The amphibians and reptiles of Panay Island, Philippines

Abstract

We provide species accounts for 20 amphibians (frogs and toads) and 72 reptiles (one turtle, 36 lizards, and 35 snakes) from the central Philippine island of Panay and its associated land-bridge islets. Panay is a moderately-sized island (123,000 km 2 ) that currently is separated from the nearby islands of Negros, Masbate, and Cebu by shallow seas, indicating that dry land connections once allowed free exchange of flora and fauna between these land masses at several periods during the Pleistocene. This fact, coupled with the wealth of knowledge on herpetological communities of Negros and Cebu, has led biologists to assume that the amphibians and reptiles of Panay are reasonably well known. Our data suggest that this is far from true. Our recent survey work (1989 until present) has resulted in the discovery of at least six (and probably 12–15) new species of vertebrates, most of which appear to be high elevation rainforest Panay endemics. In this paper we note numerous taxonomic problems that await the attention of biologists; these surely will result in an increase of the known species from Panay. We expect that many widespread species complexes currently of uncertain taxonomic status will eventually be recognized as Panay endemics, further bolstering the total diversity and degree of endemism on Panay. The status of Panay herpetofauna warrants particular attention because many of the suspected new and endemic species appear to be forest obligates. With the near complete removal of Panay’s low elevation forests and increased pressure on its mid– and upper montane forests, we suspect that many of Panay’s endemics are threatened by extinction. Panay should be regarded as a tropical island with a unique geological history, a spectacular compliment of habitat types, and a diverse set of species communities – all of which are beset with a conservation crisis of deforestation and probable extinction. Panay may be a particularly appropriate model island for large scale conservation efforts aimed at sustainable management of forest resources. However, before informed conservation and management plans can be enacted, additional biodiversity survey work must be conducted on Panay.