Training on arthropod collection, preservation and photography for Hainan University students

by
J. Catindig, S. Villareal, International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines.
Qinhua Yuan and Ducheng Cai, Hainan University, Hai Kou, China

Workshop participants in Hainan University

On April 6, 2013, the new Biodiversity Laboratory was declared opened by vice president of Hainan University, Professor  Hu Xinwen and Kadoorie Charitable Foundation project manager, Mr Ronald Li in Hainan University. Preserved in the Laboratory are more than 20,000 arthropod specimens collected. There are about 2373 species and only 1578 have been identified. About 4,200 specimens in the Laboratory have been named and preserved. There are 32 holotype and 4 paratype specimens of new spider species discovered.

A five-day training workshop on the “Collection, preservation and photography of insects” was organized to acquaint students and staffs of Hainan University with techniques in arthropod preservation and documentations. Two MS students and 14 undergraduate students participated in the training. The training presented with a combination of lectures and hands-on exercises on arthropod preservation such as mounting using board spreader for moths and butterflies, pinning, card pointing, mounting on slides, and labeling, and the basics of photography. Various arthropod sampling methods were also introduced.  This training workshop is the final activity of the Hainan Project on “Conserving Arthropod Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services in Rice Environments in Hainan, China”. The trained students will provide the resource base for the University to serve as laboratory assistants to maintain the Laboratory and its collection of insects and spiders and add to its collection new specimens from Hainan’s rich biodiversity.  The Laboratory equipped with air conditioning, dehumidifier, microscopes, arthropod preservation and audio visual facilities will serve as the center of biodiversity research and education.

Students attending to details in insect specimen preparation for laboratory preservation

New spider book published – Pictorial Handbook of Hainan Spiders

by
K.L. Heong, International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines

Spiders in rice ecosystems are frequently associated with predation.  They are generalists and feed on most arthropod species in and around the rice ecosystem.  There hundreds of spider species in the rice ecosystem.  In our project we collected a total 400 species and 57 species were new to science.  A paper discussing the spider diversity we collected have been published .  The new species have been described and named  and all the type specimens are now deposited in the “Biodiversity Laboratory” in Hainan University. Some were named in honor of Chinese scientists. Spider species richness is directly related to floral biodiversity especially on how the rice bunds are managed.  High use of pesticides in and around rice production systems has a big impact on spider diversity.

We inventoried 400 species. These species belong to 166 genera comprising 29 spider families, namely, Amaurobiidae (1 species: 1 genus); Araneidae (66 spp. : 18 genera); Clubionidae (11 spp. : 3 genera); Corinnidae (5 spp. : 4 genera); Ctenidae (1 species : 1 genus); Gnaphosidae (2 spp. : 2 genera); Hahniidae (1 species : 1 genus); Hersiliidae (1 species : 1 genus); Linyphiidae (8 spp. : 6 genera); Lycosidae (19 spp.: 9 genera); Mimetidae (1 species : 1 genus); Ochyroceratidae (1 species : 1 genus); Oonopidae (1 species: 1 genus); Oxyopidae (9 spp. : 2 genera); Philodromidae (1 sp. : 1 genus); Pholcidae (18 spp.: 9 genera); Pisauridae (3 spp.: 3 genera); Psechridae (1 sp. : 1 genus); Salticidae (67 spp.: 34 genera) ; Scytodidae (1 sp.: 1 genus); Segestriidae (1 sp. : 1 genus; Sparassidae (8 spp.: 4 genera); Telemidae (4 spp.: 1 genus); Tetragnathidae (33 spp. : 8 genera); Theridiidae (80 spp. : 23 genera); Theridiosomatidae (2 spp.: 1 genus); Thomisidae (35 spp. : 22 genera); Uloboridae (7 spp.: 3 genera); and Zodariidae (7 spp.: 3 genera).

A pictorial guide of the 176 commonest species of spiders from 20 families presented in full color is now published. – Pictorial Handbook of Hainan Spiders by Aimee Lynn A. Barrion-Dupo, Alberto T. Barrion, Sylvia C. Villareal, Josie Lynn A. Catindig, Ducheng Cai, Qianhua Yuan and Kong Luen Heong.  2013 UPLB Museum of Natural History, University of the Philippines Los Baños Laguna, 4031,

SBN– 978-971-95713-0-8.

Biodiversity Laboratory launched and MOU with IRRI signed by Hainan University vice president in Hai Kou, China

by
Yuan Qianhua, Cai Du Cheng, Hainan University, Hai Kou, P.R . China,
J. Catindig and S. Villareal, International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines

 

Professor Hu Wenxin, vice president of Hainan University (left) and Mr Ronald Li of Kadoorie Charitable foundation (right) unveiling the plaque of the Biodiversity Laboratory.

On April 6, 2013, vice president of Hainan University, Professor  Hu Xinwen and Kadoorie Charitable Foundation project manager, Mr Ronald Li unveiled the plague symbolizing the opening of the new Biodiversity Laboratory in Hainan University. This contribution was part of the Hainan Project  on  “Conserving Arthropod Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Rice Environments of Hainan Island, China”.  Funded by the Kadoorie Charitable Foundation (KCF)  based in Hong Kong, the Hainan Project started in 2010 to establish collaborative research between scientists at IRRI, Hainan University and Zhejiang University to better understand arthropod biodiversity in rice environments. Being an island and less intensively cultivated, Hainan can potentially have a rich floral and faunal biodiversity. In rice environments, arthropod biodiversity plays an important role in providing ecosystem system services, particularly in pest regulation and pollination.

Professor, scientists and students tour the new Biodiversity Laboratory

After the  expeditions, more than 20,000 arthropod specimens were collected and contained about 2373 species and only 1578 have been identified. About 4,200 specimens have been named and preserved and together with 32 holotype and 4 paratype specimens of new spider species are now returned to Hainan University and placed in the new Biodiversity Laboratory. Equipped with imported storage cabinets the Laboratory can provide the safe environment to store these rare specimens.  About 15% of the spider species and 12% of the hymenoptera species (yet to be identified and described) were found to be new discoveries indicating the huge biodiversity richness in the Island. The new Laboratory is a modest beginning of biodiversity research in Hainan and will serve as the research and learning center to further promote biodiversity research.

The 53 new spider species have been named and some in honor of well known Chinese scientists. Descriptions of the new species are published in a monograph  by Barrion et al 2012. The new hymenoptera species have yet to be described and named.  Spider species richness was found to be linked to insecticide use and bund floral biodiversity .

 

Signing of the MOU between IRRI and Hainan University. Duncan Macintosh representing the Director General of IRRI and Professor Hu Xinmeng, vice president of Hainan University exchanging documents.

A new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IRRI and Hainan University was signed to mark the research collaboration. Hainan University vice president, Professor Hu Xinwen signed for the University while Duncan Macintosh, Development Director, represent the IRRI Director General.  The Hainan Project was the first collaboration between IRRI and Hainan University and the new MOU will lead to further collaborations in education and research.

 

Zeng-Rong Zhu, KL Heong, Duncan Macintosh, Ronald Li, Yuan Qianhua, Monina Escalada and Cai Ducheng in front of the ecological engineering mural prepared for Hainan Biodiversity Laboratory.

Reference

Barrion, A.T., Barrion-Dupo, A.L.A, Catindig, J., Villareal, S., Cai, D., Yuan Q., Heong, K.L. 2013.  New species of spiders (Araneae) from Hainan Island, China.  UPLB Musuem Publications in Natural History No. 3.

 

 

International Symposium on Arthropod Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Rice Environments and Official Opening of the Biodiversity Laboratory in Hainan University, Hai Kou, China

The Hainan Project which started in 2010 has completed several expeditions and farmer surveys focusing on arthropod biodiversity in rice environments. The rich biodiversity of Hainan is illustrated by the 53 new species of spiders that the research discovered and some of them are named in honor of Chinese scientists.  The new species constituted about 15% of all the spider species found in the expeditions illustrating the biodiversity richness. Spiders perform the important function of predation that provides pest regulation services for pest management.

On 16 April 2013, Hainan University and the International Rice Research Institute will organize an international symposium and to officially open the Biodiversity Laboratory that will house all the holotype and paratype specimens of the new species as well as a reference collection of the 952 arthropod species collected in Hainan.  The Biodiversity Laboratory will serve as an important resource for research and education on arthropod biodiversity.

