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Two New Frogs Discovered in the Philippines

Pioneering assessment survey provides new information on the ecology and natural history of many species of vertebrates.

by Ally Catterick

Despite its reputation for having fragmented and degraded forests, this impressive list of fauna and flora demonstrates the under-appreciated biodiversity of the Philippines. A biodiversity resource assessment conducted in the Southern Leyte Province of the Philippines in November, has resulted in the discovery of two new species of frog and a total of 229 recorded flora species, 31 of which are endemic.

The assessment was led by Fauna & Flora International, the National Museum of the Philippines, the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau-DENR and DENR Region 8. Aimed at generating species inventories and practical information on key species-habitat associations, study results will inform forest and biodiversity management planning.

The month-long ground surveys in Southern Leyte covered six municipalities – Silago, Hinunangan, Sogod, Maasin, Tomas Oppus and Malitbog – and recorded a total of 229 flora species, 31 of which are unique to the Philippines.

The discovery of two undescribed forest-dependent species of frogs of the genus Platymantisis a significant result from the assessment, which is pioneering the detailed documentation of new and important information on the ecology and natural history of many species of vertebrates, endemic to Leyte…

(read more: Fauna and Flora International)

(photos: Arvin Diesmos)