daring tbe tatne perirtd. tbere bat been let.r actiuity in ecological research and conteruatittu. ancl little or no actiuity in disciplines tach at behaaior, nicroeao/ution, reproductiue Reru M. BnowN, Anvnv C. Dtrslros, aNo ANcn C. biol- lgy, 0r popalation biologl'. Ix thit paper we reaiew a nodel Ar-cnt-e fetu studies and point out where others are hadly needed. Auailable biogeographic analyset, combined with new, First, there is a great need for more new basic re- unpa[tlished data, dent.on.rtrclte thdt the distributions of anphib- searc h focused on b iodive rs i ry conservat io tt, includittg system- iant and reptiles in tbe Pbilippines haue been ttrongly influ- atics, ecology, behavior, and current patterns of distibution enced by the nid- to late-P /ei.ttlcene format ion of seuera/ aggre- and ab u ndanc e. W itho ttt s uc h fundantenta I info r nat io n, c o n- gate island complexes at well at by clinatic gradients attociated servatton planning will be incornplete at best. with eleaation and a,ttbrlp0geTtic distarbances (priraarily cle- Heaney et al., 1999:315. forestation). Each Plei-rtocene aggrega.te island complex it a major center of biologica/ diaersity, and within tbese najor (and seu- The information needed to make sense of Asian eral other rninor) Iand nass amalgamatilnt, there exist numer- herpetology is not lurking in tlrc Literature; it is still out tlrcre in ous tub-centers of endernism and diuersitl centered on itolated tlrc rice padtlies and in the vanishing patches of nontane for- ntountains or mountain ranget.
    [Show full text]
  • Check List 8(3): 469-490, 2012 © 2012 Check List and Authors Chec List ISSN 1809-127X (Available at Journal of Species Lists and Distribution
    Check List 8(3): 469-490, 2012 © 2012 Check List and Authors Chec List ISSN 1809-127X (available at www.checklist.org.br) Journal of species lists and distribution Amphibians and Reptiles of Luzon Island (Philippines), PECIES S VII: Herpetofauna of Ilocos Norte Province, Northern OF Cordillera Mountain Range ISTS L Rafe M. Brown 1,2*, Carl H. Oliveros 1, Cameron D. Siler 1, Jason B. Fernandez 2, Luke J. Welton 1, Perry Archival C. Buenavente 2, Mae Lowe L. Diesmos 3 and Arvin C. Diesmos 1,2 1 University of Kansas, Lawrence, Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. KS 66045-7561, USA. 2 National Museum of the Philippines, Zoology Division, Herpetology Section. Rizal Park, Padre Burgos Avenue, Ermita 1000, Manila, Philippines. * Corresponding author. Email: [email protected] 3 University of Santo Tomas, Department of Biological Sciences. España 1015, Manila, Philippines. Abstract: We report new distribution records for amphibians and reptiles from 20 localities within the northern Cordillera from past surveys, our new data result in a total of 58 amphibian and reptile species for Ilocos Norte Province and the extremeMountain northern Range of Cordilleras—all Ilocos Norte Province, of which Luzon constitute Island, major Philippines. geographic Together range with extensions. opportunistic We utilize collections new data of specimens and IUCN formalized conservation assessment criteria to revise the conservation status of many species. Our results highlight the degree to which fundamental distribution data are lacking for Luzon amphibians and reptiles and emphasize the manner complex biogeography of Luzon’s herpetofauna remains poorly understood, providing opportunities for future research andin which conservation many current efforts species once distribution assessments patterns are based and on local incomplete abundances data are and, properly as a result, documented.
