Taxonomic Overview Research Articles

Biogeography and taxonomic overview of terrestrial hot spring thermophilic phages.

Bacterial viruses ("phages") play important roles in the regulation and evolution of microbial communities in most ecosystems. Terrestrial hot springs typically contain thermophilic bacterial communities, but the diversity and impacts of its associated viruses ("thermophilic phages") are largely unexplored. Here, we provide a taxonomic overview of phages that have been isolated strictly from terrestrial hot springs around the world. In addition, we placed 17 thermophilic phage genomes in a global phylogenomic context to detect evolutionary patterns. Thermophilic phages have diverse morphologies (e.g., tailed, filamentous), unique virion structures (e.g., extremely long tailed siphoviruses), and span five taxonomic families encompassing strictly thermophilic phage genera. Within the phage proteomic tree, six thermophilic phage-related clades were identified, with evident genomic relatedness between thermophilic phages and archaeal viruses. Moreover, whole proteome analyses showed clustering between phages that infect distinct host phyla, such as Firmicutes and Deinococcus-Thermus. The potential for discovery of novel phage-host systems in terrestrial hot springs remain mostly untapped, thus additional emphasis on thermophilic phages in ecological prospecting is encouraged to gain insights into the microbial population dynamics of these environments.

A revision of the Old World Black Nightshades (Morelloid clade of Solanum L., Solanaceae).

The Morelloid clade, also known as the black nightshades or “Maurella” (Morella), is one of the 10 major clades within Solanum L. The pantropical clade consists of 75 currently recognised non-spiny herbaceous and suffrutescent species with simple or branched hairs with or without glandular tips, with a centre of distribution in the tropical Andes. A secondary centre of diversity is found in Africa, where a set of mainly polyploid taxa occur. A yet smaller set of species is found in Australasia and Europe, including Solanum nigrum L., the type of the genus Solanum. Due to the large number of published synonyms, combined with complex morphological variation, our understanding of species limits and diversity in the Morelloid clade has remained poor despite detailed morphological studies carried out in conjunction with breeding experiments. Here we provide the first taxonomic overview since the 19th century of the entire group in the Old World, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and islands of the Pacific. Complete synonymy, morphological descriptions, distribution maps and common names and uses are provided for all 19 species occurring outside the Americas (i.e. Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and islands of the Pacific). We treat 12 species native to the Old World, as well as 7 taxa that are putatively introduced and/or invasive in the region. The current knowledge of the origin of the polyploid species is summarised. A key to all of the species occurring in the Old World is provided, together with line drawings and colour figures to aid identification both in herbaria and in the field. Preliminary conservation assessments are provided for all species.

StructRNAfinder: an automated pipeline and web server for RNA families prediction

BackgroundThe function of many noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) depend upon their secondary structures. Over the last decades, several methodologies have been developed to predict such structures or to use them to functionally annotate RNAs into RNA families. However, to fully perform this analysis, researchers should utilize multiple tools, which require the constant parsing and processing of several intermediate files. This makes the large-scale prediction and annotation of RNAs a daunting task even to researchers with good computational or bioinformatics skills.ResultsWe present an automated pipeline named StructRNAfinder that predicts and annotates RNA families in transcript or genome sequences. This single tool not only displays the sequence/structural consensus alignments for each RNA family, according to Rfam database but also provides a taxonomic overview for each assigned functional RNA. Moreover, we implemented a user-friendly web service that allows researchers to upload their own nucleotide sequences in order to perform the whole analysis. Finally, we provided a stand-alone version of StructRNAfinder to be used in large-scale projects. The tool was developed under GNU General Public License (GPLv3) and is freely available at http://structrnafinder.integrativebioinformatics.me.ConclusionsThe main advantage of StructRNAfinder relies on the large-scale processing and integrating the data obtained by each tool and database employed along the workflow, of which several files are generated and displayed in user-friendly reports, useful for downstream analyses and data exploration.

