Asiatic Herpetological Research

2001

Vol. 9, pp. 9-22

A New Snake of the Genus Ho/ogerrhum Gur\\her (Reptilia; Squamata;Colubridae) from Panay Island, Philippines

Rafe M. Brown

1

-

2

Alan E. Leviton 3 John W. Ferner 2 4 and Rogelio V. Sison 5
-

,

,

,

Section of Integrative Biology (C0930) and Texas Memorial Museum, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, 78712,

USA. e-mail: rafe@mail.utexas.edu;

Geier Collections and Research Center, Museum of Natural History and

Science, 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203;-

Department of Herpetology, California Academy of

Sciences, San Francisco, California 94118, USA. e-mail: aleviton@CalAcademy.org;

Department of Biology,

Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, Kentucky, 41017, USA. e-mail: femerj@thomasmore.edu;

Herpetology

Section, Zoology Division, National Museum of the Philippines, Executive House, P. Burgos Street, Manila,

Philippines, e-mail: nmuseum@webquest.com.

Abstract.- We describe a new species of snake in the genus Hologerrhum from two forested localities in Antique

Province, Panay Island, Philippines. To clarify species boundaries, we also redescribe its only known congener,
H. philippinum, on the basis of historical collections and newly-acquired material from the Islands of Luzon,

Marinduque, Polillo, and Catanduanes. The new species is the first Hologerrhum from the Visayan Aggregate
Island Complex and differs from Hologerrhum philippinum in color pattern and scalation of head and body. The

new species is one of several recently described vertebrates from Panay Island. Together, they indicate that
forested regions of the individual islands of the Visayan Aggregate Island Complex (Negros, Panay, Cebu.
Masbate, and other associated smaller islands) contain low levels of taxonomic endemicity that warrant further
study.

Key words.- Colubridae, Hologerrhum, Philippines, Panay Island, Visayas.

Introductiona specimen reportedly

Giinther (1858) erected the monotypic genus Hologerrhum to accommodate a single specimen from

Hugh Cuming's Philippine collections that had been
deposited in the Natural History Museum, London(Giinther, 1873; Fig. 1A). Giinther distinguished the
new genus and species from members of the Philippine genus

Cyclocorus by the presence of slightgrooves in the enlarged fang-like teeth at the posterior
end of the maxilla. Other slight differences between

Hologerrhum and some species of Cyclocorus, notemphasized by Giinther but mentioned by other work-(Fig.

from Java Island, Indonesia

IB). Fischer (1885) followedby recognizing

Cyclochorus lineatus var. maculatus reportedly from
S. Mindanao Island, Philippines, but without reference to new material. The type specimen of Cyclochorus maculatus later was shown to be a representativeof H. philippinum (Giinther, 1873. 1879; Boettger,
1886; Taylor, 1922a), suggesting locality errors byboth Jan and Sordelli

and Fisher. Later, Leviton(1965) inadvertently included Cyclochorus maculatus
in thesynonymy of Cyclochorus lineatus.

Castro de Elera (1895) reported Hologerrhum

ers (Taylor,philippinum from Baco, Mindoro Island. This important specimen could not be examined as it wasstrongly enlarged middle series of maxillary teeth indestroyed during dissections by a biology class at the
University of Santo Thomas, Manila (R. I. Crombie,

1922a, 1922b; Leviton, 1965). include
color pattern, slight scale pattern differences, and less

Hologerrhum.

At the time of the description of Hologerrhum, nospecific(island)locality

data

were

available,

but

Giinther later (1879) referred a specimen from Placer,
northeast Mindanao Island to this species. That speci-men (not seen by us) apparently is a representative of
the genus Cyclocorus Taylor 1922c (vide Boulenger,

1896; see also comment by Taylor, 1 922a: 1 16).

Jan and Sordelli (1870) described Cyclochorus
maculatus (generic name misspelled), on the basis of

personal communication) but the "Mindoro" locality
information suggests a misidentification of a speci-

men of C.

lineatus (Taylor,

1922a; Leviton.

1963,1965). Griffin (1910) did not include Hologerrhum in
his list of snakes from Polillo but did include the spe-

cies in his key to the Philippine snakes (Griffin, 191 1),

although he erred in attributing the type description to

Boulenger and supplied no precise locality data.

Vol. 9, p. 10

It

Asiatic Herpetological Research

was not until E. H. Taylor's extensive work in

the Philippines that specimens of H. philippimtm withreliable locality data became available. Taylor (1922a,

is endemic to thebeds on Luzon and its land-bridge satellite island of
Polillo (Fig. 2). Still, Taylor (1922b:200) considered

Luzon Pleistocene Aggregate Island

Complex (Fig. 2; sensu Heaney, 1986; Alcala, 1986;
see also comments by Leviton, 1963).