New spider species discovered in Hainan Island named in honor of Professor Cheng Jiaan, former vice president of Zhejiang University

by
Alberto Barrion, J. Catindig and S. Villareal
International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines

Professor Jiaan Cheng (2nd from left) receiving plaque from Dr Robert Zeigler, DG of IRRI and Professor Zhang Guoping, Dean of Agriculture Faculty, Zhejiang University with Dr K.L. Heong, Principal Scientist, IRRI looking on.

The Hainan arthropod conservation project conducted field expeditions and samplings and discovered 57 new and yet to be described spider species in rice and surrounding habitats. All 57 species are now described and published in a monograph by the University of the Philippines. Earlier the first new species,  Tetragnatha heongi  from the first expedition described and published. A paper on the general spider fauna of the Hainan Island was also published. In describing the new species and had them peer reviewed, species were named after famous Chinese scientists involved in spider research, taxonomy and rice research.  One species was named after Professor Jiaan Cheng and a plague commemorating the naming was presented to Professor Cheng in November 2012 at the International Conference Rice Planthopper Conference held in Hangzhou.

 

Plague with picture and drawings of the new species, Mallinella chengjiaani

Professor Cheng in his nearly 50 years’ career played a significant role to shaping rice pest management He started his career in rice pest management in 1964 and contributed significantly to pest ecology and management in China.  He was appointed the vice president, the president of Zhejiang Agricultural University and later the vice president for research in when the universities merged into Zhejiang University.  Professor Cheng was a mentor to 45 graduate students and still continues to guide the future generation of pest ecologists.  Full descriptions of Professor Cheng’s contribution to rice pest management and the new spider species are available.

Distribution of sites where the 57 new species of spiders were discovered.

The spider species were discovered in 8 sampling sites,  Songtao (17 species), Danzhou (10), Dapo (9), Haoko (7),  Chengmai (5), Jianfengli (Yulingu) (5),  Lingshui (2) and Sanya (2 ). Most of the new species discovered were from sites west of the Wuzhi mountain range in the center, where rice growing is less intense and have high habitat biodiversity.  It has been shown that spider species richness is associated with bund habitat and insecticide use .

 

 

Hainan farmers’ sources of agricultural information

by
Hui Zhang and Qianhua Yuan,  Hainan University, Hai Kou, China
Monina Escalada, Visayas State University, Leyte, Philippines

Hainan University student interviewing a woman farmer in Haikou, Hainan province, December 2010.

In June 2012, a baseline survey of rice farmers in Hainan reported farmer respondents’ knowledge gaps and attitudes toward ecological engineering techniques. Most of the respondents were uncertain about outbreak factors such as high fertilizer rates and insecticides. Also, while respondents’ attitudes toward ecological engineering techniques seemed positive about two-thirds of them indicated that they were not willing to plant wild flowers or beneficial plants on their rice bunds as it would require more work.

To enhance biodiversity conservation in Hainan, ecological engineering principles need to be communicated to farmers using a combination of communication media including posters, radio, television, video, billboards, leaflets, mobile phones, web-internet and interpersonal channels (demonstration farms, training, field visits). In Vietnam, to scale up ecological engineering, the prototype media materials for the “rice fields with flower bunds” campaign consist of TV broadcast videos, short radio drama episodes, billboards, posters and leaflets (see Escalada & Heong (2012).

Vietnam campaign materials on ecological engineering

When well-planned communication strategies are applied to correct misperceptions, farmers’ resource-management decisions and skills can be improved. Analysis of the audience is an essential part of designing and planning a scaling up program as it will be useful in selecting a cost-effective combination of multi-media channels and in planning the most appropriate use of the media mix to support existing extension activities. To design a scaling-up plan on ecological engineering tailor-made for Hainan rice farmers, we conducted an audience analysis survey among 444 farmers in Haikou and Lingshui cities in Hainan province in July 2012.

The farmers interviewed were about 46 years old and nearly half (48.9%) had lower secondary education. More male farmers (55.6%) than female farmers (44.4%) were interviewed by Hainan University students who were trained to conduct the survey.