Tortonian teleost otoliths from northern Italy: taxonomic synthesis and stratigraphic significance

The Tortonian fish otoliths of northern Italy have been studied for more than a century and represent one of the best known otolith-based teleost faunas in the Miocene of the Mediterranean Basin. Yet with the growing knowledge on Recent otoliths, an updated taxonomic overview of this fauna is needed. Moreover, new material from hemipelagic Tortonian marls sampled at nine localities is described herein, revealing 109 taxa of which 88 are recognised at species level. Four of these are new: Coryphaenoides biobtusus sp. nov., “Merluccius” rattazzii sp. nov., Neobythites auriculatus sp. nov. and Lesueurigobius stironensis sp. nov. The compilation of previously studied and newly acquired material revealed a total of 118 nominal Tortonian species. At generic level, the fauna is characterised by many modern forms; more than 90% can be assigned to present day genera. At species level, however, more than half of the represented taxa are extinct. Based on the fossil otolith record, the Tortonian fauna of the Mediterranean is most similar to that of the Langhian (Badenian) of the Central Paratethys by sharing many extinct Miocene species, but it is also very close to that of the Pliocene Mediterranean, by sharing many modern Atlantic-Mediterranean forms. The Tortonian fauna is further characterised by many species that are apparently confined to the upper Miocene, resulting in a unique combination of its taxonomic composition.

What Is Ganoderma lucidum in the Molecular Era?

The scientific name Ganoderma lucidum has long been used in the global medicinal mushroom market, and many publications have proven its pharmacological properties and chemical components. Although several Ganoderma species have been described worldwide as having morphology considerably similar to that of G. lucidum s. str., this binomial is still the most frequently used in pharmacological studies. However, the use of particularly divergent nomenclature has caused major difficulties in the evaluation of the results of pharmacological studies. This article is intended to provide a nomenclatural and taxonomic overview of the medically important G. lucidum group, that is, G. lucidum aggregate and G. lingzhi. Moreover, we evaluate the possibilities of how nomenclatural changes can help to avoid misunderstandings in thousands of publications and highlight scientifically correct interpretations for future studies.

World review of the genus Strongylophthalmyia Heller (Diptera: Strongylophthalmyiidae). Part I: Introduction, morphology, species groups, and review of the Strongylophthalmyia punctata subgroup.

The Strongylophthalmyia punctata subgroup, comprising 24 species with armored fore femora, and restricted primarily to SE Asia, is reviewed. Eighteen new species, S. albisternum, n. sp. (Thailand), S. borneensis, n. sp. (Borneo), S. caestus, n. sp. (Philippines), S. darlingi, n. sp. (Sumatra), S. federeri, n. sp. (Philippines), S. hauseri, n. sp. (Thailand, Vietnam), S. indochinensis, n. sp. (Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam), S. inundans, n. sp. (Philippines), S. laosensis, n. sp. (Laos), S. lowi, n. sp. (Peninsular Malaysia), S. malayensis, n. sp. (Peninsular Malaysia), S. nigripalpis, n. sp. (Peninsular Malaysia), S. oxybeles, n. sp. (Sumatra), S. pappi, n. sp. (Thailand), S. phillindablank, n. sp. (China), S. sichuanica, n. sp. (China), S. sumatrana, n. sp. (Sumatra), and S. thailandica, n. sp. (Thailand) are described and illustrated, S. microstyla Shatalkin and S. punctata Hennig are redescribed based on examination of the holotypes, and a key to species of the subgroup is presented. A general taxonomic overview of the genus Strongylophthalmyia is given with discussion of and keys to proposed species groups.

Bathyal Mollusca from the cold-water coral biotope of Santa Maria di Leuca (Apulian margin, southern Italy).

This paper describes 97 molluskan species (45 Bivalvia, 3 Scaphopoda, 49 Gastropoda) recovered from bathyal bottoms off Santa Maria di Leuca (Puglia, Italy), in the northern Ionian Sea, and provides data about their taxonomy, geographical distribution, habitat, ecological requirements and fossil record. Only 6 species remain unidentified, and all are illustrated. The bivalve-dominated assemblages belong to the so-called "cold-water coral ecosystem". They appear to depend mainly on substrate characteristics, with faunas related to hard substrate around coral-colonized mound tops, and mud-related ones in inter-mound areas, respectively. Nuculanoida and Pectinoidea among bivalves, and Conoidea and Pyramidelloidea among gastropods are the most diverse suprafamilial groups. The present paper is the first comprehensive taxonomic overview of Mediterranean bathyal mollusks including larval shell characters.

