Article
Ecology
Rodulf Anthony T. Balisco, Victor S. Ticzon, Badi R. Samaniego, Wen-Chien Huang, Benjamin J. Gonzales, Te-Yu Liao
Summary: The Palawan archipelago in the Philippines is ecologically important and has high marine biodiversity. However, there is a lack of comprehensive checklist of marine fishes in the area. This paper presents an updated checklist of marine fishes in Palawan waters, including new records and their conservation status. The findings show a total of 1,056 marine fish species, with more recorded in the Sulu Sea than in the West Philippine Sea. This checklist provides crucial information for the protection and conservation of marine fishes in Palawan and neighboring areas.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Shannon E. Keating, Madison Blumer, L. Lee Grismer, Aung Lin, Stuart V. Nielsen, Myint Kyaw Thura, Perry L. Wood Jr, Evan S. H. Quah, Tony Gamble
Summary: Sex chromosome turnover appears to be common within geckos, particularly within the genus Cyrtodactylus, highlighting their exceptional diversity in sex determination systems within a group already known for diverse sex chromosomes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
L. Lee Grismer, Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Evan S. H. Quah, Jesse L. Grismer, Perry L. Wood
Summary: The genus Cyrtodactylus is the third largest vertebrate genus on earth, with over 300 species spread across at least eight biogeographic regions. Ancestral ranges were reconstructed on a mitochondrial phylogeny, indicating that Cyrtodactylus evolved in the proto-Himalaya region and diversified in Indoburma and Indochina.
Article
Zoology
Ken Maeda, Chuya Shinzato, Ryo Koyanagi, Taiga Kunishima, Hirozumi Kobayashi, Noriyuki Satoh, Herminie P. Palla
Summary: Two new species of Rhinogobius have been discovered in streams on the central part of Palawan Island in the Philippines, with unique features that distinguish them from each other and from the previously known species. They are found in different rivers and are considered relics of a common ancestor, expanding the understanding of the genus.
Article
Zoology
Jayaditya Purkayastha, Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga, Sanath Chandra Bohra, Lal Biakzuala, H. T. Decemson, Lal Muansanga, Mathipi VabeiryureilaI, Suraj Chauhan, Yashpal Singh Rathee
Summary: Based on morphology and ND2 gene sequences, four new species of Cyrtodactylus from the Indian states of Meghalaya and Mizoram were described. These new species are part of the Cyrtodactylus khasiensis group, with representatives of lowland and highland clades.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Hayden R. Davis, Izneil Nashriq, Kyra S. Woytek, Shanelle A. Wikramanayake, Aaron M. Bauer, Benjamin R. Karin, Ian G. Brennan, Djoko T. Iskandar, Indraneil Das
Summary: Using molecular genetic data, the diversity within the gecko genus Cyrtodactylus has been found to be more than double the previous estimation, indicating the presence of numerous unrecognized lineages. This study focuses on reptile taxonomy on Borneo and delimits three distinct species within the Cyrtodactylus consobrinus species complex using a combination of ddRADseq, single-locus data, and morphological data. The results reveal high species-level diversity but minimal population structure within the consobrinus species complex. Additionally, the study suggests the reconsideration of the status of C. malayanus as a species complex. These findings emphasize the importance of recognizing and protecting the unrecognized lineages on Borneo, which are facing threats from deforestation and other human activities.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sean B. Reilly, Alexander L. Stubbs, Benjamin R. Karin, Evy Arida, Umilaela Arifin, Amir Hamidy, Hinrich Kaiser, Ke Bi, Awal Riyanto, Djoko T. Iskandar, Jimmy A. McGuire
Summary: Using mitochondrial DNA sequences, the study found that the diversity of Cyrtodactylus in southern Wallacea has been greatly underestimated, with potentially 25 candidate species instead of the currently described 8. Limited gene exchange and biogeographical analysis suggest independent dispersals from Sulawesi or its offshore islands into southern Wallacea. The study also indicates the presence of ecological partitioning or competitive exclusion in shaping the assemblages on individual islands.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Recca E. Sajorne, Hernando P. Bacosa, Genese Divine B. Cayabo, Lucio B. Ardines, Joel D. C. Sumeldan, Jhonamie M. Omar, Lota A. Creencia
Summary: The study conducted in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, revealed high levels of marine plastic litter pollution, particularly fishing line, food packaging, and fragments. Most of the sampled sites were categorized as dirty and extremely dirty, indicating the urgent need for clean-up efforts.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Maverick N. Tamayo, Rene Alfred Anton Bustamante, Peter W. Fritsch
Summary: This article describes a new species of Ericaceae found on the ultramafic summit of Mt. Victoria in Palawan Island, Philippines, which closely resembles an existing species but has distinctive characteristics. Vaccinium exiguum is the third species of Vaccinium discovered on the island of Palawan and the 36th in the Philippines.
