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Meneses CG, Pitogo KME, Supsup CE, Brown RM. Philippine herpetology (Amphibia, Reptilia), 20 years on: two decades of progress towards an increasingly collaborative, equitable, and inclusive approach to the study of the archipelago's amphibians and reptiles. Zookeys 2024; 1190:213-257. [PMID: 38327266 PMCID: PMC10848817 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1190.109586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
A first review of the history, status, and prospects for Philippine herpetology conducted more than two decades ago (2002) summarized the diverse topics studied and highlighted the development and achievements in research up to the year 2000. This study revisits and re-assesses what Philippine herpetology has accomplished, both as a discipline and a community, during the last two decades (2002-2022). A total of 423 herpetological publications was collated, revealing a substantial increase in annual publications, rising from approximately four per year during 2002-2008 to around 28 per year in 2009-2022. Half of the published studies focused on squamate reptiles (lizards 30.5%, snakes 21%) and 28.4% on amphibians, 5.9% on turtles, and 2.6% on crocodiles. The remaining 11.6% of studies focused simultaneously on multiple taxa (i.e., faunal inventories). Diversity and distribution (35.2%) and ecological (26.5%) studies remained popular, while studies on taxonomy (14.9%), phylogenetics and biogeography (11.8%), and conservation (11.6%) all increased. However, geographical gaps persist urging immediate surveys in many understudied regions of the country. Finally, we found a balanced representation between Filipino and foreign first authors (1.0:1.1), yet a substantial gender gap exists between male and female first authors (7.1:1.0). Nonetheless, the steep increase in publications and the diversity of people engaged in Philippine herpetology is a remarkable positive finding compared to the 20 years preceding the last review (1980-2000). Our hope is that the next decades will bring increasingly equitable, internationally collaborative, and broadly inclusive engagement in the study of amphibians and reptiles in the Philippines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila G. Meneses
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USAUniversity of KansasLawrenceUnited States of America
| | - Kier Mitchel E. Pitogo
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USAUniversity of KansasLawrenceUnited States of America
| | - Christian E. Supsup
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USAUniversity of KansasLawrenceUnited States of America
| | - Rafe M. Brown
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USAUniversity of KansasLawrenceUnited States of America
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Chan KO, Hutter CR, Wood PL, Grismer LL, Das I, Brown RM. Gene flow creates a mirage of cryptic species in a Southeast Asian spotted stream frog complex. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:3970-3987. [PMID: 32808335 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Most new cryptic species are described using conventional tree- and distance-based species delimitation methods (SDMs), which rely on phylogenetic arrangements and measures of genetic divergence. However, although numerous factors such as population structure and gene flow are known to confound phylogenetic inference and species delimitation, the influence of these processes is not frequently evaluated. Using large numbers of exons, introns, and ultraconserved elements obtained using the FrogCap sequence-capture protocol, we compared conventional SDMs with more robust genomic analyses that assess population structure and gene flow to characterize species boundaries in a Southeast Asian frog complex (Pulchrana picturata). Our results showed that gene flow and introgression can produce phylogenetic patterns and levels of divergence that resemble distinct species (up to 10% divergence in mitochondrial DNA). Hybrid populations were inferred as independent (singleton) clades that were highly divergent from adjacent populations (7%-10%) and unusually similar (<3%) to allopatric populations. Such anomalous patterns are not uncommon in Southeast Asian amphibians, which brings into question whether the high levels of cryptic diversity observed in other amphibian groups reflect distinct cryptic species-or, instead, highly admixed and structured metapopulation lineages. Our results also provide an alternative explanation to the conundrum of divergent (sometimes nonsister) sympatric lineages-a pattern that has been celebrated as indicative of true cryptic speciation. Based on these findings, we recommend that species delimitation of continuously distributed "cryptic" groups should not rely solely on conventional SDMs, but should necessarily examine population structure and gene flow to avoid taxonomic inflation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kin O Chan
- Lee Kong Chian National History Museum, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Carl R Hutter
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.,Museum of Natural Sciences and Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Perry L Wood
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences & Museum of Natural History, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - L L Grismer
- Herpetology Laboratory, Department of Biology, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Indraneil Das
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Rafe M Brown
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
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Brown RM, Meneses CG, Wood PL, Fernandez JB, Cuesta MA, Clores MA, Tracy C, Buehler MD, Siler CD. Unexpected Discovery of Another New Species of Philippine False Gecko (Gekkonidae; Pseudogekko) from the Bicol Peninsula of Luzon Island. HERPETOLOGICA 2020. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-19-00029.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rafe M. Brown
