United States Agency for International Development - (PDF, 101 mb ...

c ANNEX 10
Species Diversity. Endemicity. Ecology
STATUS REPORT OF THE HERPS WORKING GROUP
by Arvin C. Diesmos
The level of endemicity of Philippine frogs and reptiles is among the highest in Southeast
Asia: more than 70% of the known species are found'only in the country.
Herpetofaunal (amphibians and reptiles) diversity is peculiarly high for a country of this
size. Using frogs as an example: Borneo. a big island that is 1.4 times the size of the
Philippines, has about 140 known species. The country has about 100 species with
many more new species that are being discovered each year.
The herpetofaunal is composed of species with diverse ecological adaptations and
requirements. There are arboreal, terrestrial, burrowing, aquatic and gliding species.
Discrete patterns in both space and elevation are evident.
The rainforest is the most important habitat for nearly 80% of the total herpetofauna.
Field Research and Awareness
We need increased action in the field. Among Philippine vertebrats, herps lag behind in basic
information on ecology, biology and distribution.
Field research needs to be done in unexplored areas of the country. The complete elevational
range (from the lowlands to the mountain peaks) needs to be carefully surveyed.
Biologists need to consider forest canopy exploration. A considerable number of species inhabit
only the canopy layer of the forest; it is expected that several new species will be discovered in
this stratum.
We need information on how herpetofaunal populations respond to habitat fragmentation, in
aspect that needs urgent investigations.
As with other themeslfields of study, there is a growing need to influence and train new
playerslworkers in herpetological research and conservation.
Some lnterestinq Information
The Asian Giant Softshell Turtle (Pelochelys bibroni), a Threatened and a CITES species,
inhabits major rivers in northeastern Luzon. It was first recorded in Bulacan Province in the
1920s. Local people hunt this turtle for subsistence and for other purposes.
The country's largest frogs (more than 150 mm from snout to vent length) occur in unpolluted
rivers of Luzon (Limnonectes macrocephalus), Mindoro and Palawan (L. acanthi). The smallest
known frog, Platymantis pygmaeus (about 15mm from snout to vent length) occurs in the
Cordilleras and the Sierra Madres.
Frogs and snakes figure prominently in folklores and myths in local communities.
A new alien species, the Taiwanese frog (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus), occurs in Luzon. It was
probably introduced in the early 1990s and is now widespread in the island. The danger it poses
to the native species: its tadpoles eat other tadpoles.