Article
Environmental Sciences
John Roderick Madarcos, Lota A. Creencia, Bethany R. Roberts, Mathew P. White, Johana Nayoan, Karyn Morrissey, Lora E. Fleming
Summary: The Philippines, as a tropical archipelagic country, is particularly vulnerable to environmental changes affecting coastal and marine settings. A study conducted in 10 coastal communities in Palawan found that local populations are highly aware of the drivers and pressures threatening their livelihoods, health, and well-being, including factors such as urbanization and unsustainable fishing practices.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lea Janine Gajardo, Joel Sumeldan, Recca Sajorne, John Roderick Madarcos, Hong Ching Goh, Fiona Culhane, Olivia Langmead, Lota Creencia
Summary: The Philippine coastal marine ecosystem provides various ecosystem services and cultural ecosystem services (CES) are also important. Through interviews and participatory mapping, the CES provided by Taytay Bay were quantified and found to have specific spatial patterns and contribute to human wellbeing at a community level. The connection between cultural services and provisioning services needs to be evaluated holistically. Protecting key service-providing habitats leads to multiple benefits.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Samuel J. Eliades, Rafe M. Brown, Wen-San Huang, Cameron D. Siler
Summary: Recent higher level phylogenetic analyses have revealed potential new species of Scaly-toed Geckos in the northern portions of the Philippine archipelago. Additionally, four new forest species from Luzon Island and surrounding minor island groups have been described for the first time. These findings significantly increase the known diversity of Scaly-toed Geckos in the Philippines.
HERPETOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Hanh Thi Ngo, Quyen Hanh Do, Cuong The Pham, Vinh Quang Luu, L. Lee Grismer, Thomas Ziegler, Van Thi Hong Nguyen, Truong Quang Nguyen, Minh Duc Le
Summary: Cyrtodactylus is a highly diverse genus in the Gekkonidae family, with the number of species increasing significantly over the past two decades. New species discoveries have been particularly prominent in Vietnam and Laos. Through molecular and morphological analysis, several species have been identified and at least seven undescribed species have been found in these regions. This research is important for taxonomy and conservation efforts.
Article
Zoology
Zeeshan A. Mirza, Harshal Bhosale, Faizan Ansari, Pushkar Phansalkar, Mandar Sawant, Gaurang Gowande, Harshil Patel
Summary: A new species of bent-toed geckos has been found in western Arunachal Pradesh, India. This species is genetically and morphologically related to the Indian lineage of the `peguensis group and shows differences from the Himalayan bent-toed gecko. The study also highlights the significant role of the Himalayas in the diversification of this species.
Article
Zoology
Shuo Liu, Dingqi Rao
Summary: A new species of Cyrtodactylus, Cyrtodactylus zhenkangensis sp. nov., has been discovered in Zhenkang County, Yunnan Province, China. This species is distinguished by its unique combination of morphological characteristics, particularly the number of enlarged femoral scales and femoral pores. Phylogenetic analysis places it within the C. wayakonei species group, showing genetic divergence of at least 12.0% from its closest relatives.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Jesse L. Grismer, James A. Schulte, Alana Alexander, Philipp Wagner, Scott L. Travers, Matt D. Buehler, Luke J. Welton, Rafe M. Brown
BMC EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Zoology
Kaitlin E. Allen, Walter P. N. Tapondjou, Luke J. Welton, Aaron M. Bauer
Article
Environmental Sciences
Octavio Aburto-Oropeza, Andrew F. Johnson, Mickey Agha, Edith B. Allen, Michael F. Allen, Jesus Arellano Gonzalez, Diego M. Arenas Moreno, Rodrigo Beas-Luna, Scott Butterfield, Gabriel Caetano, Jennifer E. Caselle, Gamaliel Castaneda Gaytan, Max C. N. Castorani, Linh Anh Cat, Kyle Cavanaugh, Jeffrey Q. Chambers, Robert D. Cooper, Nur Arafeh-Dalmau, Todd Dawson, Anibal Diaz de la Vega Perez, Joseph F. C. DiMento, Saul Dominguez Guerrero, Matthew Edwards, Joshua R. Ennen, Hector Estrada-Medina, Natalia Fierro-Estrada, Hector Gadsden, Patricia Galina-Tessaro, Paul M. Gibbons, Eric Goode, Morgan E. Gorris, Thomas Harmon, Susanna Hecht, Marco Antonio Heredia Fragoso, Alan Hernandez-Solano, Danae Hernandez-Cortes, Gustavo Hernandez-Carmona, Scott Hillard, Raymond B. Huey, Matthew B. Hufford, G. Darrel Jenerette, Juan Jimenez-Osornio, Karla Joana Lopez-Nava, Rafael A. Lara Resendiz, Heather