A spectacular new Philippine monitor lizard reveals a hidden biogeographic boundary and a novel flagship species for conservation

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 t...

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Main Authors: Welton, Luke J., Siler, Cameron D., Bennett, Daniel, Diesmos, Arvin C., Duya, M. Roy, Dugay, Roldan, Rico, Edmund Leo B., Van Weerd, Merlijn, Brown, Rafe M.
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Published: Animo Repository 2010
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Online Access:https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/4875
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Institution: De La Salle University
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spelling oai:animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph:faculty_research-57052022-03-10T01:14:09Z A spectacular new Philippine monitor lizard reveals a hidden biogeographic boundary and a novel flagship species for conservation Welton, Luke J. Siler, Cameron D. Bennett, Daniel Diesmos, Arvin C. Duya, M. Roy Dugay, Roldan Rico, Edmund Leo B. Van Weerd, Merlijn Brown, Rafe M. 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. 2010-01-01T08:00:00Z text https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/4875 info:doi/10.1098/rsbl.2010.0119 Faculty Research Work Animo Repository Varanus—Philippines Monitor lizards—Philippines Biology
institution De La Salle University
building De La Salle University Library
continent Asia
country Philippines
Philippines
content_provider De La Salle University Library
collection DLSU Institutional Repository
topic Varanus—Philippines
Monitor lizards—Philippines
Biology
spellingShingle Varanus—Philippines
Monitor lizards—Philippines
Biology
Welton, Luke J.
Siler, Cameron D.
Bennett, Daniel
Diesmos, Arvin C.
Duya, M. Roy
Dugay, Roldan
Rico, Edmund Leo B.
Van Weerd, Merlijn
Brown, Rafe M.
A spectacular new Philippine monitor lizard reveals a hidden biogeographic boundary and a novel flagship species for conservation
description 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.
format text
author Welton, Luke J.
Siler, Cameron D.
Bennett, Daniel
Diesmos, Arvin C.
Duya, M. Roy
Dugay, Roldan
Rico, Edmund Leo B.
Van Weerd, Merlijn
Brown, Rafe M.
author_facet Welton, Luke J.
Siler, Cameron D.
Bennett, Daniel
Diesmos, Arvin C.
Duya, M. Roy
Dugay, Roldan
Rico, Edmund Leo B.
Van Weerd, Merlijn
Brown, Rafe M.
author_sort Welton, Luke J.
title A spectacular new Philippine monitor lizard reveals a hidden biogeographic boundary and a novel flagship species for conservation
title_short A spectacular new Philippine monitor lizard reveals a hidden biogeographic boundary and a novel flagship species for conservation
title_full A spectacular new Philippine monitor lizard reveals a hidden biogeographic boundary and a novel flagship species for conservation
title_fullStr A spectacular new Philippine monitor lizard reveals a hidden biogeographic boundary and a novel flagship species for conservation
title_full_unstemmed A spectacular new Philippine monitor lizard reveals a hidden biogeographic boundary and a novel flagship species for conservation
title_sort spectacular new philippine monitor lizard reveals a hidden biogeographic boundary and a novel flagship species for conservation
publisher Animo Repository
publishDate 2010
url https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/4875
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