New species, nomenclatural changes and recent taxonomic studies in the genusStylosanthes(Leguminosae): An update

Since the last taxonomic overview during the 1982 Stylosanthes Symposium in Townsville, Australia, 10 new species: S. falconensis , S. longicarpa , S. maracajuensis , S. nunoi , S. quintanarooensis , S. recta , S. salina , S. seabrana , S. vallsii and S. venezuelensis ; and 1 botanical variety: S. guianensis var. pauciflora ; have been validly described. Furthermore, 2 nomenclatural changes have been proposed, both being elevations of botanical varieties to the rank of species: S. gracilis and S. rostrata . In the major taxonomic databases, The Plant List and GRIN, the taxonomic status (“accepted” vs. “synonym” vs. “unresolved”) of some of these new taxa, however, differs. In addition, this paper reports on Stylosanthes names that can be found in the post-symposium literature but have not been validly published, and on recent regional studies of Stylosanthes taxonomy. Suggested research needs as perceived by non-botanists include an updated Stylosanthes monograph and taxonomic studies within the S. guianensis , S. hamata and S. scabra species complexes. Keywords: Taxonomy, validly published names. DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)122-128

A Red List of Italian Saproxylic Beetles: taxonomic overview, ecological features and conservation issues (Coleoptera)

The main objectives of this review are: 1) the compilation and updating of a reference database for Italian saproxylic beetles, useful to assess the trend of their populations and communities in the next decades; 2) the identification of the major threats involving the known Italian species of saproxylic beetles; 3) the evaluation of the extinction risk for all known Italian species of saproxylic beetles; 4) the or- ganization of an expert network for studying and continuous updating of all known species of saproxylic beetle species in Italy; 5) the creation of a baseline for future evaluations of the trends in biodiversity conservation in Italy; 6) the assignment of ecological categories to all the Italian saproxylic beetles, useful for the aims of future researches on their communities and on forest environments. The assess- ments of extinction risk are based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria and the most updated guidelines. The assessments have been carried out by experts covering different regions of Italy, and have been evaluated according to the IUCN standards. All the beetles whose larval biology is sufficiently well known as to be considered saproxylic have been included in the Red List, either the autochtho- nous species (native or possibly native to Italy) or a few allochthonous species recently introduced or probably introduced to Italy in his- toric times. The entire national range of each saproxylic beetle species was evaluated, including large and small islands; for most species, the main parameters considered for evaluation were the extent of their geographical occurrence in Italy, and the number of known sites of presence. 2049 saproxylic beetle species (belonging to 66 families) have been listed, assigned to a trophic category (Table 3) and 97% of them have been assessed. On the whole, threatened species (VU + EN + CR) are 421 (Fig. 6), corresponding to 21 % of the 1988 as- sessed species; only two species are formally recognized to be probably Regionally Extinct in Italy in recent times. Little less than 65% of the Italian saproxylic beetles are not currently threatened with extinction, although their populations are probably declining. In forest environments, the main threats are habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution due to the use of pesticide against forest pests, and habitat simplification due to economic forest management. In coastal environments, the main threats are due to massive touristic exploitation such as the excess of urbanization and infrastructures along the seashore, and the complete removal of woody materials as tree trunks stranded on the beaches, because this kind of intervention is considered an aesthetic amelioration of seaside resorts. The number of spe- cies whose populations may become impoverished by direct harvest (only a few of large forest beetles frequently collected by insect traders) is very small and almost negligible. The Red List is a fundamental tool for the identification of conservation priorities, but it is not a list of priorities on its own. Other elements instrumental to priority setting include the cost of actions, the probability of success,and the proportion of the global population of each species living in Italy, which determines the national responsibility in the long-term conservation of that species. In this scenario, information on all species endemic to Italy, to Corso-Sardinia, to the Tuscan-Corsican ar- eas, and to the Siculo-Maltese insular system are given. A short analysis on relationships among beetle species traits, taxonomy, special- ist approaches, and IUCN Categories of Risk is also presented.

