Reptilia, Squamata, Scincidae, Brachymeles elerae (Taylor, 1917): Rediscovery in Old Balbalan, Cordillera Mountain Range, Luzon Island, Philippines, and natural history

Abstract

Brachymeles elerae (Taylor 1917) is one of 18 recognized lizard species of Brachymeles, and is one of only two species known to possess four digits on the fore- and hind limbs. This unique species was originally described on the basis of two specimens, both lacking locality data, and has long been presumed to occur in the Nueva Vizcaya Province in the north central region of Luzon Island in the Philippines. In 1920, two additional specimens were collected from the Municipality of Balbalan of Luzon by E. H. Taylor. All subsequent reviews of the genus have been based on this material. I report on the first records of Brachymeles elerae in over ninety years and present the first photograph and new data on morphology and habitat. © 2010 Check List and Authors.