SEAVR 2018: 022‐027
ISSN : 2424‐8525
Date of publication: 11 March 2018
Hosted online by ecologyasia.com

Amphibians and Reptiles of Abasig Matogdon Mananap Natural Biotic Area:
The Herpetofauna of San Vicente
Cyrus Job P. DELA CRUZ & Alejandro D. MARANAN
cyrusjob.delacruz @bicol‐u.edu.ph (Dela Cruz), alx_maranan @yahoo.com (Maranan)

Observers: Cyrus Job P. Dela Cruz, Alejandro D. Maranan.
Photographs by: Cyrus Job P. Dela Cruz, Alejandro D. Maranan.
Subjects identified by: Cyrus Job P. Dela Cruz.
Location: Abasig Matogdon Mananap Natural Biotic Area (San Vicente), Camarines Norte, Bicol Peninsula,
Philippines.
Elevation: 42 meters
Habitat: Secondary forest and waterfalls with rocky to sandy substrate (Figs. 1 and 2).
Date: 02‐03 August 2017, 07:00 to 10:00 hrs.
Identity of subjects and descriptions of records:
1) Rough‐backed Forest Frog, Platymantis corrugatus (Amphibia: Anura: Ceratrobatrachidae),
two male individuals were observed calling on a tree trunk and from forest leaf litter (Fig. 3).
2) Common Forest Frog, Platymantis dorsalis (Amphibia: Anura: Ceratrobatrachidae),five individuals with varying morphs were observed calling from stream banks, forest leaf litter, and forest
floor. (Figs 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).
3) Woodworth’s Frog, Limnonectes woodworthi (Amphibia: Anura: Dicroglossidae),
two individuals were observed resting on a rock near a stream (Fig. 9).
4) Common Puddle Frog, Occidozyga laevis (Amphibia: Anura: Dicroglossidae),three mature individuals with varying morphs and 4 tadpoles were observed in a puddle of water(Figs 10, 11, 12).
5) Luzon Frog, Sanguirana luzonensis (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae),
two individuals were recorded on a rock near waterfalls (Fig. 13).
6) Philippine Sailfin Lizard, Hydrosaurus pustulatus (Reptilia: Squamata: Agamidae),encountered in a rocky area near a stream, no photo.
7) Enteng’s Monitor Lizard, Varanus dalubhasa (Reptilia: Squamata: Varanidae),encountered in a rocky area near a stream, no photo.
8) Asian Vine Snake, Ahaetulla prasina preocularis (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae),one individual was recorded resting on a fern (Fig. 14).
9) Northern Triangle‐spotted Snake, Cyclocorus lineatus (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae),one roadkill specimen was encountered along a forest trail, no photo.
10) Wolf Snake, Lycodon muelleri (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae),one individual was recorded amongst mossy rocks at night (Fig. 15).
11) Philippine Cobra, Naja philippinensis (Reptilia: Squamata: Elapidae),one mature individual was encountered on the forest floor (Fig. 16).
12) Banded Philippine Burrowing Snake, Oxyrhabdium leporinum (Reptilia: Squamata: Lamprophiidae),one individual was recorded, no photo.
13) Dark‐spotted Mock Viper, Psammodynastes pulverulentus (Reptilia: Squamata: Lamprophiidae),one individual was recorded moving on top of a dead log (Fig. 17).
14) Reticulated python, Malayopython reticulatus (Reptilia: Squamata: Pythonidae),
individuals were observed amongst tree branches and on the forest floor, no photo.
15) Philippine Pit Viper, Trimeresurus flavomaculatus (Reptilia: Squamata: Viperidae),three individuals with varying morphs were seen resting on the forest floor and near waterfalls(Figs 18, 19, 20).

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Fig. 2. Mananap Falls

Fig. 1. Secondary forest of San VicenteFig. 3. Platymantis corrugatus

Fig. 4. Platymantis dorsalis (morph)Fig. 5. Platymantis dorsalis (morph)Fig. 6. Platymantis dorsalis (morph)Fig. 7. Platymantis dorsalis (morph)23

Fig. 8. Platymantis dorsalis (morph)Fig. 9. Limnonectes woodworthi

Fig. 10. Occidozyga laevis (morph)Fig. 11. Occidozyga laevis (morph)Fig. 12. Occidozyga laevis (morph)Fig. 13. Sanguirana luzonensis

Fig. 14. Ahaetulla prasina preocularisFig. 15. Lycodon muelleri

24Fig. 16. Naja philippinensis

Fig. 17. Psammodynastes pulverulentus

Fig. 18. Trimeresurus flavomaculatus (morph)Fig. 19. Trimeresurus flavomaculatus (morph)

