Molecular systematics of the Philippine malaria vector Anopheles flavirostris

Allozyme and molecular sequence data from the malaria vector Anopheles flavirostris (Ludlow) (Diptera: Culicidae) were analysed from 34 sites throughout the Philippines, including the type locality, to test the hypothesis that this taxon is a single panmictic species. A finer-scaled allozyme study, of mainly Luzon samples, revealed no fixed genetic differences in sympatric sites and only low levels of variation. We obtained data from partial sequences for the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) (483 bp), the third domain (D3) (330 bp) of the 28S ribosomal DNA subunit and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) of mitochondrial DNA (261 bp). No sequence variation was observed for ITS2, only a one base pair difference was observed between Philippine and Indonesian D3 sequences and An. flavirostris sequences were unique, confirming their diagnostic value for this taxon. Sixteen COI haplotypes were identified, giving 25 parsimony informative sites. Neighbour-Joining, Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of COI sequences for An. flavirostris and outgroup taxa revealed strong branch support for the monophyly of An. flavirostris, thus confirming that Philippine populations of this taxon comprise a single separate species within the Minimus Subgroup of the Funestus Group. Variation in the behaviour of An. flavirostris is likely to be intraspecific rather than interspecific in origin.     

History, ocean channels, and distance determine phylogeographic patterns in three widespread Philippine fruit bats (Pteropodidae)

The comparative phylogeography of widespread, codistributed species provides unique insights into regional biodiversity and diversification patterns. I used partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial genes ND2 and cyt b to investigate phylogeographic structure in three widespread Philippine fruit bats. Ptenochirus jagori is endemic to the oceanic region of the Philippines and is most abundant in lowland primary forest. Macroglossus minimus and Cynopterus brachyotis are most common in disturbed and open habitats and are not endemic. In all three, genetic differentiation is present at multiple spatial scales and is associated to some degree with Pleistocene landbridge island groups. In P. jagori and C. brachyotis, genetic distance is correlated with geographic distance; in C. brachyotis and M. minimus, it is correlated with the sea-crossing distance between islands. P. jagori has the least overall genetic structure of these three species, whereas C. brachyotis and M. minimus have more geographic association among haplotypes, suggesting that phylogeographic patterns are linked to ecology and habitat preference. However, contrary to expectation, the two widespread, disturbed habitat species have more structure than the endemic species. Mismatch distributions suggest rapid changes in effective population size in C. brachyotis and P. jagori, whereas M. minimus appears to be demographically more stable. Geologic and geographic history are important in structuring variation, and phylogeographic patterns are the result of dynamic long-term processes rather than simply reflecting current conditions.     

蝴蝶在生境和生物小区之间的移位伴随着对外来蜜源的利用

在发育成熟的温带环境中,植食性昆虫群落能迅速适应引入植物并将其作为幼虫的食物和花蜜.我们研究了经过森林砍伐的热带环境中蝴蝶对利用引入植物作为蜜源植物的适应快慢程度,并研究了蝴蝶-显花植物在新的生物小区中出现的范围,发现蝴蝶对引入显花植物的利用和探访多于本地植物,这与引入植物在调查地点、生物小区和植物丰度中的普遍性有关.此外,取食花蜜的蝴蝶和显花植物与正在形成的的生物小区有关,例如路边、农田、集约耕地以及花园.在这些新生物小区中,引入植物很重要,因为它们为蝴蝶提供了蜜源.     

Skeletal tuberculosis,pelvic contraction,and parturition

Obliquely contracted pelvis was observed in association with tuberculosis and dystocia (difficult parturition) in four out of 762 childbearing women in a Southeast Asian population. It is hypothesized that the pelvic contracture results from tuberculosis of the sacro-iliac joint with destruction of the sacral ala. This gross morphologic deformity, as observed in living populations, may be a useful marker for skeletal tuberculosis in prehistoric and historic populations as well. The occurrence of obliquely contracted pelvis with consequent dystocia as a specific complication of systemic tuberculosis may have direct implications for differential reproductivity.     

Beyond Clientelism: Neighbourhood Leaders on a Philippine Island

In coastal neighbourhoods just north of Dumaguete City on Negros Island, the pressures of ‘modernity’ have encouraged low-income groups—many of them fishing families—to establish and maintain larger kin-based residential clusters. While clientelism has a strong presence in the wider Philippine polity and is easily observed at the local level during elections, this article questions the view that neighbourhood leaders establish power and authority largely by attaching themselves to patrons, bosses, and governing elites. To elaborate on the nature of these leaders' independence from clientelism, the article engages studies of everyday politics and related literature which demonstrates that ordinary people in Southeast Asia—peasants, landless workers, the urban poor—are not captives of the discourses and practices of elites. In addition to the wealth and class dimensions highlighted in the everyday politics literature, it shows how kinship factors and settler status are relevant for understanding how low-income groups mobilise power on their own and establish neighbourhood leadership in the lowland Philippines.     

Geographical distribution of human Schistosoma japonicum infection in The Philippines: tools to support disease control and further elimination

Schistosoma japonicum infection is believed to be endemic in 28 of the 80 provinces of The Philippines and the most recent data on schistosomiasis prevalence have shown considerable variability between provinces. In order to increase the efficient allocation of parasitic disease control resources in the country, we aimed to describe the small-scale spatial variation in S. japonicum prevalence across The Philippines, quantify the role of the physical environment in driving the spatial variation of S. japonicum, and develop a predictive risk map of S. japonicum infection. Data on S. japonicum infection from 35,754 individuals across the country were geo-located at the barangay level and included in the analysis. The analysis was then stratified geographically for the regions of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. Zero-inflated binomial Bayesian geostatistical models of S. japonicum prevalence were developed and diagnostic uncertainty was incorporated. Results of the analysis show that in the three regions, males and individuals aged ?20 years had significantly higher prevalence of S. japonicum compared with females and children <5 years. The role of the environmental variables differed between regions of The Philippines. Schistosoma japonicum infection was widespread in the Visayas whereas it was much more focal in Luzon and Mindanao. This analysis revealed significant spatial variation in the prevalence of S. japonicum infection in The Philippines. This suggests that a spatially targeted approach to schistosomiasis interventions, including mass drug administration, is warranted. When financially possible, additional schistosomiasis surveys should be prioritised for areas identified to be at high risk but which were under-represented in our dataset.     

Social Relations and Commodity Chains: The Live Reef Fish for Food Trade

This paper considers the relationship between anthropology and the interdisciplinary field of commodity studies through an examination of an important commodity chain in the Asia-Pacific, the live reef fish for food trade. Using an ethnographic perspective, I focus on how particular social relationships within this commodity chain have significant implications for two key concerns of commodity studies—the distribution of benefits through commodity chains and how commodity chains are regulated. The social relationships between fishers and traders provide a powerful avenue for relative economic prosperity for fishers, yet the forms of social relationships that operate between fishers, traders and regulators mean that regulation of the trade is not being implemented. This analysis provides an example of how an ethnographic lens can provide a useful perspective that can contribute to an interdisciplinary dialogue on commodity chains.     

Donsol: an important reproductive habitat for the world's largest fish Rhincodon typus?

Little is known about the reproductive ecology of the whale shark Rhincodon typus. On 15 March 2020, a free-swimming neonate whale shark was found in the shallow, coastal waters of Donsol, Philippines. The total length of the male shark was 60 cm, falling within the species known size-at-birth. This is the third occurrence of neonatal whale sharks reported in the area, and coupled with the occurrence of juveniles and adults, and anecdotal mating and precopulatory behaviour reported herein, the importance of the site for this endangered species is highlighted.