Jake Wilson B. Binaday1, Cameron D. Siler2, Luke J. Welton3, Ace Kevin S. Amarga4, Athena Heart T. Lobos5, Bobet Jan M. Bonagua6, Ernesto S. Barrameda, Jr.7, Mary Rose S. Juan8, Marvin Jake I. Serrano1, and Rafe M. Brown3
1CENRO San Jacinto, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, San Jacinto, Masbate, 2Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, USA, 3Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, USA, 4Institute of Weed Science, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna, 5Cullat, Daraga, Albay, 6Science Department, Polangui Comprehensive High School, Polangui, Albay, 7Quinale, Tabaco City, Albay,, 8Anislag, Daraga, Albay
Email for correspondence: jakewilsonbinaday@yahoo.com
Acquisition of specimens which will represent a species in an area is of great importance when studying biodiversity especially in deciphering species distribution. Such practice has been the norm for many field researchers. However, there are times when specimen collection is restricted or not permitted. To solve this problem, we propose the use of high quality digital photos of species as an alternative to voucher specimens, particularly for vertebrates and non-cryptic species. These high resolution images can then be deposited as photo vouchers in digital archives of some museums which will be given catalog numbers for other researchers to access it. Furthermore, photographing the individual at different angles as well as key body parts that are essential in species identification would be of great help. By employing this method, we were able to provide the first checklist of amphibians and reptiles of the Bicol Faunal Sub-region (excluding marine species), some of which are represented only by photo vouchers. The checklist was based from previous accounts, and several fieldworks in mainland Bicol and the islands of Catanduanes and Polillo, and several associated islands, which resulted to the documentation of a total of 98 species including those that are waiting to be described. Specifically, 27 anurans, under 14 genera, belonging to seven families; 40 lizards, under 21 genera, belonging to four families; 33 snakes, under 27 genera, belonging to 10 families; and two turtles, under two genera, belonging to two families.
Myra Lara
University of the Philippines Archaeological Studies Program, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City
Email for correspondence: lara.gm@gmail.com
Human remains can be problematic to collect and curate, for reasons that may be serious, such as ethical and social considerations, or practical, for example lack of space. A solution that we applied during an archaeological excavation was to collect only the data but not the human remains themselves. During the excavation of an archaeological site in Sta. Teresita, Batangas, burials tentatively dating to the mid-20th century were encountered. The late date suggested that kin might still be living. As an agreed protocol during the excavation, skeletons were only exposed, data from them gathered, and were covered and reburied later. I present the amount and quality of data collected from the in-situ analysis and evaluate the problems and benefits we experienced by not collecting the human remains.