A spectacular new Philippine monitor lizard reveals a hidden biogeographic boundary and a novel flagship species for conservation
College
College of Science
Department/Unit
Biology
Document Type
Article
Source Title
Biology Letters
Publication Date
2010
Abstract
As humans continue to explore the last uncharted regions of the planet, discoveries of previously unknown species of large vertebrates have become infrequent. Here, we report on the discovery of a spectacular new species of giant, secretive, frugivorous, forest monitor lizard (Genus: Varanus) from the forests of the northern Philippines. Using data from morphology and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences, we demonstrate the taxonomic distinctiveness of this new 2 m long species and provide insight into its historical biogeography and systematic affinities. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that the new species is closely related to Varanus olivaceus (from southern Luzon and nearby islands), but it differs from this and other varanids with respect to characteristics of scalation, colour pattern, body size, anatomy of the reproductive organs and genetic divergence. The new species appears to be restricted to forests of the central and northern Sierra Madre mountain range; it is separated from the range of V. olivaceus by a more than 150 km stretch that includes at least three low-elevation river valley barriers to dispersal. This discovery identifies a seldom-perceived biogeographic boundary and emphasizes the need for continued biodiversity research in the megadiverse conservation hotspot of the Philippines. It is anticipated that the new species will serve as an important flagship species for conservation efforts aimed at preserving the remaining forests of northern Luzon.
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Digitial Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2010.0119
Recommended Citation
Welton, L. J., Siler, C. D., Bennett, D., Diesmos, A. C., Duya, M., Dugay, R., Rico, E. B., Van Weerd, M., & Brown, R. M. (2010). A spectacular new Philippine monitor lizard reveals a hidden biogeographic boundary and a novel flagship species for conservation. Biology Letters https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2010.0119
Disciplines
Biology
Keywords
Varanus—Philippines; Monitor lizards—Philippines
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