Lake Buhi Bockadam

conservation

CONSERVATION STATUS [IUCN]. — Endangered B 1 ab (iii, v) [2016] ver. 3.1. N. B. Consideration of this taxon as “ Endangered, ” which appears to be based primarily, if not solely, on its known area of occurrence, is problematic for reasons noted above, especially given the lack of survey and inventory data from the surrounding region and / or other freshwater systems of the Bicol Peninsula.

Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature

discussion

REMARKS. — Recent molecular studies by Alfaro et al. (2004) demonstrated that this species is nested within the Philippine Cerberus schneiderii complex and that it is scarcely 2 % genetically different from nearby populations. However, as observed by Murphy, Voris, and Karns (2012: 21), “ Cerberus microlepis is geographically isolated, as well as ecologically and morphologically distinct and on its own evolutionary trajectory, suggesting it is more than an ecomorph. ” They point out that in a followup discussion to their 2004 publication, Alfaro et al. (2008) suggested that “ divergence of C. microlepis from its coastal ancestor is estimated at 2.0 MYA (1.0 – 3.1 MYA) ” (Murphy, Voris, and Karns [2012: 21]). We accept the conclusions of Murphy et al. (2012) and recognize C. microlepis as a distinct species.

Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature

distribution

PHILIPPINE DISTRIBUTION (ENDEMIC) (Map 9 A [p. 120]). — Luzon (Bicol Peninsula [Camarines Sur Prov. {Lake Buhi}]).

Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature

materials_examined

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE SPECIMEN (S). — Philippines. Syntypes (2): BMNH 1946.1.7.24 – 25.

Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature