Richness and distribution of reptiles and amphibians in the tropical lowland habitats of Mt. Agad-Agad, Iligan City, Southern Philippines

Abstract

Knowledge of Philippine herpetofauna is progressively increasing. However, there are still areas in the country that are poorly understood and remain unexplored, particularly in the southern Philippines. Mt. Agad-Agad in Iligan City (Lanao del Norte Province) is a secondary lowland evergreen tropical rainforest in the southern portion of the northern Mindanao region, popular with the general public and a biologically important mountain ecosystem. Herein, we present the species richness and distribution of herpetofauna using standardized sampling methods. We documented 37 species of amphibians and reptiles, recording 20 Philippine-endemic species, three exotic anurans, two threatened reptiles, and one unidentified species of lizard. Species richness was higher in a mixed agricultural area (18 species, n = 108 individuals) compared to secondary growth forest (17 species, n = 86 individuals). This research provides baseline information on the herpetofauna from Mt. Agad-Agad, and additional herpetological knowledge on the distribution and ecology of amphibians and reptiles from the northern Mindanao region.

Full text

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 29: 413–425 • 2022
413
Copyright is held by the authors. Articles in R&A are made available under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.
Empirical field-based information plays a vital role in
studying biodiversity. Species richness is the main compo-
nent in community ecology (Longino et al. 2002; Magurran
2004; Gatti et al. 2018), revealing the assemblage of a particu-
lar taxonomic group across habitat types. In the case of the
Philippines, only a small number of ecological studies on spe-
cies composition, richness, diversity, and distribution across
macrohabitats, particularly on amphibians and reptiles (Relox
et al. 2011; Causaren 2016; Supsup et al. 2020; Clores et al.
2021; Pitogo et al. 2021b), are available.
With the immense pressure of global climate change
(Bickford et al. 2010; Sodhi and Erlich 2010), unprecedented
levels of habitat loss due to deforestation, over-extraction of
natural resources and habitat modification (Clements et al.
2006), rapid population growth, and several anthropogenic
pressures (Mallari et al. 2001; Ong et al. 2002), populations
of amphibians and reptiles are at risk.
Mindanao Island is the second largest landmass in the
Philippines and one of the biogeographically significant
islands due to its complex geological history, diverse topogra-
phy, its proximity to highly diverse mainland Borneo (Brown
and Alcala 1970; Brown and Diesmos 2002; Diesmos et al.
2002; Brown et al. 2013), wide array of macro- and micro-
habitats, high elevation mountains, and lowland environ-
ments that support a high concentration of native and
endemic species of amphibians and reptiles (Nuñeza et al.
2010; Beukema 2011; Relox et al. 2011; Plaza and Sanguila
2015; Sanguila et al. 2016, 2021; Supsup et al. 2017; Pitogo
et al. 2021a). However, many provinces and lowland moun-
tain ecosystems on this island remain undocumented and
under-studied for herpetofauna — particularly Mt. Agad-
Agad in the province of Lanao del Norte.
Mt. Agad-Agad is one of the remaining lowland habitat
frontiers proposed as a protected area in the Philippine national
congress and adjoins the large metropolitan area of Iligan City.
It is located 69.7 km west of Mt. Malindang, 65.3 km east of
Mt. Kalatungan, and 35.6 km south of Lake Lanao, which are
all renowned areas of high biodiversity conservation impor-
Richness and Distribution of Reptiles and
Amphibians in the Tropical Lowland Habitats
of Mt. Agad-Agad, Iligan City,
Southern Philippines
Erl Pfian T. Maglangit1,2, Olga M. Nuñeza2, Fulgent P. Coritico1 3, Maria Melanie P. Medecilo-Guiang1,3,
Alma B. Mohagan1,3, Romeo R. Patano Jr.1,3, and Victor B. Amoroso1,3
1Center for Biodiversity Research and Extension in Mindanao, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon 8710, Philippines
(erlpfianmaglangit@gmail.com)
2Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics and Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics, Mindanao State
University-Iligan Institute of Technology, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Iligan City 9200, Philippines
3Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon 8710, Philippines
Abstract
Knowledge of Philippine herpetofauna is progressively increasing. However, there are still areas in the country that
are poorly understood and remain unexplored, particularly in the southern Philippines. Mt. Agad-Agad in Iligan City
(Lanao del Norte Province) is a secondary lowland evergreen tropical rainforest in the southern portion of the north-
ern Mindanao region, popular with the general public and a biologically important mountain ecosystem. Herein, we
present the species richness and distribution of herpetofauna using standardized sampling methods. We documented
37 species of amphibians and reptiles, recording 20 Philippine-endemic species, three exotic anurans, two threatened
reptiles, and one unidentified species of lizard. Species richness was higher in a mixed agricultural area (18 species, n =
108 individuals) compared to secondary growth forest (17 species, n = 86 individuals). This research provides baseline
information on the herpetofauna from Mt. Agad-Agad, and additional herpetological knowledge on the distribution
and ecology of amphibians and reptiles from the northern Mindanao region.
