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The mantle section of the central Palawan Ophiolite (CPO) in western Philippines is dominantly composed of dunites and harzburgites. Basal lherzolites and harzburgites juxtaposed with the metamorphic sole of the CPO are also exposed within the vicinity of Ulugan Bay, Puerto Princesa. These basal peridotites provide novel information regarding the processes transpiring in the upper mantle during the evolution of this preserved oceanic lithosphere. The Nasuduan lherzolite is characterized by low Cr# of spinel and high concentrations of REEs in clinopyroxenes. The Oyster Bay lherzolite displays similar fertile characteristics and occurs with harzburgites. Both contain fine-grained and interstitial clinopyroxenes derived from interstitial melts. Tremolite and talc in the Oyster Bay lherzolite and harzburgite and in other CPO harzburgites are attributed to slab-fluid metasomatism. Harzburgites and dunites from Bentoan Beach and other CPO harzburgites have high spinel Cr# and low clinopyroxene REE concentrations. These indicate that these peridotites have undergone extensive degrees of melting facilitated by fluids. The petrological and geochemical signatures of the CPO peridotites record the transition of a supra-subduction zone from back-arc spreading, incipient subduction, to the obduction of an ancient oceanic lithosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests once deforested through mining losses its rich biodiversity. The re-opening of open-pit mining corporation in 2011, in the small village of Bato-Bato, Narra, Palawan had caused deforestation, floods, and low rice harvest. This study determined the nickel content in topsoil and native dominant plants in mine-tailings. Field data collection and laboratory analysis methods were used in this study. Nickel content in topsoil (2 kg replication-1 site-1) was analyzed using X-ray Flourescence (XRF). Inductively Coupled-plasma--Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) determine nickel in dominant plants (200 g replication-1 site-1). Normality of data was determined by Pearson coefficient of skewness test. Significant difference on the nickel content in plant tissues was analyzed using Kruskal Wallis test, analysis of variance, and Tukey post hoc test for nickel in soil. Native dominants are National Seed Industry Council Rice cultivar 218, Philippine Seed Board Rice cultivar 18, and carabao grass. The nickel content in native dominant plants is higher in comparison with the average nickel content in plant tissues and the nickel content in topsoil is high in comparison with the average nickel content a topsoil should contain. Prevention of leaching of nickel during flood is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests once deforested through mining losses its rich biodiversity. The re-opening of open-pit mining corporation in 2011, in the small village of Bato-Bato, Narra, Palawan had caused deforestation, floods, and low rice harvest. This study determined the nickel content in topsoil and native dominant plants in mine-tailings. Field data collection and laboratory analysis methods were used in this study. Nickel content in topsoil (2 kg replication-1 site-1) was analyzed using X-ray Flourescence (XRF). Inductively Coupled-plasma–Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) determine nickel in dominant plants (200 g replication-1 site-1). Normality of data was determined by Pearson coefficient of skewness test. Significant difference on the nickel content in plant tissues was analyzed using Kruskal Wallis test, analysis of variance, and Tukey post hoc test for nickel in soil. Native dominants are National Seed Industry Council Rice cultivar 218, Philippine Seed Board Rice cultivar 18, and carabao grass. The nickel content in native dominant plants is higher in comparison with the average nickel content in plant tissues and the nickel content in topsoil is high in comparison with the average nickel content a topsoil should contain. Prevention of leaching of nickel during flood is recommended.

Cyclopodia horsfieldi de Meijere, 1899 is an Old World nycteribiid bat fly primarily ectoparasitic to flying foxes (Pteropodidae). This is the first record of C. horsfieldi on Ursula Island, Philippines. This represents the first report of an ectoparasitic arthropod on bats in this protected area.

Palawan Island is home to one of Southeast Asia’s largest, oldest, and most diversified rainforests hence it was called the «Last Frontier.» However, the island province’s forest is contending with increased conversion of forest lands to plantation and household-level agriculture, intensive mineral mining, illegal logging, and other pressures on its ecosystems. Understanding these factors in relation to the prevalence of deforestation and forest degradation in Palawan is imperative. This paper analyzed these drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in Palawan using the social-ecological systems (SES) and institutional analysis development (IAD) frameworks. A literature review was conducted using a variety of web-based databases and sources and additional data were collected from official websites and reports. The identified major drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in the province include increasing population, migration from lowland to upland areas, illegal logging, mining, wide-scale kaingin and oil palm plantation, wildlife poaching, and weak policy implementation and enforcement. These identified drivers can be the target of the government of Palawan for their forest management plans. Additional findings and recommendations of this paper will also aid in the forest management planning in Palawan and other areas where similar settings exist.

