Using mangrove and field observation data to identify fine-scale species distributions: a case study in bockadams (Serpentes: Homalopsidae: Cerberus)
Characterization of species distributions is a fundamental challenge in biodiversity science, with particular significance for downstream evolutionary studies, conservation efforts, field-based faunal studies and estimates of species diversity. Checklists and phylogenetic studies often focus on poor...
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The Royal Society
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Royal Society Open Science |
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| Online Access: | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.240483 |
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| author | Justin M. Bernstein Joward B. Bautista Michael A. Clores Rafe M. Brown Sara Ruane Marites B. Sanguila Mary Grace Joyce Alis-Besenio Cory Lyn F. Pejo Michael A. Cuesta |
| author_facet | Justin M. Bernstein Joward B. Bautista Michael A. Clores Rafe M. Brown Sara Ruane Marites B. Sanguila Mary Grace Joyce Alis-Besenio Cory Lyn F. Pejo Michael A. Cuesta |
| author_sort | Justin M. Bernstein |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Characterization of species distributions is a fundamental challenge in biodiversity science, with particular significance for downstream evolutionary studies, conservation efforts, field-based faunal studies and estimates of species diversity. Checklists and phylogenetic studies often focus on poorly known, rare taxa with limited ranges. However, studies of widely distributed, ecologically important species that are abundant in their preferred microhabitats are also important for systematics and local conservation efforts, but less often studied. We collected novel natural history data during fieldwork (2019–2023) for Philippine populations of bockadams (Homalopsidae: Cerberus), one of the most abundant vertebrates in Southeast Asian aquatic systems. Considered a coastal snake, many studies report Cerberus inland. We report the frequency of encounters of Cerberus schneiderii, and the IUCN data-deficient, Philippine-endemic Cerberus microlepis during six expeditions (62 days; 1041 person-hours). We report new occurrence data for 69 C. schneiderii and 6 C. microlepis for coastal and inland populations, water measurements and dietary observations. Regression analyses and ecological niche models show the importance of coastal and mangrove habitats for Cerberus. Our study is the most comprehensive assessment of Philippine Cerberus populations to date and provides critical baseline natural history data for downstream research on widespread and range-restricted species of Southeast Asian snakes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cf3dd99108f04dda8ffdbdc9897e9f86 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2054-5703 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | The Royal Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Royal Society Open Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-cf3dd99108f04dda8ffdbdc9897e9f862025-08-20T02:11:58ZengThe Royal SocietyRoyal Society Open Science2054-57032024-10-01111010.1098/rsos.240483Using mangrove and field observation data to identify fine-scale species distributions: a case study in bockadams (Serpentes: Homalopsidae: Cerberus)Justin M. Bernstein0Joward B. Bautista1Michael A. Clores2Rafe M. Brown3Sara Ruane4Marites B. Sanguila5Mary Grace Joyce Alis-Besenio6Cory Lyn F. Pejo7Michael A. Cuesta8Center for Genomics, University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard , Lawrence, KS 66045, USASocial Science Research Center, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo Avenue, Barangay Bagumbayan Sur , Naga City 4400, PhilippinesPartido State University, Caramoan Campus, Barangay Cadong , Caramoan, PhilippinesBiodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard , Lawrence, KS 66045, USALife Sciences Section, Negaunee Integrative Research Center, Field Museum, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive , Chicago, IL 60605, USABiodiversity Informatics and Research Center, Father Saturnino Urios University , Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte 8600, PhilippinesSocial Science Research Center, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo Avenue, Barangay Bagumbayan Sur , Naga City 4400, PhilippinesSocial Science Research Center, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo Avenue, Barangay Bagumbayan Sur , Naga City 4400, PhilippinesSocial Science Research Center, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo Avenue, Barangay Bagumbayan Sur , Naga City 4400, PhilippinesCharacterization of species distributions is a fundamental challenge in biodiversity science, with particular significance for downstream evolutionary studies, conservation efforts, field-based faunal studies and estimates of species diversity. Checklists and phylogenetic studies often focus on poorly known, rare taxa with limited ranges. However, studies of widely distributed, ecologically important species that are abundant in their preferred microhabitats are also important for systematics and local conservation efforts, but less often studied. We collected novel natural history data during fieldwork (2019–2023) for Philippine populations of bockadams (Homalopsidae: Cerberus), one of the most abundant vertebrates in Southeast Asian aquatic systems. Considered a coastal snake, many studies report Cerberus inland. We report the frequency of encounters of Cerberus schneiderii, and the IUCN data-deficient, Philippine-endemic Cerberus microlepis during six expeditions (62 days; 1041 person-hours). We report new occurrence data for 69 C. schneiderii and 6 C. microlepis for coastal and inland populations, water measurements and dietary observations. Regression analyses and ecological niche models show the importance of coastal and mangrove habitats for Cerberus. Our study is the most comprehensive assessment of Philippine Cerberus populations to date and provides critical baseline natural history data for downstream research on widespread and range-restricted species of Southeast Asian snakes.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.240483biodiversityconservationniche modelsPhilippinessnakesSoutheast Asia |
| spellingShingle | Justin M. Bernstein Joward B. Bautista Michael A. Clores Rafe M. Brown Sara Ruane Marites B. Sanguila Mary Grace Joyce Alis-Besenio Cory Lyn F. Pejo Michael A. Cuesta Using mangrove and field observation data to identify fine-scale species distributions: a case study in bockadams (Serpentes: Homalopsidae: Cerberus) Royal Society Open Science biodiversity conservation niche models Philippines snakes Southeast Asia |
| title | Using mangrove and field observation data to identify fine-scale species distributions: a case study in bockadams (Serpentes: Homalopsidae: Cerberus) |
| title_full | Using mangrove and field observation data to identify fine-scale species distributions: a case study in bockadams (Serpentes: Homalopsidae: Cerberus) |
| title_fullStr | Using mangrove and field observation data to identify fine-scale species distributions: a case study in bockadams (Serpentes: Homalopsidae: Cerberus) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using mangrove and field observation data to identify fine-scale species distributions: a case study in bockadams (Serpentes: Homalopsidae: Cerberus) |
| title_short | Using mangrove and field observation data to identify fine-scale species distributions: a case study in bockadams (Serpentes: Homalopsidae: Cerberus) |
| title_sort | using mangrove and field observation data to identify fine scale species distributions a case study in bockadams serpentes homalopsidae cerberus |
| topic | biodiversity conservation niche models Philippines snakes Southeast Asia |
| url | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.240483 |
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