Taxonomic revision of the semi-aquatic skink Parvoscincus leucospilos (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae), with description of three new species

Siler, Cameron D.; Linkem, Charles W.; Cobb, Kerry A.; Watters, Jessa L.; Cummings, Sean T.; Diesmos, Arvin C.; Brown, Rafe M.

doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3847.3.4

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Parvoscincus kitangladensis is most closely related to the miniature Luzon forest species (e.g., Parvoscincus lawtoni , and possibly Parvoscincus luzonensis ) but is phenotypically similar to members of the Parvoscincus decipiens complex and other small bodied taxa from Luzon (i.e. Parvoscincus laterimaculatus , Parvoscincus leucospilos ; Linkem et al 2011; Siler et al 2014e) and even Palawan (e.g., Insulasaurus victoria , Insulasaurus traanorum ; Linkem et al 2010a, 2011). Considered “Least Concern” (LC; IUCN 2010, 2016), this species is reasonably widespread but remains poorly understood in microhabitat preferences.…”

Section: Species Accountsmentioning

confidence: 96%

The amphibians and reptiles of Mindanao Island, southern Philippines, II: the herpetofauna of northeast Mindanao and adjacent islands

Sanguila¹,

Cobb²,

Siler³

et al. 2016

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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 We present species accounts for all taxa, comment on unresolved taxonomic problems, and provide revisions to outdated IUCN conservation status assessments in cases where our new data significantly alter earlier classification status summaries.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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Section: Species Accountsmentioning

confidence: 96%

The amphibians and reptiles of Mindanao Island, southern Philippines, II: the herpetofauna of northeast Mindanao and adjacent islands

Sanguila¹,

Cobb²,

Siler³

et al. 2016

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“…B. bicolor, O. cumingi and Parvoscincus leucospilos showed major elevational range extensions. Siler et al (2014) reported that P. leucospilos is common at elevations from 200–800 m a.s.l. ; our specimen was collected at 1,150 m a.s.l.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and diversity patterns of herpetofauna in the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed, Nueva Ecija, Caraballo Mountain Range, Philippines

Cruz

Afuang

Gonzalez

et al. 2019

BDJ

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The recent extensive survey conducted in the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed, located in the Caraballo Mountain Range during the rainy season (October to November) resulted in the recording of fifty-nine (59) species of amphibians and reptiles (17 frogs, 14 skinks, 3 agamids, 6 gekkonid lizards, 2 varanids and 17 snakes). Out of 59 species, 42 species were Philippine endemics and 25 species are recorded only from the Luzon faunal region. Habitat analysis and mapping showed seven habitat types including lowland dipterocarp forest, grassland, lower montane forest, upper montane forest, pine forest, agricultural areas and riparian habitats.GIS-based distribution mapping showed that the number of individuals and species are high in forest and associated riparian habitats at mid-elevation (1,000–1,250 m a.s.l.). The distribution pattern in the area is influenced by similarity in microclimatic conditions, availability of resources and niches which species can utilise. Species diversity is centred in mid- to high elevation forest and riparian habitats and in less disturbed areas. Snake diversity is adversely affected by increased disturbance, making them good indicators of the health of an area. The abundance-based Jaccard's Similarity Index showed that connected habitats and elevation gradients have higher species similarity.

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“…a Observed for two individuals. (Siler et al 2011b(Siler et al , 2012a(Siler et al , 2014Davis et al 2014).…”

Section: Phylogenetic Relationships and Genetic Divergencementioning

confidence: 99%

Additions to Philippine slender skinks of the Brachymeles bonitae complex (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) IV: Resurrection and redescription of Brachymeles burksi

Siler¹,

Freitas²,

Sheridan³

et al. 2020

Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology

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The diversity of Philippine amphibians and reptiles has increased over the last few decades, in part due to re-evaluation of species formerly believed to be widespread. Many of these investigations of widespread species have uncovered multiple closely related cryptic lineages comprising species complexes, each restricted to individual Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complexes (PAICs). One group in particular for which widespread cryptic diversity has been common is the clade of Philippine skinks of the genus Brachymeles. Recent phylogenetic studies of the formerly recognized widespread species Brachymeles bonitae have indicated that this species is actually a complex distributed across several major PAICs and smaller island groups in the central and northern Philippines, with numerous species that exhibit an array of digit loss and limb reduction patterns. Despite the recent revisions to the B. bonitae species complex, studies suggest that unique cryptic lineages still exist within this group. In this paper, we resurrect the species Brachymeles burksi Taylor 1917, for a lineage of non-pentadactyl, semi-fossorial skink from Mindoro and Marinduque islands. First described in 1917, B. burksi was synonymized with B. bonitae in 1956, and has rarely been reconsidered since. Evaluation of genetic and morphological data (qualitative traits, meristic counts, and mensural measurements), and comparison of recently-obtained specimens to Taylor’s original description support this species’ recognition, as does its insular distribution on isolated islands in the central portions of the archipelago. Morphologically, B. burksi is differentiated from other members of the genus based on a suite of unique phenotypic characteristics, including a small body size, digitless limbs, a high number of presacral vertebrae, the absence of auricular openings, and discrete (non-overlapping) meristic scale counts. The recognition of this central Philippine species further increases the diversity of non-pentadactyl members of the B. bonitae complex, and reinforces the biogeographic uniqueness of the Mindoro faunal region. KEYWORDS: biodiversity, endemism, faunal region, fossoriality, limb reduction

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Taxonomic revision of the semi-aquatic skink Parvoscincus leucospilos (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae), with description of three new species

Cited by 9 publications

References 29 publications

The amphibians and reptiles of Mindanao Island, southern Philippines, II: the herpetofauna of northeast Mindanao and adjacent islands

The amphibians and reptiles of Mindanao Island, southern Philippines, II: the herpetofauna of northeast Mindanao and adjacent islands

Distribution and diversity patterns of herpetofauna in the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed, Nueva Ecija, Caraballo Mountain Range, Philippines

Additions to Philippine slender skinks of the Brachymeles bonitae complex (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) IV: Resurrection and redescription of Brachymeles burksi

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