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Amphibians and Reptiles in the Vicinity of Bulusan Lake,
Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, Sorsogon, Philippines

Jake Wilson B. Binaday1,*, Ace Kevin S. Amarga2,
Ernesto S. Barrameda Jr.3, and Bobet Jan M. Bonagua4

1Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, San Jacinto, Masbate 5417 Philippines
2Institute of Weed Science, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and
Food Science, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
3Science Department, Polangui Comprehensive High School, Polangui, Albay
4Quinale, Tabaco City, Albay 4511 Philippines

*Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

ABSTRACT
A preliminary inventory of amphibians and reptiles from the vicinity of Bulusan Lake, Bulusan Volcano Natural Park is presented. So far, there is no existing account documenting the herpetofauna of this unique protected area. With this report, the researchers aim to provide baseline data on the identities of species of amphibians and reptiles existing in the natural park. A survey was conducted by employing visual encounter surveys. Specimens were identified in situ and were recorded by photographic documentation. The study resulted in the documentation of 26 species belonging to 24 genera in 14 families. This includes eight species of frogs, ten lizards, and eight snakes. The survey provides the first record of Aplopeltura boa (Blunthead Slug-eating Snake) from Luzon Island, and clarifies a previous point of confusion regarding species identification and use of the names Boiga drapiezii (White-spotted Cat Snake) and Boiga angulata (Philippine Blunt-headed Cat Snake) on Luzon. A novel account of a white-iris Tropidolaemus subannulatus (Northern Temple Pit Viper) is also presented. Considering the limited time and the confined area where the survey was conducted, a significant increase in this species list is expected as more surveys are conducted in the natural park focusing on different elevations and microhabitats. If future studies are permitted by the protected area managers, there is a high possibility of discovering several novel and endemic species. . . . read more

INTRODUCTION
Recent herpetological surveys conducted in Northern and Central Luzon have revealed a startlingly rich diversity array of amphibians and reptiles (McLeod et al. 2011; Siler et al. 2011, 2012; Brown et al. 2012; Devan-Song & Brown 2012; Brown et al. 2013a). Among the hypothesized contributors to this diversity is the isolation of Luzon’s precursor paleoislands in recent geological past and their eventual accretion to form Luzon’s conglomerate landscape of today (Adams & Prat 1911; Rutland 1968; Hashimoto 1981; Auffenberg 1988; Brown et al. 1996; Brown & Diesmos 2009; Yumul et al. 2009; Brown et al. 2013b). In addition, recent studies have also considered geography, atmospheric variation, and Pleistocene climate change cycles as additional factors (Brown & Diesmos 2009; Brown et al. 2012), which may have contributed to evolutionary processes of diversification.

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