    [Show full text]
  • The Conservation Status of Biological Resources in the Philippines
    : -.^,rhr:"-i-3'^^=£#?^-j^.r-^a^ Sj2 r:iw0,">::^^'^ \^^' Cfl|*ti-»;;^ THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES IN THE PHILIPPINES A RRF'OHT V^Y THK lUCN CONSKRVATION MONITORING CENT:-!E PfcparGd by Roger Cox for the lnLf5rnaLion?.l InsLituLo Cor Knvironment and Development (IIED) February 1988 / fgrMsa^jnt-^'-agyga-- •r-r- ;.«-'> t ^-' isr* 1*.- i^^s. , r^^, ^».|;; ^b-^ ^.*%-^ *i,r^-v . iinnc [ '»/' C'A'. aSM!': Vi - '«.;s^ ; a-* f%h '3;riti7;.:- n'^'ji K ;ii;!'r ' <s:ii.uiy.. viii. K A xo.^ jf^'r;.' 3 10 ciJuJi i\ Ji\{ :::) Jnj:kf- .i. n ( im'.i) •V'lt r'v - -V.-^f~^?fl LP-ife- f^^ s.:.... --11 -^M.jj^^^ riB CC./Sfc^RvAriON .<*TC.rj^. OF EI3U:i' "I.VJ, JbO'TSOURCES ^^a THE PHILIPPlVl'fC ;j^...^..-r'^^ I ilRPOHT BY THK ILCJJ CGJJSIiKVA'ilCN M0N:.V:..):;1NG CKNT ^ Pc'jpas-fjr' ')y Roto* C(/X for the TiKD). {'obruary 1988 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from UNEP-WCIVIC, Cambridge http://www.archive.org/details/conservationstat88coxr . 7' CONTENTS List of Figures, Appendices and Tables iii Summary iy Acknowledgements vii 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Objectives 3 2 METHODS 4 3. FLORA, VEGETATION AND FOREST COVER 3.1 Description of the natural vegetation 4 3.1.1 The forests 4 3.1.2 Other vegetation types 7 3 2 Conservation status of the Philippine flora 8 3.2.1 Introduction 8 3.2.2 Causes of habitat destruction 9 3.2.3 Threatened plant species 11 3. 2. A Centres of plant diversity and endemism 12 4 COASTAL AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS 4.1 Background 17 4.2 Mangroves 18 4.3 Coral reefs 19 4.4 Seagrass beds 22 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Additions to the Herpetofauna of Panay Island, Philippines1
    Additions to the herpetofauna of Panay Island, Philippines1 MAREN GA ULKE, ARNOLD DEMEGILLO, JoCHEN REITER & BENJAMIN T ACUD Zusammenfassung Ergänzungen zur Herpetofauna der Insel Panay, Philippinen. Während biologischer, auf der nordwestlichen Panay-Halbinsel durchgeführter Untersuchungen wurden der Ruderfrosch Rhacophorus pardalis, die Gekkoniden Luperosaurus cf. cumingi und Pseudogekko cf. brevipes, und die Schlangen Dryophiops philippina und Ophiophagus hannah erstmals für die Insel Panay nachgewiesen. Damit erhöht sich die Zahl der für Panay nachgewie­ senen Amphibien (von denen einige noch unbeschrieben sind) von 22 auf 23 und die Zahl terrestrischer Reptilien von 57 auf 61. Ein zweites Exemplar der kürzlich beschriebenen Wolfs­ zahnnatter Lycodon fausti wurde untersucht. Während Rhacophorus pardalis und Ophiophagus hannah eine weite Verbreitung in Südostasien haben, sind die anderen drei Arten seltene und fast unbekannte Endemiten der Philippinen. Beschreibungen der seltenen Arten und Informationen zur Variationsbreite und Biologie von R. pardalis und der Verbreitung von 0. hannah werden gegeben. Schlagwörter: Philippinen, Insel Panay, Rhacophorus pardalis, Luperosaurus cf. cumingi, Pseudogekko cf. brevipes, Dryophiops philippina, Lycodonfausti, Ophiophagus hannah, Verbrei­ tungsneunachweise, Taxonomie, Biologie. Abstract During biological investigations on the northwestern Panay Peninsula the rhacophorid frog Rhacophorus pardalis, the gekkonid lizards Luperosaurus cf. cumingi and Pseudogekko cf. brevipes, and the snakes Dryophiops philippina and Ophiophagus hannah were recorded for this island for the first time. This raises the number of amphibians (some of them still undescribed) reported for Panay from 22 to 23 , and the number of terrestrial reptiles from 57 to 61. A second specimen of the recently described wolf snake Lycodon fausti was examined. While Rhacophorus pardalis and Ophiophagus hannah are widespread in Southeast Asia, the other three species are rare and little known Philippine endemics.