HTTPS://JOURNALS.KU.EDU/REPTILESANDAMPHIBIANS
Reptiles & Amphibians ISSN 2332-4961
https://doi.org/10.17161/randa.v29i1.18130
IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • VOL15, NO 4 • DEC 2008 189TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURE ARTICLES
Chasing Bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi) in Wisconsin:
On the Road to Understanding the Ecology and Conservation of the Midwest’s Giant Serpent ...................... Joshua M. Kapfer 190
The Shared History of Treeboas (Corallus grenadensis) and Humans on Grenada:
A Hypothetical Excursion ............................................................................................................................Robert W. Henderson 198
RESEARCH ARTICLES
The Texas Horned Lizard in Central and Western Texas ....................... Emily Henry, Jason Brewer, Krista Mougey, and Gad Perry 204
The Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) in Florida
............................................. Brian J. Camposano, Kenneth L. Krysko, Kevin M. Enge, Ellen M. Donlan, and Michael Granatosky 212
CONSERVATION ALERT
World’s Mammals in Crisis ............................................................................................................................................................. 220
More Than Mammals ...................................................................................................................................................................... 223
The “Dow Jones Index” of Biodiversity ........................................................................................................................................... 225
HUSBANDRY
Captive Care of the Central Netted Dragon ....................................................................................................... Shannon Plummer 226
PROFILE
Kraig Adler: A Lifetime Promoting Herpetology ................................................................................................ Michael L. Treglia 234
COMMENTARY
The Turtles Have Been Watching Me ........................................................................................................................ Eric Gangloff 238
BOOK REVIEW
Threatened Amphibians of the World edited by S.N. Stuart, M. Hoffmann, J.S. Chanson, N.A. Cox,
R. Berridge, P. Ramani, and B.E. Young .............................................................................................................. Robert Powell 243
CONSERVATION RESEARCH REPORTS: Summaries of Published Conservation Research Reports ................................. 245
NATURAL HISTORY RESEARCH REPORTS: Summaries of Published Reports on Natural History ................................. 247
NEWBRIEFS ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 248
EDITORIAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................................................................... 251
FOCUS ON CONSERVATION: A Project You Can Support ............................................................................................... 252
Front Cover. Shannon Plummer.
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aut dolor apicto invere pe dolum
fugiatis maionsequat eumque
moditia erere nonsedis ma sectiatur
ma derrovitae voluptam, as quos
accullabo.
Back Cover. Michael Kern
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erspienimus, quos accullabo. Ilibus
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tur ma derrovitae voluptam, as
IRCF
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS
CONSERVATION AND NATURAL HISTORY

MAGLANGIT ET AL. REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 29: 413–425 • 2022
414
tance. This massif is also 16 km away from Maria Cristina
Falls, well-known as a source of hydroelectric power that sup-
plies electricity (> 60%) to the entire Mindanao Island. Mt.
Agad-Agad is mainly composed of limestone karst aggregate
with patches of semi-ultramafic soil forming a steep, rugged
hilly terrain, and lowland ridges creating a spine reaching up
to 520 m above sea level (asl), with river systems encompassing
Sitio Langinlanon, Lumbatin, Mibolo, Pindugangan, Ulas of
Barangays Pugaan, Tipanoy, and Ubaldo Laya. The mountain
contains a relatively large patch of secondary growth forest and
mixed agroforest plantation that harbors a diverse assemblage
of terrestrial fauna and flora (Coritico et al. 2020; Mohagan et
al. 2020; Mohagan et al. 2022).
In this work, we provide comprehensive information
on the richness and distribution of amphibian and reptilian
fauna on Mt. Agad-Agad, which we hope generates practical
conservation initiatives, and policy recommendations for the
protection of this ecologically important area.
Methods
Study area.—This study was conducted on Mt. Agad-
Agad, which is situated in the southwestern part of north-
ern Mindanao Island, in an area covering approximately 50
hectares that includes barangays (administrative districts)
Pugaan, Tipanoy, and Ubaldo Laya of Iligan City (Fig. 1;
8.209128°N, 124.271433°E; elevation 416 m asl). This
mountain is characterized by ultramafic soil and aggregates of
limestone karst outcrops, and consists of mixed agricultural
areas, human-made plantations, and fragments of secondary
forest. Vegetation in mixed agricultural areas includes non-
endemic and exotic tree species of Acacia mangium Willd,
Cocos nucifera L., Gmelina arborea Roxb., Leucaena leuco-
cephala (Lam.), Swietenia macrophylla King, and secondary
growth forest with indigenous tree species Artocarpus blan-
coi (Elmer) Merr., Dillenia philippinensis Rolfe, Ficus balete
Merr, Koordersiodenron pinnatum (Blanco) Merr., Pterocarpus
indicus, Shorea spp., and Vitex parviflora Juss (Coritico et al.
Fig. 1. Map of Mt. Agad-Agad in relation to the Philippines Archipelago and Mindanao Island (inset maps). Colored dots correspond to the different
habitat types (MAA: yellow; SGF: green) sampled during our fieldwork, and the blue triangle represents the highest peak (520 m asl) of Mt. Agad-Agad.

MAGLANGIT ET AL. REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 29: 413–425 • 2022
415
2020). Its unique landscape towering above the entire Iligan
City provides aesthetic and recreational value to the general
public. The annual mean temperature in the city ranges from
21.7–32.2 °C and annual mean precipitation is ~ 193.1 mm
(Weather Spark 2020).
We conducted two field surveys during 21–29 February
and 25 November – 04 December 2020, during the wet sea-
son, at two different sampling areas: Pugaan (~ 23 ha.) and
Tipanoy (~ 25 ha.); approximately 1.5 km apart (Fig. 2). In
each sampling area, we sampled two habitat types in a nine-
day sampling period: (1) Mixed agricultural area (MAA:
Sites 1 and 3) is mainly composed of coconut plantations,
shrubs, non-native plants, and ferns, while vegetation on
(2) Secondary growth forest (SGF: Sites 2 and 4) is primar-
ily dominated by ferns and lycophytes, undergrowth foliage,
decaying logs, and secondary dipterocarps. Geographical
Fig. 2. Habitats assessed and sampled on Mt. Agad-Agad, northern Mindanao. (A) Aerial view of secondary-growth habitat at 520 m elevation, towering
above Iligan City; (B) and (C) mixed agroforest habitat; (D) and (E) secondary-growth forest and streams. Photographs by Erl Pfian T. Maglangit and
Romeo R. Patano Jr.

