Lizards of the genus Draco are commonly recognized as Southeast Asian Flying Lizards. This moderate-sized radiation of arboreal lizards is capable of long distance gliding using wing-like patagial membranes supported by elongate thoracic ribs (McGuire and Alcala, 2000). In the Philippines there exist an endemic and species-rich assemblage of species in this genus (McGuire and Alcala, 2000). One of these species is Draco bimaculatus, recognized to occur throughout much of the Mindanao faunal region (Mindanao PAIC) in the southern Philippines. The ventral surface of this species patagium is blue with extensive black spotting (males) or yellow with extensive black spotting (females) (McGuire and Alcala, 2000). In males of this species, the dewlap is small, rounded, and off-white in coloration (McGuire and Alcala, 2000). Several species in the Philippines are recognized to have widespread distributions (D. quadrasi, D. spilopterus); however, recent work indicates these species may actually be complexes of multiple, morphological similar species (McGuire and Alcala, 2000; McGuire and Heang, 2001).
Although this species has been observed on coconut palms abbutting secondary- and primary-forest habitat, it is recognized as primarily a forest-dwelling species (McGuire and Alcala, 2000). As the species does not appear to occur in disturbed habitat (dominated by coconut palms) separated from forests, it is vital that efforts be made to protect the remaining forests throughout the species range.
Draco bimaculatus can be distinguished from all other species of Draco in the Philippines by the following combination of characteristics: (1) small adult size; (2) nostrils oriented laterally; (3) enlarged supraciliary tubercle absent; (4) dorsal scales uniform in size and without keeling; (5) tympana unscaled; (6) mode of five ribs supporting patagium; (7) lacrimal bone absent; (8) large black postrictal ocellus surrounding an enlarged white tubercle present; (9-10) dorsal patagial coloration in both sexes a lichenate blend of green, yellow, and dark brown; (11) the ventral surface of male patagium blue with extensive black spotting; (12) ventral surface of female patagium yellow with extensive black spotting; (13) males with a small, rounded dewlap, off-white in coloration; (14) pale brown or tan dorsal body coloration in both sexes, with flecks of green, white, and black scattered throughout; (15) orbital region of males (information taken from McGuire and Alcala, 2000).
Draco bimaculatus is known from the Philippine islands of Basilan, Bohol, Dinagat, Jolo, Lapac, Leyte, Lugus, Mindanao, Ponson, Samar, Sanga Sanga, Siargao, and Tawitawi.
Draco bimaculatus occurs in sympatry with D. ornatus on Samar, with D. reticulatus and D. ornatus on Bohol, and with D. everetti, D. guentheri, and D. mindanensis on Mindanao. As appears to be the case with all species of Draco in the Philippines, D. bimaculatus appears to feed primarily on ants (McGuire, personal observation).
Draco bimaculatus is recognized to occur in the Mindanao Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex.
Draco bimaculatus is found mostly in primary- and secondary-growth forest, but has been observed on coconut trees immediately adjacent to and contiguous with natural forest (McGuire and Alcala, 2000). This species has not been observed in open stands of coconut palms separated from forests, even if the forest is separated by only a few hundred meters (McGuire and Alcala, 2000).
Maximum recorded SVL up to 71 mm
Draco bimaculatus, the two-spotted flying lizard, is a species of agamid lizard.[2] It is found in the Philippines.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Draco bimaculatus, the two-spotted flying lizard, is a species of agamid lizard. It is found in the Philippines.