M. Leslie, Alejandro Lopez-Feldman, Victor H. Luja, Norberto Martinez Mendez, William J. Mautz, Josue Medellin-Azuara, Cristina Melendez-Torres, Fausto R. Mendez dela Cruz, Fiorenza Micheli, Donald B. Miles, Giovanna Montagner, Gabriela Montano-Moctezuma, Johannes Mueller, Paulina Oliva, Jose Abraham Ortinez Alvarez, J. Pablo Ortiz-Partida, Julio Palleiro-Nayar, Victor Hugo Paramo Figueroa, P. Ed Parnell, Peter Raimondi, Arturo Ramirez-Valdez, James T. Randerson, Daniel C. Reed, Meritxell Riquelme, Teresita Romero Torres, Philip C. Rosen, Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra, Victor Sanchez-Cordero, Samuel Sandoval-Solis, Juan Carlos Santos, Ruairidh Sawers, Barry Sinervo, Jack W. Sites, Oscar Sosa-Nishizaki, Travis Stanton, Jared R. Stapp, Joseph A. E. Stewart, Jorge Torre, Guillermo Torres-Moye, Kathleen K. Treseder, Jorge Valdez-Villavicencio, Fernando Valle Jimenez, Mercy Vaughn, Luke Wetontn, Michael F. Westphal, Guillermo Woolrich-Pina, Antonio Yunez-Naude, Jose A. Zertuche-Gonzalez, J. Edward Taylo
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2018)
Review
Ecology
Rafe M. Brown, Cameron D. Siler, Carl H. Oliveros, Jacob A. Esselstyn, Arvin C. Diesmos, Peter A. Hosner, Charles W. Linkem, Anthony J. Barley, Jamie R. Oaks, Marites B. Sanguila, Luke J. Welton, David C. Blackburn, Robert G. Moyle, A. Townsend Peterson, Angel C. Alcala
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND SYSTEMATICS, VOL 44
(2013)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Luke J. Welton, Cameron D. Siler, Glades W. Linkem, Arvin C. Diesmos, Mae L. Diesmos, Emerson Sy, Rafe M. Brown
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2013)
Article
Zoology
Cameron D. Siler, Luke J. Welton, Drew R. Davis, Jessa L. Watters, Conner S. Davey, Arvin C. Diesmos, Mae L. Diesmos, Rafe M. Brown
HERPETOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
(2014)
Review
Ecology
Cameron D. Siler, Jamie R. Oaks, Luke J. Welton, Charles W. Linkem, John C. Swab, Arvin C. Diesmos, Rafe M. Brown
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2012)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
L. J. Welton, C. D. Siler, J. R. Oaks, A. C. Diesmos, R. M. Brown
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luke J. Welton, Perry L. Wood, Jamie R. Oaks, Cameron D. Siler, Rafe M. Brown
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2014)
Article
Zoology
Rafe M. Brown, Cameron D. Siler, Carl H. Oliveros, Luke J. Welton, Ashley Rock, John Swab, Merlijn Van Weerd, Jonah van Beijnen, Edgar Jose, Dominic Rodriguez, Edmund Jose, Arvin C. Diesmos
Article
Zoology
Luke J. Welton, Scott L. Travers, Cameron D. Siler, Rafe M. Brown
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Ian G. Brennan, Alan R. Lemmon, Emily Moriarty Lemmon, Daniel M. Portik, Valter Weijola, Luke Welton, Stephen C. Donnellan, J. Scott Keogh
Summary: The study investigates the influence of biotic interactions on trait evolution and community assembly in monitor lizards (Varanus). The results suggest that Australian Varanus communities exhibit high functional diversity as a result of interspecific competition among monitors on a continental scale, rather than with faunivorous marsupials. The patterns of trait evolution resulting from character displacement on continental scales are recoverable from comparative data, highlighting macroevolutionary patterns that may develop in parallel across widely distributed sympatric groups.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
L. Lee Grismer, Perry L. Wood, Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Minh D. Le, Fred Kraus, Ishan Agarwal, Paul M. Oliver, Sang N. Nguyen, Truong Q. Nguyen, Suranjan Karunarathna, Luke J. Welton, Bryan L. Stuart, Vinh Q. Luu, Aaron M. Bauer, Kyle A. O'Connell, Evan S. H. Quah, Kin O. Chan, Thomas Ziegler, Hanh Ngo, Roman A. Nazarov, Anchalee Aowphol, Siriwadee Chomdej, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Cameron D. Siler, Shahrul Anuar, Ngo Tri, Jesse L. Grismer
Summary: The gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus is the third most speciose vertebrate genus in the world, with well over 300 species. Studies indicate that the genus comprises a significant number of narrow-range endemics that remain inadequately protected.
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Kaitlin E. Allen, Walter P. Tapondjou, Eli Greenbaum, Luke J. Welton, Aaron M. Bauer
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Luke J. Welton, Cameron D. Siler, L. L. Grismer, Arvin C. Diesmos, Jack W. Sites, Rafe M. Brown
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2017)
