Herpetological postage stamps issued from the Philippines

2020·24.9 MB·

by  Das, Indraneil

SHORT COMMUNICATION | Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology
DOI 10.26757/pjsb2020b14009
Herpetological postage stamps issued from the Philippines
Indraneil Das1* and Genevieve V.A. Gee2
Abstract

In this essay, we commemorate the zoological and herpetological contributions of Angel Chua Alcala, with a review of
stamps and pictorial cancellations on herpetological themes from the Philippines. Between 1982 and 2017, a total of 79
such stamps, stamp sheetlets and undenominated tabs, depicting amphibians and reptiles have been officially issued by the
postal administration of the country, all but one within its commemorative stamp releases. Species featured are those of
ecotourism importance, in addition to threatened or endemic taxa, although stylized as well as non-local species too have
featured on stamps produced by the country.

Keywords: Philippines, philately, stamps, postmarks, amphibians, reptiles
Introduction Domfil (1992) for the herpetofauna as a whole. Published
literature in herpetological philately includes regional
The archipelagic nation of the Philippines has, over the inventories: Amr (2013) for the Middle East, and Das (2014) for
years, issued more than its fair share of stamps on Malaysia; and the use of the theme for raising conservation
herpetological themes. Understandably, a majority of these awareness, chiefly, marine turtles (Balazs et al., 1990; Gomez
depict marine turtles, much associated both with the country’s and Balazs 1983), drawing attention to other topics, such as
culture and heritage and linked to ecotourism and its beaches cultural significance of herpetofaunas (Rings 2005), or
and marine life. Herpetological motifs that have appeared understanding local perceptions of a nation’s biodiversity
include snakes, linked to the annual celebration of the Chinese through its philatelic releases (Nemésio et al., 2013).
Lunar New Year (the snake taking the sixth spot once in twelve All official issues from the Philippines, featuring
years). amphibians and reptiles, were enumerated (Table 1). The cut-off
This essay, honoring one of Philippines’ distinguished date was 22 June 2020. We include here stamps that feature
environmental heroes, Dr. Angel Chua Alcala, presents an herpetological motifs, symbols or represent stylized species that
inventory of postage stamps issued by the Philippines Post. sometimes are unrecognizable to species. Names of series
Herpetologists have acknowledged Dr Alcala’s significant work follow Stanley Gibbons catalogues. Abbreviations of catalogue
on the country’s herpetofauna by naming a genus of amphibian, prefix, SG represent the Stanley Gibbons Catalog numbers
Alcalus, in his honor (Brown et al., 2015). (from the SG catalogues). Text figures are not reproduced to
Depiction of amphibians and reptiles on stamps of the scale
world is widespread and has been discussed in the philatelic
literature (e.g., Riemer, 1993; Das, 1994, 2014; Watermolen, Results
1995), and specialist catalogs exist on the topic, such as those of
Eichler (2017) for amphibians and Bearse et al. (1977) and Philatelic issues from the Philippines started in the year
1854, during Spanish dominion under Queen Isabella II, and
with “Filipinas” since 1872 from the reign of King Amadeus I,
1Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti via the use of overprinted United States stamps in 1899, to the
Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia first stamps under its current name in 1946, upon the country’s
21E8 Village Grove Condominium, Lorong F, Jalan Stutong, BDC independence on 4 July. A postal history of the Philippines is in
93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Encarnacion (1985). At the time of this review (22 June 2020),