1922b, 1922c, 1922d) consistently reported that thisspecies was collected in montane habitats in primary
forest and usually was associated with rocky stream

2001

In

1992,

while

participating

in

the

National

Museum of the Philippines/Cincinnati Natural HisMuseum Philippine Biodiversity Inventory
tory(PNM/CMNH PBI), one of us (RMB) collected speci-

the species rare and only obtained eight specimens inmens of what appeared to be a distinctive new speciesof snake, similar to but obviously specifically distinct

two years of nearly continuous field work.

from H. philippinum, at 1025 m elevation on the west

During the nearly 80 years that have elapsed since

face of Mt. Madja-as, Panay Island. In addition to rep-

Taylor's work, several additional specimens of H.
philippinum have been collected on Luzon and its

resentingassociated land-bridge islands (Marinduque, Polillo,
and Catanduanes; see Specimens Examined; Fig. 2).

the genus on the Visayan Aggregate Island Complexapreviously

unrecognized species,

this

specimen appears to be the first vouchered record forsame period, none have been found on(Fig. 2; Heaney, 1986; Hall, 1996, 1998). During thecourse of this study we examined all available US andMindanao, Mindoro, or any of the other Philippine

Philippine museum collections of//, philippinum andDuring theislands, thus bolstering the notion that H. philippinum;;*•,

Figure I.The first illustrations of Hologerrhum. (A) Gunther's (1879) drawings of H. philippinum'and (B) Sordelli's
plate of Cyclochorus maculatus (= H. philippinum) from Jan and Sordelli (1870).

Asiatic Herpetological Research

2001

Vol. 9, p.

used Dowling's (1951a. 1951b) methods for countingLess than 1 20 m
submarine contour*

row reduction formulae,

scales and expressing scale

Balanes islands

and applied the Evolutionary Species Concept (Simp200

1978; Frost and Hillis.

1961: Wiley.

son.
Babuyan islands

km

1990)

in

making taxonomic decisions.
Luzon -

Species accounts
Hologerrhum philippinum Gunther 1858
PolilloFigures 3-6

Mannduque..'Catanduanes

Hologerrhum philippinum. Gunther

Mindoro-maculatus,

Cyclochorus
Busuanga(1858: 86).

and

Jan

1

Sordelli

namemisspelled; the specimen
generic
illustrated is H. philippinum with doubtful locality(1870:36;

jj

PalawanLeyledata).

Hologerrhum philippinum. Gunther (1873:

.10"

171:

specimen is a member of the genus Cyclocorus. vide
Boulenger. 1896).

Cyclochorus

lineatusvar.

maculatus

Fischer.

1885:81.

Hologerrhum philippinum, Boettger (1886:115)
Mindanao

CastroDe

Elera(1895:438:

specimenprobably

Boulenger (1896:33); Taylor
Cyclocorus(1922a:116;
I922b:200, 1922c:138); Ross andGonzales (1991:67); Brown et al. (1996:13).
lineatus):•

Hologerrhum philippinum

if Hologerrhum dermali

Figure 2. Map of the Philippine islands with the major
Pleistocene aggregate island platforms indicated bymunderwater bathymetric conthe position of the 120
tour (following Heaney, 1986); known collection localities of the two species of Hologerrhum are indicated.

Hologerrum

philippinum

Griffin.

1911:263(generic name misspelled).

Diagnosis: H. philippinum differs from its congener, H. dermali, by (1) the presence of

12-30 (vs. 7-

on nuchal region

Darkened circles represent collection localities for10) pairs of alternating black spots

Hologerrhum philippinum'Gunther, 1858, stars are
localities for Hologerrhum derma/mew species.

and anterior dorsum. (2) a pale orange to salmon (vs.
bright yellow) venter, (3) absence (vs. presence) of a

Hologerrhum n. sp. In this paper, we redescrihe H.
philippinum and describe the new species from Panay.

We surveyed the forested slopes of Mt. Madja-as from1

May 1992, utilizing elevational transects as

described by Ruedas et al. ( 1994) and as modified byBrown et al. (1995, 1996, in press; Ferner et al., thisissue). Sampling techniques employed a variety ofsearch and trapping methods, including multiple-per-son time-constrained searches, sticky traps, and
fall

traps

stripe).