We describe the call of Barbourula busuangensis, a peculiar and elusive fully aquatic frog endemic to the Palawan archipelago of western Philippines. This species is so poorly known that most of its basic natural history characteristics (reproductive mode and seasonality, diet, age structure, lifespan) remain to be discovered. Contrary to the calls of other frog species adapted to life in fast-flowing streams, the call of B. busuangensis has a very low fundamental frequency around 250 Hz, with an average duration of 1.2 seconds. Additionally, its pulsed, amplitude modulated structure differs from the tonal calls of all known species in its most closely-related (sister) clade, the genus Bombina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Procleomenes palawanensis sp. nov, a new species of the genus Procleomenes Gressitt & Rondon, 1970 from the Philippines, is described and illustrated. The species is from Palawan which is the first record of the genus in the island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclopodia horsfieldi de Meijere, 1899 is an Old World nycteribiid bat fly primarily ectoparasitic to flying foxes (Pteropodidae). This is the first record of C. horsfieldi on Ursula Island, Philippines. This represents the first report of an ectoparasitic arthropod on bats in this protected area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lucrative commercial culture of gold-lip pearl oyster Pinctada maxima (Jameson, 1901) for pearl production has been in existence in the Philippines for several decades, however, no growth studies for this species has been published in the country as of this writing. To fill this gap, the results of two consecutive 60-day growth trials were conducted in the island province of Palawan. The first experiment (E1) examined the growth and survival of 4-month-old hatchery-produced pearl oysters in net trays (200 individuals per tray or 583 individuals m-2) hung in a long line at three different depths (2, 4, and 6 m) below the water surface subjected to cleaning and without cleaning regimes. The second experiment (E2) was a continuation of E1, except that the 6-month-old pearl oysters were raised in 30-individual pocket net baskets. Average shell length increments (SLI) and survival rates (SR) in E1 did not significantly vary among depths (P > 0.05) and between cleaning conditions (P > 0.05). In E2, the SLI did not significantly vary among depths (P > 0.05) and between cleaning conditions (P > 0.05), while the SR was statistically similar among depths (P < 0.05) but not between cleaning conditions (P > 0.05). The results suggest that instead of the usual single row, the three rows of net baskets at different depths and the absence of cleaning could be considered in the early stage of gold-lip pearl oyster farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The age and character of the main unconformities offshore Palawan is resolved, and their history reviewed. Some very deep and very shallow unconformities have insufficient well data, but from the Oligocene to Late Miocene times a series of unconformities can be dated, characterised and correlated regionally to help develop a new tectono-stratigraphic framework. This framework does not support the widely cited idea of Early Miocene subduction of a Proto-South China Sea plate followed by collision over a plate suture.The absence or very weak expression of a Base Miocene Unconformity (c. 24 Ma), so strongly expressed across northern Borneo, also suggests a major revision of tectonic models is required. In spite of many cited reports, there is no evidence for an unconformity in the later Early Miocene (c. 17 to 15 Ma), which was a period of gradually increasing compression and uplift. The main mid-Neogene seismic unconformity is the Red Unconformity dated at about 12–13 Ma (equivalent to the DRU of Sabah). This was when the uplift of a foreland over-thrust system paused, and a locally erosional surface was rapidly transgressed.This review describes the neglect of analytical sciences that remain a crucial part of basic geological studies.

Electrifying off-grid and isolated islands in the Philippines remains one of the challenges that hinders community development, and one of the solutions seen to ensure energy security, energy access and promote a low-carbon future is the use of renewable energy sources. This study determines the nearshore wave energy resource during monsoon seasons in Cuyo Island using a 40-year wave hindcast and 8-year on-site wind speed data as inputs to develop a high-resolution wave energy model using SWAN and assesses its annual energy production through matching with wave energy devices. The results show that the average significant wave height (Hs), peak period (Tp) and wave power density (Pd) during a northeast monsoon are Hs = 1.35 m, Tp = 4.79 s and Pd = 4.05 kW/m, respectively, while a southwest monsoon, which is sheltered by the mainland, results in Hs = 0.52 m, Tp = 3.37 s and Pd = 0.34 kW/m. While the simulated model was observed to overestimate the significant wave height (bias = 0.398, RMSE = 0.54 and SI = 1.34), it has a strong relationship with the "observed values" (average r = 0.9). The annual energy production for Wave Dragon, Archimedes Wave Swing and Seawave Slot-Cone Generator are highest at 1970.6 MWh, 2462.04 MWh, 62.424 MWh and 4099.23 MWh, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot springs in the Philippines are found mostly near volcanic regions and are the least places with possibly high background radiation. However, Makinit hot spring in El Nido, Palawan exists not only on the tectonically stable northern Palawan Microcontinental Block but also records anomalously high natural radioactivity. To quantify and determine the nature of radioactivity, this study conducted a preliminary radiological and geochemical study in the vicinity of this hot spring. The measured average specific activities of uranium and thorium were 1528.62 and 920.96 Bq/kg, and these exceed world median values on terrestrial radionuclides in the soil of 35 and 30 Bq/kg by 44 and 31 times higher, respectively. The average values of all seven calculated radiological risk parameters -- namely, dose rate with an amount of 13.77 mSv/y, radium equivalent of 2862.10 Bq/kg, external and internal hazard indices of 7.73 and 11.86, respectively, absorbed