Apayao forests yield species that may be new to science

MANILA, Philippines — In the forests of Calanasan, Apayao, scientists may have uncovered new clues to the province’s still largely undocumented biodiversity.

A herpetofaunal survey conducted from Aug. 13 to 19 recorded at least 15 species of amphibians and reptiles, including three Platymantis specimens that may belong to species not yet described by science, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR).

The finding remains preliminary.

Article continues after this advertisement

DENR-CAR said the specimens must undergo further taxonomic examination before specialists can confirm their identities.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

The survey was conducted by the University of Santo Tomas-Herpetological Research Collection and Kyoto University in partnership with the Philippine Eagle Foundation and the DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office Calanasan.

Herpetology experts Dr. Arvin Diesmos and Emerson Sy also joined the fieldwork.

Researchers explored selected forest habitats in Calanasan and documented snakes, geckos, skinks, frogs and other amphibians and reptiles.

Among the records, the three Platymantis specimens stood out because of physical characteristics that may distinguish them from known species.

Article continues after this advertisement

RELATED STORY: Philippine duck, golden-crowned flying fox spotted in Masbate

If further studies confirm that they are distinct, the specimens could eventually be recognized as species previously unknown to science.

Article continues after this advertisement

Dorothy Joy C. Cayaba, officer in charge of CENRO Calanasan, said the findings underscored the need to pair scientific research with habitat protection.

“The documentation of at least 15 herpetofaunal species, including specimens that may potentially be new to science, demonstrates how much more there is to discover in our forests,” Cayaba said.

“More importantly, these findings remind us that biodiversity research must go hand in hand with habitat protection,” she added.

DENR-CAR said biodiversity surveys provide baseline information on the species present in an ecosystem and how they are distributed, helping guide conservation planning and habitat management.

The activity forms part of continuing biodiversity documentation in the Apayao Lowland Forest Key Biodiversity Area and the wider yApayaos Biosphere Reserve.

Succeeding surveys are expected to expand Apayao’s species inventory and strengthen the scientific basis for long-term conservation efforts.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

For now, the three Platymantis specimens remain unconfirmed. But their discovery suggests that Apayao’s forests may still hold species science has yet to name. /das