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
Recommended Citation
Fortela, Estephen B., "Species limits and biogeography of Philippine malkohas (Cuculiformes: cuculidae) from Greater Luzon and Palawan Faunal Regions" (2014). Undergraduate Theses. 3890.
https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/etd-undergrad/3890
Document Type
Thesis