(5)

dorsumtan

to orangish

brown

or darkbrick red (vs. dark purplish brown), (6) chin andthroat of adults pale tan to orange, immaculate or with

Material and Methods

6 April-black midventral stripe. (4) labials cream or yellow(vs. labials bright white with thin midlabial blackpit-(Simmons. 1987). Specimens were fixed infaintwhite spots in some specimens (vs. darker pur-brown with black and white ocelli), (7) invariable presence of moderate to enlarged pretemporalplish(length more than half that of secondary temporal; vs.
pretemporal reduced or absent), and (8) posterior tipsof parietals extend caudally, posterior parietal suture

forming a medially inverted V-shaped cleft (vs. posterior portions of parietals squared off. with no medial

I07t buffered formalin and transferred to 70% ethanol

cleft).

approximately 2 months following preservation.

Examined,

Description: Body cylindrical, ventrals convex,
head slightly distinct from neck, not flattened; eyesand scalesmall, pupil round: vertebral ridge absent.

Museum specimens(see

below) were examinedcharacter differentiation

Specimensfor color patternand only data scored by

RMB and AEL were used in an effort to minimize
inter-observer sources of variation (Lee.

1990).

We

Rostral scale
visiblemuch broader than deep, scarcely

from above, subtriangular with ventromedial

groove in dorsal aspect: nasal divided, naris piercing

2001

Asiatic Herpetological ResearchVol. 9, p. 12

Figure 3. Live photograph of Hologerrhum ph///pp/numUom the Zambales Mountains of western Luzon Island(female, PNM 2490; photograph copyright D. Wechlser).

A

B

-«

.

•A-*"*'

I

D
- ,>_

£5

¥

$&*

*
:

Figure4.

(A) Dorsal and (B) lateral view of the head of Hologerrhum dermalieral view of the head of Hologerrhum phi/ipp/num (PUM 2490).

(CMNH 5075); (C) dorsal and (D) lat-

Asiatic Herpetological Research

2001

Table 1.

Vol. 9, p. 13

Summary of diagnostic characters distinguishing Hologerrhum dermal! {new species; from Panay Island)

from Hologerrhum philippinum (Gunther, 1858; from the Luzon Aggregate Island Complex).

Characters

H. philippinum

H. dermaliPretemporals

enlarged

reduced or absent

Ventral nuchal blotches-, +Lateral black ventral spots

Asiatic Herpetological ResearchVol. 9, p. 14

2001

Table 2. Scale row reduction formulae (Dowling, 1951b) variation in H. philippinum philippinum (Gunther, 1858;

from the Luzon Aggregate Island Complex) and the type series of H. derma// (new species; from Panay Island).

Reduction 1

Specimen (sex)Reduction 2

Hologerrhum phillippinum

3+4=3(107)

3+4=3(4)

CAS 6095 l(juv.)

19

17

17

15

3+4=3(106)

4+5=4(5)3+4=3(103)

4+5=4(5)CAS 60950 (juv.)

17

19

17

15

3+4=3(105)

3+4=3(4)3+4=3(109)

3+4=3(7)CAS 61553 (0

19

'

17

17

15

3+4=3(112)4+5=4(5)3+4=3(93)3+4=3(7)CAS 61554(0

17

19

17

15

3+4=3(95)+4(96)
3+4=3(100)4+5=4(6)3+4=3(101)3+4=3(7)CAS 62430 (juv.)

17

19

17

15

3+4=3(103)

3+4=3(6)3+4=3(110)

3+4=3(16)

PNM 2490(0

17

19

17

15

4+5=4(109)

5+6=5(5)

PNM 2120(03+4=3(95)

5+6=5(5)
19

17

15

17

-4(99)

5+6=5(6)

PNM 2120 (juv)

3+4=3(4)19

3+4=3(97)

n

17

15

-4(96)

3+4=3(4)3+4=3(6)USNM 3 19037 (03+4=3(105)
17

19

17-

3+4=3(5)3+4=3(100)3+4=3(5)USNM 318363(0

19

17

15

17

3+4=3(7)USNM 498718 (m) 19

3+4=3(99)-4(100)3+4=3(5)
17

15

17

^4(105)3+4=3(5)TNHC 60114(03+4=3(102)3+4=3(5)
19

17

17-

3+4=3(100)4+5=4(4)19

17

3+4=3(4)-15-4(100)3+4=3(8)MCZ R-25693 (0-15

3+4=3(109)15

17

3+4=3(100)Asiatic Herpetological Research

2001

Vol. 9, p. 15

Table 2. (continued)

Reduction 2

Reduction 1

Specimen (sex)4+5=4(4)MCZR-25694(03+4=3(102)
17

19

17

4+5=4(4)3+4=3(97)