Images 1‐13, 18 © Cyrus Job P. Dela Cruz.
Images 14‐17, 19, 20 © Alejandro D. Maranan.
Fig. 20. Trimeresurus flavomaculatus (morph)
Remarks: Abasig Matogdon Mananap Natural Biotic Area, located in the Province of Camarines Norte, is a
protected area approved on May 31, 2000 under Presidential Proclamation No. 318 as one of the National
Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and categorized as Natural Biotic Area, an area set aside to allow theway of life of societies living in harmony with the environment to adapt to modern technology at their own pace.
The PA‐AMMNBA has an area of 5,420.12 hectares, and covers the municipalities of San Lorenzo Ruiz, SanVicente and Labo.
The terrain is mountainous, rolling and rugged and is composed mostly of moderately to steeply sloping terrain.
The highest slope is measured as 85%, while the lowest is 5% with an average slope ranging from 40% to 45%.
Three soil types are identified in the area: Louisiana Clay Loam (upper elevation), Aluminous Clay Loam (lowerportion) and Mountain Soil (distributed in the forest reservation of the protected area). Mostly, the AMMNBA’sland cover is comprises closed forest.
The month of August, during which this survey was undertaken, has a monthly rainfall of around 280 mm, and lies
mid‐way between the driest month of April, and the wettest months, which are typically November andDecember. Mean monthly relative humidity exceeds 80%.

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This study is the first documentation of herpetofauna in PA‐AMMNBA particularly in the San Vicente area. A totalof 15 species representing 10 families (Ceratrobatrachidae, Dicroglossidae, Ranidae, Agamidae, Varanidae,Colubridae, Elapidae, Lamprophiidae, Pythonidae, Viperidae) were documented in the area.
Eight Philippine endemics (P. corrugatus, P. dorsalis, L. woodworthi, H. pustulatus, C. lineatus, N. philippinensis
and T. flavomaculatus), four Luzon island endemics (S. luzonensis, V. dalubhasa, L. muelleri and O. leporinum),and four Southeast Asian species (O. laevis, A. prasina, P. pulverulentus and M. reticulatus) were recorded
thriving in the site.
Platymantis corrugatus is an endemic species and is distributed in major islands of the Philippines with theexception of Palawan PAIC and Sulu Archipelago islands (Diesmos et al. 2015). It is identified by its (i) prominent
black facial “mask” and (ii) its distinctive “quack.. quack..” advertisement call (Brown et al. 2012) . Individuals
were observed under thick vegetation and amongst forest leaf litter. The species conservation status (IUCN) is“Least Concern”.
Platymantis dorsalis is a medium‐sized, polymorphic, widespread, endemic frog species which occurs on Luzon
Island and Western Visayas (Diesmos et al. 2015). This species was identified by its (i) pure‐tone frequency sweep
advertisement call, (ii) dorsal skin rugosity, (iii) some morph had prominent dorsal lines and (iv) ground forest
microhabitat preference. The recognition of numerous cryptic species in the P. dorsalis complex suggests thatmorphological data alone may not be sufficient for identification. Further molecular and advertisement callanalysis can resolve complex taxonomic issues about this group. The species conservation status (IUCN) is “LeastConcern”.
Limnonectes woodworthi is an endemic frog species in the Philippines and has been recorded occurring
throughout all Luzon and on nearby Islands (Diesmos et al. 2015). This species lives sympatrically with L.
macrocephalus. It can be differentiated from the latter species by its (i) smaller size, (ii) dorsal and dorsolateralfolds, and (iii) dark tympanic region (McLeod et al. 2011). The species conservation status (IUCN) is “LeastConcern”.
Occidozyga laevis is a widespread species throughout the islands of Southeast Asia (Brown et al 2013). Thisspecies was identified by its (i) stout body with small head, (ii) interorbital distance equal to or less than the widthof the eyelid, (iii) dorsal surfaces corrugated with rounded protrusions and (iv) muscular legs with fully webbed
toes. No taxonomic studies have targeted this variable taxon. Although Diesmos and Brown (op. cit.) observed
noteworthy body size and call variations in the Philippines. The species conservation status (IUCN) is “LeastConcern”.
Sanguirana luzonensis is a common and widespread Luzon island group endemic, with a wide tolerance for avariety of habitats (Brown et al 2012). Identified by its (i) absence of dorsal asperities, (ii) tympanum nottranslucent, (iii) snout pointed, (iv) dorsolateral ridge indistinct and (v) stream microhabitat preference. This
species is classified as “Least Concern” (Brown et al 2012).
Hydrosaurus pustulatus is an endemic species of sailfin lizard which is known to occur on all major and smallisolated Philippine islands except Palawan (Siler et al 2012). The species conservation status (IUCN) is“Vulnerable”.
Varanus dalubhasa is a cryptic species of monitor lizard found throughout the Bicol peninsula faunal sub‐region
including genetically confirmed specimen identification from Polilo and Catanduanes islands (Welton et al 2014).
Identified because of its (i) presence of small, dark speckling in the gular region and faint anterior transverse
bands and (ii) allopatric distribution in the Bicol sub‐region. The species does not currently appear in the IUCNRed List.
Ahaetulla prasina preocularis is widely distributed throughout the Philippines (Leviton 1967). This subspecies wasidentified by its (i) elongated snout, (ii) vine‐like resemblance because of its extremely slender body and (iii)bright green color. The species conservation status (IUCN) is “Least Concern”.

