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Distribution and Ecology of Metapocyrtus (Metapocyrtus)
ged Cabras & Medina, 2021 in Mindanao, Philippines
Romeo R. Patano Jr.1*, Alma B. Mohagan1,2, Amy G. Ponce3,
Maria Melanie M. Guiang1,2, Rodceal Malinao4, Gretl Rae P. Pescuela1,
and Fulgent P. Coritico1,2
1Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences,
2Center for Biodiversity Research and Extension in Mindanao
Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon 8710 Philippines
3Davao Oriental State University, Guang-guang, Mati, Davao Oriental 8200 Philippines
4Davao del Sur State College, Digos City, Davao del Sur 8002 Philippines
Metapocyrtus (Metapocyrtus) ged Cabras & Medina, 2021 is a Mindanao-endemic species known
only in Davao del Sur. Here, we recorded the species first in Bukidnon and the Cotabato region.
Moreover, we also provide ecological notes of the species specifically the identities of its food
plants, description of its habitat, and potential threats.
Keywords: food plants, montane forest, Mount Natampod, Mount Apo, threats
*Corresponding author: romeonojrpatano@gmail.com ; 076
The Philippines is biogeographically one of the most
diverse countries and is considered one of the biodiversity
hotspots in Southeast Asia that are inhabited by
many endemic and unique species of flora and fauna
(Mittermeier et al. 1998; Myers et al. 2000). Insects
comprise the most speciose group of terrestrial animals,
which is true for weevils of the family Curculionidae with
about 4,600 genera and 51,000 species known in the world
(Oberprieler et al. 2007). The Philippines, specifically
Mindanao island, is known for its mountainous ecosystems
inhabited by many interesting species, of which some are
site endemics.
Mount Apo and Mount Natampod, Pantaron Range are
among those important mountain ecosystems in Mindanao.
The latter is in Bukidnon, located in the central part of
Mindanao, and is considered to have high biodiversity
value (Gronemeyer et al. 2014; Coritico et al. 2018). On
the other hand, Mount Apo – the highest mountain in the
Philippine archipelago – is a declared natural park and
home to 856 species of plants and animals (WHC 2011).
Our recent faunistic inventory in these areas documented an
interesting weevil species, Metapocyrtus (Metapocyrtus)
ged Cabras & Medina, 2021. This species of weevil was
recently discovered in Toril and Carmen, Davao del Sur
based on a male holotype specimen and three and five
female and male paratypes, respectively (Cabras and
Medina 2021). However, there have been no available
live photographs of the species in its natural habitat since
its description. In addition, no records of its food plants
were available, which is very important for its survival.
Hence, for the first time, our study presents live
photographs of the species and its food plants in its natural
habitat – specifically around some localities in Mount
Apo and Mount Natampod, Pantaron Range, Southern
Philippines. Moreover, we provide the new distribution
records of the species in Mindanao, Philippines.
Prior to the conduct of the study, the research had been
presented to the indigenous community as part of the free,
prior, and informed consent. Necessary permits such as
an approved gratuitous permit (DENR permit number
2020-06 and XI-2022-26) were then obtained from the
Philippine Journal of Science
152 (1): 375-380, February 2023
ISSN 0031 - 7683
Date Received: 19 Aug 2022
RESEARCH NOTE
376
Department of Environment and Natural Resources in
compliance with Republic Act No. 9147 for the collection
of the specimens.
The present study was conducted in the pristine forest
of Mt. Apo in the localities of Sitio Culan, Sta. Cruz,
Davao Del Sur (06.98323°N, 125.28601°E; 2000 m asl;
29 Apr– 04 May 2022), Sitio V, Magpet, North Cotabato
(7°11’23.34” N, 125°9’53.37” E; 1,257 masl, 14–20
Oct 2020), and lastly, in Barangay Namnam, Mount
Natampod, Pantaron Range (7°51’41.2” N, 125°25’24.32”
E; 1,098 masl, 22–26 Jul 2022), Mindanao, Philippines
(Figure 1). The combination of standard belt-transect and
opportunistic and random sampling was implemented in
the study. The collection of specimens was conducted
along an established 2-km transect covering 10 m x 5 m
on both sides. Encountered food plants of the species in
the area were identified (FPC: one of the authors; Danilo
Tandang: Botanist) using Co’s Digital Flora website
(Pelser et al. 2011 onwards).
Specimens of Metapocyrtus (Metapocyrtus) ged Cabras
& Medina, 2021 were collected by handpicking when
encountered during the diurnal (07:00–15:00 h) and
nocturnal (17:00–22:00 h) period. They were then put in
vials filled with 95% ethyl alcohol for preservation.
The specimens collected in this study were then deposited
in Central Mindanao University, University Museum,
Zoological Section.