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Camila G. Meneses
- Animal Biology Division, Graduate School, University of the Philippines at Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines
| | - Perry L. Wood
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Jason B. Fernandez
- Phase 5, Block 3, Lot 14 Marycris Complex, Malagasang 2-G Imus Cavite, Philippines
| | - Michael A. Cuesta
- Graduate School, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo Avenue, Bagumbayan Sur, 4400 Naga City, Philippines
| | - Michael A. Clores
- Graduate School, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo Avenue, Bagumbayan Sur, 4400 Naga City, Philippines
| | - Claire Tracy
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Matthew D. Buehler
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Cameron D. Siler
- Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, 2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK 73072, USA
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Ruedas LA, Silva SM, French JH, Platt RN, Salazar-Bravo J, Mora JM, Thompson CW. Taxonomy of the Sylvilagus brasiliensis complex in Central and South America (Lagomorpha: Leporidae). J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
A taxonomic framework for South American cottontail rabbits (Lagomorpha: Leporidae: Sylvilagus) was recently published by Diersing and Wilson (2017). Although we agree with some of its taxonomic conclusions (e.g., species status for S. apollinaris and S. fulvescens), we disagree with others. We provide herein evidence supporting S. andinus as a valid species based on morphological characters and novel molecular data. We also provide details of the morphological characters of S. apollinaris and S. fulvescens that support separating these from S. brasiliensis. We adduce data suggestive to the effect that—absent any type material—S. defilippi is at best a nomen dubium. Finally, we provide evidence in support of recognizing additional Neotropical species of Sylvilagus.
Un esquema taxonómico para los conejos sudamericanos (Lagomorpha: Leporidae: Sylvilagus) fue recientemente publicado por Diersing y Wilson (2017). Aunque estamos de acuerdo con algunas de sus conclusiones (por ejemplo: estatus de especie válida para S. apollinaris y S. fulvescens), no estamos de acuerdo con las restantes conclusiones taxonómicas. Aportamos aquí pruebas convincentes sobre la característica naturaleza de los caracteres morfológicos y moleculares de S. andinus, pruebas que esgrimimos en apoyo de la hipótesis que esta última es una especie válida, así confirmando su escisión de S. brasiliensis. Proporcionamos detalles de los caracteres morfológicos de S. apollinaris y S. fulvescens que confirman la decisión taxonómica de asimismo separarlos de S. brasiliensis. Proporcionamos datos en aditamento que indican que a falta de cualquier material tipo para S. defilippi, este nombre es en el mejor de los casos un nomen dubium. Finalmente, ofrecemos datos y evidencia apoyando nuestras decisiones de reconocer un mayor número de especies Neotropicales de Sylvilagus que previamente se conocían.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Ruedas
- Department of Biology and Museum of Natural History, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Johnnie H French
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory, Ashland, OR, USA
| | - Roy Nelson Platt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | | | - José M Mora
- Instituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestre (ICOMVIS), Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Cody W Thompson
- Museum of Zoology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Follow-up ecological studies for cryptic species discoveries: Decrypting the leopard frogs of the eastern U.S. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205805. [PMID: 30412587 PMCID: PMC6226167 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptic species are a challenge for systematics, but their elucidation also may leave critical information gaps about the distribution, conservation status, and behavior of affected species. We use the leopard frogs of the eastern U.S. as a case study of this issue. We refined the known range of the recently described Rana kauffeldi, the Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog, relative to the region’s two other leopard frog species, conducted assessments of conservation status, and improved methods for separating the three species using morphological field characters. We conducted over 2,000 call and visual surveys and took photographs of and tissue samples from hundreds of frogs. Genetic analysis supported a three-species taxonomy and provided determinations for 220 individual photographed frogs. Rana kauffeldi was confirmed in eight U.S. states, from North Carolina to southern Connecticut, hewing closely to the Atlantic Coastal Plain. It can be reliably differentiated in life from R. pipiens, and from R. sphenocephala 90% of the time, based on such characters as the femoral reticulum patterning, dorsal spot size and number, and presence of a snout spot. However, the only diagnostic character separating R. kauffeldi from R. sphenocephala remains the breeding call described in 2014. Based on our field study, museum specimens, and prior survey data, we suggest that R. kauffeldi has declined substantially in the northern part of its range, but is more secure in the core of its range. We also report, for the first time, apparent extirpations of R. pipiens from the southeastern portion of its range, previously overlooked because of confusion with R. kauffeldi. We conclude with a generalized ecological research agenda for cryptic species. For R. kauffeldi, needs include descriptions of earlier life stages, studies of niche partitioning with sympatric congeners and the potential for hybridization, and identification of conservation actions to prevent further declines.