    [Show full text]
  • Feeding in Amphibians: Evolutionary Transformations and Phenotypic Diversity As Drivers of Feeding System Diversity
    Chapter 12 Feeding in Amphibians: Evolutionary Transformations and Phenotypic Diversity as Drivers of Feeding System Diversity Anthony Herrel, James C. O’Reilly, Anne-Claire Fabre, Carla Bardua, Aurélien Lowie, Renaud Boistel and Stanislav N. Gorb Abstract Amphibians are different from most other tetrapods because they have a biphasic life cycle, with larval forms showing a dramatically different cranial anatomy and feeding strategy compared to adults. Amphibians with their exceptional diversity in habitats, lifestyles and reproductive modes are also excellent models for studying the evolutionary divergence in feeding systems. In the present chapter, we review the literature on amphibian feeding anatomy and function published since 2000. We also present some novel unpublished data on caecilian feeding biome- chanics. This review shows that over the past two decades important new insights in our understanding of amphibian feeding anatomy and function have been made possible, thanks to a better understanding of the phylogenetic relationships between taxa, analyses of development and the use of biomechanical modelling. In terms of functional analyses, important advances involve the temperature-dependent nature of tongue projection mechanisms and the plasticity exhibited by animals when switch- A. Herrel (B) Département Adaptations du Vivant, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, UMR 7179 C.N.R.S/M.N.H.N, 55 rue Buffon, 75005, Paris Cedex 05, France e-mail: [email protected] J. C. O’Reilly Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University, Cleveland Campus, Cleveland, Ohio 334C, USA A.-C. Fabre · C. Bardua Life Sciences Department, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK A. Lowie Department of Biology Evolutionary, Morphology of Vertebrates, Ghent University, K.L.
    [Show full text]
  • A Phylogeny and Revised Classification of Squamata, Including 4161 Species of Lizards and Snakes
    BMC Evolutionary Biology This Provisional PDF corresponds to the article as it appeared upon acceptance. Fully formatted PDF and full text (HTML) versions will be made available soon. A phylogeny and revised classification of Squamata, including 4161 species of lizards and snakes BMC Evolutionary Biology 2013, 13:93 doi:10.1186/1471-2148-13-93 Robert Alexander Pyron ([email protected]) Frank T Burbrink ([email protected]) John J Wiens ([email protected]) ISSN 1471-2148 Article type Research article Submission date 30 January 2013 Acceptance date 19 March 2013 Publication date 29 April 2013 Article URL http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/13/93 Like all articles in BMC journals, this peer-reviewed article can be downloaded, printed and distributed freely for any purposes (see copyright notice below). Articles in BMC journals are listed in PubMed and archived at PubMed Central. For information about publishing your research in BMC journals or any BioMed Central journal, go to http://www.biomedcentral.com/info/authors/ © 2013 Pyron et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. A phylogeny and revised classification of Squamata, including 4161 species of lizards and snakes Robert Alexander Pyron 1* * Corresponding author Email: [email protected] Frank T Burbrink 2,3 Email: [email protected] John J Wiens 4 Email: [email protected] 1 Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, 2023 G St.
    [Show full text]
  • Hand and Foot Musculature of Anura: Structure, Homology, Terminology, and Synapomorphies for Major Clades
    HAND AND FOOT MUSCULATURE OF ANURA: STRUCTURE, HOMOLOGY, TERMINOLOGY, AND SYNAPOMORPHIES FOR MAJOR CLADES BORIS L. BLOTTO, MARTÍN O. PEREYRA, TARAN GRANT, AND JULIÁN FAIVOVICH BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY HAND AND FOOT MUSCULATURE OF ANURA: STRUCTURE, HOMOLOGY, TERMINOLOGY, AND SYNAPOMORPHIES FOR MAJOR CLADES BORIS L. BLOTTO Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”–CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina MARTÍN O. PEREYRA División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”–CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva “Claudio J. Bidau,” Instituto de Biología Subtropical–CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina TARAN GRANT Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Coleção de Anfíbios, Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Research Associate, Herpetology, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History JULIÁN FAIVOVICH División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”–CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Research Associate, Herpetology, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American
    [Show full text]
  • A New Subfamily of Fossorial Colubroid Snakes from the Western Ghats of Peninsular India
    Journal of Natural History ISSN: 0022-2933 (Print) 1464-5262 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tnah20 A new subfamily of fossorial colubroid snakes from the Western Ghats of peninsular India V. Deepak, Sara Ruane & David J. Gower To cite this article: V. Deepak, Sara Ruane & David J. Gower (2018) A new subfamily of fossorial colubroid snakes from the Western Ghats of peninsular India, Journal of Natural History, 52:45-46, 2919-2934, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2018.1557756 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2018.1557756 View supplementary material Published online: 18 Jan 2019. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 107 View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=tnah20 JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY 2018, VOL. 52, NOS. 45–46, 2919–2934 https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2018.1557756 A new subfamily of fossorial colubroid snakes from the Western Ghats of peninsular India V. Deepak a,b, Sara Ruane c and David J. Gower a aDepartment of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, UK; bCentre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India; cDepartment of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University- Newark, Newark, NJ, USA ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY We report molecular phylogenetic and dating analyses of snakes that Received 25 October 2018 include new mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data for three Accepted 26 November 2018 species of the peninsular Indian endemic Xylophis. The results pro- KEYWORDS fi vide the rst molecular genetic test of and support for the mono- Asia; classification; Pareidae; phyly of Xylophis.