gamma dose rate of 1271.42 nGy/h, annual effective dose equivalent of 1.56 mSv/y, and excess lifetime cancer risk of 5.46 x 10-3 -- go beyond reference limits set by the UNSCEAR. The preliminary assessment of spring water physicochemical properties showed that the water temperature is greater than 55 °C and the pH averages around 6.62, indicating weak acid-neutral hot waters and a low to moderate temperature geothermal system. The sediments surrounding the Makinit hot spring were analyzed to be travertine, composed only of calcite, suggesting that the uranium and thorium ions are potentially bonded or are associated with the Ca-bearing mineral. This study can serve as a baseline for further research regarding the source of radioactivity and geothermal heat source and as a consideration for the development of the Makinit hot spring area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rare earth elements (REEs) are crucial components of green technology and are now considered critical raw materials. One of the emerging tools in mineral exploration, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), was used by several studies to determine the REE contents of different geological materials. In this study, the concentrations of selected REEs (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Yb) in 11 ion adsorption clays (IACs) from El Nido, Palawan, Philippines were determined using a handheld LIBS analyzer. The REE contents of the samples were also determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to compare LIBS with the established laboratory technique. The two-sided t-test shows no significant differences for the average La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Gd results of LIBS and ICP-MS, whereas Dy and Yb have significant differences. Based on these results, it can be concluded that LIBS can be an alternative to ICP-MS for the rapid determination of some REE in IACs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honda Bay is considered as one of the mercury hotspots in the world due to its proximity to the abandoned Palawan Quicksilver Mine. In this study, a detailed sediment sampling conducted in between 2021 and 2022 where a total of 166 sediment samples were collected along the coast and analyzed for total mercury (THg) concentration. The study assessed mercury toxicity using the geoaccumulation index and compared Hg levels to sediment quality guidelines. The findings revealed a wide range of THg concentrations, from 0.0040 to 11.4702 mg/kg, with hotspots identified at the Honda Bay wharf and Tagburos River mouth. Mercury spreads to a large coastal area brought by tidal currents and the wave energy actions. The geoaccumulation index indicated moderate to strong Hg contamination in the vicinity of the hotspots and around 24.7–36.1 % of samples exceeded the sediment quality guidelines suggesting adverse biological effects in aquatic biota will frequently occur. • Honda Bay wharf and the mouth of Tagburos River have been identified as hotspots for Hg in Honda Bay. • Continuous dispersion of Hg within the sediments of Honda Bay from hotspots driven by tidal currents and local wave energy. • The study can serve as baseline data for proper assessment on the Hg contamination and exposure in Honda Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Entiminae weevils genus and two new species of the tribe Celeuthetini from the Palawan Island (Philippines) are described and illustrated: Excalidiopsis palawanensis gen. nov. et sp. nov. and Excalidiopsis bramanti sp. nov. External morphology analyses is used for generic and species delimitation. New example of mimetic relationship among tribe Celeuthetini, Pachyrhynchini and Polycatini is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the unprecedented expansion of aquaculture around the world, there is a critical need to monitor its progress. In Palawan, Philippines, coastal aquaculture is gaining momentum towards increasing fish production, a pressure that presents a challenge to the sustainability of these areas. In this paper, we explore the application of Earth observation methods to map coastal aquaculture development in Palawan and evaluate the extent of its change. The European Space Agency Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar and Sentinel-2 multispectral instrument sensor data were applied in fully automatic mode to build maps of Palawan coastal aquaculture. The maps were validated using Google Earth high-resolution optical images and in situ observations in Malampaya Sound, and demonstrated a successful detection rate of 72%, while the false alarm rate was less than 7.5%. Objects only 5 m across, four times smaller than the spatial resolution of the Sentinel-1 sensors, were successfully detected using the developed methodology, thus exceeding the capabilities of other published methods that are limited to detecting large groups of aquaculture structures. The maps revealed aquaculture structures in high quantities in Malampaya Sound, Taytay Bay, and other locations in the coastal waters of Palawan, Philippines. A significant change of aquaculture spatial distribution was identified by comparing aquaculture maps generated with an interval of three years. This new automated methodology was validated as robust for mapping aquaculture objects in Palawan, Philippines, and can be applied to aquaculture studies in other regions worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicole Revel, Emeritus senior researcher at CNRS, Doctor Honoris causa (Humanities) Ateneo de Manila University, Linguist and anthropologist, works since 1970 in the Philippines. In collaboration with the Palawan Highlanders she described their language (1979) and their knowledge about Nature (1990-92). She also published part of their oral Tradition. Focusing on Austronesian languages, she conducted a workshop at CeDRASEMI on Rice in SEA. Atlas of the vocabulary of the plant (1988).From 1990 to 2001, coordination of an international seminar on “Epics” in the Integral Study of Silk Roads, Roads of dialogue. Since then she is committed to the safeguarding of the literatures of voice.After co-creating Language-Music-Society (LMS), she became a member of the unit CNRS-MNHN Eco-anthropology and is actively involved in teaching Lingusitics - Anthropology at Musée de l’Homme.