The genus Diploneis Ehrenberg ex Cleve (Bacillariophyta) from Lake Hövsgöl, Mongolia

Lake Hövsgöl is an ancient lake situated in north-central Mongolia at the southern end of the Baikal Rift Zone. Throughout its limnological history, Lake Hövsgöl has developed an extraordinary diversity in different groups of organisms, such as fish and invertebrates. However, the one group that presumably holds the largest taxonomic diversity in the lake—the diatoms—has been largely overlooked. This study presents a detailed taxonomic overview of the genus Diploneis from Lake Hövsgöl as well as a few localities from the neighboring Arkhangai province. A total of 25 taxa were identified, five of which are new and potentially endemic. Alongside the endemic species, this study confirms the presence of several taxa recently described from other Mongolian lakes (e.g., Diploneis linearielliptica, Diploneis aff. heteromorphiforma and Diploneis cf. eximia), presumably peculiar for this mid-Asian region. A relatively high number of widespread species were identified in Lake Hövsgöl, commonly reported from Europe and elsewhere. Interestingly, a population of Diploneis praeclara that is morphologically closely related to populations from Neogene fossil deposits in Romania was also observed in Lake Hövsgöl. Detailed LM and SEM observations are provided, together with species descriptions and comparisons to morphologically related species. Greater knowledge of the genus Diploneis opens and guides the way towards better and more comprehensive approaches of uncovering biological diversity and biogeographical patterns on the Eurasian continent and among the ancient lakes.

Shotgun metagenomes and multiple primer pair-barcode combinations of amplicons reveal biases in metabarcoding analyses of fungi

Rapid development of high-throughput (HTS) molecular identification methods has revolutionized our knowledge about taxonomic diversity and ecology of fungi. However, PCR-based methods exhibit multiple technical shortcomings that may bias our understanding of the fungal kingdom. This study was initiated to quantify potential biases in fungal community ecology by comparing the relative performance of amplicon-free shotgun metagenomics and amplicons of nine primer pairs over seven nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) regions often used in metabarcoding analyses. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) barcodes ITS1 and ITS2 provided greater taxonomic and functional resolution and richness of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the 97% similarity threshold compared to barcodes located within the ribosomal small subunit (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) genes. All barcode-primer pair combinations provided consistent results in ranking taxonomic richness and recovering the importance of floristic variables in driving fungal community composition in soils of Papua New Guinea. The choice of forward primer explained up to 2.0% of the variation in OTU-level analysis of the ITS1 and ITS2 barcode data sets. Across the whole data set, barcode-primer pair combination explained 37.6–38.1% of the variation, which surpassed any environmental signal. Overall, the metagenomics data set recovered a similar taxonomic overview, but resulted in much lower fungal rDNA sequencing depth, inability to infer OTUs, and high uncertainty in identification. We recommend the use of ITS2 or the whole ITS region for metabarcoding and we advocate careful choice of primer pairs in consideration of the relative proportion of fungal DNA and expected dominant groups.

Taxonomic overview and tusk growth analyses of Ziegler Reservoir proboscideans

At an altitude of 2705m in the Colorado Rockies (USA), the Ziegler Reservoir fossil site gives a rare look at a high-elevation ecosystem from the late Pleistocene (especially MIS 5) of North America. Remains of more than four mammoths and about 35 mastodons dominate the macrofossil assemblage. Mammoth remains are attributed to Mammuthus columbi, and mastodon remains are referred to the well-known, continent-wide Mammut americanum. Mastodon remains occur within and between several lake-margin slump deposits. Their deposition must therefore have occurred as events that were to some degree separate in time. We treat the mastodon assemblage in each stratigraphic unit as a source of information on environmental conditions during the lives of these individuals. Mastodon mandibular tusks are abundant at the site and represent both males and females, from calves to full-grown adults. This study presents the first attempt to use microCT, thin-section, and isotope records from mandibular tusks to reconstruct features of life-history. We recognize an up-section trend in δ18O profiles toward higher values, suggestive of warmer temperatures. Throughout this sequence, mastodon growth histories show low mean sensitivities suggestive of low levels of environmental stress. This work helps frame expectations for assessing environmental pressures on terminal Pleistocene populations.

The genus Pleurotus in Brazil: a molecular and taxonomic overview

Considering that the knowledge of Pleurotus in Brazil is very dispersed and fragmented, this work presents for the first time a discussion of the recognition of at least five species certainly known from the country. Maximum likelihood analysis was conducted with nrITS sequences to generate a phylogenetic tree with a better resolution, confirming the occurrence of P. albidus, P. djamor, P. fuscosquamulosus, P. pulmonarius, and P. rickii in Brazil. In addition, we present a list of all epithets that were recorded from Brazil and current update of their taxonomic status.