5+6=5(8)MCZ R-25695 (juv)

19

17

17

:

x = 102.2 ± 4.9 SD; n = 12

x = 6.3 ± 3.2 SD; n = 12x15

3+4=3(100)5+6=5(6)Mean

15

3+4=3(103)x =103.6=5.5±1.2SD;n=12±4.9SD;n=12

Hologerrhum dermali

PNM2711 H (f)3+4=3(94)

3+4=3(5)19

3+4=3(92)3+4=3(6)-4(97)-4(3)PNM 6505 p (f)19-4(92)

3+4=3(84)3+4=3(5)
17

17

19

x

=4.3±1.2SD;n = 3

x =6.3"=

Holotype;15

3+4=3(84)3+4=3(7)

Mean

15

17

17

3+4=3(6)

CMNH 5075 p (f)

15

17

17

±0.6SD;n=12x=91.7±6.8SD;n=12x.

=89.3±4.6SD;n = 12

p = Paratypeinfralabials eight; mental subtriangular, with highly

terior genials; mental groove distinct and broad; sub-pointed posterior tip caused by medially concave
curved suture with first infralabial; first infralabials

labials thin, followed medially by 3^4 similarly-sized,

elongate, with curved medial points
nearly contacting anterior to genials; second infralabi-

to first ventral) slightly enlarged;

als reduced, squarish; infralabials 2-5 increasing dra-(CAS 61553) or three (remaining specimens).

differentiated,

matically in size (fifth largest in verntral aspect), thendecreasing sharply to infralabial 8; infralabials 1^ incontact with anterior genials, 4—5 in contact with pos-

longitudinal rows of gulars, medial two pairs (anterior

pairs

number of gular

between posterior genials and first ventral two

Dorsals smooth, without apicalpits,

undifferentiated from paravertebrals, invertebrals

146-176 (X-

157.4 ± 8.1 SD; n = 12) transverse rows on body, 42-

Asiatic Herpetological ResearchVol. 9, p. 16

2001

Figure 5. (A) Dorsal and (B) ventral view of a paratype of Hologerrhum dermalt'(CMNH 5075); (C) dorsal and (D)ventral view of Hologerrhum philippinum (PNM 2490).

56 (JC = 49.3 ± 5.3 SD; n = 12) on tail; first scale row
reduction(i.e.,

reduction of 19 to 17 scales aroundbody; Table 2) occurring at point on body corresponding to ventrals 4-16 (left:right;

X = 5.5 ± 1.2 SD; n = 12;

X = 6.3 ± 3.2 SD; n = 12), second (17 to 15)

occurring between ventrals 93-1 10 (left: X - 103.6 ±4.9 SD; n = 12; right X= 102.2 ± 4.9 SD; n = 12);ventrals broad, each slightly angulated laterally,136—

158 (X= 146.7± 6.4 SD; n = 12); subcaudals 42-56(x = 47.5 ± 4.6 SD; n = 12). The single adult male

replaced on scale rows 4-5 by a pair of dorsolateral
black lines, gaining intensity posteriorly and continuing to tip of tail; faint vertebral thick gray stripe (1-3
scales in width) becoming increasingly apparent posteriorly from midbody; a pair of light cream lines dorsal (medial) to black lines; posterior (distal) portionsof each dorsal scale slightly to markedly darker thanremainder of scale; dorsal occiput colored as body
(PNM 2490) or slightly darker (CAS 60950) to markedly darker (CAS 134075); melanic pigment congregated on medial suture between parietals, on posterior
portion of frontal, and on lateral edge of head; distinct
longitudinal dark midnuchal stripe evident from pos-specimen (USNM 498718) has 156 vertebrals, 149
ventrals, 56 caudals, and 55 subcaudals. Anal undi-

terior edge of parietals to second pair of nuchal spots(Fig.

1A), occasionally (e.g., juveniles CAS 134075

vided; tail with enlarged vertebral row (dorsocaudals)

and

MCZ R-25695, adult female USNM 318363)

formed by fusion of midvertebral row with both flank-very dark and forming a distinct nuchal cross (Fig.
IB); one specimen with a pair of bright white nuchal

USNM

498718ing paravertebral rows. Hemipenes ofare extremely narrow and elongate, and are covered
with uniformly minute spines; hemipenes extend insitu to the 14th subcaudal plate.

Measurements (in mm): SVL 251-347 mm (X =280.8 ± 47.1 SD) for ten mature females; tail length

X = 56-96 (X = 73.8 ± 15.0 SD) for eight mature
females with complete tails.

