Philippine Bronze-back

Dendrelaphis philippinensis (Gunther 1879)

Dendrelaphis philippinensis (Günther, 1879) Vernacular name. Philippine Bronze-back Tree Snake Material examined. Philippines • 2 ♂, 1 ♀; Mindanao, Agusan del Sur Province, Municipality of Bunawan, Barangay San Marcos; confluence of Simulao and Agusan Rivers ; 08°14'10"N, 125°55'08"E; BIRC 594, 596, 878 . Identification. A species of Dendrelaphis (SVL 601–660 mm) with 13 longitudinal rows of dorsal scales at midbody, a pale ventrolateral body stripe, and two black longitudinal stripes at midbody: the 1 st between ventral scales and first row of dorsal body scales, and the 2 nd on anterior one-fifth of the body along the border of second and third dorsal body scale rows (Leviton 1968; Weinell et al. 2019). Remarks. This widespread southeastern island arc (Mindanao faunal region; it is replaced north of Samar Island by D. luzonensis, the Luzon faunal region endemic) Philippine species (Leviton et al. 2018) occurs in disturbed areas adjacent to peat swamp and freshwater swamp forests of Agusan Marsh.

An updated herpetological inventory of the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, eastern Mindanao Island, Philippines

conservation

CONSERVATION STATUS [IUCN]. — The conservation status of Dendrelaphis philippinensis has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List [2016] ver. 3.1, but IUCN notes that it is listed in the Catalogue of Life.

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

discussion

REMARKS. — Van Wallach et al. (2014: 216) include Camiguin, Dinagat, Kalotkot, Samar, Siquijor, and Surigao in their distribution statement for this species and attribute the distribution to van Roojen and Vogel (2012). Curiously, van Rooijen and Vogel do not include Samar or Kalotkot in their distribution statement for the species on page 19 but do so in the discussion on page 21. Otherwise, no where in their paper do they include Camiguin, Dinagat, Siquijor, and Surigao in their distribution statement for D. philippinensis (see van Rooijen and Vogel [2012: 19, 21]).

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

distribution

PHILIPPINE DISTRIBUTION (ENDEMIC) (Map 13 B [p. 124]). — Basilan, Bohol, Camiguin Sur, Catanduanes, Cebu, Dinagat, Kalotkot, Leyte, Luzon (Prov.: Albay [southern], Camarines Sur, Sorsogon), Mindanao (Prov.: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Zamboange del Norte, Zamboanga de Sur), Polillo, Samar, Siargao, Siquijor. (After van Rooijen and Vogel, 2012: 19; details for Mindanao modified from details provided by Leviton [1968], Ferner et al. [2001], Gaulke [2001], David et al. [2006], Sanguila et al. [2016].)

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