The earthworm genus Pleionogaster (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) in southern Luzon, Philippines

An earthworm biodiversity survey of the Philippines has yielded 14 new species of the perichaetine megascolecid genus Pleionogaster, previously known from only a few species from scattered Philippine locations. Bicol, the southern peninsula of Luzon, has intact forests on several isolated volcanic peaks and other remote areas. Collections made in these forests yielded the following new species, here presented by type location: Mt. Malinao, Pleionogaster albayensis, P. bicolensis, P. castilloi, P. malinaoensis, P. tiwiensis; Mt. Isarog, P. ffitchae, P. isarogensis; Mt. Bulusan, P. bulusanensis, P. hongi, P. sorsogonensis; Catanduanes Island, P. nautsae, P. viracensis; Caramoan Peninsula, P. caramoanensis, P. nillosae. Most of the species were found only in the neighborhood of the type locality, but P. bicolensis occurs in two locations in northern Bicol. Intraspecific variation in P. castilloi was observed between northern and southern flanks of Mt. Malinao. The importance of several previously overlooked Pleionogaster traits is demonstrated by their homogeneity within species reported here.Full article published online at http://www.senckenberg.de/odes/06-08.htm.     

A new species of the shrew‐mouse,Archboldomys (Rodentia: Muridae: Murinae), from the Philippines

A new species of murid rodent belonging to the ‘shrew‐mouse’ genus Archboldomys is described from Kalinga Province in northern Luzon Island, Philippines. This is the third known species of this endemic Philippine genus. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by consistent differences in adult body size, limb and tail proportions, coloration and texture of the pelage, and cranial and dental dimensions. Members of this genus are small, diurnal rodents that feed mainly on earthworms and other soil invertebrates, and occur in high elevation montane and mossy forests habitats. The new species may be restricted to the northern portion of the Cordillera Central, whereas its congeners occur in widely separated highland areas in other portions of Luzon. The fact that similar distribution patterns are seen for members of other endemic genera suggests that habitat vicariance may have shaped much of the diversification of murid rodents on Luzon.     

First report of the Taiwan sardinella Sardinella hualiensis (Clupeiformes: Clupeidae) in the Philippines

A range expansion of the Taiwan sardinella Sardinella hualiensis to the Philippines is reported. The data suggested that the southern translocation of S. hualiensis occurred across oceanographic features that are typically barriers to small, pelagic fish dispersal. With this addition, the Philippines is among the most diverse countries for Sardinella biodiversity in the world, second only to India.     

New Philippine moss records for Luzon and Mindanao Islands

Introduction. The Philippine moss flora is updated and this shows that its richness and diversity is far from fully understood.

Methods. The status of 15 new records has been verified through recent publications. Type specimens of these new records were also examined to confirm their identity. Voucher specimens have been deposited in PNH. The taxa are listed in alphabetical order for ease of referencing.

Key Results. Fifteen new records for Luzon and Mindanao Islands are reported, derived from recent and older collections held in the Philippine National Herbarium (PNH).: Breutelia pendula (Sm.) Mitt., Chaetomitrium cucullatum Dixon, Ectropothecium filicaule M.Fleisch., Ectropothecium pseudocyperoides M.Fleisch., Entodon scariosus Renauld & Cardot, Hypnum plumaeforme Wilson, Leptodontium flexifolium (Dicks.) Hampe, Leucobryum sumatranum Broth. ex M.Fleisch., Oxyrrhynchium savatieri (Schimp. ex Besch.) Broth., Pelekium minusculum (Mitt.) Touw, Rhodobryum ontariense (Kindb.) Paris, Rhizogonium hattorii Nog., Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske, Schlotheimia emarginatopilosa Herzog and Wijkia surcularis (Mitt.) H.A.Crum.

Chaetomitrium cucullatum and Ectropothecium filicaule are reinstated as species. Leptodontium flexifolium and Sanionia uncinata are new generic and species records for the Philippines.

Conclusions. These reported updates in Philippine moss flora indicate the importance of continued studies of unidentified bryological collections at PNH and elsewhere. Likewise, the necessity of field collecting to improve knowledge of the Philippine flora is also highlighted.     

Hydraena (Hydraenopsis) ateneo,new species (Coleoptera,Hydraenidae) and other aquatic Polyphaga from a small habitat patch in a highly urbanized landscape of Metro Manila,Philippines

Seven species of Hydraenidae, Hydrophilidae and Elmidae are recorded from temporary freshwater habitats at the Ateneo de Manila University Campus in the metropolitan area of Manila, Philippines. They were identified as Enochrus (Lumetus) fragiloides d’Orchymont, Helochares (Hydrobaticus) lepidus d’Orchymont, Helochares (Helochares) pallens (MacLeay), Hydraena (Hydraenopsis) scabra d’Orchymont, Hydraena (Hydraenopsis) palawanensis Freitag & Jäch (new record for Luzon Island), Stenelmis sp. A further hydraenid species was unknown to science and is newly described: Hydraena (Hydraenopsis) ateneo Freitag, sp. n. Aedeagus, gonocoxite, spermatheca, and female tergite X are illustrated by computer-based line drawings. Habitus images of all three Hydraena Kugelann species recorded and a checklist of the Philippine Hydraena are provided. The presence of these seven species in the Ateneo campus is briefly discussed in regard to the area’s history. Measures to maintain and extend semi-natural islands of biodiversity in urban areas are suggested.     

The early lithic productions of Island Southeast Asia: Traditions or convergences?

Island Southeast Asia has been the subject of intense prehistoric investigations since the seminal work of Eugene Dubois in the late XIX^th century. This has resulted in several discoveries of a very diverse type of lithic productions of oftentimes debated age. Recent and old excavations have now secured the production of stone artefacts as early as 1 million years on Flores Island, 800,000 years on Java Island, 700,000 on Luzon Island and at least 118,000 years on Sulawesi Island. Along with these findings, several surface collections which most certainly date back to the Lower Palaeolithic are known, and adds to the diversity of the lithic productions. In this paper, we report what is at stake regarding our current knowledge over the early lithic productions of Island Southeast Asia, without giving more importance to one type of artefact over another. After describing the findings from each islands taken one by one, we compare the similarities and dissimilarities between these sometimes isolated and sometimes connected geographic entities. It appears that each of these islands might have had its own evolutionary trend with its own rhythm.