Hainan University student interviewing a farmer in Timeng town, Hainan province

Media exposure

In both cities, the big majority (97.3%) of farmers interviewed reported watching TV, followed by using the cell phone (75.5%). More than one-third (37.8%) read printed materials such as newspapers, magazines and books. Less than a fourth (24.3%) listened to radio and 1 out of 10 used the internet.

Hainan farmers reading the newspaper at home with the TV on.

Table 1.  Farmers’ media exposure, Hainan, China, 2012.

	Haikou		Lingshui		Both
Media exposure*	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
Watch TV	256	57.7	176	39.6	432	97.3
Use a cell phone	199	44.8	136	30.6	336	75.5
Read newspapers, magazines	106	23.9	62	14.0	168	37.8
Listen to radio	79	17.8	29	6.5	108	24.3
Use internet	31	7.0	30	6.8	61	13.7

*Multiple response

Agricultural information sources

Other farmers, extension workers and television topped the list of farming information sources mentioned by farmers.  Table 2 shows that less than one-fourth (23%) relied on themselves or their own experience, local authorities (16.2%),  and radio (6.5%). A few mentioned the internet (3.6%). Other sources of farm information consisted of pesticide shops, books and video  CDs on agricultural science and technology,  newspaper, and cell phone.

Table 3 indicates that farmers’ responses were consistent when asked for their preferred sources of agricultural information.  Interpersonal  sources dominated the list of preferred sources with most respondents specifying other farmers (28.6%), extension workers (25.6%), own experience (16.9%) and television (4.4%). Very few named the internet (2.5%) and radio (2.3%).

Table 2.  Farmers’ sources of agricultural information, Hainan, China, 2012.

	Haikou		Lingshui		Both
Source*	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
Other farmers	111	25.0	86	19.4	197	44.4
Extension worker	108	24.3	48	10.8	156	35.1
Television	81	18.2	56	12.6	137	30.9
Self or one’s experience	47	10.6	55	12.4	102	23.0
Local authorities	50	11.3	22	5.0	72	16.2
Radio	24	5.4	5	1.1	29	6.5
Internet	10	2.3	6	1.4	16	3.6
Other	2	9.5	39	12.4	81	18.2

*Multiple response

Table 3.  Farmers’ preferred sources of agricultural information, Hainan, China, 2012.

	Haikou		Lingshui		Both
Source*	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
Other farmers	74	28.4	53	29.0	127	28.6
Extension worker	74	28.4	38	20.8	112	25.2
Own experience	37	14.2	38	20.8	75	16.9
Local authorities	16	6.1	11	6.0	27	6.1
Television	36	13.8	28	15.3	64	14.4
Internet	6	2.3	5	2.7	11	2.5
Radio	9	3.4	1	0.5	10	2.3
Other	6	2.3	7	3.8	13	2.9

*Multiple response

Information source characteristics

We probed farmers why they preferred the information sources they mentioned.  A summary of the cross-tabulation of sources and reasons for preference revealed these key characteristics. Farmers expressed relying on themselves because it is more accessible, reliable and no other source is available. In the absence of scientifically-based technical information, delivered in a readily-understandable form through extension workers, farmers often rely largely on their own self-knowledge, beliefs and perceptions.  While there are strengths in indigenous knowledge systems, there are also weaknesses and “what farmers don’t know cannot help them” (Bentley, 1989, p.25; DeWalt, 1994).

Other farmers – Easy to contact
Extension worker – Experienced, reliable, accessible, clear and detailed, professional
Self or one’s experience – Accessible, reliable, no other source
Television – Can be received every day, informative, up-to-date
Local authorities – Full-scale
References

Bentley J.W. (1989). What farmers don’t know can’t help them: the strengths and weaknesses of indigenous technical knowledge in Honduras. Agriculture and Human Values, 6, 25-31.

DeWalt B. R. (1994). Using indigenous knowledge to improve agriculture and natural resource management. Human Organization, 53,123-131.

Escalada, M. & Heong, K.L. (2012).. Using decision theory and sociological tools to facilitate adoption of biodiversity -based pest management strategies. Biodiversity and Insect Pests: Key Issues for Sustainable Management, First Edition. Edited by Geoff M. Gurr, Steve D. Wratten, William E. Snyder, Donna M.Y. Read. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd).

