FOR HIS contribution to the study and conservation of Philippine lizards, former Silliman University president Dr. Angel Alcala was honored by scientists who named a newly discovered specie of lizard after him.

University of Hawaii’s Anthony J. Barley, Rafe M. Brown of University of Kansas and Marites B. Sanguila of Butuan City-based Father Saturnino Urios University named the newly discovered Sun Skink lizard from Zamboanga Peninsula “Alcala’s Quinque-carinate Sun Skink” or “Alcala’s Rough-scaled Sun Skink.” The two names were the suggested common name for Eutropis alcalai.

In their paper published by the Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology recently, the scientists wrote that they named the species in recognition of Alcala’s “numerous foundational contributions to the natural history, systematics, ecology, and conservation of Philippine lizards of the family Scincidae.”

The scientists added that the new species can only be found in the Pasonanca Natural Park near Zamboanga City.

In February, the Calamaria alcalai, a new species of reed snake found in Occidental Mindoro, was also named after Alcala.

“Aside from being known for his pioneering work in establishing marine protected areas in the Philippines, Alcala is also known for his extensive research on Philippine amphibians and reptiles since the mid-1950s which led to the discovery of 50 additional species out of the 400 known species in the country,” SU said.

In 2014, Alcala was named National Scientist for his contributions to Philippine biological sciences, particularly on marine biodiversity, herpetology, and conservation.

Currently, Alcala leads the SU Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management as a professor emeritus.