Geographically isolated islands are under great stress due to global climate change, as well as the social and environmental issues relating to human activities. It is necessary to monitor and analyze the spatial–temporal changes of the land surface environment in species-rich tropical islands in order to realize the sustainable development and protection of island areas. In this study, we extracted the land cover and coastline information of three tropical islands from 1990 to 2020 based on the Google Earth Engine platform and the Random Forest algorithm. The results showed that: (1) different tropical islands have similar characteristics in terms of land surface environment changes, with the amount of artificial surface and cultivated land increasing, the forest and mangrove areas decreasing, and the amount of artificial coastline increasing; (2) human disturbance plays an important role in changes in the land surface environment. Population growth, immigration policies, food security, and human activities related to achieving economic profits are likely responsible for these land cover changes; and (3) the main factors driving coastline changes include natural processes (topography, ecological ecosystems, sea-level rise, sea waves, and storms) and human activities (sand mining, tourism, port construction, aquaculture expansion, and mangrove deforestation). Understanding these changes will help tropical islands and coastal zones to make suitable policies for land management and respond to climate change and sustainable development challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On Palawan Island, where approximately 80,000 Muslims of diverse ethnolinguistic and geographical origins reside together with a larger and similarly diverse Christian population, conversions from Christianity to Islam have become common. This paper explores how converts comport themselves individually and collectively with their interpretations of Islam and expressions of religiosity, and how the fragmented larger community of 'born' Muslims has in turn responded to the growing presence of converts who hope to 'de-ethnicize' Islam and build a single unified community whose sole criteria for membership is religious faith. Whereas born Muslims emphasize religion, whereby social and cultural authority supports literal understandings and correct bodily practices, Muslim converts are more concerned with religiosity—i.e., an emphasis on the way individual believers build and experience their relationships with God. Yet the convert community has itself taken on ethnic group-like characteristics, both by the actions of its members and by the workings of wider Philippine society, thereby insulating the 'ethnic' Islam of born Muslims from the very changes that converts desire. More broadly, the processes of deterritorialization and individualization sometimes attributed to global Islam are not entirely one-directional, as countervailing processes of re-territorialization and re-ethnicization are also underway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Previous molecular dating studies revealed historical mass extinctions and recent radiations of extant cycads, but debates still exist between palaeobotanists and evolutionary biologists regarding the origin and evolution of Cycadaceae. Methods Using whole plastomic data, we revisited the phylogeny of this family and found the Palawan endemic Cycas clade was strongly related to all lineages from Southeast Eurasia, coinciding with a plate drift event occurring in the Early Oligocene. By integrating fossil and biogeographical calibrations as well as molecular data from protein-coding genes, we established different calibration schemes and tested competing evolutionary timelines of Cycadaceae. Key Results We found recent dispersal cannot explain the distribution of Palawan Cycas , yet the scenario including the tectonic calibration yielded a mean crown age of extant Cycadaceae of ~69–43 million years ago by different tree priors, consistent with multiple Palaeogene fossils assigned to this family. Biogeographical analyses incorporating fossil distributions revealed East Asia as the ancestral area of Cycadaceae. Conclusions Our findings challenge the previously proposed Middle–Late Miocene diversification of cycads and an Indochina origin for Cycadaceae and highlight the importance of combining phylogenetic clades, tectonic events and fossils for rebuilding the evolutionary history of lineages that have undergone massive extinctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the most poorly known species of mouse deer is the Philippine mouse deer ( I Tragulus nigricans i ), also known as "Pilandok". Keywords: Balabac Islands; chevrotains; hunting; Palawan; threatened; ungulates. Finally, local authorities must recognise that the mouse deer population is highly disjunct and natural exchange of remaining populations is impossible; therefore, each population of the species is prone to extinction if conservation actions are not taken. More recently, to strengthen the protection of mouse deer, the Municipality of Balabac has created an ordinance (Ordinance No. 07 series of 2019) declaring the Philippine mouse deer as their "flagship" species. [Extracted from the article]

Twenty specimens of Acentrogobius ocyurus (Jordan and Seale, 1907) were collected in Manko, Okinawa-jima Island, Japan and Sulu Sea side of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Island, Philippines. As the species had previously been reported from the South China Sea, Andaman Sea, and northern Australian waters, these specimens from Okinawa and Palawan represent the first records of the species from Japan and the Sulu Sea. Acentrogobius ocyurus was found on muddy substrata at the lowest tidal zone of the mudflat and was often found in burrows of mangrove pistol shrimp, Alpheus richardsoni Yaldwyn, 1971. Morphological traits suggested that A. ocyurus is closely related to A. globiceps (Hora, 1923), A. kranjiensis (Herre, 1940), and Acentrogobius sp. (“Suzume-haze” in Japanese name), with several homologous features including, the transverse pattern of the sensory papillae on the cheek, caudal fin pointed in middle, a black stripe behind the eye along the anterior oculoscapular canal, bright blue spots laterally on the body, and an oblique yellow stripe across the upper part of the caudal fin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distribution of two subgenera of Protaetia Burmeister, 1842 is updated by description of two new species and several new records of already known species. Both newly described species belong to rarely collected subgenera of Protaetia Burmeister, 1842, Lawangia Schenkling, 1921 and Protaetiola Mikšič, 1963. In subgenus Lawangia Schenkling, 1921, Protaetia (Lawangia) jeanphilippei sp. nov. is described from Panay Island, in subgenus Protaetiola Mikšič, 1963, Protaetia (Protaetiola) brookiana sp. nov. is described from Palawan Island. Newly described species are compared with their closest congeners, both species are pictured and their diagnoses are given. Updated checklist of both subgenera is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abandoned mercury mine area in Puerto Princesa City, which was previously operated by Palawan Quicksilver Mines, Inc. (PQMI) from 1953 to 1976, is known for its unrehabilitated open-pit of mercury-rich rocks and exposed mine waste calcine stockpiles in the vicinity. In order to establish an understanding on the geology of the abandoned mercury mine deposit and to obtain clues in determining the possible metal pollutants in the area, measurement of trace element concentrations of soil and sediments collected from the PQMI vicinity were conducted. Soil and sediment samples were analyzed for heavy metals, rare-earth elements and naturally occurring radioactive elements and determined its contamination factor as part of risk assessment. Analytical results showed that aside from mercury, several heavy metals (nickel, chromium, manganese) were found to be anomalous due to the geology of the area. Statistical analyses show that chromium, nickel and antimony present the highest contamination factor among the sampling groups. Mercury is found to have negative bias with higher rare earth elements concentration but positively correlated with arsenic, antimony, and thallium. In general, there is low concentration of rare earth elements (except for scandium) in comparison with its respective average crustal concentration. Due to the nature of geology in the area, naturally occurring radioactive elements influence is also minimal. The results of this study, especially on the assessment of soil and sediment pollutants, are recommended as guidance to its mine rehabilitation.