Coloration in preservative: Dorsum tan, orangish-tan to brown, with 12-30 (X= 21.8 ± 7.5 SD; n =12) alternating dark brown to black spots (Figs. 1A, 3,5C), each with three associated small white spots(Fig. 3), fading in intensity posteriorly, where they arespots immediately anterior to nuchal cross (USNM
319037; Fig. 1A); lateral aspects of head colored as
dorsal, with distinct thin black line dorsally bordering

supralabials (Fig. 4D) and stretching from tip of snout
to just beyond supralabial 8; labials creamy yellow totan, occasionally with a few black flecks (CAS 60950)

or with ventral half of labials dark gray

(USNM

319037); venter immaculate cream to pale yellow ororange; each ventral with dark lateral pigment in theform of a small black spot or brown to black longitu-

becoming a confluent black
ventrolateral stripe on posterior portions of body andtail; some specimens with subtriangular black mark-dinal bar (Figs. 1A, 3),

Asiatic Herpetological Research

2001

>

—

\

\

/

'

/

\^

I

^

Vol. 9. p. 17

/

/

\

/

Figure 6. Comparison of the posterior portions of the parietal suture in (A) Hologerrhum philippinum (PNM 2490)
and (B) Hologerrhum dermah'(CMNH 5075).
ings on anterior 20 ventrals (USNM 319037. 498718;

TNHC 60114);2490).

to(PNM

undersideof headlighterdarker(USNM

319037) thandistinctly

remainder of venter, especially in juvenile specimens

Banagon. Barangay Aningalan. Municipality of San

Remegio, Antique Province, Panay

Island,Philip-pines.

Etymology: The

specific

isepithetchosento(MCZ R-25694-95; CAS 134075) where ventral headhonor Ronald "Dermal" Crombie,

coloration resembles that of adult Hologerrhum n. sp.

his numerous contributions to Philippine herpetology(see below); tongue black with pale gray tips of bifur-

and in thanks for the guidance he has provided RMB

cated portions.

and JWF during the past several years of our work

Colorationin life: (Fig. 3)

Dorsum described as"bright reddish to orange brown, darker anteriorly" or"reddishbrown" (Taylor

1922b:200)

or"grayishinrecognition ofwith Philippine amphibians and reptiles.

Diagnosis: Hologerrhum dermali can be readilybrown on neck, fading to orangish brown posteriorly"

distinguished from its congener. H. philippinum. by(1) the presence of 7-10 (vs. 12-30) pairs of dark

(Brown et al.. 1996: 13); labials dirty white to creamy

spots in nuchal and dorsal regions. (2) a bright yellow

yellow; venter "uniform pale, orangish tan" (Brown etal.. 1996:13) to "bright reddish salmon, lighter anteriorly" or "uniform coral to red" (Taylor. 1922b:200);

underside of head pale orange to "dusky with milk
white spots" (Taylor, 1922b:200).

(vs. pale orange to reddish salmon) venter, (3) presence (vs. absence) of a black midventral stripe, (4)bright white labials with midlabial black stripe (vs.

cream or yellow labials; midlabial stripe absent), (5)dorsum dark purplish brown (vs. tan to dark orangish

brown or dark brick red). (6) chin and throat of adults

Hologerrhum derma//, n. sp.

dark purplish brown with black and while ocelli (vs.

Figures 4-6

Holotype: PNM 271
at 0900 hr on 9 April,

1

1. an adult female, collected

992 by Rafe M. Brown at

1

5

1

pale tan to orange, immaculate or with faint whitespots in some specimens). (7) pretemporal absent ormuch reduced (length less than half that of secondarym above sea level in the area known locally as "Hang-

temporal:

gud Tubig" ("Big Water"), on the western face of Mt.

enlarged), andMadja-as. Barangay Alojipan. Municipality of Culasi.

squared oft. with no medial cleft at parietal suture (vs.
posterior tips of parietals pointed, extending caudally

Antique Province, Panay Island. Philippines (11°23'
N. 122 09'E).
Paratypes:

CMNH 5075. an adult female, same

vs.

pretemporal(8)

invariably

posterior

portions

present

andof parietals

to form a medial inverted V-shaped cleft).

Description of the Holotype:

An adult female.

data as the holotype except collected at 1030 hr on 6

Body cylindrical, ventrals convex, head slightly dis-PNM 3704. an adulttinct from neck, not flattened; eyes small, pupil round;

April 1992 by Rogelio V. Sison;female, collected February-March 1994 by Rogelio V.
Sison at 750
above sea level on Mt. Ranges, Sitiomvertebral ridge nonevideni.