MAGLANGIT ET AL. REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 29: 413–425 • 2022
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affinities, elevation, habitat types, and the sampling period
(date and month) of the two sampling locations are summa-
rized in Table 1.
Herpetological sampling.—Amphibians and reptiles were
sought in all possible macro- and micro-environments by
placing a standardized 100 m by 10 m strip transect (Heyer
et al. 1994; Supsup et al. 2016) in two habitat types (i.e.,
mixed agricultural area, secondary growth forest). Sampling
stations in each transect were employed 10 m apart, marked
with a number in fluorescent ribbons (Supsup et al. 2020),
and surveyed around 0730–1130 h during the day and 1830–
2330 h at night by five to six individuals. Surveys were car-
ried out through opportunistic catching by hand within the
proximity of the pre-identified trails, trapping along the tran-
sect (e.g., pitfalls, adhesive tapes) and by carefully examining
several microhabitats, e.g., fallen and decomposing logs, leaf
litter, temporary and permanent bodies of water (Venturina
et al. 2020), a pile of coconut husk, underneath rocks and
boulders, tributary and riparian areas, and on understory tree
branches up to ~ 3 m above the ground. General collection
and listing outside the strip transect were also made through
general random sampling following the same pattern of sur-
veying amphibians and reptiles.
Preservation of specimens.—We photographed represen-
tative specimens of each species collected, measured mor-
phological characters (e.g., snout-vent-length, bodyweight;
Appendix A) using electronic digital calipers and a weight
scale (± 0.1 g), fixed specimens using a 10% buffered formalin
solution, and stored them in 70% ethanol solution following
the standard preservation protocol developed by Heyer et al.
(1994) and Simmons (2002). Identification was done using
published literature for herpetofauna (Taylor 1920; Inger
1954; Diesmos et al. 2015; Taylor 1922a, b; Leviton et al.
2018; Weinell et al. 2020). We followed the nomenclature
and taxonomic arrangements by Frost (2021) for amphibians
and Uetz et al. (2021) for reptiles.
Specimen Repository.—The collected voucher specimens
were deposited in the herpetological collection of Central
Mindanao University – Zoological Museum following the
museum collection code (CMU-MZ). Captured images of
the uncollected specimens were also deposited at the digi-
tal archive of Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
supplemented with a zoological reference collection code
[ZRC(IMG)] for each photographic specimen. Conservation
status of each species was assessed based on the Red List
of Threatened Species by the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature (IUCN 2021) and the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative
Order: DENR-DAO: No 2019-09.
Data analysis.—We evaluated the efficiency of our sam-
pling effort by analyzing the abundance data of amphibians
and reptiles in six transects (three 100 m by 10 m transects
per habitat type) established in both habitats. We established
and constructed a rarefaction curve based on Hill numbers
(q = 0, Chao1; Chao et al. 2014) to compare species rich-
ness between the two habitat types sampled with small sample
sizes. The interpolated and extrapolated tendencies were com-
puted using the iNEXT package (Hsieh et al. 2016) with a
95% confidence interval and plotted using the ggplot2 pack-
age developed by Wickham (2016). Species diversity in two
habitat types was calculated using the vegan package (diversity
function; index = “Shannon”; Fisher et al. 1943; Hurlbert
1971; Oksanen 2013). Species recorded through general
random sampling were not included in the data analysis. All
analyses were performed using R Studio version 3.6.1 devel-
oped by R Core Team (2019).
Results
Species composition.—Our survey resulted in documenting
37 species of amphibians and reptiles within our sampling
transects on Mt. Agad-Agad, including 10 species of frogs
(six endemic) in nine genera and seven families, 14 species of
lizards (eight endemic) in 12 genera and four families, 12 spe-
cies of snakes (six endemic) in 12 genera and six families, and
one species of turtle, from 540 person-hours (n = 10, aver-
age of 54 hours per person) spent during the whole sampling
period (Table 2; Figs 3–6).
Species endemism and distribution.—Twenty out of thirty-
seven sampled species of frogs, lizards and snakes are endemic
to the country, of which more than 30% (n = 11) are also
endemic to the Mindanao biogeographic region (Brown
et al. 2013; Sanguila et al. 2016). This includes four frogs:
Philippine Swamp Frog (Limnonectes leytensis), Mindanao
Fanged Frog (Limnonectes magnus), Mindanao Striped Stream
Frog (Pulchrana grandocula), and Mindanao Horned Frog
(Pelobatrachus stejnegeri); five lizards: Annulated Bent-toed
Table 1. Sampling sites on Mt. Agad-Agad, Iligan City, Mindanao Island.