Abstract Background Macaca fascicularis (long-tailed macaque) is the most widespread species of macaque in Southeast Asia and the only species of monkey found naturally in the Philippines. The species is the natural host for the zoonotic malaria species, Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium cynomolgi and for the potentially zoonotic species, Plasmodium inui. Moreover, other Plasmodium species such as Plasmodium coatneyi and Plasmodium fieldi are also natural parasites of M. fascicularis. The aims of this study were to identify and determine the prevalence of Plasmodium species infecting wild and captive long-tailed macaques from the Philippines. Methods A total of 95 blood samples from long-tailed macaques in the Philippines were collected from three locations; 30 were from captive macaques at the National Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (NWRRC) in Luzon, 25 were from captive macaques at the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC) in Palawan and 40 were from wild macaques from Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) in Palawan. The Plasmodium spp. infecting the macaques were identified using nested PCR assays on DNA extracted from these blood samples. Results All 40 of the wild macaques from PPSRNP in Palawan and 5 of 25 captive macaques from PWRCC in Palawan were Plasmodium-positive; while none of the 30 captive macaques from the NWRRC in Luzon had any malaria parasites. Overall, P. inui was the most prevalent malaria parasite (44.2%), followed by P. fieldi (41.1%), P. cynomolgi (23.2%), P. coatneyi (21.1%), and P. knowlesi (19%). Mixed species infections were also observed in 39 of the 45 Plasmodium-positive macaques. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of P. knowlesi among the troops of wild macaques from PPSRNP. Conclusion Wild long-tailed macaques from the island of Palawan, the Philippines are infected with P. knowlesi, P. inui, P. coatneyi, P. fieldi and P. cynomolgi. The prevalence of these Plasmodium spp. varied among the sites of collection and among troops of wild macaques at one site. The presence of these simian Plasmodium parasites, especially P. knowlesi and P. cynomolgi in the long-tailed macaques in Palawan presents risks for zoonotic transmission in the area.

We report a new species and new records of Neoperla species from the Philippines. Neoperla pangantihoni sp. n. from Palawan is described, and for the first time, a stonefly species, N. atropennis Banks, 1924 , is recorded from Camiguin. We also provide supplementary descriptions for N. recta Banks, 1913 , N. sabang Sivec & Stark, 2011 , and N. salakot Sivec & Stark, 2011. Furthermore, these morphological diagnoses are coupled with COI barcodes analyzed using pairwise distances and a statistical haplotype network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zotalemimon legalovi sp.nov. Pic, 1925 from the Palawan Island (Philippines) is described and illustrated. This is the first species of the genus Zotalemimon Pic, 1925 from the Philippine archipelago. The world fauna of this genus now contains 22 species distributed in the Oriental Region and south-eastern part of the Palearctic Regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the vast amount of information readily available online, not to mention the gaining popularity and use of social media platforms and the rampant proliferation of alternative facts and news fabrication that affects decision-making, it is indeed empirical for everyone to be media and information literate. More true in it sense, people living in areas with limited or no internet access at all should be more critical and analytical about every information they encounter as this may affect their perspectives on things and life in general. This paper documents how media and information literacy was promoted and introduced to selected Senior High School (SHS) students and teachers of Loyola College of Culion (LCC) in Isla Culion, Palawan, Philippines. The effectiveness of the seminar-workshops conducted among the participants was also determined as well as their working knowledge on MIL through some tests and group activities. This case study also revealed that the participants' working knowledge has increased after being exposed to the lectures and activities. Furthermore, the participants highlighted how they found MIL valuable in critically evaluating sources of information and how to use social media responsibly. In addition, the participants found the seminar-workshop engaging and recommended to have more sessions like this in improved in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We described 19 new species of pheretimoid earthworms in Palawan, Philippines. Of these, eight are Pheretima belonging to the Ph. darnleiensis group, characterised by having either four or five pairs of spermathecal pores located in 5/6–8/9. These were Pheretima ingentis sp. nov., Ph. palawanensis sp. nov., Ph. atongensis sp. nov., Ph. ascensa sp. nov., Ph. marinanaensis sp. nov., Ph. brookespointensis sp. nov., Ph. multicamera sp. nov., and Ph. hamadryades sp. nov. Seven