LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—The discovery by a father-daughter team of scientists of two new species of spiders in Mt. Makiling is another proof that the mountain is a key biodiversity area that is likely to yield more new species of plants and animals, according to an expert.
Dr. Ireneo L. Lit Jr., director of the Museum of National History (MNH) in the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, said the spiders’ discovery is testament to the richness of Makiling as home to different varieties of plants and animals, many of which are endangered.
He said among biodiversity areas in the Philippines, “over a thousand” species of plants and animals were first collected and discovered in Makiling alone.
“While there are attempts by some to develop Mt. Makiling, these discoveries otherwise show the importance of conserving the forest reserve,” said Lit.
The new spider species were discovered by Dr. Alberto Barrion and his daughter, Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo, who named the new species as Procholus junlitjri and Chrysso makiling.
The first species had been described as “orb-weaving” and the other, “comb-footed” because of legs resembling hair combs.
The Barrion father and daughter are both entomologists from UPLB.
The spiders were collected in the last quarter of 2014 with financial help from the National Research Council of the Philippines.
The P. junlitjri spider was found in the Molawin Creek in Makiling, while the C. makiling, from trees and shrubs inside the forest reserve, according to a statement by MNH.
The comb-footed spiders are said to be sedentary and usually spin webs under rocks or tree branches and leaves. The C. makiling is just the seventh species of Chrysso ever recorded in the Philippines and the 33rd worldwide.