Site # Locality Coordinates Elevation (m) Habitat Types Date Surveyed
1Langinlanon 8.221406 N 124.268558 E 45–110 MAA 21–24 February 2020
2Langinlanon 8.209903 N 124.271636 E 400–451 SGF 25–29 February 2020
3Pindugangan 8.201069 N 124.271467 E 79–160 MAA 25–30 November 2020
4Pindugangan 8.2067 N 124.267378 E 169–203 SGF 01–04 December 2020

MAGLANGIT ET AL. REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 29: 413–425 • 2022
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Table 2. Herpetological records on Mt. Agad-Agad, Iligan City, Mindanao Island, Philippines. Summarized by family, distribution in two
localities (Barangay Pugaan and Tipanoy), specimen and photo voucher number of collected specimen, and conservation status (LC = Least
Concern, NT = Near Threatened, VU = Vulnerable, EN = Endangered, NE = Not Evaluated) based on IUCN (2021-3). Asterisk (*) rep-
resents Philippine endemic species and symbol (+) denotes invasive alien species of anurans.
Species
Local
Distribution Conservation Status Voucher Numbers
Pugaan Tipanoy IUCN DAO
AMPHIBIANS (Frogs)
Bufonidae
Cane Toad
Rhinella marina (Linneaus 1758) +✓ ✓ LC CMU-MZ 3005
Dicroglossidae
Philippine Grass Frog
Fejervarya vittigera (Wiegmann 1824) *✓LC ZRC(IMG) 1.226
Philippine Swamp Frog
Limnonectes leytensis (Boetger 1893) *✓ ✓ LC CMU-MZ 3003.0–3003.3
Mindanao Fanged Frog
Limnonectes magnus (Stejneger 1910) *✓ ✓ NT OTS CMU-MZ 3000.0–3000.4
Eleutherodactylidae
Greenhouse Frog
Eleutherodactylus planirostris (Cope 1862) +✓LC ZRC(IMG) 1.227
Megophryidae
Mindanao Horned Frog
Pelobatrachus stejnegeri (Taylor 1920) *✓ ✓ LC OTS CMU-MZ 3001.0–3001.2
Microhylidae
Rufous-sided Sticky Frog
Kalophrynus sinensis (Peters 1867) * ✓LC CMU-MZ 3006
Asian Painted Frog
Kaloula pulchra Gray 1831 +✓LC ZRC(IMG) 1.228
Ranidae
Mindanao Striped Stream Frog
Pulchrana grandocula (Taylor 1920) *✓ ✓ LC CMU-MZ 3004.0–3004.8
Rhacophoridae
Asiatic Tree Frog
Polypedates leucomystax (Gravenhorst 1829) ✓LC CMU-MZ 3002.0–3002.4
REPTILES (Lizards)
Agamidae
Green Crested Lizard
Bronchocela sp. ✓ ✓ NE ZRC(IMG) 2.550
Two-spotted Flying Lizard
Draco bimaculatus (Günther 1864) *✓LC CMU-MZ 2006.0–2006.1
Philippine Sailfin Lizard
Hydrosaurus pustulatus Escholtz 1829 *✓VU OTS ZRC(IMG) 2.551
Gekkonidae
Annulated Bent-toed Gecko
Cyrtodactylus annulatus (Taylor 1915) *✓ ✓ LC CMU-MZ 2001.0–2001.3
Tokay Gecko
Gekko gecko (Linneus 1758) ✓ ✓ LC OTS CMU-MZ 2000.0–2000.1
Common House Gecko
Hemidactylus frenatus (Duméril & Bibron 1836) ✓ ✓ LC CMU MZ 2002.0–2002.1
Flat-tailed House Gecko
Hemidactylus platyurus (Schneider 1792) ✓LC CMU-MZ 2005

MAGLANGIT ET AL. REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 29: 413–425 • 2022
418
White-lined Smooth-scaled Gecko
Lepidodactylus herrei Taylor 1923 *✓LC CMU-MZ 2008
Scincidae
Slender Skink
Brachymeles sp. ✓ ✓ CMU-MZ 2004.0–2004.7
Caraga Sun Skink
Eutropis caraga Barley et al. 2020 *✓ ✓ NE CMU-MZ 2008
Many-striped Skink
Eutropis multifasciata (Kuhl 1820) ✓ ✓ LC CMU-MZ 2003
Green Tree Skink
Lamprolepis smaragdina philippinica (Mertens 1928) *✓NE ZRC(IMG) 2.552
Misamis Waterside Skink
Tropidophorus misaminius Stejneger 1910 *✓LC CMU-MZ 2007.0–2007.4
Varanidae
Mindanao Monitor Lizard
Varanus cumingi Martin 1839 *✓LC OTS No Specimens
REPTILES (Snakes)
Colubridae
Philippine Vine Snake
Ahaetulla prasina preocularis (Taylor 1922) *✓LC ZRC(IMG) 2.553
Dog-toothed Cat Snake
Boiga cynodon (H. Boie in F. Boie 1827) ✓ ✓ LC OTS CMU-MZ 2501.0–2501.1
Paradise Tree Snake
Chrysopelea paradisi variabilis Mertens 1968 *✓NE CMU-MZ 2500
Southern Philippine Rat Snake
Coelognathus erythrurus erythrurus
(Duméril, Bibron & Duméril 1854)
✓NE OTS No Specimens
Southern Triangle-spotted Snake
Cyclocorus nuchalis taylori Leviton 1967 *✓NE No Specimens
Philippine Bronze-back Tree Snake
Dendrelaphis philippinensis Günther 1879 ✓NE ZRC(IMG) 2.554
Elapidae
Philippine Striped Coral Snake
Calliophis philippina Günther 1864 *✓LC CMU-MZ 2504
Southern Philippine Cobra
Naja samarensis Peters 1861 *✓LC OTS No Specimens
Homalopsidae
Dog-faced Water Snake
Cerberus schneiderii (Schlegel 1837) ✓LC ZRC(IMG) 2.555
Lamprophiidae
Non-banded Philippine Burrowing Snake
Oxyrhabdium modestum
(Duméril, Bibron & Duméril 1854) *
✓ ✓ LC CMU-MZ 2502.0–2502.2
Pythonidae
Reticulated Python
Malayopython reticulatus (Schneider 1801) ✓NE OTS ZRC(IMG) 2.556
Typhlopidae
Brahminy Blind Snake
Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin 1803) ✓LC CMU-MZ 2503
REPTILES (Turtle)
Geomydidae
Southeast Asian Box Turtle
Cuora amboinensis (Riche in Daudin 1802) ✓EN OTS ZRC(IMG) 2.557

MAGLANGIT ET AL. REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 29: 413–425 • 2022
419
Gecko (Cyrtodactylus annulatus), Two-spotted Flying Lizard
(Draco bimaculatus), Caraga Sun Skink (Eutropis caraga),
Misamis Waterside Skink (Tropidophorus misaminius), and
Mindanao Monitor Lizard (Varanus cumingi); and two snakes:
Southern Triangle-spotted Snake (Cyclocorus nuchalis taylori)
and Southern Philippine Cobra (Naja samarensis). Almost
all of the amphibians and reptiles recorded in this work were
recorded in Tipanoy except for the Philippine Grass Frog
(Fejervarya vittigera), Misamis Waterside Skink (Tropidophorus
misaminius), Philippine Bronze-back Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis
philippinensis), and Dog-faced Water Snake (Cerberus schneide-
rii), that were documented only in Pugaan.