26Cyclocorus lineatus is an endemic snake species commonly encountered beneath rocks, loose soil and logs (Brownet al 2013). This species was identified by its ventral surface with many dark triangularly‐shaped blotches. One
roadkill specimen was encountered along a forest trail.
Lycodon muelleri has been recorded throughout Luzon Island (Siler et al 2011). In a recent phylogenetic study ofSoutheast Asian wolf snakes, a deep genetic divergence was observed between populations of L. muelleri from
northern and central Luzon and populations sampled on the Bicol Peninsula in southeast Luzon (Siler et al. 2013).
This species was identified by its (i) crossbands on the body and (ii) reticulum pattern of white to dark brownbackground that is distinct on the head.
Naja philippinensis is an endemic species of elapid in the Philippines, occurring throughout disturbed andforested low elevation habitats of the Luzon, Mindoro, and Visayan faunal regions (Brown et al 2012). It was
identified by its (i) light brown to olive brown dorsal colouration without any distinctive dark bands or othermarkings anteriorly and (ii) it exhibited hooding. The conservation status of this species (IUCN) is “NearThreatened” due to persistent persecution by humans (Brown et al 2012).
Oxyrhabdium leporinum is a common Luzon faunal region endemic species (Brown et al 2013). The conservation
status (IUCN) of this species is “Least Concern”.
Psammodynastes pulverulentus is a widespread Southeast Asian “mock” viper (Brown et al 2012). This species
was identified by its (i) “viper‐like” appearance, (ii) slender body and (iii) flattened head which is distinct from theneck. The conservation status of this species (IUCN) is “Least Concern” (Brown et al 2012).
Malayopython reticulatus was identified for exhibiting typical head shape and patterning for the species. Thepopulation status of this species in the Philippines is unclear, and an assessment is needed to determine its
conservation status and required level of protection.
Trimeresurus flavomaculatus is an endemic widely distributed species of pit viper in the Philippines. This species
has been noted previously to be highly polymorphic in coloration across its distribution (Siler et al., 2011). Several
morphs such as green with red patches, green with white patches, and brown‐red and green mixtures with black
patches were observed during the visit.
References:Brown RM, Oliveros CH, Siler CD, Fernandez JB, Welton LJ, Buenavente PAC, Diesmos MLL, Diesmos AC. (2012).
Amphibians and Reptiles of Luzon Island (Philippines), VII: Herpetofauna of Ilocos Norte Province, NorthernCordillera Mountain Range. Check List 8(3):469‐490
Brown, RM, Siler CD, Oliveros, CH, Welton LJ, Rock A, Swab J, Van Weerd M, Van Beijnen J, Jose E, Rodriguez D,Jose E, & Diesmos AC. (2013). Amphibians and Reptiles of Luzon Island (Philippines), VIII: the herpetofauna ofCagayan and Isabela Provinces, northern Sierra Madre Mountain Range. Zookeys 266:1‐120.
Diesmos AC, Watters J, Huron N, Davis D, Alcala A, Crombie R, Afuang L, Gee‐Das G, Sison R, Sanguila M, Penrod
M, Labonte M, Davey C, Austine Leon E, Diesmos M, Sy E. (2015). Amphibians of the Philippines, Part I: Checklist ofthe Species. Proceedings of the California Academy of Science 62(4):457‐539.
Mcleod DS, Siler CD, Diesmos AC, Diesmos ML, Garcia VS, Arkonceo AO, Balaquit KL, Uy CC, Villaseran MM, Yarra
EC, Brown RM. 2011. Amphibians and Reptiles of Luzon Island, V: The Herpetofauna of Angat Dam Watershed,Bulacan Province, Luzon Island, Philippines. Asian Herpetological Research 2(4):177‐198
Siler CD, Swab JC, Oliveros CH, Diesmos AC, Averia L, Alcala AC, Brown RM. (2012). Amphibians and Reptiles,Romblon Island Group, Central Philippines: Comprehensive herpetofaunal inventory. Check List 8(3):443‐462
Welton LJ, Travers SL, Siler CD, Brown RM. (2014). Integrative taxonomy and phylogeny‐based species delimitationof Philippine water monitor lizards (Varanus salvator complex) with descriptions of two new cryptic species.
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