The mountains of the Philippines are one of the most biodiverse places in the world. More unique species of mammals are found in these misty cloud forests than anywhere else on Earth. It is difficult for even the most experienced scientists to find these mammals. The late Balete had a knack for fieldwork. He discovered a new species of mice that is a whole new group of animals.
In the past several decades, we've learned how important the Philippines are in terms of being home to mammals that are found nowhere else, and a lot of that knowledge can be traced back to fieldwork led by Danny Balete.
Dakota Rowsey is the study's first author and is a research associate at the Field. One of the highest honors biologists can give is the naming of a new genera.
The mountainous geography of the Philippines is rich in flora and fauna. It's hard for small mammals to get from one mountain peak to the next because of its high mountains. They tend to stay isolated on their own "sky islands" and form new species. The larger the mountain range, the more mammals will live there.
The first time he met Danny Balete was in the late 1980's. Balete had just finished his Bachelor's degree at the University of the Philippines and was already making a name for himself with his love of nature. I was setting up a research program and asking around, "Who would be a really good, enthusiastic young person to take into the field?" Several people said Danny Balete. He did a great job after I invited him to do some field work with me. He was a really good field Biologist. It was amazing that Danny could identify everything you encountered. Balete and Heaney worked together for 25 years until Balete died.
Danny's knowledge about biological diversity in the Philippines was very important. The assistant professor of biology at the University of the Philippines says that his enthusiasm for the environment made him a mentor and inspiration to a generation of researchers. He was already one of the most prominent biologists in the Philippines when he died.
Balete continued to shape what scientists knew about Philippine mammals after he died. It can take years for scientists' work to be analyzed and written up. The shrew-mouse is that type of animal.
The Philippine Eagle Foundation wanted to know what mammals lived alongside one of the largest and most critically threatened birds, the Philippine Eagle. Balete and the team found a dark brown mouse with small eyes and a long, shrew-like nose on the island. He had seen mice on the island of Luzon.
Danny was able to get cell phone service high up in the mountains, so he sent me a text message saying, "We just caught this animal that looks a lot like the ones from the Philippines, and it shouldn't be here." He realized that this was really cool.
Balete's hunch was confirmed by the shipment of three samples of the new mouse to the field museum. Balete's colleagues continued to study the specimen from his field. Rowsey led a DNA analysis of the shrew-mouse and found that it was different from other rodents.
The new mouse wasn't related to the species up in the northern Philippines but it was related to the species in the south. Rowsey says it appears to be a remarkable case of convergence, where distantly related species that have independently evolved to resemble each other in ways that allow them to use habitats and resources in similar ways.
Scientific names for animals and plants are based on what their nearest relatives are. Humans are also known as Homo sapiens. Our closest relatives include Neanderthals, Homo neanderthalensis, and we are part of the larger Homo group. It's a bigger deal to describe a whole new group of animals than it is to find a new one.
50 to 100 new species of mammals are being discovered a year. Only a few times per year do you find a brand-new genus like this one. In our 40 years of intensive study of Philippine mammals, we have found nearly 50 new species, but only four new genera.
The scientific name of the new genus is "Balete's mouse," in honor of Balete's work in discovering it. "As we began picking up the pieces after his death, it became obvious to us that we had to name this new mouse after him, he deserved this," said Duya.
The new genera is important because it's another puzzle piece in understanding the diversity of life in the Philippines. Demonstrating the existence of a mouse found nowhere else on Earth may bolster efforts to save the Philippine Eagles.
It's important to show that when we protect one species, like the Philippine Eagle, we also protect our cultural heritage as well.
The Philippine eagle and "Balete's mouse" are in close proximity to the Indigenous Mandaya group. When Indigenous peoples learn that they share their homeland with a completely unique lifeform, they are very excited. When we help protect Mount Kampalili, we also protect the primary watershed, airsheds, and biocultural sanctuaries, giving huge benefits to all the people who reside here. We need all the help we can get with all of the threats.
The study was contributed by Sharon A. Jansa and Eric A. Rickart of the Natural History Museum of Utah.
There is a story
The materials are provided by the field museum The content can be edited for style and length.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