Species richness.—Species abundance for amphibians was
higher in the secondary growth forest (n = 43 individuals;
6 species) compared to the mixed agricultural area (n = 22
individuals; 6 species). Individual-based rarefaction curves
for amphibians in both SGF and MAA (Fig. 7A) showed an
asymptotic bend indicating that the sampling effort was ade-
quate. For reptiles, species richness and abundance is higher
in MAA (n = 86 individuals; 12 species) compared to SGF (n
= 43 individuals; 11 species). Unlike amphibians, the indi-
vidual-based rarefaction curve for reptiles did not present a
strong asymptotic inclination, suggesting that additional field
sampling may yield additional reptile species.
The most abundant species of anurans recorded were
stream frogs in the family Ranidae: Mindanao Striped Stream
Fig. 3. Stacked bar chart representing the species composition and ende-
mism of herpetofauna from Mt. Agad-Agad, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte
Province, Philippines.
Fig. 4. Frogs of Mt. Agad-Agad. (A) Cane Toad (Rhinella marina), (B) Philippine Grass Frog (Fejervarya vittigera), (C) Philippine Swamp Frog (Limnonectes
leytensis), (D) Mindanao Fanged Frog (Limnonectes magnus), (E) Greenhouse Frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris), (F) Mindanao Horned Frog (Pelobatrachus
stejnegeri), (G) Rufous-sided Sticky Frog (Kalophrynus sinensis), (H) Asian Painted Frog (Kaloula pulchra), (I) Mindanao Striped Stream Frog Pulchrana
grandocula. Photographs by Erl Pfian T. Maglangit and Romeo R. Patano Jr.

MAGLANGIT ET AL. REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 29: 413–425 • 2022
420
Frog (Pulchrana grandocula; 8.76%) and family Dicroglossidae:
Philippine Swamp Frog (Limnonectes leytensis; 6.70%) and
Mindanao Fanged Frog (Limnonectes magnus; 5.15%). Among
reptiles, the Two-spotted Flying Lizard (Draco bimaculatus;
12.9%) from family Agamidae and Caraga Sun Skink (Eutropis
caraga; 9.28%) and an unidentified Slender Skink (Brachymeles
sp.; 8.25%) from family Scincidae were the most abundant
lizards, whereas the Non-banded Philippine Burrowing Snake
(Oxyrhabdium modestum; 1.55%) in family Lamprophiidae
and Dog-toothed Cat Snake (Boiga cynodon; 1.03%) from fam-
ily Colubridae were the most frequently documented snakes.
The most diverse family of frogs represented in our sampling
was Dicroglossidae (n = 3 species), while the most diverse fami-
lies of reptiles were Gekkonidae (n = 5 species) for lizards and
Colubridae (n = 6 species) for snakes.
Species diversity.—The Shannon index of diversity
showed that MAA is more diverse (H = 2.479) documenting
18 species of amphibians and reptiles, compared to SGF (H
= 2.449) which noted 17 species of herpetofauna. Although,
species richness was moderately high in secondary growth for-
est, a relatively significant number of herpetofaunal species
were found in mixed agricultural areas.
Fig. 5. Lizards of Mt. Agad-Agad. (A) Green Crested Lizard (Bronchocela sp.), (B) Two-spotted Flying Lizard (Draco bimaculatus), (C) Philippine Sailfin
Lizard (Hydrosaurus pustulatus), (D) Annulated Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus annulatus), (E) Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko), (F) White-lined Smooth-scaled
Gecko (Lepidodactylus herrei), (G) Slender Skink (Brachymeles sp.), (H) Caraga Sun Skink (Eutropis caraga), (I) Many-striped Skink (Eutropis multifasciata),
(J) Green Tree Skink (Lamprolepis smaragdina philippinica), (K) Misamis Waterside Skink (Tropidophorus misaminius), (L) Mindanao Monitor Lizard
(Varanus cumingi). Photographs by Erl Pfian T. Maglangit and Romeo R. Patano Jr.

