Amphibians and Reptiles of Luzon Island (Philippines), VII: Herpetofauna of Ilocos Norte Province, Northern Cordillera Mountain Range

We report new distribution records for amphibians and reptiles from 20 localities within the northern Cordillera Mountain Range of Ilocos Norte Province, Luzon Island, Philippines. Together with opportunistic collections of specimens from past surveys, our new data result in a total of 58 amphibian and reptile species for Ilocos Norte Province and the extreme northern Cordilleras—all of which constitute major geographic range extensions. We utilize new data 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 in which many current species assessments are based on incomplete data and, as a result, may be sorely misleading. The complex biogeography of Luzon’s herpetofauna remains poorly understood, providing opportunities for future research and conservation efforts once distribution patterns and local abundances are properly documented.http://creativecommons.org/licenses

Adaptive radiation and ecological opportunity in Sulawesi and Philippine fanged frog (Limnonectes) communities.

This is the publisher's version, which may also be found at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/66083

Amphibians and Reptiles, Luzon Island, Aurora Province and Aurora Memorial National Park, Northern Philippines: New island distribution records

We report 35 new amphibian and reptile distribution records for two regions within the southern Sierra Madre Mountain Range, Aurora Province, central Luzon Island, Philippines. Together with results of our previous survey work in Aurora, our new data result in a total of 82 amphibian and reptile species for the area. These results highlight the degree to which the island’s biodiversity continues to be underestimated and poorly understood. We report on observations of rarely encountered species including the skink Sphenomorphus leucospilos, the forest gecko Luperosaurus cf. cumingii, and a sensational new species of monitor lizard, Varanus bitatawa. Our recent collections clarify the conservation status of the “critically endangered” Polillo Island forest frog Platymantis polillensis, now known to be widespread, abundant, and common throughout Camarines Norte, Quezon, and Aurora Provinces on the adjacent mainland of Luzon Island. These results add to our growing understanding of many species’ distributions in the region

Phylogenetics of fanged frogs: testing biogeographical hypotheses at the interface of the Asian and Australian faunal zones.

This is the published version, which may also be found at: http://sysbio.oxfordjournals.org/content/52/6/794.full.pdf+htm

Phylogeny and Biogeography of a Cosmopolitan Frog Radiation: Late Cretaceous Diversification Resulted in Continent-Scale Endemism in the Family Ranidae

This is the publisher's version, which may also be found at:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1063515060081255

Amphibians and reptiles, Romblon Island Group, central Philippines: comprehensive herpetofaunal inventory

We present results from several recent herpetological surveys in the Romblon Island Group (RIG), Romblon Province, central Philippines. Together with a summary of historical museum records, our data document the occurrence of 55 species of amphibians and reptiles in this small island group. Until the present effort, and despite past studies, herpetological diversity of the RIG and their biogeographical affinities has remained poorly understood. We report on observations of evolutionarily distinct amphibian species, including conspicuous, previously known, endemics like the forest frogs Platymantis lawtoni and P. levigatus and two additional suspected undescribed species of Platymantis. Moderate levels of reptile endemism prevail on these islands, including taxa like the karst forest gecko species Gekko romblon and the newly discovered species G. coi. Although relatively small and less diverse than the surrounding landmasses, the islands of Romblon Province contain remarkable levels of endemism when considered as percentage of the total fauna or per unit landmass area

Typhoon frequency and intensity across the Western Pacific Ocean north of the Equator, 1951 – 2014

Disturbance has been a repeated theme in ecology in recent decades, yet incorporating its frequency and pattern at broad spatial scales into ecological analyses has been difficult – rather, most environmental datasets used in broad-extent analyses represent average conditions. We present a detailed dataset summarizing the frequency (i.e., number of typhoons) and intensity (average and maximum windspeeds) of typhoons across the Western Pacific north of the Equator, based on data characterizing tracks for 1673 typhoons from the Japan Meteorological Center. The data presented are aggregated and resampled to 0.2° (~22 km at the Equator) spatial resolution; temporal coverage extends 1951 – 2014. We also present data specifically for prior to 1980 and after 1999, to respond to questions related to climate change, although no major changes were evident between the time periods

The herpetofauna of the Babuyan Islands, Northern Philippines

We document 52 species of amphibians and reptiles from the Babuyan Islands in the northern Philippines. Among these records, 12 species are endemic to the Babuyan Islands and another 18 are endemic to the Philippines. Prevalence of endemic forms in the island group is high, with 1–3 island-endemic species present in each of the major islands. The present-day assemblage of herpetofauna in the island group is attributed to dispersal from Luzon and subsequent diversification. No evidence of successful southward colonization of species from Taiwan is found. Based on data from our own surveys, and to enable future work, we provide an updated list of the species from the Babuyan and Batanes Island groups. Molecular phylogenetic studies are recommended to gain more insights into the evolutionary history of the island-endemic forms and the biogeography of the small islands between Luzon and Taiwan

A new species of Cosmocerca (Nematoda: Cosmoceridae and other helminths in Cyrtodactylus gubaot (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Philippines

Cosmocerca leytensis sp. nov. (Ascaridida, Cosmocercidae) from the large intestine of Cyrtodactylus gubaot (Squamata: Gekkonidae) collected on Leyte Island, Philippines is described and illustrated. Cosmocerca leytensis sp. nov. is the 30th species assigned to the genus, the 4th from the Oriental region, and the first from the Philippine Islands. The new species is most similar to those species possessing 4 pairs of plectanes, i.e., C. archeyi, C. australis, C. oroensis, and C sardiniae. Cosmocerca sardiniae lacks lateral alae; C. archeyi, C. australis, C. leytensis sp. nov. and C. oroensis possess lateral alae. Spicule length of C. oroensis is less than 75 ìm, while C. archeyi, C. australis, and C. leytensis sp. nov. have spicule lengths greater than 75 ìm. Males of C. australis possess 2 pairs of rosette caudal papillae, which are lacking in C. archeyi and C. leytensis sp. nov. Females of C. archeyi posses a conical tail, females of C. leytensis sp. nov. have a rounded posterior end supporting a flexible filament