Biodiversity Data Journal :
Taxonomic Paper
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Corresponding author: Hendrik Freitag (hfreitag@ateneo.edu)
Academic editor: Laurence Livermore
Received: 24 Jul 2020 | Accepted: 27 Oct 2020 | Published: 04 Nov 2020
© 2020 Arthien Lovell Pelingen, Herbert Zettel, Clister Pangantihon, Kyra Mari Dominique Aldaba, Earl Kevin Fatallo, Jemillie Madonna de Leon, Hendrik Freitag
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Pelingen AL, Zettel H, Pangantihon CV, Aldaba KMD, Fatallo EK, de Leon JM, Freitag H (2020) Contributions to the knowledge of water bugs in Mindoro Island, Philippines, with a species checklist of Nepomorpha and Gerromorpha (Insecta, Hemiptera, Heteroptera). Biodiversity Data Journal 8: e56883. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.8.e56883
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This survey aims to provide an updated species checklist of aquatic and semi-aquatic bugs in the intra-Philippine biogeographic Region of Mindoro. An assessment survey of water bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) was conducted mostly by manual collection in selected areas of Oriental Mindoro from 2017 to 2018, in which some of the collecting activities were undertaken by graduate students of Ateneo de Manila University.
Twenty-nine aquatic and semi-aquatic heteropteran species were documented and some are known island-endemic species or subspecies, including Enithares martini mindoroensis Nieser & Zettel, 1999, Hydrotrephes stereoides mindoroensis Zettel, 2003, Aphelocheirus freitagi Zettel & Pangantihon, 2010, Rhagovelia mindoroensis Zettel, 1994, Rhagovelia raddai Zettel, 1994, Rhagovelia potamophila Zettel, 1996 and Strongylovelia mindoroensis Lansbury & Zettel, 1997, which were found in new areas in the Region. In addition, there are also new records for the Island that have already been documented in other parts of the Philippines, such as the Philippine-endemic Ochterus magnus Gapud & San Valentin, 1977 and Hebrus philippinus Zettel, 2006 and the widely-distributed backswimmers Anisops nigrolineatus Lundblad, 1933 and Anisops rhomboides Nieser & Chen, 1999. Several undescribed specimens and potentially new species are also discussed in this paper. Further surveys in the other parts of Mindoro and in the other regions of the Philippines, are encouraged to produce a comprehensive baseline data of heteropteran species richness in the country.
biodiversity, distribution, endemism, freshwater, macroinvertebrates
The order Hemiptera constitutes a large part of the insect fauna, both in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the Philippines (
Along with field collection from the easily-accessible municipalities of Puerto Galera and Baco, special attention is given to the Baroc River basin in Roxas, which belongs partly to the Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) “69 Hinunduang Mt.” with extremely high critical conservation priority (“EHc”) and high socioeconomic pressure (
ap apterous
asl. above the sea level (elevation)
bra brachypterus
ma macropterous
N nymph
NN nymphs
s.l. sensu lato
s.str. sensu stricto
sp. species
ssp. subspecies
A large proportion of the aquatic and semi-aquatic heteropteran material studied here was collected in rivers and streams of Oriental Mindoro from June 2017 to August 2018. The sampling sites (all from the Province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines) are summarised in Table
Acronym codes of sampling sites in the Province of Oriental Mindoro as used in the result section.