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421
Using general random sampling, we recorded three spe-
cies of frogs, four species of lizards, four species of snakes,
and one species of turtle. Frogs included Greenhouse Frog
(Eleutherodactylus planirostris), Asian Painted Frog (Kaloula
pulchra), and Philippine Grass Frog (Fejervarya vittigera);
lizards included an unidentified species of Green Crested
Lizard (Bronchocela sp.; fide Sanguila et al. 2016), Philippine
Sailfin Lizard (Hydrosaurus pustulatus), White-lined Smooth-
Fig. 6. Snakes and freshwater turtle of Mt. Agad-Agad. (A) Philippine Vine Snake (Ahaetulla prasina preocularis), (B) Dog-toothed Cat Snake (Boiga cynodon),
(C) Paradise Tree Snake (Chrysopelea paradisi variabilis), (D) Philippine Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis philippinensis), (E) Philippine Striped Coral Snake (Calliophis
philippina), (F) Dog-faced Water Snake (Cerberus schneiderii), (G) Non-banded Philippine Burrowing Snake (Oxyrhabdium modestum), (H) Brahminy Blind
Snake (Indotyphlops braminus), (I) Southeast Asian Box Turtle (Cuora amboinensis). Photographs by Erl Pfian T. Maglangit and Romeo R. Patano Jr.
Fig. 7. Individual-based rarefaction curve of amphibians (Fig. 4A) and reptiles (Fig. 4B) in two habitat types. Richness was generated using iNEXT and ggplot2
package (q = 0, Chao1) in RStudio, represented by solid lines (rarefied individuals) and dashed lines (estimated extrapolation) with 95% confidence interval.

MAGLANGIT ET AL. REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 29: 413–425 • 2022
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scaled Gecko (Lepidodactylus herrei), and Mindanao Monitor
Lizard (Varanus cumingi); snakes included Philippine Vine
Snake (Ahaetulla prasina preocularis), Dog-faced Water
Snake (Cerberus schneiderii), Southern Philippine Rat Snake
(Coelognathus erythrurus erythrurus), and Reticulated Python
(Malayopython reticulatus); and turtles included the Southeast
Asian Box Turtle (Cuora amboinensis).
Threats and threatened herpetofauna.—Two threatened
species were recorded: Southeast Asian Box Turtle C. amboi-
nensis (IUCN: Endangered) and Philippine Sailfin Lizard H.
pustulatus (IUCN: Vulnerable). Anthropogenic disturbances
observed within the study areas included the conversion of
forest for agriculture, improper waste disposal by irresponsible
mountaineers, small-scale timber extraction, wildlife hunt-
ing, and the presence of invasive alien anurans: R. marina, E.
planirostris, and K. pulchra.
Discussion
Our study provides new and extensive ecological information
on species richness, diversity, and distributions of amphibians
and reptiles on Mt. Agad-Agad, supporting a greater num-
ber of frogs, lizards, snakes, and turtle in northern Mindanao
than was previously known. The species documented during
the field survey, remarkably, supplemented new information
on distributional ranges, endemism, updates on their conser-
vation status, threats, and possible novel, unidentified taxa.
High species richness was recorded at all sampling sites
(i.e., Pugaan, Tipanoy). Comparatively, species richness on
Mt. Agad-Agad is slightly similar to the recent ecological
and herpetological assemblage study in Taguibo Watershed
of northeastern Mindanao which identified 44 herpetofau-
nal species (Sanguila et al. 2020). Both habitat types sup-
port a high number and diverse community of amphibians
and reptiles on Mt. Agad-Agad. The notable differences in
herpetofaunal assemblages between MAA and SGF habitat
types may be attributed to differences in the available food
resources, and habitat preferences or requirements of taxa.
The high species richness of secondary growth forest dem-
onstrates that this habitat shelters a high proportion of dif-
ferent thriving populations of amphibians and reptiles not-
withstanding different anthropogenic pressures present in
the area. Although some species can tolerate certain habitat
modifications (e.g., Kalophrynus sinensis, Lamprolepis smarag-
dina philippinica, Chrysopelea paradisi variabilis), especially in
mixed agricultural areas, still, the extent of their detrimental
consequences to these populations are not yet fully known.
Additionally, the disparity in the number of species detected
in two sampling sites and habitat types is most likely attrib-
uted to the differences of sampling effort during each visit
(hours spent/sampling location and pockets of microhabitats
searched), inclement weather conditions (Pugaan: slightly
humid, sunny, and light rainfall during the night; Tipanoy:
relatively humid, cloudy, heavy rainfall in the late afternoon),
and climate type [Iligan City: Type III, where seasons are not
very pronounced – relatively dry from November to April and
wet during the rest of the year (Silent Gardens 2021)].
During our fieldwork, undocumented herpetofauna
belonging to the genera Calamaria, Gonocephalus, Lycodon,
Platymantis, Philautus, Pinoyscincus, Sphenomorphus,
Tropidolaemus, and Trimeresurus were reported by locals to
be present in the area based on available photographic field
guides and morphological descriptions (Diesmos et al., 2015;
Sanguila et al. 2016; Leviton et al. 2018; Weinell et al. 2020).
Possible explanations for these taxa not being detected during
our field surveys could be related to varying seasonality (i.e.,
we only surveyed during the wet season, when some species
may be inactive or less active compared to other seasons of
the year) and microclimate conditions (Supsup et al. 2016,
2020); habitat modification (i.e., conversion of forest land to
agricultural land), and the long history of systematic island-
wide deforestation on Mindanao Island (Sanguila et al. 2016),
which potentially impacted several amphibian and reptilian
groups to a significant degree and warrants further ecological
studies concerning impacts of habitat loss and modification to
the herpetological community in Mt. Agad-Agad. Additional
field expeditions and repeated surveys are needed to confirm
the presence of these unrecorded genera at a particular season
and climate of the year.