Raven biology of plants, 8th edn

I first discovered Raven et al.'s Biology of plants (hereafter referred to as BoP) in its 6th edition, published in 1999, when designing a second-year undergraduate ‘botany’ course. Whether it was because this was the first book I'd secured as a free ‘Instructor evaluation copy’ of a textbook (one of the few ‘perks’ of being a university lecturer … ), I can't be sure, but it's been a constant companion, and on my recommended reading list for my plant biology courses (with suitable updating to 2005's 7th edition), ever since. Why? Because it was – and still is! – a great, all-purpose, general plant biology (botany in all but name) text, which includes abundant coloured diagrams, photos and photomicrographs, a substantial glossary (26 two-columned pages), a comprehensive index (64 three-columned pages!), suggestions of further reading (many of which are dated post-2005 as befits this ‘most significant revision in its history’) by chapter, a highly readable – therefore pedagogic? – style, and covers all the basics, from evolution, taxonomic overview of Kingdom Plantae (plus bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi and algae), ultrastructure, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry, ecology (although those latter two chapters are now only available online), and even plant–people relationships (both as a separate 22-page chapter and as 15 short essays throughout the book's approx. 900 pages). Along with the extensive updating, Peter Raven's name has disappeared from the listing of authors. It is not clear to me why this has happened, but this 8th edition is dedicated to the much-lauded gentleman (a Time magazine ‘Hero for the Planet’; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_H._Raven) and who is now honoured in BoP's updated title, Raven Biology of Plants. And BoP retains its distinctive impressionistic cover – van Gogh's 1890 ‘Field of Poppies’ this time – which makes it stand out from the other books on the shelf! Does such a wonderful book have any competitors? Yes, there is a big, competitive market for undergraduate textbooks and plant biology is no exception. However, the textbook closest in style and coverage to BoP – that I know of – is the approx. 700-page tome Mauseth's Botany (2014), now in its 5th edition. I like ‘Mauseth’ (and it's not just because it's entitled botany!), but tend to turn to BoP first and supplement information from that source with material from other texts – such as Mauseth's. And you will need to supplement BoP with other sources. If you want more on the plant physiology side of things, then you will probably need the likes of specialist texts such as Taiz and Zeiger (2010). If you are after more of the molecular biology dimension, then Smith et al. (2010) or Jones et al. (2013) will help. To delve deeper into the structural–developmental side of plants, texts like Beck (2010) will be needed. For more on those all-important plants-and-people aspects of botany, then invaluable are Levetin and McMahon (2012) and Mauseth (2013), etc. The point is not that you don't need any other text than BoP, because you do!, but BoP is an excellent starting point for the basics of plant biology. Simply ‘mix-and-match’ BoP with your favourite, more specialist other texts to get the desired final outcome as suits your particular audience. So, in concluison, I don't think you can beat Raven Biology of Plants as a great all-round, comprehensive introduction to botany (oh, alright then! plant biology). An aside: the above comments refer to the so-called International Edition – ‘for use outside the USA and Canada’ – of BoP, 8th edition. I've often wondered what may be different in this edition compared to the USA one, and scrutinising Amazon's UK site I think I may have found the answer. The non-International Edition is shown retailing at about £120, but a reviewer (http://amzn.to/1jxOoOa) says that both editions have the same content. So, maybe the International Edition should be renamed the ‘Austerity’ Edition. In any event, it is nice to know that the Americans are helping out the cash-strapped botany students of Europe and non-USA/Canada!

A taxonomic overview of marine and estuarine oligochaetes from Brazil

Aquatic oligochaetes from South America are still poorly known. As a basis for a general survey of marine oligochaetes from the southwestern Atlantic, we present here a critical overview of the available taxonomic information on marine and estuarine oligochaetes from Brazil. Only 13 of the 600 described species are currently known from Brazil, and 8 exclusively from their type locations. The enchytraeid Marionina cf. nevisensis is newly reported from Sao Sebastiao (Sao Paulo State). The distribution range of the naidid Tectidrilus gabriellae is expanded to the Paranagua Bay (Parana, S Brazil).

Taxonomy of the Oriental genus Bolbochromus: a generic overview and descriptions of four new species (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Bolboceratinae).