    [Show full text]
  • Eleutherodactylus Ridens (Pygmy Rainfrog) Predation Tobias Eisenberg
    Sacred Heart University DigitalCommons@SHU Biology Faculty Publications Biology 9-2007 Eleutherodactylus ridens (Pygmy Rainfrog) Predation Tobias Eisenberg Twan Leenders Sacred Heart University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/bio_fac Part of the Population Biology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Eisenberg, T. & Leenders, T. (2007). Eleutherodactylus ridens (Pygmy Rainfrog) predation. Herpetological Review, 38(3), 323. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Biology at DigitalCommons@SHU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Biology Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@SHU. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. SSAR Officers (2007) HERPETOLOGICAL REVIEW President The Quarterly News-Journal of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles ROY MCDIARMID USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Editor Managing Editor National Museum of Natural History ROBERT W. HANSEN THOMAS F. TYNING Washington, DC 20560, USA 16333 Deer Path Lane Berkshire Community College Clovis, California 93619-9735, USA 1350 West Street President-elect [email protected] Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201, USA BRIAN CROTHER [email protected] Department of Biological Sciences Southeastern Louisiana University Associate Editors Hammond, Louisiana 70402, USA ROBERT E. ESPINOZA CHRISTOPHER A. PHILLIPS DEANNA H. OLSON California State University, Northridge Illinois Natural History Survey USDA Forestry Science Lab Secretary MARION R. PREEST ROBERT N. REED MICHAEL S. GRACE R. BRENT THOMAS Joint Science Department USGS Fort Collins Science Center Florida Institute of Technology Emporia State University The Claremont Colleges Claremont, California 91711, USA EMILY N. TAYLOR GUNTHER KÖHLER MEREDITH J. MAHONEY California Polytechnic State University Forschungsinstitut und Illinois State Museum Naturmuseum Senckenberg Treasurer KIRSTEN E.
    [Show full text]
  • 1704632114.Full.Pdf
    Phylogenomics reveals rapid, simultaneous PNAS PLUS diversification of three major clades of Gondwanan frogs at the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary Yan-Jie Fenga, David C. Blackburnb, Dan Lianga, David M. Hillisc, David B. Waked,1, David C. Cannatellac,1, and Peng Zhanga,1 aState Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, College of Ecology and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; bDepartment of Natural History, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611; cDepartment of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Collections, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712; and dMuseum of Vertebrate Zoology and Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 Contributed by David B. Wake, June 2, 2017 (sent for review March 22, 2017; reviewed by S. Blair Hedges and Jonathan B. Losos) Frogs (Anura) are one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates The poor resolution for many nodes in anuran phylogeny is and comprise nearly 90% of living amphibian species. Their world- likely a result of the small number of molecular markers tra- wide distribution and diverse biology make them well-suited for ditionally used for these analyses. Previous large-scale studies assessing fundamental questions in evolution, ecology, and conser- used 6 genes (∼4,700 nt) (4), 5 genes (∼3,800 nt) (5), 12 genes vation. However, despite their scientific importance, the evolutionary (6) with ∼12,000 nt of GenBank data (but with ∼80% missing history and tempo of frog diversification remain poorly understood. data), and whole mitochondrial genomes (∼11,000 nt) (7). In By using a molecular dataset of unprecedented size, including 88-kb the larger datasets (e.g., ref.
    [Show full text]