Figure7.

2001

Asiatic Herpetological ResearchVol. 9, p. 18

Habitat of Hologerrhum dermalisX the type locality (following heavy rain).

Rostralmuch broader than deep, barely

visibleporal.

andhighlyenlargedsecondarytemporal,in dorsal aspect: nasal divided, naris piercing suture

together bordered posteriorly by five undifferentiatednuchals; posterior ends of parietals squared off. with

between pre- and postnasal: majority of dorsal borderno medially inverted V-shaped cleft at parietal suturefrom above, subtriangular with ventromedial grooveof nares formed by prenasal.

majority of ventral

(Fig.

6);

enlarged posttemporals extend posteriorly

slightly shorter than prefrontals, laterally contacting

only slightly beyond caudal margin of parietals; temporals (L) 1 + 1+2+3. (R) + 1/1+2 (pretemporal much

both pre- and postnasals, forming a vague right trian-

reduced, its length much less than half that of suture

gle with 45° face oriented anterolaterally; loreal sinhalf asgle, distinctly smaller than ventral preocular.

between parietal secondary temporal).

formed by postnasal: internasals as long as broad,high as postnasal, pentagonal, surrounded by postnasal, lateral edge of prefrontal, dorsal and ventral preoculars and

than

1

Orbit surrounded by supraocular, two preoculars(dorsal larger than ventral), two postoculars, andsupralabials

3-5;

supralabials

eight,

fifthlargest;second supralabial: prefrontals longer

infralabials eight; mental subtriangular. with highly

extensions

pointed posterior tip caused by medially concave
curved suture with first infralabial; first infralabials

internasals.

withirregular

lateralcaused by presence of concave curved suture withpreoculars (concave surface oriented posterolaterthanally): frontal twice as long as broad, longer

its

elongate, with curved medial points
nearly contacting anterior to genials; second infralabi-

differentiated,distance to the end of the snout, a little shorter thanals reduced, squarish; infralabials 2-5 increasing dra-parietals: frontal-preocular contact squeezed off by
substantive contact between posteriolateral corners ofmatically in size (fifth largest in ventral aspect), thenprefrontals and anteromedial corner of supraocular:

posteromedial point of frontal extends past posterior
margin of supraoculars for distance shorter thanlength of internasals; supraoculars very large, nearly
as long as and narrower than frontal: parietals verylarge, laterally contacting dorsal postocular,

pretem-decreasing sharply to infralabial 8; infralabials 1—4 incontact with anterior genials, 4-5 in contact with posterior genials; mental groove distinct; sublabials thin,followed medially by four similarly-sized, longitudi-

rows of gulars, medial two pairs (anterior to first
ventral) enlarged; two pairs of gulars between postenalrior genials and first ventral.

2001

Asiatic Herpetological ResearchDorsals smooth, without apicalpits,vertebrals

Vol. 9, p. 19

less yellow above the dorsolateral caudal black lines.

from paravertebrals, in 140 transverse vertebral rows on body, 64 on tail; scale row

The midventral black

reduction from 19 to 17 in nuchal region and from 17

rals found in the holotype; temporals (R, L)

to 15 posterior toventrals 143, subcaudals 60, vertebrals 156, dorsocau-

undifferentiatedmidbody (Table 2); ventrals

143,

stripe continues to the tenthsubcaudal. This specimen lacks the small pretempo1+ 1/1+2;

The other paratype (female, PNM 3704, SVL

broad, each slightly angulated laterally; subcaudals
61; anal undivided; tail with enlarged vertebrals

dals 64

formed by fusion of midvertebral row with both flank-

faint midlabial line, and lacks midventral stripes on
the subcaudals (present on anterior 2/3 of body).

ing paravertebral rows; SVL 220 mm; tail length 68

mm.

PNM

3704 has the following counts (R, L)+ 1+2+3,
1 + 1 + 1/1+2;
ventrals 149; subcaudals 58; vertebrals
155; dorsocaudals 57. Scale row reduction formula1

Coloration in preservative: Dorsum dark purplish.

327 mm; tail 93 mm) has nine pairs of nuchal spots, abrown with

10

tightly

pairedblack

spots,

decreasing in size posteriorly (Fig. 5A) on anterior
one third of body; caudal third of body with a pair of
dorsolateral black lines (on scalerows 4-5) gaining

intensity posteriorly and continuing to tip of tail; vertebral stripe absent; a pair of light, bright yellowish
lines dorsal (medial) to black lines, especially brightpresented in Table 2.