are Polypheretima, of which Polypheretima victoriaensis sp. nov., Po. irawanensis sp. nov., Po. jenniferae sp. nov., Po. puertoprincesaensis sp. nov., Po. fleischmani sp. nov., and Po. mantalingahanensis sp. nov. belong to the Po. elongata group, characterised by having a pair of genital markings in xix, successive segments in line with the male pores, paired batteries of up to 28 spermathecae in vi and/or vii, and shallow copulatory bursae, while Po. zonadimidia sp. nov. is unique among all Polypheretima species in having a saddle-shaped clitellum and in having a pair of genital markings on xiv, xv, xvii and xix in line with the male pores. Two species are Amynthas, namely Am. magnaprostata sp. nov. of the Am. sieboldi group, characterised by having three pairs of spermathecal pores in 6/7–8/9 and a holandric male system, and Am. elnidoensis sp. nov. of the Am. minimus group, characterised by having a pair of spermathecal pores in 5/6. Also, two are Metaphire, namely Me. santalourdesensis sp. nov. of the Me. merabahensis group, characterised by having three pairs of spermathecal pores at 5/6–7/8, and Me. narraensis sp. nov. of the Me. peguana group, characterised by having three pairs of spermathecal pores in 6/7–8/9 and post-clitellar genital markings at 17/18 and 18/19. With thorough biological surveys in Palawan, we expect that more species will be discovered in this biogeographic faunal region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local ecological knowledge (LEK) can provide cost-effective baseline ecological data across large geographical areas, and is increasingly seen as an important source of information for rare and cryptic species. However, to date, its use as a practical tool for prioritising conservation action is limited. Pangolins are the world’s most heavily trafficked wild mammals and all species are in decline. The Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis) is Critically Endangered but conservation efforts are hindered by a lack of knowledge on where populations still exist and where in situ action should be prioritised. We conducted the first range-wide systematic survey for the species using household interviews (n = 1296) to provide new data on pangolin distribution, status and threats, and to assess the use of LEK for highlighting priority areas for conservation. LEK about pangolins was high (87% of respondents recognised pangolins and provided further information), with evidence of pangolin occurrence in 17 of the 18 municipalities surveyed. The majority (70%) of respondents had seen a pangolin, but most (72%) perceived pangolins to be ‘rare’ or ‘very rare’, and local use of pangolins was reported across the species’ range. Spatial differences in sighting frequencies, perceived abundance and reported population trends were observed, providing an important baseline to identify priority sites for targeted research and community-based pangolin conservation.

Recent studies suggest the existence of two ophiolites in Palawan Island: the Central Palawan Ophiolite (CPO) and the Southern Palawan Ophiolite (SPO). New geochemical data in this study from the volcanic rocks of the Palawan ophiolites further support this interpretation. The CPO lavas have back-arc basin basalt (BABB) affinities with LILE enrichment and depleted LREE. In contrast, volcanic rocks of the SPO are geochemically diverse, including low-TiO2 boninitic andesites, MORB-like lavas, and high TiO2, high Nb lavas. Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic ratios of the CPO and SPO samples suggests that a mantle source was enriched due to the interaction of depleted MORB mantle with EMI component and ancient Mariana Trench-like sediment. Utilizing available paleomagnetic data and regional plate reconstruction models, we propose that the CPO represents the Late Eocene back-arc basin fragments formed within the proto-South China Sea. The SPO has a subduction initiation origin and formed in the Sundaland-Eurasian margin in Early Cretaceous. Both ophiolites were emplaced on the Palawan Continental Terrane (PCT) due to the collision of the PCT with Borneo and Cagayan Ridge.

The paper explores the historical presence and contributions of Augustinian Recollects in Palawan, particularly to the Church history and cultural patrimony of the island. Father Larry Garces, then provincial secretary and ex-officio provincial archivist, wrote: “The first Recollects accordingly arrived through the smaller island of Cuyo even as early as 1622. And from then on, a great tradition of Recollection ensured. Among the illustrious Recollects who came to the island of Palawan was Saint Ezekiel Moreno. They were builders and organizers of churches and cities. They were good preachers and evangelizers bringing the Good News to the farthest boundaries, and the innermost territories. We are indeed very fortunate that the last Recollects of the 80’s left the island and its vast agricultural and coastal territories with impressive memories of hard work, religiosity, and real care and concern for the flock. But that was the past—and yes, indeed, the glorious past.”