as many as 79 postage stamps (including stamp sheetlets and
*Corresponding email: [email protected] undenominated tabs) on a herpetological theme have been
issued by the country (Table 1). Face values are indicated in
Date Submitted: 24 June 2020
Philippine Pesos (PHP), except for the first herpetological issue,
Date Accepted: 14 December 2020 a low-value of 40 centavos.
© Association of Systematic Biologists of the Philippines Volume 14 Issue 2 - 2020 | 1
Das & Gee: Herpetological Stamps Issued from the Philippines
Table 1. Herpetological stamps issued by the Philippines. Codes on the importance of the herpetological image include (a) primary, when the
image is central to the theme, such as of direct relevance to the title of the series; (b) secondary, when the image is indirectly related to the issue; (c)
herpetological motifs, symbols or stylized images unrecognizable to species. Other abbreviations include: SG, Stanley Gibbons catalog number; p,
Philippine Peso.
Sl SG Series Name Face value Code Date of issue Species depicted
10th Anniversary of United
5 October
1 1707 Nations Environmental p0.40 b Chelonia mydas
1982
Programme
2091 Olympic Games, Seoul
2 p1 b 11 July 1988 Chelonia mydas
perforate (1st Issue)
2091 Olympic Games, Seoul
3 p1 b 11 July 1988 Chelonia mydas
imperforate (1st Issue)
ASEAN Environment 10 August
4 2762 p2 a Indeterminate sea turtle
Year 1995 1995
ASEAN Environment 10 August
5 MS2764 p2 a Indeterminate sea turtle
Year 1995 1995
International Year of the 24 October
6 3021 p16 a Indeterminate sea turtle
Reef 1997
International Year of the 24 October
7 MS3022 p16 a Indeterminate sea turtle
Reef 1997
International Year of the 24 October
8 3166 p15 a Chelonia mydas
Ocean 1998
International Year of the 24 October
9 MS3167 p15 a Chelonia mydas
Ocean 1998
10 3234 Frogs p5 a 5 April 1999 Rhacophorus pardalis
11 3235 Frogs p5 a 5 April 1999 Platymantis dorsalis
12 3236 Frogs p5 a 5 April 1999 Limnonectes woodworthi
13 3237 Frogs p5 a 5 April 1999 Limnonectes magnus
14 MS3238a Frogs p5 a 5 April 1999 Nyctixalus spinosus
15 MS3238b Frogs p5 a 5 April 1999 Kaloula conjuncta
16 MS3238c Frogs p5 a 5 April 1999 Pulchrana granocula
17 3242 Marine Life p5 a 11 May 1999 Laticauda colubrina
New Year. Year of the 20 December
18 3391 p5 a Pantherophis guttatus
Snake 2000
New Year. Year of the 20 December
19 3392 p11 a Pantherophis guttatus
Snake 2000
MS3393a 20 December
20 2001 Year of the Snake p5 a Pantherophis guttatus
perforate 2000
MS3393b 20 December
21 2001 Year of the Snake p11 a Pantherophis guttatus
perforate 2000
MS3393a 20 December
22 2001 Year of the Snake p5 a Pantherophis guttatus
imperforate 2000
MS3393b 20 December
23 2001 Year of the Snake p11 a Pantherophis guttatus
imperforate 2000
Hong Kong 2001. Interna-
3 February
24 3401 tional Stamp Exhibition. p5 a Eretmochelys imbricata
2001
Flora and Fauna
Hong Kong 2001. Interna-
3 February
25 MS3403c tional Stamp Exhibition. p11 a Eretmochelys imbricata
2001
Flora and Fauna
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Das & Gee: Herpetological Stamps Issued from the Philippines
Cont’d. Table 1. Herpetological stamps issued by the Philippines.
Sl SG Series Name Face value Code Date of issue Species depicted
Fisheries and Coastal Re-
26 MS3505 p5 a 24 June 2002 Indeterminate sea turtle
sources Conservation
The Twelve Animals of 9 September
27 3692 p6 a Pantherophis guttatus
the Lunar New Year Cycle 2004
31 March
28 3870 Philippine Marine Turtles p7 a Lepidochelys olivacea
2006
31 March
29 3871 Philippine Marine Turtles p7 a Eretmochelys imbricata
2006
31 March
30 3872 Philippine Marine Turtles p7 a Caretta caretta
2006
31 March
31 3873 Philippine Marine Turtles p7 a Dermochelys coriacea
2006
31 March
32 MS3874 Philippine Marine Turtles p26 a Chelonia mydas
2006
Philippines Marine 18 November
33 4308 p5 a Chelonia mydas
Biodiversity 2010
34 4458 Philippine Crocodile p7 a 16 May 2011 Crocodylus mindorensis
35 4459 Philippine Crocodile p7 a 16 May 2011 Crocodylus mindorensis
36 4460 Philippine Crocodile p7 a 16 May 2011 Crocodylus mindorensis
37 4461 Philippine Crocodile p7 a 16 May 2011 Crocodylus mindorensis
Philippine Endemic 30 August
38 4495 p7 a Otosaurus cumingi
Lizards 2011
Philippine Endemic 30 August
39 4496 p7 a Gekko carusadensis
Lizards 2011
Philippine Endemic 30 August
40 4497 p7 a Cyrtodactylus mamanwa
Lizards 2011
Philippine Endemic 30 August
41 4498 p7 a Parvoscincus leucospilos
Lizards 2011
Philippine Endemic 30 August
42 MS4499a p7 a Gonocephalus sophiae
Lizards 2011
Philippine Endemic 30 August
43 MS4499b p7 a Tropidophorus grayii
Lizards 2011
Philippine Endemic 30 August
44 MS4499c p7 a Hydrosaurus pustulatus
Lizards 2011
Philippine Endemic 30 August
45 MS4499d p7 a Brachymeles elerae
Lizards 2011
15 December
46 4538 Endemic Frogs p7 a Nyctixalus spinosus
2011
15 December
47 4539 Endemic Frogs p7 a Platymantis pygmaeus
2011
15 December
48 4540 Endemic Frogs p7 a Barbourula busuangensis
2011
15 December
49 4541 Endemic Frogs p7 a Platymantis biak
2011
15 December
50 MS4542a Endemic Frogs p7 a Rhacophorus pardalis
2011
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Das & Gee: Herpetological Stamps Issued from the Philippines
Cont’d. Table 1. Herpetological stamps issued by the Philippines.
Sl SG Series Name Face value Code Date of issue Species depicted
15 December
51 MS4542b Endemic Frogs p7 a Kaloula kalingensis
2011
15 December
52 MS4542c Endemic Frogs p7 a Sanguirana igorata
2011
15 December
53 MS4542d Endemic Frogs p7 a Alcalus mariae
2011
12 December Indeterminate species of
54 4613 Year of the Snake p10 c
2012 Naja
12 December Indeterminate species of
55 4614 Year of the Snake p30 c
2012 Naja
Indeterminate species of
p10 (x 2), 12 December
56 MS4615 Year of the Snake c Naja; Naja naja on selvage
p30 (x 2) 2012
to right
- (on
57 MS4667 Marine Biodiversity a 2 August 2013 Chelonia mydas
selvage)
Marine Biodiversity.
Thailand 2013 Internatio- - (on
58 MS4668 a 8 August 2013 Chelonia mydas
nal Stamp Exhibition. selvage)
Overprinted
50th Fish Conservation 14 October
59 4681 p10 a Chelonia mydas
Week 2013
11 November
60 Awaited Philippine Wildlife p15 a Hydrosaurus pustulosus
2015
28 November
2017; over-
Awaited (op of No. - (on
61 Marine Biodiversity a print of issue Chelonia mydas
57) selvage)
from 2 August
2013
27 March
62 Awaited Endemic Lizards II p12 a Gekko gigante
2017
27 March
63 Awaited Endemic Lizards II p12 a Lipinia pulchella
2017
27 March
64 Awaited Endemic Lizards II p12 a Brachymeles bicolor
2017
27 March
65 Awaited Endemic Lizards II p12 a Pseudogekko brevipes
2017
27 March
66 Awaited Endemic Lizards II p12 a Pseudogekko smaragdinus
2017
27 March
67 Awaited Endemic Lizards II p7 a Bronchocela marmorata
2017
27 March
68 Awaited Endemic Lizards II p7 a Gonocephalus sophiae
2017
27 March
69 Awaited Endemic Lizards II p7 a Tropidophorus misaminius
2017
16 August
70 Awaited Endemic Snakes p12 a Boiga philippina
2017
16 August Boiga dendrophila
71 Awaited Endemic Snakes p12 a
2017 divergens
16 August Trimeresurus
72 Awaited Endemic Snakes p12 a
2017 flavomaculatus
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Das & Gee: Herpetological Stamps Issued from the Philippines
Cont’d. Table 1. Herpetological stamps issued by the Philippines.
Sl SG Series Name Face value Code Date of issue Species depicted
16 August
73 Awaited Endemic Snakes p12 a Malayotyphlops ruficaudus
2017
16 August Chrysopelea paradisi
74 Awaited Endemic Snakes p25 a
2017 variabilis
16 August
75 Awaited Endemic Snakes p25 a Lycodon ferroni
2017
16 August
76 Awaited Endemic Snakes p25 a Rhabdophis lineatus
2017
16 August
77 Awaited Endemic Snakes p25 a Dryophiops philippina
2017
- (on 16 August Trimeresurus
78 - Endemic Snakes a
selvage) 2017 flavomaculatus
The country’s first such stamp (Fig. 1), under its official The following month, on 11 May 1999, the agency issued
postal administration appeared on 5 October 1982, under the a set of four stamps (PHP 5 each), issued in se-tenant, on these
series 10th Anniversary of the United Nations Environmental islands’ marine life, one showing Laticauda colubrina (Fig. 7).
Programme (UNEP). It depicts a Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas The Chinese New Year is the most significant of festive
on a 40 centavo (= PHP 0.40) stamp. The commemorative issue occasions for the Chinese diaspora worldwide, and currently, 77
was significant as UNEP, at this meeting, initiated an countries and postal authorities issue commemoratives to mark
environmental awards programme for the recognition of the event. Of late, the Chinese Shengxiao (Zodiac) Philatelic
prominent individuals or organizations that have made Society has been organizing a philatelic contest to recognise the
substantial contributions towards environmental protection. best Chinese zodiac stamps. Therefore, with a twinge of
The second issue was from 11 July 1988, again a Green disappointment, herpetologists saw the North American Corn
Turtle, Chelonia mydas, along with a diver, strangely issued to Snake, Pantherophis guttatus on stamps and sheetlets from the
commemorate the Summer Olympics (“Games of the XXIV country, issued on 20 December 2000. The two designs (of PHP
Olympiad”) of 1988 at Seoul, South Korea (Fig. 2). The design 5 and 11), showing a regular color morph and an albinistic one,
appears in perforate as well as imperforate formats, in a se- appear both as separate stamps as well as on miniature sheets, in
tenant strip of four. perforate and imperforate formats (Fig. 8). However, the
The next four stamps and stamp sheetlets depict sheetlets themselves look festive enough, with additional
indeterminate species of marine turtles, two of which appear in undenominated tabs, showing stylized snakes as well as
releases from the ASEAN Environment Year, 10 August 1995 illustrated selvage on top.
(Fig. 3) and the International Year of the Reef, 24 October 1997 The next few releases revert back to the favorite theme-
(Fig. 4). In both cases, although given separate catalog numbers, marine life. On 3 February 2001, at the Hong Kong International
the postal authority uses the same stamp design. The pattern Stamp Exhibition, held 1–5 February 2001 in Hall 1 of the Hong
continues in the release commemorating the International Year Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Philippines issued
of the Ocean, 24 October 1998 (Fig. 5), with the stamp and a stamp and a sheetlet (Fig. 9) showing a Hawksbill Sea Turtle,
sheetlet showing a marine scene and depicting a Green Turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata (PHP 5 and 11, respectively). Marine
Chelonia mydas. theme continued with a se-tenant block of four on the theme
Philippines Post started looking landwards with a release “Fisheries and Coastal Resources Conservation”, issued on 24
on frogs on 5 April 1999 (Fig. 6). The issue is a significant one, June 2002 (Fig. 10), that include a stamp showing an
being the first to cover the archipelago’s diverse amphibian indeterminate sea turtle (PHP 5).
fauna, commemorated via a four value set of stamps (each of The American Corn Snake, Pantherophis guttatus made a
PHP 5), showing Rhacophorus pardalis, Platymantis dorsalis, perhaps unwelcome return in a release from 9 September 2004,
Limnonectes woodworthi, and Limnonectes magnus (Fig. 6) from a sheet entitled “The Twelve Animals of the Lunar New
Additionally, there was a sheetlet of three value stamps (also of Year Cycle”. Issued on 9 September 2004, each of the 12 stamps
PHP 5 value) that show Nyctixalus spinosus, Kaloula conjuncta, (of PHP 6 face value each) features an animal from the Chinese
and Pulchrana granocula (Fig. 6). zodiac (Fig. 11).
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Das & Gee: Herpetological Stamps Issued from the Philippines
Table 2. Herpetological cancellations from the Philippines.
Series
Sl SG Description Date of issue Species Cancellation
Name
3234– Endemic 4-value stamps;
1 3237; Philippine four stamps in 4 April 1999 Rhacophorus pardalis
MS3238 Frogs miniature sheet

4495– Philippine 4-value stamps;
30 August
2 4498; Endemic four stamps in Brachymeles elerae
2011
MS4499 Lizards miniature sheet

4538– Philippine 4-value stamps;
15 December
3 4541; Endemic four stamps in Limnonectes macrocephalus
2011
MS4542 Frogs miniature sheet

Philippine 4-value stamps; Pseudogekko smaragdinus
4 Awaited Endemic four stamps in 27 March 2017 (but with a dark vertebral
Lizards 2 miniature sheet stripe)

Philippine 4-value stamps;
16 August Trimeresurus
5 Awaited Endemic four stamps in
2017 flavomaculatus
Snakes miniature sheet

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Das & Gee: Herpetological Stamps Issued from the Philippines
Marine turtles, representing all the known local species, It is the year 2013, which brings back the ‘Year of the
appear in the next release, a well-designed issue from 31 March Snake’. This time around, the Corn Snake is replaced by an
2006 (Fig. 12), the four stamps of PHP 7 value each, the indeterminate species of cobra, Naja, on a release from 12
sheetlet indicated as of PHP 26 value. The stamp sets depict December 2012 (Fig. 17). The two snake stamps are of PHP 10
Lepidochelys olivacea, Eretmochelys imbricata, Caretta and 30, while the sheetlet has the same design and
caretta, and Dermochelys coriacea; the sheetlet shows a denomination, reproduced in sets of two. Additionally, the broad
Chelonia mydas. selvage on the right bears an image of the Indian Cobra, Naja
Between 29 March 2010 and 20 January 2011, the naja.
Philippines released a series of 37 stamps under a new A large sheet was issued on 2 August 2013 on the theme
definitive series on marine biodiversity. One of these (a PHP 5 “Marine Biodiversity” (Fig. 18). No herpetological species
stamp), issued 18 November 2010, features a Green Turtle, feature on the eight triangular stamps (PHP 10 each) but the top
Chelonia mydas (Fig. 13). left (the ‘northwestern corner’ of philatelists) of the sheetlet has
Two species of crocodilians occur in the archipelago, and a swimming Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas. This beautiful sheet
while the Saltwater Crocodile, Crocodylus porosus has was reissued 28 November 2018, overprinted with the logo of
appeared in dozens of stamps worldwide, the endemic the Thailand World Stamp Exhibition, held in Bangkok, 28
Philippine Crocodile, Crocodylus mindorensis, which is listed November to 3 December 2018 (Fig. 19).
as ‘Critically Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List (IUCN 2020), The Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas, appears again in a
appears to have been thus far neglected. Matters were set right release on 14 October 2013 (Fig. 20), entitled “50th Fish
on 16 May 2011, when Philippines Post released a set of four Conservation Week”. The release commemorates the Bureau of
stamps (PHP 7 each), depicting the species (Fig. 14). Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and included three se-tenant
One of the most attractive herpetological stamps brought stamps in a sheetlet, each of face value PHP 10. Herpetologists
out by the country was in the series from 30 August 2011, will recollect that the American herpetologist – World War II
entitled “Philippines Endemic Lizards” (Fig. 15). The species spy (Borrell, 2013), Edward Harrison Taylor (1889–1978), was
depicted are endemics to the islands and many obscure or then Chief of its precursor, the Division of Fisheries, Manila,
recently described. The authorities worked with the Philippine between 1916–1920.
National Museum staff herpetologist, Arvin Cantor Diesmos, to On 11 November 2015, the country issued a vertical
get accurate portrayal of these species. The four value stamps sheetlet commemorating the wildlife of the Philippines via a
appear in sets of four on each sheet, and depict the following sheetlet of PHP 15 x 4 (Fig. 21) that depicts four species,
species in each stamp (of PHP 7 face value): Otosaurus including the Philippines Sail-fin Lizard, Hydrosaurus
cumingi, Gekko carusadensis, Cyrtodactylus mamanwa, and pustulosus. Although based on photographs, rather than the
Parvoscincus leucospilos (under its older name, typical imagery seen in the country’s stamps, the bright green
Sphenomorphus leucospilos). The stamp sheetlet is composed cast on the lizard does not reflect the true color known in this
of four stamps (PHP 7 each) and depict Gonocephalus sophiae, species.
Tropidophorus grayii, Hydrosaurus pustulatus, and On 27 March 2017, a series entitled “Philippines Endemic
Brachymeles elerae. The top left quarter of the sheetlet has an Lizards II” (Fig. 22) was released, comprising four stamps (PHP
Otosaurus cumingi (under an earlier name, Sphenomorphus 12 each) depicting Gekko gigante, Lipinia pulchella,
cumingi), printed across two undenominated tabs. Brachymeles bicolor, and Pseudogekko brevipes. The
The next release is the second series of an earlier theme, accompanying sheetlet comprise four stamps (also PHP 12
on the endemic frogs of the Philippines (Fig. 16). The date of each), which show Pseudogekko smaragdinus, Bronchocela
issue is 15 December 2011, and the contents include four marmorata, Gonocephalus sophiae, and Tropidophorus
stamps (PHP 7 each) and a sheetlet of four stamps (also of the misaminius). A large image of Varanus olivaceus, perhaps the
same denomination). Species depicted on the stamps are most famous of the country’s herpetofauna, a frugivorous
Nyctixalus spinosus, Platymantis pygmaeus, Barbourula varanid, sprawls across two undenominated portions of the
busuangensis, and Platymantis biak. The sheetlet shows sheetlet.
Rhacophorus pardalis, Kaloula kalingensis, Sanguirana The last series to be discussed is arguably Philippines
igorata, and Alcalus mariae (under its earlier name, Ingerana finest, and cover the last great group not dealt with in detail
mariae), besides an undenominated tab showing Limnonectes (excluding a marine snake and the exotic or unrecognisable
macrocephalus. species from Chinese New Year). On 16 August 2017, the postal
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Das & Gee: Herpetological Stamps Issued from the Philippines

Figure 1. SG 1707, “10th Anniversary of United Nations Figure 2. SG 2091 (perforate, left; imperforate, right), “Olympic
Environmental Programme” (Chelonia mydas). Games, Seoul (1st Issue)” (Chelonia mydas).
Figure 4. SG 3021 and MS3022 (stamp with white edges, left; sheetlet, right), “International
Year of the Reef” (Indeterminate sea turtle).
Figure 3. SG 2762 and MS2764 (stamp on top;
sheetlet at bottom), “ASEAN Environment Year
1995” (Indeterminate sea turtle).
Figure 6. SG 3234–3237; MS3238a–3238c (stamps, left; sheetlet, right), “Endemic
Philippine Frogs” (Rhacophorus pardalis, Platymantis dorsalis, Limnonectes woodworthi,
Limnonectes magnus, Nyctixalus spinosus, Kaloula conjuncta and Pulchrana granocula).
Figure 5. SG 3166 and MS3167 (stamp, with white
Figure 7. SG 3242, “Marine Life” (Laticauda colubrina).
edges, top; sheetlet, bottom), “International Year of
the Ocean” (Chelonia mydas).
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Das & Gee: Herpetological Stamps Issued from the Philippines

Figure 9. SG 3401; MS3403c (stamps, on top; sheetlet, bottom),
“Hong Kong 2001. International Stamp Exhibition. Flora and
Fauna” (Eretmochelys imbricata).
Figure 8. SG 3391–3392; MS3393a–3393b (stamps, top;
sheetlets, bottom), “New Year. Year of the
Snake” (Pantherophis guttatus).
Figure 10. SG MS3505, “Fisheries and Coastal Resources Figure 11. SG 3692 (sheetlet on top), “The Twelve Animals of the
Conservation” (Indeterminate sea turtle). Lunar New Year Cycle” (Pantherophis guttatus reproduced at
bottom).
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Das & Gee: Herpetological Stamps Issued from the Philippines
Figure 12. SG 3870–3873; MS3875 (stamps, top;
sheetlet, bottom), “Philippine Marine
Turtles” (Lepidochelys olivacea, Eretmochelys
imbricata, Caretta caretta, Dermochelys coriacea
and Chelonia mydas).
Figure 14. SG 4458–4461,
“Philippine Crocodile”
Figure 13. SG 4308, “Philippines Marine (Crocodylus mindorensis).
Biodiversity” (Chelonia mydas).
Figure 16. SG4538–4541; MS4542a–d (stamps, left; sheetlet, right), “Endemic Frogs (Nyctixalus
spinosus, Platymantis pygmaeus, Barbourula busuangensis, Platymantis biak, Rhacophorus
pardalis, Kaloula kalingensis, Sanguirana igorata and Alcalus mariae).
Figure 15. SG4495–4498; MS4499a–d (stamps, top; sheetlet, bottom), “Philippines Endemic
Lizards” (Otosaurus cumingi, Gekko carusadensis, Cyrtodactylus mamanwa, Parvoscincus
leucospilos, Gonocephalus sophiae, Tropidophorus grayii, Hydrosaurus pustulatus and Brachymeles
elerae).
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