Biodiversity and Systematics

The regionalized biodiversity across the Philippines is unique.  Levels of endemism among known groups of vertebrates is astonishingly high, with amphibians and reptiles making up the second most diverse vertebrate group in the Philippines. Conservation International classifies the Philippines as both a “Megadiverse” nation and an ecological “Hotspot.” Unfortunately, over the last 75 years, the country has experienced a loss of nearly 90% of its primary rain forest. A component of my research is involved in a massive effort to survey the diversity of amphibians and reptiles across the Philippines. Data resulting from these surveys is being used to direct conservation efforts and identify threatened species. In addition, many of our surveys have resulted in the discovery of new species. Check out a few of our most recent publications here: