Species limits and biogeography of Philippine malkohas (Cuculiformes: cuculidae) from Greater Luzon and Palawan Faunal Regions

Date

2014

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Major Course

Major in Wildlife Biology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Juan Carlos T Gonzalez

Restrictions

Restricted: Not available to the general public. Access is available only after consultation with author/thesis adviser and only to those bound by the confidentiality agreement.

Abstract

Philippine Malkohas currently consist of four taxa. However, ambiguities in their classification emerged due to the paucity of evidences. This study aimed to update the taxonomic classification and biogeographic distribution of Philippine Malkohas and their implications to conservation. Study skins of the four malkohas were subjected to a scoring system proposed by Tobias et. al. (2010) to evaluate the phenotypic differences among different allopatric populations. Results showed that populations of Dasylophus cumingi from Southern Luzon and associated islands have cumulative scores of 2 while the North Luzon population has a score of 3. This implies that despite minor variations, the biometrics, plumage and bare-parts coloration for the populations of D. cumingi representing different geo-isolates exhibit similar proportions and consistency in coloration. On the other hand, comparisons of subspecies of Dasylophus superciliosus and Phaenicophaeus curvirostris showed a significant species delimitation with a total score of 7 and 11, respectively, which suggests the splitting of D.s cagayanensis and D.s. superciliosus, together with P.c. harringtoni from P.c. microrhinus and elevation of the three taxa to species level. These splits are supported by the presence of the Sierra Madre Filter Zone and Balabac Strait that serve as biogeographic barriers for the three taxa, respectively.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2014 B4 /F67

Document Type

Thesis

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