Paper on the spider fauna of Hainan published

Some of the 167 species of spiders collected in Hainan.

Click here to download the paper

In August 2010, a spider biodiversity exploration yielded 10,426 specimens comprising of 167 species under 97 genera and 19 families. Of these, 21 species (or 12.6% of total species collected) were found to be new to science and they were from seven families, namely: Araneidae (2 spp.), Clubionidae (3 spp.), Lycosidae (5 spp.), Salticidae (2 spp.), Theridiidae (7 spp.) and one each in Thomisidae and Zodariidae. Sixty-six species, 40 genera and two families were added to Hainan spider biodiversity checklist. In decreasing order, the 6 main families were Oxyopidae (4,259 specimens), Araneidae (3,380), Tetragnathidae (1113), Thomisidae (548), Lycosidae (518) and Salticidae (383). The Immatures of the lynx spider, Oxyopes spp. (Oxyopidae) and orb-web spider, Araneus inustus (Araneidae) were most dominant species found. Across the 4 sites, total spider collected were highest in Danzhou (4,036 specimens in 17 families), followed by Lingshui (3,904 spiders in 14 families),  Sanya (1,254 spiders in 9 families) and Haikou (1,231 spiders in 11 families). In Danzhou 4 families – Oxyopidae, Araneidae, Tetragnathidae and Salticidae were most abundant in while in Lingshui, Araneidae, Oxyopidae, Lycosidae and Thomisidae were most abundant. In sSanya 3 families–Tetragnathidae, Oxyopidae and Araneidae dominated Sanya while I Haikou Oxyopidae and Lycosidae were more abundant. Two claw types – trionychus or 3-clawed (9,454 specimens in 10 families or 0.7% of all spider catch) vs. dionychus or 2-clawed (972 in 9 families or 9.3%) and two feeding structures – hunters (5,833 specimens in 13 families, 55.95%) vs web builders (4,593 specimens in 6 families, 44.05%) characterized the spiders from Hainan.

Spider conservation through insecticide reduction and habitat manipulation around rice fields will likely maintain the rich biodiversity.

 

 

A report on Hainan farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on pest management and ecological engineering

by
M. Escalada, Visayas State University, Leyte, Philippines,
Liang Wang, Qianhua Yuan, Ducheng Cai, Hainan University, Hai Kou and
KL Heong, International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines

Full report available for download here.

A baseline farmer survey was conducted among 411 randomly selected rice farmers in Haikou and Lingshui cities in Hainan province, China. Respondent farmers were about 45 years old with about 8 years of schooling. More male farmers (57.2%) than female farmers (42.8%) were interviewed. The average of three (3) family members worked in each farm.

Hybrid indica varieties were grown widely in the study areas and more than half of the respondents (55.4%) considered the brown planthopper (BPH) as their most important pest followed by the leaffolder and stem borers. The rice leaffolder was the spray target at seedling and tillering stages while the brown planthopper was the key pest at booting and heading stages. The average yield loss caused by pests reported was 1652kg/ha and a mean number of sprays per farmer/season was 3.62; the lowest number of sprays was 1 and the highest, 13.  Farmers’ yields averaged 5.4 tons/ha and there was negative correlation between yields and number of insecticide sprays used.

Most farmers reported not planting particular plants on areas around their rice paddy (41.9%). Less than one-third (31.1%) planted vegetables while 30.2 % planted fruits or fruit trees. On the rice bunds, most farmers interviewed (93.2%) did not grow any plants there although a few raised vegetables (4.9%), fruits (1.7%), legumes (0.5%), and sweet potatoes (0.5%). Most respondents did not seem to have knowledge of beneficial insects and animals and they could not recognize differentiate them.

With regard to farmers’ attitudes toward planthopper management, most believed that insecticide applications are needed as insecticide spraying would always increase yields.

A large proportion of respondents knew that the planthoppers laid eggs inside the leaf sheath of a rice plant and insecticides could not reach them.  Most also believed that beneficial insects can suppress planthopper populations.