A taxonomic overview of the essentially Oriental genus Bolbochromus Boucomont, 1909 is given. Two new southeast Asian subgenera are proposed: Metabolbochromus (type species Scarabaeus sulcicollis Wiedemann, 1819), characterised by unique male genitalia (lacking separated parameres), and Bolbochromops (type species Bolboceras ludekingi Lansberge, 1886), with a distinctly two-horned head (but with separated parameres). The remaining known Bolbochromus, apparently all with a distinct pair of parameres and a distinct frontovertexal protrusion only, are left in the nominotypical subgenus, awaiting a reappraisal of the poorly sampled continental fauna. Four new species are described and compared with close relatives, all in the nominotypical subgenus: Bolbochromus (Bolbochromus) dumogensis (Sulawesi), B. (Bolbochromus) mindanaicus (Philippines), B. (Bolbochromus) pumilus (south India), and B. (Bolbochromus) sinensis (south China). Identity of type species of Bolbochromus to be established (type of Bolboceras laetus Westwood, 1852 not found, and type locality Ceylon doubtful). All named Bolbochromus taxa are listed and characterised (some of them tentatively) in a synoptic table. The southeast Asian island taxa are all keyed and diagnosed, along with notes on variation, range extensions, taxon ranking, and illustrations.

Contributions to the taxonomy of the genus Anticharis (Scrophulariaceae) especially in Namibia and Angola

A taxonomic overview of the genus Anticharis (Scrophulariaceae) especially in Namibia and Angola is presented. Three new species are described, viz. A. namibensis B. Nord., A. kaokoensis B. Nord. and A. angolensis B. Nord. A key to the Anticharis species of Namibia and Angola is presented. Some aspects of phytogeography, molecular phylogeny and photosynthetic pathways (C3-C4) are briefly discussed.

A taxonomic overview and key to the ants of Barrow Island, Western Australia

– This work characterises the ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) fauna of Barrow Island, Western Australia, and provides a key to the workers and several unique reproductives of the 117 species recorded from the island thus far.

Partial migration in fishes: definitions, methodologies and taxonomic distribution

Partial migration, where populations are composed of both migratory and resident individuals, is extremely widespread across the animal kingdom. Researchers studying fish movements have long recognized that many fishes are partial migrants, however, no detailed taxonomic review has ever been published. In addition, previous work and synthesis has been hampered by a varied lexicon associated with this phenomenon in fishes. In this review, definitions and important concepts in partial migration research are discussed, and a classification system of the different forms of partial migration in fishes introduced. Next, a detailed taxonomic overview of partial migration in this group is considered. Finally, methodological approaches that ichthyologists can use to study this fascinating phenomenon are reviewed. Partial migration is more widespread amongst fishes than previously thought, and given the array of techniques available to fish biologists to study migratory variation the future of the field looks promising.

Unravelling the underestimated diversity of Philippine water monitor lizards (Squamata: Varanus salvator complex), with the description of two new species and a new subspecies

Recently, the first part of the morphological revision of the Southeast Asian water monitor lizards of the Varanus salvator (Laurenti, 1768) species group provided a taxonomic overview over the members of this successful and widespread species complex (Koch et al. 2007). There, the Philippine taxa marmoratus, nuchalis and cumingi were reelevated to species status due to diagnostic morphological characteristics, e.g. significantly enlarged scales on the neck region. In this second part of the ongoing revision, these three species are re-investigated using additional voucher specimens and advanced statistical techniques including canonical variates analysis and principal component analysis. Our new investigations indicate that V. marmoratus represents a composite species, comprising at least three distinct taxa. Hence, the populations of the Sulu Archipelago (Tawi–Tawi Island) and those of the Palawan region are described as new species, viz. Varanus rasmusseni sp. nov. and V. palawanensis sp. nov., respectively. The allopatric island populations of V. cumingi inhabiting Samar, Leyte, and Bohol (the East Visayan subregion) show characteristic and geographically correlated colour patterns distinct from the type locality Mindanao (the second subregion of Greater Mindanao), warranting subspecific partition of this species. The new subspecies is named V. cumingi samarensis ssp. nov. In contrast, the taxonomic status of V. nuchalis remained unchanged, although this species shows some considerable variation in colour pattern. The systematic chapters are supplemented with notes about biology and conservation status. The hitherto underestimated diversity and zoogeography of Philippine water monitors is discussed in the light of Pleistocene sea level fluctuations. Finally, we introduce a scenario for the evolution and spread of Southeast Asian water monitor lizards and provide an identification key for the Philippine members of the V. salvator complex.