Brachymeles makusog was described in 2010. For years it was considered part of a widespread Philippine species, B. talinis, until close investigation of genetic and morphological data revealed this northern Philippine species to be unique. It is considered one of the larger species in the genus, and is quite common in southeastern Luzon Island and Catanduanes Island in the Philippines. B. makusog has five fingers and five toes. The genus Brachymeles represents a unique group of semi-burrowing (semi-fossorial) lizards in that the group possesses species with a full spectrum of body forms, from limbed species with five fingers and five toes, to fully limbless species. Researchers are interested in the process and patterns behind the evolution of these drastic changes in body form. With the exception of two species from Borneo (B. apus) and Thailand (B. miriamae), all species of Brachymeles are endemic to the Philippines. This means they are found among the more than 7,000 Philippine islands and nowhere else in the world.
We have evaluated this species against the IUCN criteria for classification, and find that it does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened status. Brachymeles makusog has been documented to have a broad geographic distribution and is quite abundant at all sampled localities. We therefore classify this species as Least Concern, LC (IUCN, 2010).
Brachymeles makusog can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) body size large; (2) pentadactyl; (3) maximum relative tail length large; (4) limbs long; (5) midbody scale rows 25–28; (6) axilla–groin scale rows 42–47; (7) paravertebral scale rows 85–90; (8) supraciliaries six; (9) supraoculars five; (10) pineal eye spot present; (11) supranasals not in contact; (12) prefrontals not in contact; (13) parietals not in contact; (14) postmental wider than mental; (15) first pair of chin shields not in contact; (16) third pair of enlarged chin shields absent; (17) nuchal scales undifferentiated; (18) dorsolateral stripes absent; and (19) continuous dorsal longitudinal rows absent.
Body ground color light orange-brown; discontinuous, irregular streaks of medium-brown pigment on dorsal surface extending from posterior edge of rostral to tail tip; pigmentation dark brown across dorsal head scales. Limbs mottled orange-brown ventrally. Head scales uniform dark brown.
Brachymeles makusog is known from Catanduanes Island and from Mt. Labo in the Camarines Norte Province of Luzon Island, Philippines. The new species has been collected from 200–1000 m above sea level. It is suspected that this species is distributed across much of the Bicol Peninsula on Luzon Island; however, additional survey work in this region is necessary before this can be confirmed.
When first observed, Brachymeles makusog is well camouflaged within soil and humus on the forest floor. Individuals were only detected after the rotting logs and soil habitats were disturbed. When disturbed, individuals immediately moved in a rapid serpentine manner and attempted to burrow back into loose soil or humus.
The name of this species is derived from the local dialect of the Bicol Peninsula. The word “makusog” is the Bicolano term for strong, robust, or brave, in reference to the large and distinctive body form of the new species. Suggested common name: Bicol Slender Skink.
Luzon Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex (PAIC; Brown and Diesmos, 2002).
Brachymeles makusog occurs in primary- and secondary-growth forest. Individuals have been observed in the rotting material within rotting logs and were captured in pitfall traps placed around rotting logs.
SVL 82.5–123.5 mm
Brachymeles makusog is a species of skink endemic to the Philippines.[1]
Brachymeles makusog is a species of skink endemic to the Philippines.
