Probable distribution of Metapocyrtus latifasciatus
[Main] [Weevils of PH] [Genus Metapocyrtus]
Metapocyrtus latifasciatus Bollino, Medina, Cabras, 2020
Distribution
In the acknowledgment section, the paper indicated an expression of gratitude to "DENR Region XI for granting free permission to conduct biodiversity assessment in the City of Davao" (Page 38 of Reference 1). The term "free permission", however, is not defined in RA 9147 [3], its IRR, and the Bioprospecting Guidelines.
Collection of M. latifasciatus done in the Province of Davao del Sur, City of Digos may have been covered by a Wildlife Gratuitous Permit from Region XI. However, collection was also done in Region XII, specifically in the Province of Sarangani, Municipality of Kiamba; Province of Cotabato, Municipality of Magpet; and Province of South Cotabato, City of Kidapawan. Permits are usually issued per region, but an acknowledgment for DENR Region XII was not indicated. Acknowledgments are required as stipulated in Section 4.1 of the Wildlife Gratuitous Permit.
The Materials and Methods section indicate that collections not deposited at the local Philippine university "were obtained through trusted insect collectors" (Page 27 of Reference 1). The collection method of these "trusted insect collectors" were not detailed in the paper. The arbitrary use of the term "trusted insect collectors" in the methodology seems somewhat subjective and may sound pseudoscientific.
The names of these "trusted insect collectors" may be verified through a simple Freedom of Information request on the Wildlife Gratuitous Permit (WGP) and the Wildlife Export Certification (WEC) issued by the respective Regions.
If wildlife collections are done without such permits and exported without such certifications, then these may constitute violations of Philippine wildlife laws and stiff penalties may be imposed.
Metapocyrtus latifasciatus Bollino, Medina, Cabras, 2020
- The paper avoided subgeneric assignment of this species, as mentioned in the introduction (Page 27, Reference 1).
- The paper indicated that there are 14 female paratypes. Upon reviewing several times, there seems to be only 13 females; 6 from Region XI and 7 from Region XII.
Distribution
Figure 1: Color plates (artistic renditions) of female and male M. latifasciatus (left), and map of the Philippine archipelago showing the provinces where specimens were said to be collected (right) based on one article published in 2020 [1].
Mindanao
Region XI: Davao
- Province of Davao del Sur, Mt. Apo (probably City of Digos)
Region XII: SOCCSKSARGEN
Comments on Locality Data
- Province of Sarangani, Municipality of Kiamba
- Province of Cotabato, Municipality of Magpet
- Province of South Cotabato, Kidapawan City, Mt. Apo
Comments on Locality Data
The paper stated that the holotype of M. latifasciatus together with 8 paratypes collected on June-July 2017 were from "Mindanao/Mt. Apo - Calatagan/ (Davao del Sur - Brgy. Digos)" (Page 34 of Reference 1).
Davao del Sur does not have a municipality named Calatagan. The Municipality of Calatagan is in the Province of Batangas, Region IV-A (Calabarzon) which is located in mainland Luzon. Also, there is no Barangay (Brgy.) Digos in Mt. Apo. There is, however, a barangay named Kapatagan in a city named Digos which covers part of Mt. Apo [2]. In this case, the paper may have actually meant that the collection was done in the Province of Davao del Sur, City of Digos, Barangay Kapatagan.
This seemingly inaccurate locality data shows the necessity for verification. An expert in Philippine geography may need to be consulted, before publication, to avoid dissemination of possibly misleading data. In the case of this paper, at least someone who knows the geography of Davao Region may need to have been brought in to review. Inclusion of GPS coordinates is a sure way to present accurate locality. However, no GPS coordinates were indicated in the paper.
Davao del Sur does not have a municipality named Calatagan. The Municipality of Calatagan is in the Province of Batangas, Region IV-A (Calabarzon) which is located in mainland Luzon. Also, there is no Barangay (Brgy.) Digos in Mt. Apo. There is, however, a barangay named Kapatagan in a city named Digos which covers part of Mt. Apo [2]. In this case, the paper may have actually meant that the collection was done in the Province of Davao del Sur, City of Digos, Barangay Kapatagan.
Figure 2: Locations of Calatagan and Digos.
This seemingly inaccurate locality data shows the necessity for verification. An expert in Philippine geography may need to be consulted, before publication, to avoid dissemination of possibly misleading data. In the case of this paper, at least someone who knows the geography of Davao Region may need to have been brought in to review. Inclusion of GPS coordinates is a sure way to present accurate locality. However, no GPS coordinates were indicated in the paper.
In the acknowledgment section, the paper indicated an expression of gratitude to "DENR Region XI for granting free permission to conduct biodiversity assessment in the City of Davao" (Page 38 of Reference 1). The term "free permission", however, is not defined in RA 9147 [3], its IRR, and the Bioprospecting Guidelines.
Collection of M. latifasciatus done in the Province of Davao del Sur, City of Digos may have been covered by a Wildlife Gratuitous Permit from Region XI. However, collection was also done in Region XII, specifically in the Province of Sarangani, Municipality of Kiamba; Province of Cotabato, Municipality of Magpet; and Province of South Cotabato, City of Kidapawan. Permits are usually issued per region, but an acknowledgment for DENR Region XII was not indicated. Acknowledgments are required as stipulated in Section 4.1 of the Wildlife Gratuitous Permit.
The Materials and Methods section indicate that collections not deposited at the local Philippine university "were obtained through trusted insect collectors" (Page 27 of Reference 1). The collection method of these "trusted insect collectors" were not detailed in the paper. The arbitrary use of the term "trusted insect collectors" in the methodology seems somewhat subjective and may sound pseudoscientific.
The names of these "trusted insect collectors" may be verified through a simple Freedom of Information request on the Wildlife Gratuitous Permit (WGP) and the Wildlife Export Certification (WEC) issued by the respective Regions.
If wildlife collections are done without such permits and exported without such certifications, then these may constitute violations of Philippine wildlife laws and stiff penalties may be imposed.
References:
[1] Bollino, M. Medina, M.N., and Cabras, A. 2020. Three new Metapocyrtus Heller, 1912 (Curculionidae, Entiminae, Pachyrhynchini) from Mindanao Island, Philippines. Journal of Tropical Coleopterology. 1(1); 26-38.
[2] Biodiversity Management Bureau. 2015. Guidebook to Protected Areas of the Philippines. Biodiversity Management Bureau - Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Philippines. pp. 100.
[3] Republic Act 9147 "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act".
[2] Biodiversity Management Bureau. 2015. Guidebook to Protected Areas of the Philippines. Biodiversity Management Bureau - Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Philippines. pp. 100.
[3] Republic Act 9147 "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act".
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