Code |
Municipality/ Barangay |
River/Creek/ Tributary |
Description |
Latitude, Longitude |
Elevation (m asl) |
301 |
Puerto Galera |
Tagbinai Munti River |
hill creek in coconut plantation |
|
10 |
302 |
Puerto Galera |
downstream of Tamaraw Falls |
creek in secondary vegetation |
|
80 |
303 |
Puerto Galera, Calsapa |
Tukunan River (“Hidden Paradise”) (Fig. |
medium-sized river in secondary vegetation |
|
80 |
304 |
Puerto Galera |
downstream of Aninuan Falls |
creek in secondary vegetation |
|
10 |
305 |
Puerto Galera |
Tagbinai Malaki River (Fig. |
small river in secondary vegetation |
|
30 |
310 |
Baco, Dulangan |
Lantuyan River |
torrent mountain river in secondary vegetation |
|
55 |
312 |
Baco, Dulangan |
Lantuyan River |
torrent tributary of Lantuyan River in secondary forest |
|
400 |
353 |
Baco |
Baco, Rural Road Side |
residual pools of small intermittent river in secondary vegetation |
|
26 |
356 |
Baco, Dulangan |
lower Dulangan River (Fig. |
torrent river in rural open land |
|
8 |
396 |
Puerto Galera, Poblacion |
lowland Creek (Fig. |
small lowland creek in secondary vegetation |
|
2 |
BR2 |
Roxas, San Mariano |
middle Baroc River |
disturbed warm water river in farmland |
|
10 |
BR3 |
Roxas, Wasig |
lower Baroc River (Fig. |
disturbed warm water river in farmland |
|
2 |
HBC |
Roxas, San Vicente |
Quirao Buhay Creek |
creek in secondary vegetation |
|
142 |
HBT |
Roxas, San Vicente |
Tagugoy Creek |
small Quirao Buhay tributary in secondary forest |
|
200 |
HTC |
Roxas, San Vicente |
Tinggiwang Creek |
creek in secondary forest |
|
162 |
HQC |
Roxas, San Vicente |
Quirao na Balete Creek |
mountain creek fringed by secondary forest |
|
230 |
HR1 |
Roxas, San Vicente, Quirao |
Hinundungan River |
slightly disturbed lowland river in rural extensive farmland and secondary vegetation |
|
118 |
HR2 |
Roxas, San Vicente |
Hinundungan River down-stream of Hinagdanan Falls (Fig. |
clean mountain river in secondary forest |
|
200 |
HR3 |
Roxas, San Vicente |
Hinundungan River up-stream of Hinagdanan Falls |
clean mountain river in secondary forest |
|
280 |
TAC |
Roxas, San Vicente |
Sapang Alupa |
torrent creek in old secondary forest |
|
340 |
TDR1 |
Roxas, San Vicente, Taugad Diit |
lower Taugad Daka River |
clean mountain river in extensive farmland and secondary forest |
|
180 |
TDR4 |
Roxas, San Vicente |
upper Taugad Daka River (Fig. |
clean mountain creek in secondary forest |
|
700 |
THC |
Roxas, San Vicente |
Hiyong Creek |
perennial creek in extensive farmland and secondary vegetation |
|
147 |
THF |
Roxas, San Vicente |
Hiyong Fall |
small fall of perennial creek in extensive farmland and secondary vegetation |
|
150 |
TIR1 |
Roxas, San Vicente, Taugad Diit |
lower Taugad Diit River |
slightly disturbed river in extensive farmland and secondary vegetation |
|
180 |
TR1 |
Roxas, San Vicente Proper |
Taugad River |
slightly disturbed lowland river in extensive farmland and secondary vegetation |
|
95 |
TR2 |
Roxas, San Vicente |
upper Taugad River |
mountain river in secondary vegetation and forest |
|
140 |
TUC |
Roxas, San Vicente |
“unnamed” creek (Fig. |
small intermittent creek in secondary forest |
|
154 |
TWC |
Roxas, San Vicente Proper |
“community water source” creek” |
perennial mountain creek in secondary forest |
|
150 |
The main sampling method used was handpicking with the use of a hand-held net to collect the aquatic bugs. Some of the specimens had also been collected using a black light trap (L) or in emergence traps (E) as described by
In the label data of the material, the codes mentioned before for the collecting sites are followed by a single minor letter for the microhabitats (Fig.