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Brown RM, Prue A, Onn CK, Gaulke M, Sanguila MB, Siler CD. Taxonomic Reappraisal of the Northeast Mindanao Stream Frog, Sanguirana albotuberculata(Inger 1954), Validation ofRana mearnsi, Stejneger 1905, and Description of a New Species from the Central Philippines. HERPETOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS 2017. [DOI: 10.1655/herpmonographs-d-16-00009.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rafe M. Brown
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-7561, USA
| | - Allyson Prue
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-7561, USA
- Haskell Indian Nations University, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Chan Kin Onn
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-7561, USA
| | - Maren Gaulke
- GeoBio Center LMU, Richard-Wagner-Strasse 10, 80333 München, Germany
| | - Marites B. Sanguila
- Biodiversity Informatics and Research Center, Father Saturnino Urios University, San Francisco Street, 8600, Butuan City, Philippines
| | - Cameron D. Siler
- Department of Biology and Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73072-7029, USA
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Sanguila MB, Cobb KA, Siler CD, Diesmos AC, Alcala AC, Brown RM. The amphibians and reptiles of Mindanao Island, southern Philippines, II: the herpetofauna of northeast Mindanao and adjacent islands. Zookeys 2016; 624:1-132. [PMID: 27833422 PMCID: PMC5096358 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.624.9814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We summarize all available amphibian and reptile species distribution data from the northeast Mindanao faunal region, including small islands associated with this subcenter of endemic vertebrate biodiversity. Together with all publicly available historical information from biodiversity repositories, we present new data from several major herpetological surveys, including recently conducted inventories on four major mountains of northeast Mindanao, and adjacent islands of Camiguin Sur, Dinagat, and Siargao. We present species accounts for all taxa, comment on unresolved taxonomic problems, and provide revisions to outdated IUCN conservation status assessments in cases where our new data significantly alter earlier classification status summaries. Together, our comprehensive analysis of this fauna suggests that the greater Mindanao faunal region possesses distinct subcenters of amphibian and reptile species diversity, and that until this area is revisited and its fauna and actually studied, with on-the-ground field work including targeted surveys of species distributions coupled to the study their natural history, our understanding of the diversity and conservation status of southern Philippine herpetological fauna will remain incomplete. Nevertheless, the northeast Mindanao geographical area (Caraga Region) appears to have the highest herpetological species diversity (at least 126 species) of any comparably-sized Philippine faunal subregion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marites B. Sanguila
- Biodiversity Informatics and Research Center, Father Saturnino Urios University, San Francisco St., 8600 Butuan City, Philippines
| | - Kerry A. Cobb
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-7561, USA
| | - Cameron D. Siler
- Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73072-7029, USA
| | - Arvin C. Diesmos
- Herpetology Section, Zoology Division, Philippine National Museum, Rizal Park, Burgos St., Ermita 1000, Manila, Philippines
| | - Angel C. Alcala
- Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management, Silliman University, Dumaguete City 6200, Philippines
| | - Rafe M. Brown
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-7561, USA
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Phylogeny of the island archipelago frog genus Sanguirana: Another endemic Philippine radiation that diversified ‘Out-of-Palawan’. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2016; 94:531-536. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2015.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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