A New Plant Species Found in the Philippines

Researchers from the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga and the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila has discovered a new plant species called the Pyrostria arayatensis which belongs to the family Rubiaceae.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Luzon, the said species was discovered in 2017 at the 3,715-hectare Mount Arayat National Park (MANP) in Pampanga during the three-year botanical exploration in the mountain ranges.

Based on statistics, the MANP is home to forty-nine (49) species of trees and plants, eighty-six (86) species of birds, fourteen (14) species of mammals, and eleven (11) species of reptiles.

“Discovering new species teaches us about the natural world and how to best co-exist and protect it.”

– DENR Central Luzon, Facebook, September 4, 2020

https://www.facebook.com/DENR3Official/posts/1931872133622752

About the Study

The study made by the researchers reveals that Pyrostria arayatensis is endemic to the Philippines. However, its conservation status is still unknown.

Although the new plant species were discovered in 2017, the study about it was published just on August 10, 2020 in the international scientific journal of Annales Botanici Fennici.

Dr. Marlon Suba, Dr. Axel Arriola, Dr. Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, Nicolas Raphael Arcangel, Jomari Jalipa, Joaquim Gerardo Jurilla and Jose Manuel Villasenor are a team of researchers behind this discovery.

DENR Reminders to Public

The public is reminded by the DENR in Central Luzon, Paquito Moreno, Jr., that not all could do bioprospecting, exploration and scientific research on wildlife in a protected area unless researchers have secured a permit or clearance from the Protected Area Management Board.

According to Moreno, Jr., the discovery of the new plant species is an indicator that MANP has sustained its healthy biological diversity.

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Source: DENR Central Luzon| Sep 4,2020, DENR Central Luzon| Sep 7,2020, DENR Central Luzon| Sep 17,2020