Microhabitat code | Description |
a | littoral sand/gravel in running sections of the stream/river |
b | mud/sand/fine gravel in littoral pool sections with stagnant or very slow-moving water connected to the stream/river (Fig. |
c | stream bottom gravel in running sections of the stream/river (Fig. |
d | leaf packs in running and riffle sections of the stream/river (Fig. |
e | leaf litter/CPOM in isolated side pools or residual pool (separated from stream) |
f | submerged wood in running and riffle sections of the stream/river |
g | solid rock surfaces in riffle and running sections of the stream/river (Fig. |
h | root packs/grass bunches in running sections of the stream/river (Fig. |
j | hygropetric rocks |
k | CPOM/leaf litter in small side rivulets connected to the mainstream (Fig. |
m | gravel/sand in shallow, sun-exposed side pools or residual pool (separated from stream) |
t | littoral gravel/sand/mud deposits of side pools or residual pool (separated from stream) (Fig. |
u | water plants inside pools or residual pool (separated from stream) |
y | water surface (neustic) of calm water sections (pool) |
z | water surface (neustic) of running and riffle water sections (Fig. |
Microhabitats sampled with their respective label codes, as listed above. A. side pool with mineral deposits (“t”); B. littoral pool with mineral deposits (“b”); C. bottom gravel in running water (“c”); D. leaf packs trapped in riffles (“d”); E. leaf litter in rivulet (“k”); F. rock surface in riffle (“g”); G. root packs in running water (“h”); H. neustic in running water (“z”).
Specimens collected were preserved in 96% ethanol and stored (-20°C) prior to identification. Morphological examination was done using a dissecting microscope (LEICA EZ4) and a compound microscope (OLYMPUS SZ61). The habitus images were produced using a Canon EOS 6D with macro lens and a stack rack. This stacking of images was operated using Helicon Remote and Helicon Focus. The figures were generated then processed with Adobe Photoshop.
Identification keys and other relevant literature were used for the taxa as stated in the respective taxonomic sections. In some cases, loaned type material from the Natural History Museum Vienna, Austria (NHMW) was used for comparison. The dissected parts and actual specimen were glued on to entomological papers, while some were stored in the vial with ethanol. All material is labelled and kept at the collections of the Biodiversity Laboratory, Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), National Museum of the Philippines, Museum of Natural History, Manila, Philippines (NMP) and the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Germany (ZMB).
This still unnamed new species (Fig.
Habitus illustrations of Nepomorpha of Mindoro A. Ranatra sp. (R. gracilis group); B. Ochterus polhemusi; C. Asthenocoris luzonensis paradisianus; D. Aphelocheirus (s.str) freitagi; E. Anisops kuroiwae; F. Anisops rhomboides; G. Enithares martini mindoroensis; H. Hydrotrephes stereoides mindoroensis. Scale bars A 10 mm B–H 1 mm. A & C © NHMW Hemiptera Image Collection / photo: H. Bruckner, printed with permission.
Specimens were found in both flowing and calm littoral sections of shallow streams, such as in Fig.
This is the first record of O. magnus Gapud & San Valentin, 1977 (see
Refer to
The specimens were found on wet rocks.
This species (Fig.
Refer to
We collected specimens in emergence traps spanned over littoral portions of small streams, on hygropetric rocks and along small rivulets. The species is generally found in banks of streams, ponds, lakes, freshwater marshlands and in association with waterfalls. It is also found in substrates that are muddy or sandy.
The species cannot be identified yet because the examination of comparative type material is needed, which is currently inaccessible.
All specimens were collected using a light trap, so their habitat cannot be accurately described. However, species of Micronecta Kirkaldy, 1897 are usually found in stagnant or shallow, slowly flowing waters (
This subspecies is endemic to Mindoro (
For identification, refer to the key by
Asthenocoris luzonensis paradisianus Zetttel & Nieser, 2009 Fig.
Aphelocheirus freitagi Zettel and Pangantihon, 2010 (see
For identification, refer to
Aphelocheirus species Westwood, 1883 thrives in rather large, fast flowing rivers (Fig.
The species (Fig.
