Probable distribution of Pachyrhynchus sagittatus

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

Pachyrhynchus sagittatus Rukmane, 2019

Distribution

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

Luzon

Region II: Cagayan Valley

  • Province of Quirino
    • Sierra Madre Mountain Range

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

Comments on Locality Data

In the paper [1], distribution for P. sagittatus is declared as "Luzon Island, Quirino Province" (page 142, reference 1). Under "Type material," the collection site is specifically indicated as "PHILIPPINES /Luzon, Sierra Madre, Quirino."

Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the Philippines located in Mainland Luzon. It spans over 500 kilometers in length, covering the provinces of Isabela, Aurora, Bulacan, Cagayan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quezon, Rizal, and Quirino.

If the declared locality in the paper is correct, based on the maps presented in figures 3 & 4, the collection was most probably done within either the municipalities of Maddela or Nagtipunan. It is interesting that a scientific paper published in the 21st century is not able to present accurate locality data. Basic, standard practice of scientific fieldwork includes the acquisition of GPS coordinates.  Unfortunately, no GPS coordinates were provided in the paper for this particular species.

Figure 3. Map of Sierra Madre Mountain Range.
Image credits: Kitty Amante-Gamboa and Osheaan Lee Garonita [2].

Figure 4. Image from Google Maps [3] showing the Province of Quirino highlighted in red.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) provides documentary provenance in the form of a Wildlife Gratuitous Permit (WGP). WGPs are issued when research involving the collection of wildlife is performed. This is mandated in the Republic Act 9147 [4]. Information such as the name of the collector and the specific locality where the collection was done is also indicated in the WGP. A review of the WGP issued for this specific research can verify if the locality data presented in the paper is correct, as well as provide further details such as the specific municipality and probably even down to the barangay where the specimen was collected.

The regional offices of the DENR keep copies of the WGPs issued. This can be acquired through a Freedom of Information request to the issuing DENR regional office, in this case, Region II - Cagayan Valley.

Commentary on other related insights is discussed in the post for P. kirklayroni.

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] Amante-Gamboa, K. and Garonita, O. L. Haribon Foundation: Sierra Madre stifles world's fiercest Typhoon this year. Orange Magazine. Retrieved from: https://orangemagazine.ph/2018/sierra-madre-stifles-worlds-fiercest-typhoon-this-year/

[3] Google Maps. Province of Quirino. https://goo.gl/maps/9zM2U4Xm6JYeJu468

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

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

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