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 palawanensis, recognized to occur only on Palawan Island in the western Philippines. In males of this species, the distal two-thirds of the dewlap is greenish-yellow (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).
Draco palawanensis can be distinguished from all other species of Draco in the Philippines by the following combination of characteristics: (1) medium in size; (2) nostrils oriented laterally on the snout; (3) enlarged, thornlike supraciliary scale absent; (4) dorsal scales variable in size, often keeled or rugose; (5) tympana unscaled; (6) mode of six ribs supporting patagium; (7) lacrimal bone absent; (8) large black postrictal ocellus surrounding an enlarged white tubercle absent; (9) in males, dorsal surface of patagium dull orange, with rectangular black blotches covering entire dorsal patagium; black blotches very small (1 mm in diameter) proximally, to large (5-9 mm in diameter) near patagial margin; (10) in females, dorsal surface of patagium dull yellow, with rectangular black blotches covering entire dorsal patagium; black blotches very small (1 mm in diameter) proximally, to large (5-9 mm in diameter) near patagial margin; (11) ventral patagium of males yellow over proximal onethird, dull orange over distal two-thirds, with several large black marginal blotches; (12) ventral patagium of females pale yellow over its entire surface, with several large black marginal blotches; (13) males with triangular, yellow-green dewlap; tissues underlying proximal portion of dewlap bright orange; (14) pale gray dorsal coloration with brown mottling in both sexes; (15) orbital region of males suffused with dark gray (information taken from McGuire and Alcala, 2000).
Draco palawanensis is known only from Palawan Island in the Philippines.
During courtship, males have been observed to first slowly extend the dewlap until the tip is projecting well forward of the snout, the dewlap is then slowly retracted, and finally 2-4 rapid double flicks of the dewlap are performed (McGuire and Alcala, 2000). During intensive courtship displays, the male also may open one of the patagia and orient his body perpendicular to that of the female (McGuire and Alcala, 2000). In addition to the movements of the dewlap and patagia, males also incorporate push-up displays, using the forelimbs only (McGuire, personal observation).
Draco palawanensis is named for the island on which the species occurs.
Draco palawanensis is recognized to occur in the Palawan Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex.
The species is common on the trunks of coconut and Casuarina trees, both characteristic of heavily disturbed habitats. In natural dipterocarp rainforest, the species probably occupies forest edge and possibly forest canopy, as in D. spilopterus and D. volans (McGuire, personal observation).
Maximum recorded SVL up to 84 mm
Draco palawanensis is a species of agamid lizard.[2] It is found in the Philippines.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Draco palawanensis is a species of agamid lizard. It is found in the Philippines.
