UM COLEOPTERA RESEARCHERS DISCOVER TWO NEW WEEVIL SPECIES

By Jose Maria Salvador N. Araullo

THE UNVEILING OF TWO WEEVILS:

University of Mindanao Coleoptera researchers have recently identified two new species of weevils in the forests of Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental provinces.

In reference to the scientific journal, Acta Biologica Universitatis Daugavpiliensis, Volume 22, No. 1, published last December 2022, the identified and classified species belong to the genus Metapocyrtus (Dolichocephalocyrtus) malindangensis and Metapocyrtus (Dolichocephalocyrtus) baulorum, which are considered “species novum” or new species to science. Moreover, the new species are named in honor of the family of Mr.

Melbert Baul with their dedication to conservation and the type of locality which is the Mt. Malindang. This recent discovery raised the number of 27 taxa in the Philippines under subgenus Dolichocephalocyrtus , where 14 out of 27 were from Mindanao. The discovery of the species is credited to the collaboration of the Coleoptera Research Center, namely: Dr. Analyn Anzano Cabras, Dr. Milton Norman Medina, and Efrhain Loidge Pajota; together with Rodrin Rivera, a faculty member of the School of Teacher Education at the Northeastern Mindanao State College of Science and Technology in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental.

Mindanao has been the domain of the recently described and identified species of Metapocyrtus. Thus, according to the published scientific journal, the discovery of these new species in Mindanao is not a big shock or surprise anymore, knowing that it is home to the remaining frontiers of biodiversity in the Philippines.

Furthermore, on a Facebook post of Patoja about the publication of this discovery, he shared, “To have the chance to work on novel species of weevils during my practicum as a BS Biology student and have it published in an international journal is a privilege that will definitely help me as a neophyte in this field.”