Despite some representative genera being undocu-
mented, we report new locality records of Boiga cynodon and
Chrysopelea paradisi variabilis in Mt. Agad Agad, extending
their known localities in western Mindanao that were pre-
viously noted to occur in the provinces of Agusan del Sur,
Cotabato, and Davao Oriental for B. cynodon (Supsup et
al. 2017; Leviton et al. 2018); and in Agusan del Norte and
Zamboanga del Sur for C. paradisi variabilis (Leviton et al.
2018). Additionally, a new island record of Lepidodactylus
herrei, previously reported on the islands of Bohol, Camotes,
Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Samar, Siquijor, and Unib Island
(Brown and Alcala 1978; Supsup et al. 2016; Maglangit et
al. 2021), extend the known geographic distribution ranges
of these species across the southern Philippines. On the other
hand, the unidentified slender skink Brachymeles sp. may be
an undescribed species that is closely related to Brachymeles
hilong in northeastern Mindanao (Siler et al. 2012; Sanguila et
al. 2016), and Brachymeles tiboliorum in northern and south-
ern Mindanao (Sanguila et al. 2016; Pitogo et al. 2021a),
based on scale counts, external morphology, and snout-vent-
length (Siler et al., 2010; Siler and Brown, 2010; Siler et al.
2012). Additional ecological and taxonomic research on this
taxon is now being conducted to further facilitate the identifi-
cation of the species, and findings will be published elsewhere.
In addition, a rare natural history occurrence was docu-
mented for C. schneiderii along the riverine and mountain

MAGLANGIT ET AL. REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 29: 413–425 • 2022
423
streams of Mt. Agad-Agad, extending its upper elevational
limit from sea level to 150 m asl in Mindanao Island. Similar
observations were reported by Binaday and Baltazar (2019) for
C. schneiderii populations on Negros Island (239 m elevation)
and on Catandaunes Island (75 m elevation). This additional
observation warrants further ecological studies on several pop-
ulations of C. schneiderii in the Philippines to determine the
extent of its upper elevation limit and habitat utilization (e.g.,
breeding, foraging) of upstream and inland waters.
Tropical mountain ecosystems and habitats on Mindanao
Island are important and shelter numerous endemic and
poorly known herpetofauna (Nuñeza et al. 2010; Sanguila et
al. 2016; Supsup et al. 2017; Pitogo et al. 2021a). Our find-
ings combined with the collective records of recent amphib-
ian and reptile studies from Mt. Kalatungan (Warguez et
al. 2013; Toledo-Bruno et al. 2017; Dela Tore and Nuñeza
2021), Mt. Kitanglad (Buekema 2011; Baron et al. 2021),
and Mt. Pantaron (Coritico et al. 2018) in Bukidnon
Province; Mt. Timpoong (Camiguin Sur: Venturina et al.
2020), Mt. Lumot, Initao-Libertad Protected Landscape
and Seascape, and Mt. Balatukan (Sanguila et al. 2016) in
Misamis Oriental Province; and Mt. Malindang (Nuñeza et
al. 2010) in Misamis Occidental Province, together include
115 species of herpetofauna (46 frogs, 1 caecilian, 41 lizards,
27 snakes, and 1 turtle) in the northern Mindanao region.
More than 30% of the total recognized amphibians and
reptiles in the northern Mindanao region were documented
on Mt. Agad-Agad. Despite this comprehensive information,
we suspect that this is still an underestimation. Future herpe-
tological expeditions, long-term inventories, and continued
research may document enigmatic and peculiar amphibians
and reptiles. Hence, this compelling field-based information
provides substantial empirical evidence for declaring Mt.
Agad-Agad as a local conservation area.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Mt. Agad-Agad is a habitat frontier that must be carefully man-
aged, conserved, and protected. The few remaining natural eco-
systems in this massif are biologically important and support
the surviving herpetofaunal species and other terrestrial faunal
groups. We highly recommend planting of indigenous tree spe-
cies to gradually replace exotic tree species (e.g., S. macrophylla,
A. mangium), promoting sustainable use of natural resources,
localizing priority-setting, supporting capacity-building activi-
ties to enrich the awareness of locals, and promoting conser-
vation initiatives to mitigate the catastrophic effects of local
weather disaster (i.e., tropical storms). Future work for herpeto-
fauna should focus more on ecology (e.g., microhabitat utiliza-
tion, habitat preference and requirement, population ecology),
taxonomy, and systematics. We encourage field biologists,
herpetologists, researchers, and government agencies to focus
and give attention to the southernmost part of the northern
Mindanao region, surveying adjacent ecologically significant
massifs within Iligan City (i.e., Mt. Alihod, Mt. Gabunan, Mt.
Rogongon, Mt. Sagada) and Lanao del Norte (Mt. Catmon
[Magsaysay], Mt. Inayawan Range Natural Park (Nunungan),
Mt. Peurai Complex [Pantao Ragat]).
Acknowledgements
Funding support was provided by the National Research
Council of the Philippines (NRCP) through the research
program titled “Biodiversity Inventory, Assessment and
Conservation for Ecotourism Development in Mt. Agad-Agad,
Lanao del Norte”. We thank the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources, Region X (Wildlife Gratuitous
Permit # R10-2020-05) for providing the research collection
permit. We also thank the following offices for their technical
support in logistics, security, and legal provisions: Office of
Central Mindanao University President (Dr. Jesus Antonio
G. Derije), Office of the Congressman (Cong. Frederick W.
Siao), Office of the City Mayor (Mayor Celso G. Regencia),
City Environment and Natural Resource Office (Envi. Mgt.
