Cerberus microlepis Boulenger , 1896

Leviton, Alan E., Siler, Cameron D., Weinell, Jeffrey L. & Brown, Rafe M., 2018, Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences (Oxford, England) 64 (14), pp. 399-568 : 415

Cerberus microlepis Boulenger, 1896

Lake Buhi Bockadam; Lake Buhi Dog-faced Water Snake

Cerberus microlepis Boulenger, 1896 , 3:18.— Murphy, Voris, and Karns, 2012:13, figs. 6, 10.— Murphy and Voris, 2014:12, fig. 13.— Wallach, Williams, and Boundy, 2014:153.

Hurria microlepis, Taylor, 1922a:114 , pl. 6, figs. 1–3 ; 1923:547.

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE SPECIMEN (S).— Philippines. Syntypes (2): BMNH 1946.1.7.24–25 .

PHILIPPINE DISTRIBUTION (ENDEMIC) ( Map 9A [p. 120]).— Luzon (Bicol Peninsula [Camarines Sur Prov. {Lake Buhi}]).

REMARKS.— Recent molecular studies by Alfaro et al. (2004) demonstrated that this species is nested within the Philippine Cerberus schneiderii complex and that it is scarcely 2% genetically different from nearby populations. However, as observed by Murphy, Voris, and Karns (2012:21), “ Cerberus microlepis is geographically isolated, as well as ecologically and morphologically distinct and on its own evolutionary trajectory, suggesting it is more than an ecomorph.” They point out that in a followup discussion to their 2004 publication, Alfaro et al. (2008) suggested that “divergence of C. microlepis from its coastal ancestor is estimated at 2.0 MYA (1.0–3.1 MYA)” ( Murphy, Voris, and Karns [2012:21]).

We accept the conclusions of Murphy et al. (2012) and recognize C. microlepis as a distinct species.

CONSERVATION STATUS [IUCN].— Endangered B1ab(iii,v) [2016] ver. 3.1.

N.B. Consideration of this taxon as “Endangered,” which appears to be based primarily, if not solely, on its known area of occurrence, is problematic for reasons noted above, especially given the lack of survey and inventory data from the surrounding region and/or other freshwater systems of the Bicol Peninsula.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Acutotyphlops banaorum (Kalinga Prov., Luzon Id.) (FMNH 262249 [paratype]). Photo © RMB.

FIGURE 2. Indotyphlops braminus (Ilocos Norte Prov., Luzon Id.) (KU 329680). Photo © RMB.