Two new species of shrew-rats (Rhynchomys: Muridae: Rodentia)

from Luzon Island, Philippines

Authors: Eric A Rickart, Danilo S Balete, Robert M Timm, Phillip A
Alviola, Jacob A Esselstyn, Lawrence R Heaney
Journal of Mammalogy. 100 (4): 1112–1129. 2019
Prepared by: France Joseph O. Pascual

Statement of the problem. Author’s purpose.

The issues discussed were
the lack of description of the two
new species of Rhynchomys,
namely: R. banahao and
R. tapulao. Since the study was
focused giving new description of
the two new Rhynchomys species
under the said genus, finding its
natural history, conservation
status, and its significance to the
biogeography of Luzon.
In this study, the main
purpose is to describe R. banahao
and R. tapulao propose as two
new recognized species under
Muridae as a substantial portion of
the groundwork for a detailed
examination of the geographic
patterns of rodent biodiversity on
Luzon Island and the site of
remarkable geological and
geographical heterogeneity for
such limited yet significant area.

Objectives of the study.

For the objectives of the Methodology of the study.
study, the authors aimed to The authors utilizes
describe each rodent measurement in total length (TOT),
morphological distinction and length of tail (LT), length of hind
genetically monophyletic units as foot including claws (LHF), length
new two species was presented. of ear from notch (LE), and weight
Additionally, patterns of in grams (WT).
distribution and phylogeny in the
They also utilized 27 cranial,
context of the previously described
mandibular, and dental
species of Rhynchomys was
measurements, which includes
highlighted, and distribution
greatest length of skull (GLS),
patterns within the complex
least interorbital breadth (IB),
geography of the two mountains
zygomatic breadth (ZB), breadth
located in Luzon Islands were
of braincase (BBC), height of
considered as well.
braincase (HBC), length of nasal
bones (LN), length of rostrum (LR),
greatest posterior breadth of
rostrum across nasolacrimal
capsules (PBR), least medial
breadth of rostrum near the
premaxillary– maxillary suture
(MBR), greatest anterior breadth
of rostrum across the upper incisor
capsules (ABR), breadth of
zygomatic plate (BZP), length of
diastema (LD), palatal length (PL),
postpalatal length (PPL), length of
incisive foramen (LIF), breadth
across incisive foramina (BIF),
distance from posterior edge of
incisive foramina to anterior
margin of M1 (IF–M1), length of
palatal bridge (LPB), palatal
breadth at M1 (PBM1), breadth of
mesopterygoid fossa (BMF),
length of auditory bulla (LB),
height of auditory bulla (HB),
breadth across incisor tips (BIT),
crown length of maxillary molar
toothrow (LM1–2), crown breadth
of M1 (BM1), length of mandible
plus lower incisor (LMI), and
posterior height of mandible (HM).
They also incorporated
descriptive analysis via Microsoft
Excel to compile the said
measurement to find out their
mean, SD, and range values.
Assessment of quantitative
phenetic variation was used via
principal component analysis and
bivariate plots to check their
craniodental morphology.
Hypothesis.
According to the authors,
recent field surveys on Mt. Labo in
1,544 meter elevation, a dormant
andesitic stratovolcano at the base
of the Bicol Peninsula about 60 km
northwest of Mt. Isarog, and Mt.
Mingan in the central Sierra Madre
range of east-central Luzon,
produced additional specimens of
Rhynchomys. The authors stated
that they were different from the
four previously known species in
body size and proportions, color,
and features of the skull and
dentition, hence the conduction of
this study.
Additionally, this study
hypothesized that the two new
species shared a common
ancestor that dispersed to the
Bicol region prior to the
coalescence of the peninsula with
central and northern Luzon.
Major conclusions.
The first described species,
Rhynchomys labo, was found in
Mt. Labo, Barangay Tulay na Lupa,
Labo Municipality, Camarines
Norte Province, Luzon Island at
1,250 meter elevation. In total, the
authors have 21 additional
paratypes plus the holotype model.
Based on the etymology, the
species is named d for Mt. Labo,
where the specimens originated.
Thus, the researchers of this study
recommended “Labo shrew-rat” as
its English common name.In
summary, R. labo is a medium-
sized murid, similar in general
body form to other members of the
genus, but displaying differences
in body size, relative proportions
of the limbs and tail, pelage color,
and craniodental feature.
The second described
species, Rhynchomys mingan,
was found in Mingan Peak,
Dingalan Municipality, Aurora
Province, Luzon Island at 1,677
meter elevation. In total, the
authors have 5 additional
paratypes plus the holotype model.
Based on the etymology, the
species is named to pay homage
for the Mingan Mountains where
the specimens originated. Thus,
the researchers of this study
recommended “Mingan shrew-rat”
as its English common name. In
summary, R. labo is a description as well conservation
mediumsized murid similar to
other members of the genus in
general body form and cranial
morphology but differing in body
size, relative proportions of the
limbs and tail, pelage color, and
cranial features.
According to their
phylogenetic analysis using
cytochrome b produced results,
Rhynchomys labo and
Rhynchomys mingan have a sister
relationship with short branch
length that indicates recent
diversification.
Addtionally, the study
suggests that the distribution of
the genus within the Sierra Madre
complex may be restricted to the
Mt. Mingan highlands for
Rhynchomys mingan species. On
the other hand, the proponents
also shows similar yet different
morphology of both new species
with certain features that
distinguish them from congeners.
Critique.
The journal article entitled
“Two new species of shrew-rats
(Rhynchomys: Muridae: Rodentia)
from Luzon Island, Philippines”
that appeared in the Journal of
Mammalogy can be said to be an
extended argument with the
gaping holes of the undiscovered
two new species studies. The
researchers present a new
status and their significance in
their location regarding the
existence of Rhynchomys labo at
Mt. Labo and Rhynchomys
mingan at Mingan Peak in Aurora
province.
As a source of information
retrieval, the keywords used in any
research should be limited to six
terms maximum with the usage of
the semicolon to divide keywords
according to the Guide for Authors
published by Elsevier. The paper
included eight keywords, and
commas are used to divide the
said keywords.
Moreover, the study did not
also include the description of the
study site to establish the
information needed by the readers.
Another thing to point is the
exclusion of the study’s longevity.
As future research, the time spent
in research is crucial because it
will determine how attainable and
time-bound research has.
Another thing to point out is
the first-person point of view
writing of the authors. Though the
researchers give their time and
effort to complete this study, using
a third-person point of view writing
will give the readers of their study
a concise and definite statement
of the study.