The pseudochromid Labracinus atrofasciatus (Herre, 1933) is redescribed based on examination of the holotype from Culion, Calamian Islands, and three newly acquired non-type specimens from a fish landing site in Barangay Sandoval, Municipality of Taytay, northern Palawan, Philippines. Prior to this, the species was known only from the holotype; from a photograph of a putative female taken in Lajo Island, Busuanga, Calamian Islands; and from observations at Lajo Island and Tangat Island, Calamian Islands. The new specimens from Macuao Island appear to be males, and their live colouration is reported here for the first time. We also briefly comment on the restricted distribution of other pseudochromids and coral-reef fishes in the Palawan region of the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abandoned mercury (Hg) mine area in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan was included in the list of abandoned and inactive mines in the Philippines which pose a high risk to human health and the environment, and require rehabilitation. The mine site, operated by Palawan Quicksilver Mines, Inc. (PQMI) from 1953 to 1976, is located approximately 3 km inland from Honda Bay coast and within the catchment of the Tagburos River, which is a local fishery and recreational area. In this study, total Hg levels in soils and sediments were measured to assess the possible release of Hg from the site into the surrounding natural environment. Results showed that total Hg (THg) concentrations found in soils (0.04–67.5 mg kg−1), mine waste calcines (52.7–924.2 mg kg−1), river sediments (1.8–119 mg kg−1), and marine sediments (0.04–12.7 mg kg−1) were elevated compared to the global background of 0.045–0.16 mg kg−1. The high concentrations of Hg in soils and river sediments were influenced by the different pathways for the release of Hg from its mine operations; while Hg in marine sediments was caused by the erosion of mine waste calcines near the pit lake, and calcines used to construct a wharf at the nearby Honda Bay. Mine wastes represent the largest source of Hg contamination in the area, due to the low efficiency of the recovery process during calcination. This work corresponds with the Minamata Convention on Mercury on the updated environmental assessments of abandoned Hg mines as potential source sites of mercury contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North Palawan Canyon is a large, previously undescribed submarine canyon that incises the continental shelf and slope of the southern South China Sea. Using multibeam bathymetric data and two-dimensional seismic reflection data, we have characterized current canyon morphology and documented lower-canyon migration in cross-section since the middle Miocene. We have also explored possible causes for the ancient migrations. The 175 km modern canyon is flanked by sediment waves outside its northern bank, and depositional lobes fan out from the canyon mouth. Over the past 15 million years, at least 20 cycles of significant canyon incising and infilling have occurred, along with significant canyon migration. This migration, as recorded in the sedimentary (seismic) record near a leftward bend in the canyon's lower reach, can be divided into three stages: southward migration during the middle Miocene (averaging 1.24 km/m.y.), northward migration during the late Miocene (1.34 km/m.y.), and stationarity since the Pliocene. The overall zigzagging pattern of the canyon thalweg (as seen in cross-section through time) results from lateral and downstream migration in an aggradational environment. The early (middle to late Miocene) rapid zigzagging migration of the lower main channel, first southward and then northward, was probably associated with the strong collision of the North Palawan Block with the Philippine Mobile Belt, which would have triggered submarine instabilities and deformed the seafloor. The more recent (Pliocene and later) slowing or cessation of canyon migration is likely the result of the now quieter tectonic setting and long-term climatic cooling and drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports eight species of Rhagovelia Mayr, 1865, from the Palawan biogeographic region, including three that are new to science. Rhagovelia minutissima Hungerford & Matsuda, 1961 (Busuanga Isl.); R. estrella Zettel, 1994 (Central Palawan Isl.); R. palawanensis Zettel, 1994 (South and Central Palawan Isl.); R. matillanoi, new species (North Palawan Isl.); and R. abbreviata, new species (North Palawan Isl.) are members of the R. sarawakensis group, which is absent from other islands of the Philippine archipelago. Rhagovelia kawakamii hoberlandti Hungerford & Matsuda, 1961 (Busuanga Isl., Palawan Isl., Balabac Isl., North Borneo) and R. gapudi, new species (Busuanga Isl., Central and North Palawan Isl.) belong to the R. papuensis group (sensu lato). Rhagovelia lansburyi Zettel, 1995 (Central Palawan Isl.) is an isolated species without clear affinity to other species groups; thus, the Rhagovelia lansburyi species group is defined. The male genitalia and the macropterous morph of R. minutissima are described for the first time. Numerous illustrations, maps, and keys to species and species groups are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new entimine weevils genus and species from Palawan Island of the Philippines, Evrostopolycatus palawanensis gen. nov. et sp. n (Polycatini), is described and illustrated. The new genus is similar to the genus Polycatus Heller, 1912, but differs by less enclosed tibial corbel, antennal club with three more or less equal segments, wider mesosternum, more convex mesepimeron and the shape of the antennal scrobe, reaching outer margin of the eye along midline. This new taxon is a new example of the mimetic relationship with Expachyrhynchus palawanensis Rukmane, 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an indigenous forest community in Palawan, Philippines, honey gathering from the giant honey bee (Apis dorsata) is a traditional subsistence practice. We characterize the social-ecological dynamics of giant honey bees with indigenous peoples of Tagbanua ethnicity using the mobile agent-based ecosystem service (MABES) framework. Chemical and pollen analysis conducted on honey samples generated data on the ecological features of this linked social-ecological system. These were supplemented by 251 household surveys and key informant interviews with institutional representatives to identify the social and institutional features of the system. Honey samples analyzed for pollen showed a total of 11 different plant families and did not have any traces of pesticide residue. The majority of households interviewed use honey as food, medicine, and a saleable commodity. A small percentage of households use fertilizers and pesticides known to be harmful to bees. Institutions have different knowledge strengths that can be tapped through a transdisciplinary approach. As the scale of production and delivery of MABES is distinctly a product of the mobility of service-delivering organisms, we recommend using a landscape approach with a focus on maintaining the quality of both the local environment and landscapes around the site of ES delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New species of Trichoptera were identified in samples collected from emergence traps along two streams (Cabayugan River and Panaguman River) at Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan, Philippines in 2000–2001. The species are described as: Orthotrichia ligula sp. n., Chrysotrichia minutula sp. n., Chimarra ligula sp. n., Pahamunaya panagumani sp. n., Tinodes sanctipauli sp. n., Ecnomus cabayugani sp. n., E. tagbanwae sp. n., Hyalopsyche palawanensis sp. n., Pseudoneureclipsis extensata sp. n., Helicopsyche forcipula sp. n., Anisocentropus palawanensis sp. n., Leptocerus palaservius sp. n., Leptocerus membranellus sp. n., Tagalopsyche brunneoides sp. n. and Oecetis ausani sp. n. All male genitalia are illustrated, supplemented by the female genitalia for some species. The illustrations of the male genitalia of an unnamed species of Triplectides Kolenati, 1859 (Leptoceridae) are provided. The relationship of the new species to congeners is briefly discussed. The subfamilies Hyalopsychinae (Dipseudopsidae), represented by two species, and Pseudoneureclipsinae (Dipseudopsidae), represented by one species, are recorded from Palawan for the first time. The genus Pahamunyana Schmid, 1958 (Poycentropodidae) is a new country record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Expachyrhynchus Yoshitake, 2013 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Pachyrhynchini) from Palawan Island (Philippines) is described and illustrated: E. palawanensis sp. nov. This new species is similar in general appearance to E. chloromaculatus Yoshitake, 2013 but differs from it by several morphological characteristics (see differential diagnosis). Diagnosis for the new species is provided, in addition, photographs of the habitus and illustrations of male and female genitalia are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Palawan Pangolin Manis culionensis is restricted to the Palawan faunal region in the Philippines. The species’ distribution and natural history are poorly known due, in part, to it only recently being recognized as a distinct species. Pangolin species around the world are threatened due to habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade. Understanding the conservation requirements of the Palawan Pangolin will inform efforts to avert its extinction. Presently, information on the status, distribution, and natural history of pangolins is largely derived from interviews with local people, radio-telemetry, transect surveys for pangolin sign, and camera trapping. Here we test the ability of fish oil- and pig blood-baited camera traps to document the presence of Palawan Pangolin. We obtained three photos at two localities in Palawan in mangrove, lowland forest, and riverine forest.

The abandoned mercury (Hg) mine area in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan was included in the list of abandoned and inactive mines in the Philippines which pose a high risk to human health and the environment, and require rehabilitation. The mine site, operated by Palawan Quicksilver Mines, Inc. (PQMI) from 1953 to 1976, is located approximately 3 km inland from Honda Bay coast and within the catchment of the Tagburos River, which is a local fishery and recreational area. In this study, total Hg levels in soils and sediments were measured to assess the possible release of Hg from the site into the surrounding natural environment. Results showed that total Hg (THg) concentrations found in soils (0.04–67.5 mg kg−1), mine waste calcines (52.7–924.2 mg kg−1), river sediments (1.8–119 mg kg−1), and marine sediments (0.04–12.7 mg kg−1) were elevated compared to the global background of 0.045–0.16 mg kg−1. The high concentrations of Hg in soils and river sediments were influenced by the different pathways for the release of Hg from its mine operations; while Hg in marine sediments was caused by the erosion of mine waste calcines near the pit lake, and calcines used to construct a wharf at the nearby Honda Bay. Mine wastes represent the largest source of Hg contamination in the area, due to the low efficiency of the recovery process during calcination. This work corresponds with the Minamata Convention on Mercury on the updated environmental assessments of abandoned Hg mines as potential source sites of mercury contamination.

Timonius eremiticus, a new species from Mount Pulgar, Palawan Island, the Philippines, is here described and illustrated. It is morphologically close to T. flavescens but is characterized by membranous to chartaceous leaves with 2-4 pairs of lateral nerves, ivory-white corolla, bracteate staminate inflorescences bearing bracteolate flowers, 5-petaled pistillate flowers, (sub)globose fruits that are round and not 4-angled, and pyrenes being obliquely radiated in cross-section of fruits. Timonius eremiticus is assessed as Critically Endangered following IUCN criteria. Buod (Wikang Filipino) Inilarawan at iginuhit sa lathalaing ito ang Timonius eremiticus na isang bagong espesye ng halaman na matatagapuan sa Bundok Pulgar sa pulo ng Palawan sa Pilipinas. Ito ay kawangis ng T. flavescens subalit natatangi dahil sa mga malalamad o malapapel nitong mga dahon na may dalawa o hanggang apat na pares ng nerbiyong lateral, kulay garing na mga talulot, brakteadong istaminate na mga inflorescence at bulaklak, mga pistiladong bulaklak na may limang talulot, (mala)bilugang mga bunga na hindi nakalundo sa apat, at mga pyrene na oblikong naka-radiate sa pahalang na hati ng mga bunga. Ang Timonius eremiticus ay itinataya rin na lubos nang nanganganib na maubos alinsunod sa mga pamantayan ng IUCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benthic ctenophore Vallicula multiformis Rankin, 1956 (Ctenophora, Platyctenida) was originally described from Jamaica. We found the species in an aquarium during our survey of jellyfish from Palawan Island, the Philippines. Molecular analysis of the species confirmed the morphology-based identification of the samples. This discovery is the first report of the occurrence of species from the western Pacific area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, capital investments are intensifying extraction and contestation over resources in frontier spaces, yet most discussion has focused on terrestrial frontiers. This paper shifts this focus to bring a scaled political ecology approach to examine the access dynamics of fisheries trade in the maritime frontier of Palawan province, the Philippines. We adapt the linked concepts of access and exclusion to highlight how access dynamics unfold at multiple scales. At the local scale, social relations of class and ethnicity serve as important markers of difference that inform control over access to fisheries resources. At the regional scale, we show how engagement in fisheries trade is also shaped by broader historical and geographical contexts of migration and land use change. Access dynamics unfold at multiple inter‐related scales to heavily influence the differentiated social outcomes of expanded fisheries trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]