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Despite multiple recent field studies, herpetological species diversity of the Romblon Island Group in the central Philippines—particularly Sibuyan Island—has remained underestimated. Recently, we investigated the diversity of the herpetofauna of Mount Guiting-Guiting Natural Park, based on an elevational transect (10–1557 m a.s.l.). Our surveys resulted in a total of 47 species of amphibians and reptiles, including 14 new island records and one atypical occurrence of a snake species recorded for the first time from a high elevation (939 m a.s.l). These new records constitute a notable increase (21%) in Sibuyan’s herpetological species diversity as compared to surveys from a decade ago. We also provide updates of the taxonomy and identification of species endemic to this island (e.g., members of the genera Platymantis Günther, 1858, Brachymeles Duméril & Gibron, 1839, and Pseudogekko Taylor, 1922), and discuss the importance of continued surveys and field-derived data to inform conservation status assessments of Sibuyan’s unique assemblage of amphibians and reptiles.
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This content will become publicly available on February 1, 2026
Community perceptions toward herpetofauna along the ridge-to-reef megatransect in Bicol region, Philippines: Conservation implications of ethnoherpetological research
Reptiles and amphibians are among the least appreciated of animals and are victims of many negative perceptions and erroneous ideas. In this ethnoherpetological research, we uncover the perceptions of the residents using 20 focus group discussions participated by a total of 339 residents and community surveys to a total of 1464 residents in 29 barangays in five municipalities along our Ridge-to-Reef Megatransect which commences from Mt. Isarog National Part to Caramoan National Park, Bicol Region, Philippines. Many residents do simply dislike reptiles and amphibians while others do not have any understanding of the life history and ecological roles these animals play in the environment. They created folklore narratives and tales, superstitions, and myths depicting these animals as demonic and evil. Their phobia-inducing aversion toward herpetofauna are reflected in their stories and interpretation of their experiences of encounter with these animals. They believe that although there are medicinal, cultural, and some economic values brought by these animals, the harm that they can cause outweighs their ecological importance. The findings are of potential conservation concern because these imply the need for more intensive and extensive measures to transmit and disseminate knowledge about the ecological functions of herpetofauna and correct the misconceptions about reptiles and amphibians. Furthermore, the success of future conservation plans in the area with the local community’s participation will be dependent not only on the species account but also on unraveling of community perceptions through ethnoherpetology.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1654388
- PAR ID:
- 10632876
- Publisher / Repository:
- Multidisciplinary Science Journal
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Multidisciplinary Science Journal
- Volume:
- 7
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 2675-1240
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 2025043
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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