For identification, refer to the key by
The single specimen was collected using a light trap not allowing for a specific microhabitat association. In general, representatives of this genus are found in isolated side pools (Fig.
Anisops nigrolineatus Lundblad, 1933 (see
For identification, refer to the key by
The specimen was found in a small side pool near a slow-flowing stream.
The species (Fig.
For identification, refer to the key by
Anisops rhomboides Nieser & Chen, 1999 (see
This species (Fig.
For identification, refer to the key by
Enithares martini mindoroensis Nieser & Zettel, 1999 (see
The subspecies (Fig.
For identification, refer to the key by
Hydrotrephes stereoides Zettel, 2003 is mainly associated with lentic sections of running waters, swimming actively at the edges of plant material, rarely benthic in running waters. We found most specimens attached to wood in clean mountain rivers.
The species is widely distributed in the Philippines, except for Palawan. This is the first record of this species in Mindoro (Fig.
For identification, see
Hebrus philippinus Zettel, 2006 (see
The Hebrus harrisi complex is discussed by
The specimens (Fig.
Mesovelia horvathi (s.l.) Lundblad, 1933 (see
For identification, refer to the key by
Mesovelia horvathi Lundblad, 1933 is common in plains and mountains in stagnant, slow flowing and even in brackish water (
The species (Fig.
For identification, refer to the key by
Mesovelia species are commonly found amongst marginal vegetation in standing waters of ponds and streams. Mesovelia vittigera Horváth, 1895 (see
Hydrometra lineata Eschscholtz, 1822 (see
For identification, refer to the key by
The species is often found in large stagnant water bodies and rarely seen in running waters; however, all our samples are from stream banks.
Hydrometra mindoroensis Polhemus, 1976 (in
For identification, refer to the key by
This species can be found in both stagnant waters and edges of streams and rivers (
This species (Fig.
See
The species was found on stream banks, specifically in side pools (Fig.
The typical form is only known from the Mountain Province in northern Luzon (
The specimens (Fig.
The specimens were found at banks of creeks and rivers, both in calm and flowing sections.
Strongylovelia mindoroensis Lansbury & Zettel, 1997 (see
For identification, refer to the key by
The species was found in slow flowing water and a residual pool with floating plants.
For identification, see
Rhagovelia mindoroensis Zettel, 1994 (see
Rhagovelia raddai Zettel, 1994 (see
For identification, see
The species is commonly found in moderately fast flowing creeks and lotic sections of the river (
Rhagovelia potamophila Zettel, 1996 (see
For identification, see
The specimens were found neustic on flowing water near root packs of a small river in a rural area (Fig.
Rhagadotarsus (Rhagadotarsus) kraepelini Breddin, 1905 (see
For identification, refer to the key by
The specimens were found amongst floating water plants in a residual pool of a dried-up lowland creek in a rural area.
The species (Fig.
Refer to
In the Oriental realm, most species of Limnogonus Stål, 1868 prefer sheltered places in standing waters, which makes them somewhat gregarious. Limnogonus nitidus (Mayr, 1865) (see
Limnometra nigripennis nigripennis Mayr, 1865 (see
For identification, refer to
Limnometra nigripennis
This genus is in need of revision (
The collected specimens were found in small forest streams, a common habitat of representatives of the genus.
Rheumatogonus luzonicus (Kirkaldy, 1909) (see
For identification, refer to
The specimens were collected from the surface and littoral of calm and moderately fast flowing creeks and medium-sized rivers (Fig.