Officer V.B. Encabo and Chief of Watershed Division A.M.
Obach), Office of Barangay Pugaan and Tipanoy (Brgy.
Captain V.M. Raman and M.G. Labrador Jr.), Philippine
National Police - Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) and Inter-
Agency Task Force (IATF) for Covid-19 in Iligan City. We
are grateful to our enthusiastic field guides D. Balabag, R.
Canillo, R. Balanay, J. Labasano, G. Habines, J. Labasano,
N. Bakos, A. Lusano, E. Ilaya, A. Baylosis, R. Barbon, and
our field colleagues H.G. Jebulan, H.C. Anches, A. Hongco,
M. Acola, M. Apaap, A.J. Lagumbay, N.G. Casinillo, Y.L.
Cariño, J. Caballero, and N. Lagunday. We also extend our
appreciation to Dr. Arvin C. Diesmos from ASEAN Centre
for Biodiversity (ACB) for verifying pre-identified herpeto-
faunal specimens, Mr. Dave P. Mohagan (Central Mindanao
University – Zoological Section) for cataloguing specimen
collections, and Mr. Kelvin Lim (Lee Kong Chian Natural
History Museum of the National University of Singapore)
for technical support in cataloging photographic vouchers.
We also thank several reviewers including, R.R. Sanchez,
R.E. Venturina, M. Sanguila, J.M. Bernstein, A. Aguilar, and
J.L. Weinell for their comments and suggestions on an earlier
draft of this manuscript.
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Appendix A. Voucher specimens deposited with the herpetological collection of zoological archives in Central Mindanao University –
Zoological Museum, Mindanao Island, Philippines. Measurements of length (snout-vent length = SVL and tail length (intact only; no
regenerated or partial tails) = TL) are listed to the nearest mm and (weight = W) mass to the nearest 0.1 g. Note: Eutropis multifasciata has
no tail length measurement; lizard was encountered and sampled after a predation attempt by Naja samarensis.
Amphibians (Anura): Rhinella marina, CMU MZ 3005 • SVL = 112.0 mm, W =138.7 g; Limnonectes leytensis, CMU MZ 3003.0–3003.3
• n = 3, SVL = 18–49 mm, W = 6.5–11.5 g; Limnonectes magnus, CMU MZ 3000.0–3000.4 • n = 5, SVL = 33–103 mm, W = 6.8–33.2
g; Pelobatrachus stejnegeri, CMU MZ 3001.0–3001.2 • n = 3, SVL = 26–83 mm, W = 20.5–42.2 g; Kalophrynus sinensis, CMU MZ 3006
• SVL = 38.0 mm, W = 4.8 g; Pulchrana grandocula, CMU MZ 3004.0–3004.8 • n = 9, SVL = 42–70 mm, W = 6.5–21.7 g; Polypedates
leucomystax, CMU MZ 3002.0–3002.4 • n = 5, SVL = 50–53 mm, W = 6.6–8.2 g.
Reptiles (Squamata: lizards): Draco bimaculatus, CMU MZ 2006.0–2006.1 • n = 2, SVL = 62–64 mm, TL = 107.5–152 mm; Cyrtodactylus
annulatus, CMU MZ 2001.0–2001.3 • n = 4; SVL = 52–63 mm, TL = 48–55 mm, W = 2.8–4.5 g; Gekko gecko, CMU MZ 2000–2000.1
• n = 2, SVL = 156–168 mm, TL = 149 mm, W = 65.2–75.2 g; Hemidactylus frenatus, CMU MZ 2002.0–2002.1 • n = 2, SVL = 53–53
mm, TL = 38.5–57 mm, W = 3.2–3.7 g; Hemidactylus platyurus, CMU MZ 2005 • SVL = 50 mm, TL = 51 mm, W = 3.6 g; Lepidodactylus
herrei, CMU MZ 2008 • SVL = 74 mm, TL = 85 mm, W = 1.4 g; Brachymeles sp., CMU MZ 2004.0–2004.7 • n = 8, SVL = 22–72 mm,
TL = 9–37 mm, W = 0.3–1.2 g; Eutropis caraga, CMU MZ 2008 • SVL = 36 mm, TL = 93 mm; Eutropis multifasciata, CMU MZ 2003 •
SVL = 135 mm, W = 55.5 g; Tropidophorus misaminius, CMU MZ 2007.0–2007.4 • n = 5, SVL = 48–87 mm, TL = 41–150 mm.
Reptiles (Squamata: snakes): Boiga cynodon, CMU MZ 2501.0–2501.1 • n = 2, SVL = 341–1137 mm, TL = 207–304 mm, W = 41.0–91.4
g; Chrysopelea paradisi variabilis, CMU MZ 2500 • SVL = 508 mm, TL = 219 mm, W = 30.8 g; Calliophis philippina, CMU MZ 2504 •
SVL = 563.5 mm, TL = 46.5 mm, W = 31.5 g; Oxyrhabdium modestum, CMU MZ 2502.0–2502.2 • n = 3, SVL = 447–552 mm, TL =
91–126 mm, W = 34.7–42.3 g; Indotyphlops braminus, CMU MZ 2503 • SVL = 182 mm, TL = 4 mm, W = 1.1 g.