Ecology and habitat: The type of habitat inwhich H. dermali (Fig. 7) was collected on Mt.
Madja-as has been classified as the transition zone
between mixed dipterocarp (submontane) and mossy(upper montane) forests (Whitmore, 1984; Ferner et1997). The forest consisted of two strata (a canopy

on tail; posterior (distal) portions of each dorsal scaleal.,markedly darker than remainder; dorsal occiput colored as body; melanic pigment congregated on medial

trees as high as 18 m); herb and shrub layer vegetation

suture between parietals, on posterior half of frontal,

of 10 m, and a subcanopy of 3-4

m with emergent

and on lateral edge of head; supralabials bright white,

was also abundant. The forest near the collection sitewas mossy and contained high densities of epiphytic

dorsal border composed of thin black stripe (Fig 4B),

ferns and orchids. Topography was qualitatively char-from tip of rostrum

beyond angle of jaw; whitecoloration continues in the form of a broad

acterized as steep, with numerous valleys bordered bywhite stripe to point opposite fifth ventral; midlabialasholotype was collected in a sun spot in the early afternoon in a rocky stream bed (10 m wide) with a central

ventral border of the white stripe in nuchal region;

4 m wide channel of rapidly running water. The speci-

labialtothin black stripe (Fig

distinct dark

4B) continues posteriorly

brown midnuchal

stripe evident

fromposterior edge of parietals to first pair of nuchal spots,

very dark and confluent with nuchal spots, forming a
distinct nuchal cross; chin and throat purplish

with white circular spots encircled

in

brown

black (ocelli)much like juvenile coloration in H. philippinum speci-

sheer rock escarpments and forest-covered ridges. Themmen was basking 1 .5
from water on the top of a flatrock. The Mt. Madja-as paratype was collected in the
mid-morning and was crawling through leaf litter onm from the same stream) when

the forest floor (30captured.

Paratype

PNM 3704, collected in San

Remegio, was found on the floor of secondary forest

The circumstances ofmens; venter pale yellow with midventral thin blacknear a small dry stream bed.

stripe,becoming interrupted on caudal portions ofbody, nearly obliterated by vent and continuing again

collection are very similar to those reported for H.

caudal to vent for five ventrals; each ventral with dark

philippinum on Luzon (Taylor, 1922b; Brown et al.,
1996; A. Diesmos, personal communication).

lateral pigment in the form of a small black

spot (ante-riorly) or black longitudinal bar (caudally), becoming

a confluent black ventrolateral stripe on caudal portions of body and tail; tongue black with bright whitetips on forked portions.

Coloration in life: Dorsum and ventral surfacesof headlight

purplishbrown,

light

areas

dorsal(medial) to dorsolateral caudal lines medium yellow;
labials brightmilky white; venter very bright yellow
with distinct black midventral stripe. Iris dark brown

The endemic Philippine genus Hologerrhum is now
known to contain two species distributed on theLuzon and Visayan aggregate island complexes (Fig.
2). There are no known Hologerrhum from the Palawan, Mindoro, Mindanao, Sulu Archipelago, or the
Batanes faunal subregions (Fig. 2).

The absence of any clear close relatives of Hologerrhum (Leviton, 1963, 1965) among SE Asian colu-

to brick red.

Variation:

Discussion

One paratype (female, CMNH 5075,

SVL 268 mm; tail 91 mm) has seven pair of dark dorsal spots, slightly lighter

midcephalic coloration andbrids

renders

speculations

regardingthegenus'

affinities somewhat moot. However, we note that both

Hologerrhum and Cyclocorus sharecharacteristics

Vol. 9, p. 20

uniqueAsiatic Herpetological Researchamong Asianmostsnakes,notably,anunusual, presumably derived pattern of reduction in
caudodorsal scale rows. In all species of Cyclocorus

2001

Mt. Banahaw, 1 150 m above sea level: TNHC 601 14
Camarines Norte Prov., Municipality of Ruis, Baran-and Hologerrhum, caudodorsal reduction takes place

gay San Lorenzo, Mt. Labo Range: PNM 2120;
Mountain Prov., Mt. Polis: PNM 67; Laguna Prov.,

by fusion of vertebral and paravertebral scale rows,

Mt. Makiling: MCZ R-25695; Polillo Island, Polillo

resulting in an

odd-numbered series of longitudinalrows of caudodorsals rather than an even number(characteristic of all otherSE Asian colubrine snake

genera known to us). The systematic affinities of thegenus Hologerrhum are in need of further study.