Materials examined. Philippines • (5/5) 2♂3♀ – North
Cotabato, Mount Apo, Barangay Mahongkog, Sitio V,
Magpet, 7°11’23.34”N, 125°9’53.37”E (1,257 masl), 14-
20 Oct 2020, AM-011; (10/10) 3♂7♀– Davao del Sur, Mt.
Apo, Sitio Culan, Sta. Cruz, 06.98323°N, 125.28601°E
(2,000 m asl), 02 May 2022; (3/3) 1♂2♀– Bukidnon,
Mount Natampod, Pantaron Range, Barangay Namnam,
Sitio Natampod, 7°51’41.2”N, 125°25’24.32”E (1,098 m
asl), 22–26 Jul 2022.
Distribution. The species is originally known in the old-
growth secondary forest of Toril and Carmen, Davao del
Sur, Mindanao, Philippines (Cabras and Medina 2021).
With the new information herein, the species inhabits
tropical upper mountainous rainforests of Mount Apo –
specifically in the localities of Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur and
Magpet, North Cotabato, and also in Mount Natampod,
Pantaron Range, Barangay Namnam, Sitio Natampod
(1,098–1,140 masl), Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines
(present study, as shown in Table 1).
Figure 1. Map of the Philippines (A) and Mindanao (B) showing the updated distribution of Metapocyrtus
(Metapocyrtus) ged Cabras & Medina, 2021. Localities are also shown in Table 1.
Philippine Journal of Science
Vol. 152 No. 1, February 2023
Patano et al.: Distribution and Ecology of Metapocyrtus
(Metapocyrtus) ged Cabras & Medina, 2021
377
Habitat, food plants, and threats. The documented and
observed specimens of Metapocyrtus (Metapocyrtus)
ged Cabras & Medina, 2021 in North Cotabato, Mount
Apo, Magpet were observed perching on its food plant
Melastoma malabathricum (L.) Smith of the family
Melastomataceae (Figure 2E). Chew marks on the leaves
of the plant species were observed, suggesting that it is
Table 1. Localities where Metapocyrtus (Metapocyrtus) ged Cabras & Medina, 2021 is known in Mindanao, together with information on
coordinates, elevation, collector/s, date of research, and reference for each.
Locality Coordinates Elevation Date Collector/s Reference
[1a] Toril, Davao City, Davao
del Sur
Unknown Unknown May 2019 Local Collector Cabras and
Medina (2021)
[1b] Carmen, Davao City, Davao
del Sur
Unknown Unknown July 2019 Local Collector Cabras and
Medina (2021)
[2a] Mount Apo, Sitio V, Magpet,
North Cotabato
7°11’23.34”N,
125°9’53.37”E
1,257 masl October 2020 R.R. Patano Jr.
and V.B. Amoroso
Present study
[2b] Mount Apo, Sitio Culan,
Davao del Sur, Sta. Cruz
06.98323°N,
125.28601°E
2,000 masl May 2022 R.R. Patano Jr.
and V.B. Amoroso
Present study
[3] Mount Natampod, Pantaron
Range, Sitio Natampod, Barangay
Namnam, San Fernando,
Bukidnon
7°51’41.2”N,
125°25’24.32”E
1,098 m asl July 2022 R.R. Patano Jr.
and V.B. Amoroso
Present study
one of their possible food source (Figure 2B, encircled
with red). The species positioned itself atop the leaf. The
habitat of the species in this area is characterized as a
secondary lower montane forest with elevation ranging
from 1,246–1,487 masl dominated by trees species such
as Lithocarpus sp., Agathis philippinensis, Syzygium spp.,
Shorea spp., and Cinnamomum spp., whereas understory
Figure 2. First live photographs of Metapocyrtus (Metapocyrtus) ged Cabras & Medina, 2021 (D, E, and F) in its natural habitat perching
on its food plants, Blumea sp. (D) Melastoma malabathricum (E) and Polyosma sp. (F). Chew marks are encircled with red.
Philippine Journal of Science
Vol. 152 No. 1, February 2023
Patano et al.: Distribution and Ecology of Metapocyrtus
(Metapocyrtus) ged Cabras & Medina, 2021
378
plants are dominated by ferns, lycophytes, aroids, orchids,
gesneriads, palms, pandans, Medinilla spp., and gingers.
The forest is over the clay to loam soil mostly covered
with gravel having an average composition (50%) of very
common grasses, sedges, herbs, and ferns; bryophyte
density (40%); leaf litter (3 inches); an abundance of
Nepenthes (20%); fallen logs (80%); and exposed rocks
(80%) (Figure 3B). Common threats in the area are
agricultural activities extending to forested areas, illegal
logging, the presence of invasive species (Piper aduncum),
and poaching.
On the other hand, specimens of Metapocyrtus
(Metapocyrtus) ged Cabras & Medina, 2021 in Davao
del Sur, Mt. Apo, Sitio Culan, Sta. Cruz were observed
perching and mating on its food plant Blumea sp.
(Asteraceae). Traces of chew marks were also observed
on the leaves of the plant species (Figure 2A encircled
with red). Most of the specimens are hiding on the folded
petiole and leaf apices of the plant species (Figure 2D).
The habitat of the species in this area is characterized as an
upper montane forest with elevation ranging from 1,900–
2,100 masl dominated by trees species such as Ardisia sp.,
Aquilaria sp., Myrsine sp., Elaeocarpus sp., Macaranga
sp., Tasmannia piperita, Weinmannia sp., Ascarena
sp., Morilla sp., Pittosporum sp., and Leptospermum
javanicum, whereas understory plants are dominated by
ferns, lycophytes, aroids, and gingers. The forest is over
loamy soil mostly covered with gravel having a lesser
composition (25%) of very common grasses and ferns,
bryophyte density (70%); leaf litter (2 in); an abundance
of Nepenthes (10%); fallen logs (70%); and exposed rocks
(70%) (Figure 3A). Common threats in the area are also
the rampant agricultural activities that have now extended
into the protected zones of Mount Apo (Figure 4B). Other
threats observed are the presence of garbage thrown by
trekkers and poaching (Figure 4A).
Lastly, the species was observed in Mount Natampod,
Pantaron Range perching on its food plant Polyosma
Blume (Escalloniaceae). The species also clearly feeds
on the plant species as there are a lot of markings on its
leaves (Figure 2C, encircled with red). Individuals are
observed perching on the stalk and others are hiding at the
abaxial part of the leaves (Figure 2E). Mount Natampod
(774–1,140 masl) is characterized by having secondary
Figure 3. Habitat of Metapocyrtus (Metapocyrtus) ged Cabras & Medina, 2021 in the secondary montane forests in Mount Apo, Sitio Culan,
Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, Sitio V, Magpet, North Cotabato (A and B) and Mount Natampod, Pantaron Range, Sitio Natampod,
San Fernando, Bukidnon.
Philippine Journal of Science
Vol. 152 No. 1, February 2023
Patano et al.: Distribution and Ecology of Metapocyrtus
(Metapocyrtus) ged Cabras & Medina, 2021
379
Figure 4. Some of the common threats on the natural habitat of Metapocyrtus (Metapocyrtus) ged Cabras & Medina, 2021 in Mount
Apo, Sitio Culan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur (A and B) and Mount Natampod, Pantaron Range, Sitio Natampod, San Fernando,
Bukidnon (C and D).
montane to agroforest ecosystems. The forest over a loamy
substrate with some gravel. The area is dominated by trees
and shrubs such as Spiraeopsis celebica (Blume) Miq.,
Shorea polysperma (Blco.) Merr., Callophylum blancoi
Planch & Triana, and Shorea sp. It is also rich with ferns
dominated by Taenitis blechnoides (Willdenow) Swartz,
Lindsaea hamiguitanensis Karger & Amoroso, Diplazium
cordifolium Blume, and Calochlaena javanica (Blume)
Turner & White (Figure 3C). Threats in the area include
the destruction of forests for road construction and
agricultural activities usually by crop plants such as Musa
textilis Née (abaca), Zea mays L., and kamote (Ipomoea
spp.) (Figures 4C and D).
The occurrence of the species across Davao, Cotabato,
and Bukidnon implies that these regions indeed share
common species, which clearly supports the observations
of Cabras et al. (2019). It is important that the species are
occurring in different regions having different food plants
in Mindanao, as it somehow implies their abundance,
reproduction, and polyphagy. However, the species can
only be found within pristine and intact forest ecosystems
and most of these forest ecosystems are now depleting due
to many disturbances. Monitoring and more awareness
activities must be done to somehow slowly eradicate these
destructive activities in the remaining natural habitat in
Mindanao.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The researchers would like to thank the DOST-GIA
(Department of Science and Technology Grants-in-
Aid) program titled “Biodiversity in Selected Mountain
Ecosystems of Mindanao for Conservation and
Sustainable Development,” as well as the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources and the local
stakeholders of Sitio Culan, Sta Cruz and the Bagobo-
Tagabawa Indigenous Community. In addition,
the authors would like also to thank the Local
Government Unit of San Fernando, Bukidnon and its
Philippine Journal of Science
Vol. 152 No. 1, February 2023
Patano et al.: Distribution and Ecology of Metapocyrtus
(Metapocyrtus) ged Cabras & Medina, 2021
380
local stakeholders. The research would not be possible
also without the overwhelming help and support of the
University President Dr. Jesus Antonio G. Derije.
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