Probable distribution of Pachyrhynchus felipeae

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

Pachyrhynchus felipeae Rukmane & Cabras, 2018

Distribution

Figure 1. Color plates (artistic renditions) of P. felipeae (left), and map of the Philippine archipelago showing the Province of Antique where the specimens were said to be collected (right) based on one article published in 2018 [1].

Visayas

Region VI: Western Visayas

• Province of Antique
• Municipality of Culasi

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

Comments on Locality Data

Aside from P. felipeae, two other new species were named in the paper [1]. These are P. franciscoi and P. layroni. Specimens of all three species presented in this paper [1] were said to be collected in the province of Antique. For both P. felipeae and P. franciscoi specimens, the collection site was indicated under Type Material as "Panay Island, Antique, Culasi" (page 66 & 70, reference 1). The P. layroni collection site was indicated as "Panay Island, Antique, Madajaas" (page 74, reference 1).

There are many municipalities in the Province of Antique [2]. One of them is the municipality of Culasi. There is no municipality named Madajaas in the province of Antique. There is, however, a Mt. Madjaas, which covers part of Culasi. Mt. Madjaas is also known as Mt. Madiac[3] or Mt. Madia-as[4]. This may mean that the collection site for P. layroni is possibly in Mt. Madiac, Municipality of Culasi.

Figure 2. Image from Google Maps [5] showing the location of Mt. Madiac (also known as Mt. Madia-as or Mt. Madjaas).

For all three species, no images of the collection site were presented. GPS coordinates of the collection sites were also not present in the paper. Interestingly, however, a distribution map is shown (page 68, reference 1). In the map, the mark showing the distribution of P. felipeae and P. franciscoi covers the municipality of Culasi. The mark showing the distribution for P. layroni covers the municipalities of Libertad and Pandan (Province of Antique), and the municipalities of  Buruanga, Malay, and Nabas (Province of Aklan).

The distribution map presented in the paper[1] seems to indicate that the "Madajaas" from where P. layroni was collected is not within the Municipality of Culasi. The paper, however, fails to discuss what this location "Madajaas" refers to. If the locality "Madajaas" actually refers to Mt. Madjaas, the distribution map presented in the paper (page 68, reference 1) seems to be misleading.

If the GPS coordinates were presented in the paper, verification of the correct location would not be a problem. GPS data would eliminate confusion on the distribution data.

Basic training in scientific fieldwork involves the presentation of accurate and verifiable data. The creation of distribution maps involves the use of GPS. If a distribution map is presented, it would be appropriate to also present the GPS coordinates as well. This way, the distribution map would undoubtedly be factual and not look like a game called "pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey".

Another way to verify the locality is by reviewing the documentary provenance. The regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Republic of the Philippines issues Wildlife Gratuitous Permits (WGP) for research involving the collection of wildlife. A Wildlife Export Certification (WEC) is also issued for specimens that are exported outside of the Philippines. If the specimens are deposited outside of the country, the WEC will ascertain that the specimens are truly from the Philippines. In the WGP, the specific locality where the collection was done is clearly indicated.

Section 4.1 in the Wildlife Gratuitous Permit indicates that the DENR shall be acknowledged. The paper, however, did not mention any DENR Regional offices who have issued the permits or certifications. Fortunately, possible contacts who supposedly provided the entomological material, as mentioned in the acknowledgment section, may be able to shed light on this matter. 

References:

[1] Rukmane A. & Cabras A. 2018. Three new species of genus Pachyrhynchus Germar, 1824 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Panay Island, Philippines. Baltic J. Coleopterol., 18(1): 65 – 76.

[2] Provincial Government of Antique. https://antique.gov.ph/municipality/

[3] Mount Madiac, Philippines. https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=23523

[4] Panay News. 2018. Mt. Madia-as has ‘undiscovered treasures’. https://www.panaynews.net/mt-madia-as-has-undiscovered-treasures/

[5] Google Maps, Mt. Madiac. https://goo.gl/maps/KGaF1FHNm39emhdH9

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