State of the art report on Philippine reptiles

The reptilian fauna of the Philippines currently includes 244 species in 278 races, from 76 genera in 18 families and three orders (Class Reptilia). Endemicity is high at 163 species or 66.8 percent. The species list can be divided into four groups, i.e. 10 turtle species (one endemic); two crocodiles (one endemic); 123 lizards (97 endemic); 109 snakes (64 endemic). With the recent review of current literature on Philippine reptiles, a substantial number of records on the islands have been added and 10 new species are described (1992-1994) with a probable six new species, a new genus and six new subspecies. The dominant families in the Philippines are Scincidae (65 species, 54 endemic) and Colubridae (56 species, 33 endemic). The dominant genera are Sphenomorphus (22 endemic species); Brachymeles (endemic genera, 14 species) and Typhlops (13 endemic species). Fifty-seven authors have contributed significantly to the systematic literature of Philippine reptiles, of which only two were Filipino, A.C. Alcala and D.S. Rabor. E.H. Taylor, ranks first with the highest number of described species (51 species, 10 races). Most of the descriptions were dated in the mid 1800s and early 1900s, a large number of the type specimens were lost in World War II. There is a demand to review the current taxonomic status of most, if not all reptilian species in the Philippines, using modern standard methods (Meyer et.al. 1994, Leviton 1964). The systematic status of the various groups, especially on least studied species of snakes (Typhlops, Boiga and Calamaria) and lizards (Gonyocephalus, Draco, Sphenomorphus) also need review. Currently, 10 species are listed in the IUCN. Red Data List for Threatened animals, although based on the current available data on the status of endemic species, some 60 species need consideration to be included in the list. There is a pressing need to study Philippine endemics, due to the lack of current knowledge on ecology, basic biology, distribution and population. There is also a lack of species inventory in remote islands and most of the extreme highlands, where a number of new species may be discovered