Researchers named the ant species as Romblonella coryae (sp. n), according to a report by the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) Museum of Natural History.
The new ant species was found in a lowland rainforest in Cleopatra’s Needle, a mountain in Palawan, the report added.
Myrmecologists David Emmanuel General and Perry Archival said it was fitting to name the ant species after the first female Philippine president due to her contributions, said the report.
"People in Palawan have been grateful to the late President for Republic Act No. 7611 or the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act of 1992," the research body quoted General as saying.
The legislation allowed government officials to create and implement policies on conservation of Palawan’s natural resources.
Unusual discovery
The discovery of the new ant species is deemed extraordinary, with the researchers noting they simply “stumbled upon” the ants during a hike in Palawan.
"We were settled at camp when we saw these strikingly colored worker ants scurrying on the tarpaulin sheets protecting our tents," the report quoted General as saying.
The ant species’ discovery also boosts moves to cite Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve as a critical habitat.
The last time a Romblonella ant species was discovered was 24 years ago. There are only nine valid Romblonella species in the world and two are found in the Philippines, said General.
"Romblonella ants are very rare to find, in fact, they have only been seen in five island locations in the Philippines and have not been observed anywhere in the mainlands of Luzon and Mindanao," the report added.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