Metrocoris tenuicornis Esaki, 1926 (see
For identification, refer to
Quiet bays of smoothly-flowing streams and the edge of large rocks in the middle of streams are the preferred habitats of Metrocoris Mayr, 1865 species (
Philippine-endemic
undescribed species
Philippine-endemic
new Mindoro record
new Mindoro record
unidentified species of the H. harrisi complex
Possibly an undescribed species of the M. horvarti complex
New Mindoro record, varies slightly from the typical form from north Luzon
Fifty-one species of Gerromorpha and Nepomorpha are known from Mindoro, of which 29 were documented in this study. Four of them were new records to the Island, namely Anisops nigrolineatus, Anisops rhomboides, Ochterus magnus and Hebrus philippinus. Some of the remaining species/subspecies are common and widespread in the Philippines and neighbouring areas, while nine are endemic to Mindoro (see checklists above). In addition, at least three species are likely to be new to science, although we refrain from a formal description here.
As generally observed in the Philippines and adjacent areas, Veliidae (riffle bugs) and Gerridae (true water striders) are the most speciose families. With the two new records of Anisops, Notonectidae are also surprisingly diverse.
The biogeographic history of the Island is partly reflected by the species assemblages, especially in terms of a good number of island-endemic species. Unlike many other Philippine Islands of marine origin, Mindoro belongs to the so-called Palawan Microcontinental Block, a fragment of the Eurasian continental margin (
Despite their close vicinity to Luzon, the Islands remained always disconnected during the Quaternary (
Amongst the species of the checklist that were unambiguously identified, 20% are endemic to Mindoro, another 28% Philippine-endemic, making almost half of all species endemic to the country. The island-endemism rate is slightly lower than in Palawan, with one-third endemism amongst aquatic and semi-aquatic bugs (
In this study, special emphasis was given to the collection in lotic systems, which might have led to an under-representation of typical pond- and lake-dwelling species. Nevertheless, stream-associated lentic microhabitats, such as side pools and residual pools, were sampled in most collecting sites. Representatives of the genera Anisops, Enithares, Hydrometra, Micronecta, Microvelia and Ranatra are typically found there, but also Rhagadotarsus kraepelini (which is usually a pond or lake dweller) (
Worth noting is that hygropetric microhabitats are an important habitat for several, partly rare and endemic species, foremost of these being Hebrus philippinus, Hydrometra mindoroensis, Mesovelia vittigera and Ochterus spp. Such habitas are particularly threatened by deforestation and land-use changes since they are prone to drying up when not continuously fed with water from the forested areas or when they are fully exposed to direct sunlight.
Fast flowing or even torrent waters, on the other hand, are typically inhabited by species of Aphelocheirus, Asthenocoris and Hydrotrephes, as well as Rhagovelia raddai amongst the taxa treated here.
A few nepomorphan taxa are particularly attracted to light. Micronecta sp. and Anisops kuroiwae were only retrieved by black light traps in this study. Emergence traps rarely yield aquatic and riparian Heteroptera. We caught only very few specimens of Ochterus polhemusi and Hebrus sp. in such traps.
This project was partly funded by an Ateneo de Manila University Research Council Grant (URC 16-15), a Philippine Commission on Higher Education project (CHED-PHERNet program AdMU),and the School of Science and Engineering Industry 4.0 Research Fund (SI4-013). We would like to thank the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Manila for issuing a Gratuitous Permit, the local government units of Mindoro, the indigenous Buhid community in San Vicente, PENRO Calapan, SENRO Roxas and NCIP Oriental Mindoro for their prerequisite consent. We are also deeply grateful to the members of the Biodiversity Laboratory, Ateneo de Manila University (Jhoana Garces and Emmanuel Delocado) for their valued support during fieldwork in Puerto Galera and Roxas. Thanks are due to Angelito Felipe Puno, Quezon City, for his assistance in digital processing and background cleaning of several habitus illustrations. Two copyright-protected photographs of the NHMW Hemiptera Image Collection taken by Harald Bruckner were kindly provided and printed with permission. We would also like to extend our appreciation to Pensoft through the Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines (BCSP) for sponsoring the conference proceedings. Gratitude is extended to the reviewers Felipe Moreira and Anh Duc Tran, as well as to the subject editor Laurence Livermore for their helpful comments.
The graduate study of several authors (AL Pelingen, KMD Aldaba, JM de Leon) is supported by the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI).