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==Habitat and Distribution==
==Habitat and Distribution==
The Philippine sailfin lizard lives in [[tropical]] wooded habitats near water, like [[river]]s, riverbanks, rice-fields and [[mangrove]].<ref name=IUCN/><ref name=Siler2014>Cameron D. Siler, Andrés Lira-Noriega, Rafe M. Brown (2014). Conservation genetics of Australasian sailfin lizards: Flagship species threatened by coastal development and insufficient protected area coverage. Biological Conservation 169: 100–108. {{doi|10.1016/j.biocon.2013.10.014}}</ref> Due to confusion with ''[[Hydrosaurus amboinensis|H. amboinensis]]'', the exact distribution in the Philippines has been labelled with some uncertainty.<ref name=IUCN>{{Cite journal | author = Ledesma, M. | author2 = Brown, R. | author3 = Sy, E. | author4 = Rico, E.L. | title = ''Hydrosaurus pustulatus'' | journal = [[The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] | volume = 2009 | page = e.T10335A3194587 | publisher = [[IUCN]] | date = 2009 | url = http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/10335/0 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T10335A3194587.en | access-date = 15 January 2018}}</ref> However, a [[Genetics|genetic]] study that sampled individuals throughout the Philippine archipelago (from [[Mindanao]] in south to [[Luzon]] in north) found that all were ''H. pustulatus'', which is divided into six [[clade]]s.<ref name=Siler2014/>
The Philippine sailfin lizard is found across several of the islands that comprise the Philippines, including Guimaras, Romblon, Negros, and Cebu, but the lizard is not found in Palawan Island<ref name="Bion">{{cite web |last1=Neizhko |first1=I |last2=Marchevskaya |first2=E |last3=Marushchak |first3=O |last4=Troshchinkova |first4=Yu |title=SAILFIN LIZARD (HYDROSAURUS PUSTULATUS), (ESCHSCHOLTZ, 1829) |url=https://bion.com.ua/news_article/sailfin-lizard-hydrosaurus-pustulatus-eschscholtz-1829-care-sheet/ |website=BION TERRARIUM CENTER |publisher=BION TERRARIUM CENTER |access-date=5 November 2021}}</ref>. The lizard is also found in New Guinea and some of eastern Indonesia<ref name="Bion" />. The Philippine sailfin lizard lives in [[tropical]] wooded habitats near water, like [[river]]s, riverbanks, rice-fields and [[mangrove]].<ref name=IUCN/><ref name=Siler2014>Cameron D. Siler, Andrés Lira-Noriega, Rafe M. Brown (2014). Conservation genetics of Australasian sailfin lizards: Flagship species threatened by coastal development and insufficient protected area coverage. Biological Conservation 169: 100–108. {{doi|10.1016/j.biocon.2013.10.014}}</ref> Due to confusion with ''[[Hydrosaurus amboinensis|H. amboinensis]]'', the exact distribution in the Philippines has been labelled with some uncertainty.<ref name=IUCN>{{Cite journal | author = Ledesma, M. | author2 = Brown, R. | author3 = Sy, E. | author4 = Rico, E.L. | title = ''Hydrosaurus pustulatus'' | journal = [[The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] | volume = 2009 | page = e.T10335A3194587 | publisher = [[IUCN]] | date = 2009 | url = http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/10335/0 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T10335A3194587.en | access-date = 15 January 2018}}</ref> However, a [[Genetics|genetic]] study that sampled individuals throughout the Philippine archipelago (from [[Mindanao]] in south to [[Luzon]] in north) found that all were ''H. pustulatus'', which is divided into six [[clade]]s.<ref name=Siler2014/>


==Behavior and appearance==
==Behavior and appearance==

Revision as of 02:12, 5 November 2021

Philippine sailfin lizard
At Tropicario in Helsinki, Finland
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Hydrosaurus
Species:
H. pustulatus
Binomial name
Hydrosaurus pustulatus
(Eschscholtz, 1829)

The Philippine sailfin lizard,[2] crested lizard, sail-fin lizard, sailfin water lizard, soa-soa water lizard[1] (Hydrosaurus pustulatus) or its native name ibid[3] is an oviparous lizard endemic to several of the islands that make up the Philippines and is also found in New Guinea and some parts of Eastern Indonesia[4]. The Philippine Sailfin Lizard is a protected species in its native country of the Philippines as it is a target for exotic pet collectors and sought after in the international pet trade[5]. This is largely because these lizards have very unique dorsal crests (otherwise known as sailfins) that give the organism a structure similar to a sail, and the Philippine Sailfin Lizard also has very bright coloration patterns that make them attractive to the eye[6]. The pustulatus species is unique within the Hydrosaurus genus because of the confusion for the past several decades of classifying these organisms amongst other lizards within their same genus in their habitat. They are also very talented swimmers, and smaller juvenile lizards can run on top of water due to their bodily structure. The genus Hydrosaurus means water dragon, which reflects the aforementioned abilities lizards have in water. The Philippine sailfin lizard usually lies close to bodies of water, stays in tree branches, and runs across the ground to get around their habitat. They utilize their sailfins/scales to do territorial displays in the presence of a competitor or a predator. In terms of their reproduction, they utilize sexual reproduction and breed one time each year, but they can produce multiple clutches of eggs with between 2 and 8 eggs. These eggs are buried into the soil for a period of two months before hatchlings are produced. Philippine sailfin lizards are heavily studied by herpetologists and other scientists, as they are unique amongst other reptile lizards with regard to their coloration and form.

History and Taxonomy

In 1829, Johann Friedrich Eschscholtz discovered a new sailfin lizard species in the Philippines and designated it as Hydrosaurus pustulatus[7]. The genus Hydrosaurus is specific to Southeast Asia, and it only contains three major species (with two additional species falling under H. amboinensis): H. amboinensis, H. pulsatus, and H. weberi[8]. The Philippine Saiflin Lizard and the genus Hydrosaurus is also commonly referred to as a water dragon due to their excellent ability to swim in and sometimes run across water[8]. There have been issues with the taxonomic identification of Hydrosaurus pustulatus because the original descriptions were of immature members of the species in the 1800’s and were not descriptive enough for diagnostic procedures in environmental studies[6]. As a result, efforts for understanding the spread of different taxonomic groupings have been a challenge.

Habitat and Distribution

The Philippine sailfin lizard is found across several of the islands that comprise the Philippines, including Guimaras, Romblon, Negros, and Cebu, but the lizard is not found in Palawan Island[9]. The lizard is also found in New Guinea and some of eastern Indonesia[9]. The Philippine sailfin lizard lives in tropical wooded habitats near water, like rivers, riverbanks, rice-fields and mangrove.[1][6] Due to confusion with H. amboinensis, the exact distribution in the Philippines has been labelled with some uncertainty.[1] However, a genetic study that sampled individuals throughout the Philippine archipelago (from Mindanao in south to Luzon in north) found that all were H. pustulatus, which is divided into six clades.[6]

Behavior and appearance

The Philippine sailfin lizard is an excellent swimmer and has flattened toes that enable it to run across water, similar to the basilisks.[10] It is omnivorous, feeding on fruit, leaves, flowers, insects, and small animals . Males have a larger crest on their back than the females. The males also show a violet color as they grow older. Females are less colorful. The adults may reach up to a metre in length.

Conservation

Philippine sailfin lizards have now been classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.[1] Their main threats are habitat loss, being hunted for food, and collection for the pet trade.

In captivity

Philippine sailfin lizards were commonly available in the United States during the 1990s, but today they are now rare and expensive in the United States (costing about $650 for a captive bred juvenile). Breeding in captivity has only been done in a few cases. Since it is common in many parts of the Philippines, the pet trade in many regions still continues and some are even unrecognized by the government.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hydrosaurus pustulatus.
  1. ^ a b c d e Ledesma, M.; Brown, R.; Sy, E.; Rico, E.L. (2009). "Hydrosaurus pustulatus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009. IUCN: e.T10335A3194587. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T10335A3194587.en. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  2. ^ H. pustulatus, The Reptile Database
  3. ^ Mascariñas, Erwin M. (2 June 2018). "PH sailfin lizards in Misamis Oriental: An unusual case of a community lizard". ABS-CBN. Retrieved 11 February 2021. We are now finalizing the steps to have this area along the lower Solana River in the town of Misamis Oriental declared as a critical habitat for the Hydrosaurus pustulatus or the Philippine Sailfin Lizard commonly known as ibid.
  4. ^ "Lizard, Philippine Sailfin". Louisville Zoo. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  5. ^ "Endemic Philippine Sailfin Lizard threatened by illegal wildlife trade". Monitor Conservation Research Society. Monitor. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d Cameron D. Siler, Andrés Lira-Noriega, Rafe M. Brown (2014). Conservation genetics of Australasian sailfin lizards: Flagship species threatened by coastal development and insufficient protected area coverage. Biological Conservation 169: 100–108. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2013.10.014
  7. ^ Eschscholtz, Johann Friedrich; Rathke, Heinrich (1829). "Zoologischer Atlas : enthaltend Abbildungen und Beschreibungen neuer Thierarten, während des Flottcapitains v. Kotzebue zweiter Reise um die Welt, auf der russisch-kaiserlichen Kriegsschlupp Predpriaetië in den Jahren 1823-1826". Berlin :Gedruckt und verlegt bei G. Reimer. doi:https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.152182. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check |doi= value (help); External link in |doi= (help)
  8. ^ a b DENZER, WOLFGANG; CAMPBELL, PATRICK; MANTHEY, ULRICH; GLÄSSER-TROBISCH, ANDREA; KOCH, ANDRÉ (03/03/2020). "Dragons in neglect: Taxonomic revision of the Sulawesi sailfin lizards of the genus Hydrosaurus Kaup, 1828 (Squamata, Agamidae)". Zootaxa. 4747 (2). doi:https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4747.2.3. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check |doi= value (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |doi= (help)
  9. ^ a b Neizhko, I; Marchevskaya, E; Marushchak, O; Troshchinkova, Yu. "SAILFIN LIZARD (HYDROSAURUS PUSTULATUS), (ESCHSCHOLTZ, 1829)". BION TERRARIUM CENTER. BION TERRARIUM CENTER. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  10. ^ Jackman Bauer (2008). Global diversity of lizards in freshwater (Reptilia: Lacertilia). Hydrobiologia 595(1): 581–586.
Philippine Sailfin Lizard
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