Probable distribution of Pachyrhynchus kirklayroni

[Main] [Weevils of PH] [Genus Pachyrhynchus]

Pachyrhynchus kirklayroni Rukmane, 2019

Distribution

Figure 1. Color plates (artistic renditions) of male P. kirklayroni (left), and map of the Philippine archipelago showing the Province of Ilocos Norte where specimens were said to be collected (right) based on one article published in 2019 [1].

Luzon

Region I: Ilocos Region

• Province of Ilocos Norte
• Municipality of Adams

Figure 2. Summary of data on P. kirklayroni in video presentation format.

Comments on Locality Data

The paper [1] declared the distribution to be "Luzon Island, Ilocos Province" (page 144, reference 1). However, there are two provinces named Ilocos: Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. This seems to indicate a lack of understanding about the locality and the jurisdiction of permits.

The lack of understanding seems to be also present in the Introduction section of the paper where it says, "...all included taxon’s, on my best knowledge, are distributed on Luzon Island" (page 141, reference 1). It seems strange to use the phrase "on my best knowledge" in a scientific paper, considering that real-time data from field notes when doing actual research and legal documents such as permits serving as provenance that the actual fieldwork happened should be readily available as references to researchers.

The Philippines' Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) offices issue documents that serve to attest to the validity of data such as geographical locations of the research work, the people involved, the specimens collected, their quantities, and their destinations. These are in the form of the Wildlife Gratuitous Permit (WGP), the Local Transport Permit (LTP), and if wildlife is transported outside of the country such as Europe, the Wildlife Export Certification (WEC). A summary of the requirements to acquire permits for wildlife collection is available here.

Furthermore, actual field collection by a researcher trained in the basics of fieldwork would include relevant data such as GPS coordinates and pictures of the sampling sites. Using the phrase "on my best knowledge" for the location of wildlife collection seems to present data based on incomplete information. It would have been more appropriate to present locality data in a factual manner supported with proper provenance.

Other Related Insights

The four new species and two new subspecies described in the paper [1] are:

1. Pachyrhynchus disargus
• Dates collected: 2013 August; 2015 May
• Location collected: Region II: Cagayan Valley
2. Pachyrhynchus kirklayroni
• Date collected: 2019 June
• Location collected: Region I: Ilocos Norte
3. Pachyrhynchus sagittatus
• Date collected: 2015 May
• Location collected: Region II: Cagayan Valley (Sierra Madre mountain range)
4. Pachyrhynchus tetramaculatus
• Date collected: 2018 June
• Location collected: Region II: Cagayan Valley
5. Pachyrhynchus congestus aedamlayroni
• Date collected: 2019 July-August
• Location collected: Region I: Ilocos Region
6. Pachyrhynchus phaleratus dannylayroni
• Date collected: 2019 January
• Location collected: Region III: Central Luzon

It is interesting to note that, under the Material and Methods section, the equipment used in the laboratory was described in detail, but the procedure on how these specimens were collected was not discussed at all. Seeing the wide scope of the research, covering three different regions (Regions I, II, & III), and encompassing seven years of field collection (2013-2019), it may have been appropriate to also discuss the collection process.

Fortunately, in the Acknowledgment section, the paper mentioned a possible contact who "kindly provided material for the current research" (page 149, reference 1). This possible contact may be helpful in verifying the locality data and may also shed light on the provenance for this collection. The DENR Regional Offices also keep a copy of the permits issued to researchers. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request for such documents may also be possible.

Republic Act 9147 also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act [2] regulates wildlife collection to ensure that over-harvesting is avoided as well as prevent the destruction of habitats. Through this act, wildlife gratuitous permits (WGP) are issued for wildlife collections used for the purpose of research. Specimens that are sent or brought abroad are also issued a wildlife export certification (WEC).

The collection of the species listed above from three different regions indicate that three Wildlife Gratuitous Permits may have been acquired since WGPs are issued per region and have a validity of one year (section 20, reference 2). The paper also indicated in the Material and Methods section that the specimens being studied are deposited in Europe. This means that a Wildlife Export Certification may have also been issued. If that is the case, at least four documents issued by the DENR regional offices could have provided provenance. In the WGPs, collection sites are clearly indicated. By referring back to the WGPs issued for this research, the paper could provide verifiable data on the locality, and would not need to use the unnecessary phrase "on my best knowledge".

Other scientific articles have pointed out the commercialization of Philippines weevils. One paper stated, "Yet, as beetles of the genus Pachyrhynchus remain commercial, 21st century collections are created mainly from the material bought from the local collectors" (page 41, reference 3). Another paper also said, "As this particular genus (Pachyrhynchus) is admitted to be highly commercial, it is widely present among various museum collections" (page 267, reference 4). One particular paper has even pointed out a specific location saying that, "Mount Apo, the type locality of P. elenae, is one of the most famous localities for insect trading in the Philippines" (page 198, reference 5).

With all these statements published in peer-reviewed journals, it may be appropriate to ensure that Section 4.1 of the WGP is being followed, which is about the acknowledgment of the DENR office that issued the permit. By doing so, the paper would then be able to present that the wildlife collection process is done in accordance with Republic Act 9147.

Section 14, paragraph 4 of RA 9147 states that "If the applicant is a foreign entity or individual, a local institution should be actively involved in the research, collection and, whenever applicable and appropriate, in the technological development of the products derived from the biological and genetic resources." The paper [1] may have missed mentioning the collaborating local institution, but the possible contact mentioned in the Acknowledgment section may be able to help on this matter.

References:

[1] Rukmane A. 2019. Four new species and two subspecies of the genus Pachyrhynchus Germar, 1824 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Pachyrhynchini) from Luzon Island, Philippines. Baltic J. Coleopterol., 19(2): 141 - 150.

[2] Republic Act 9147 "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act". https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2001/07/30/republic-act-no-9417/

[3] Rukmane A. 2019. To the knowledge of genus Pachyrhynchus Germar, 1824 (Coleoptera:
Curculionidae: Pachyrhynchini) species from SMNH (Stockholm, Sweden), with description of a new species from the Sibuyan Island (Philippines). Baltic. J. Coleopterol., 19(1): 41 - 50.

[4] Rukmane A. 2019. To the knowledge of the genus Pachyrhynchus Germar, 1824 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Pachyrhynchini) species from huf (Budapest, Hungary), with description of a new species from the Mindanao island (Philippines). Acta Biol. Univ. Daugavp., 19 (2): 267 – 272.

[5] Yoshitake, H., Bollino, M., and Sandel, F. 2019. Pachyrhynchus elenae Rukmane, 2016, a new synonym of Pachyrhynchus phaleratus Waterhouse, 1841 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae). Zootaxa, 4585 (1): 197-200

[Main] [Weevils of PH] [Genus Pachyrhynchus]