The description of Hologerrhum dermali brings
the number of new species of vertebrates recently
described the by the PNM/CMNH PBI team in the
coastal Madja-as mountain range to six (Sison et al.,

1995; Gonzales and Kennedy, 1990, 1996; Brown et1997; Ferneral.,

et al.,

1997;

Brown et al.,Barangay Summit Bordan, elevation 200 m:
319037.

Hologerrhum

dermali:

See

USNM

Holotype

andParatypes sections for this species.

Acknowledgments
For logistical assistance in the Philippines, we thank

Department of the Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), A. Alcala (Silliman University),the1999).

Other collections from Panay contain at least threeprobable undescribed species of frogs and many otherspecies of amphibians and reptiles of uncertain taxo-

nomic status (many of which are, doubtlessly, undescribed species; Ferner et al., this issue). Most of these
species presumably are reliant on the closed-canopy
rain forests of the western portions of Panay. Accordingly, most should be considered severely threatened

deforestation

town of Polillo: CAS 62430, MCZ R25693; Catafiduanes Island, Municipality of Gigmoto,
Prov., near(see Ferner etal.,by1997:fig. 2).
Recent survey work in the northwestern portions ofGonzales and R. Caberoy (PNM), R. Kennedy(CMNH) and the provincial DENR authorities ofP.

Antique Province. The Protected Areas and Wildlife
Bureau of the DENR facilitated collecting and export
permits necessary for the field portions of this study.

For the loans of specimens or assistance while visiting

museum collections, we thank the following

individuals and their respective institutions (museum

indicates that Hologerrhum dermali occurs inacronyms follow Duellman et al., 1978 and Leviton etal., 1985): J. Vindum, R. Drewes and J. Slowinski

forested habitats at lower elevations as well as the(CAS), R. Crombie, K. de Queiroz, and G. Zug

Panay

montane localities reported here (M. Gaulke, personal(USNM), R. Kennedy (CMNH), R. Caberoy (PNM),

communication). Unfortunately, the low elevation for-A. Diesmos (De La Salle University), and D. Canna-(TNHC). Financial support for RMB's travel toests of Panay Island have nearly all been removed bytella

an aggressive timber industry in the central Visayas.

CAS while working on this project was provided by a

We expect that numerous other undescribed popula-

C. Stearns Fellowship of the California Academy oftions of amphibians and reptiles will be discovered in

Sciences. We owe particular thanks to R. Crombie and
M. Gaulke for their help and assistance and to D.

Panay and the remainder of the Visayas if biologists
are permitted access to these forests in order to cata-

Wechlser for providing live photographs of H. philip-

log and describe Philippine biodiversity.

pinum.

Specimens Examined

Support for field work (by RMB, JWF) was provided in part by the Zoology and Botany Departments

Hologerrhum philippinum: Philippines, Luzon
Island. Zambales Province, Municipality of Masinloc,
Barangay Coto, 4.3 km N, 0.5 km E of Mt. High Peak,m (15° 31' N, 120° 07' E): PNM 2490;
Bataan Prov., Mt. Mariveles: CAS 60950-51; Isabela

elevation 1550

Prov.,

Municipality of Palanan,

Barangay Didian,Natapdukan, elevation 50 m: PNM 6505; Kalinga Prov., Municipality of Balbalan, Barangay BalSitio

balan: CAS 61553-54,

MCZ R-25694; Caminares Sur

Prov., Municipality of Naga City,
tion 900 m:
itym:

Mt. Isarog, eleva-

USNM

31863; Cagayan Prov., Municipalof Baggao, Barrio Santa Margarita, elevation 150

USNM 319037, 498718; CAS 134075; Quezon

Prov., Municipality of Tayabas,

Barangay Camaysa,

and the College of Arts and Sciences of Miami University (Oxford, Ohio), the Society for the

Study ofAmphibians and Reptiles, The Explorer's Club, theDepartment of Biology of Thomas More College, andthe Cincinnati Museum of Natural History. The PNM/

CMNH PBI was supported by a grant (to R. Kennedy
and P. Gonzales) from the John D. and Catherine T.

MacArthur Foundation and by the benefactors of Cincinnati

Musuem of Natural History. We thank L.

Bockstanz, T. LaDuc, A. Gluesenkamp,

T Devitt, A.

Diesmos, and D. Cannatella for comments on earlier
drafts of this manuscript. The description of Hologer-

rhum dermali constitutes contribution No. 24 to the2001

Asiatic Herpetological Research

results of the

PNM/CMNH Philippine Biodiversity

Vol. 9, p. 21

Dowling, H. G. 1951a. A proposed standard system ofcounting ventrals in snakes. British Journal of Herpe-

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