Regarding the causes of pest outbreaks, most of the respondents knew that high seed rates could be a factor but they were uncertain about other outbreak factors such as high fertilizer rates and insecticides.  Respondents’ attitudes toward ecological engineering techniques seemed positive as most agreed that bunds with some wild beneficial flowers would attract beneficial insects such as bees and spiders.  They also believed that keeping beneficial flowers on bunds could reduce the need for insecticide sprays, could help the bees, beautify rice fields and improve health to farmers. However about two-thirds of the respondents indicated that they were not willing to plant wild flowers or beneficial plants on their rice bunds as it would require more work.

Project team conducts interviewer training and questionnaire pretesting in Hainan University

by
M.M. Escalada, Visayas State University, Leyte, Philippines,
H. Zhang, Q. Yuan, D. Cai, Hainan University, Hai Kou, China and
K.L. Heong, International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines

Dr. Qianhua Yuan shows student enumerators the survey sites in Hainan province.

L-R: Hui Zhang (Hainan University) and Dr. M. Escalada going through the interviewing guide.

To design a scaling up plan on biodiversity conservation for Hainan Island, China, audience analysis, media monitoring and baseline survey data are needed. Such data will serve as valuable inputs in developing the campaign objectives, choosing the communication media mix and on-the-ground support, framing the message and implementing the campaign.

As a prerequisite to an audience analysis in Hainan province, 20 student enumerators were trained on interviewing procedures and questionnaire pretesting. During the training, Dr. K.L. Heong briefed the students on the Hainan project and the purpose of the audience analysis. Dr. QH Yuan presented the survey sites, Ms. Hui Zhang discussed sampling procedures and logistics, Dr. M. Escalada explained interviewing procedures and what should be noted during the questionnaire pretest. After the training, the students went to Longji village in Haikou to pretest the audience analysis questionnaire with rice farmers. The enumerators were second year market research students of Hainan University.

 

Training participants with resource persons

Pretesting results

 When the college students returned from the field, each of them shared their interviewing experiences and specified the questions that were not clearly understood by farmers. They also estimated the duration of each interview.

Table 1. Questionnaire pretesting results, Longji, Haikou.

[table id=1 /]

Student enumerators arrive in Longji village for pretesting.

Hainan University student pretesting the questionnaire.

Pretesting in Longji village.

What is questionnaire pretesting

To ensure that the questionnaire is effective, it is necessary to pretest it before actually using it. The pretest is a try-out of the questionnaire to see how it works and whether changes are necessary before the start of the actual survey. About 15 to 20 respondents, whose characteristics are reasonably similar to the survey population, will be adequate for a pretest.  The questionnaire is then revised and finalized on the basis of pretest results.   Linguistic and cultural differences also complicate the task of questionnaire development, making pretesting a necessary step. The pretest enables one to: 1) improve the wording of the questionnaire; 2) correct and improve translation of technical terms; 3) check the accuracy and adequacy of the questionnaire’s instructions such as “skip” and “go to”; 4) eliminate unnecessary questions and add necessary ones; and 5) estimate the time needed to conduct the interview.

 

Discovering and naming new arthropod species – meticulous tasks involved

by
A.T. Barrion, J Catindig, S Villareal, International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines, Ducheng, Cai and  QianhuaYuan, Hainan University, China

Some new spider species from Hainan Island, China

Caption :  A. Hyposinga n. sp. [Araneidae]; B. Larinia n.sp.[Araneidae]; C. Cheiracanthium n. sp. [ Clubionidae]; D. Chrysso n. sp. [Theridiidae]; E. Neobrettus heongi n. sp. [ Salticidae]; F. Tetragnatha n. sp. [Tetragnathidae]; G. Clubiona n. sp. [Clubionidae]; H. Mallinella n. sp. [Zodariidae]; I. Arctosa n. sp. [Lycosidae]; J. Evarcha n. sp. [Salticidae]

Discovering and naming a new species

Worldwide new species of animals particularly arthropods are discovered and more than 15,000 of them new to science are catalogued annually. The arthropod biodiversity exploration (ABE) expeditions of sampling and collecting the fauna in rice and habitats surrounding rice cultivations have yielded huge numbers of insects, spiders and relatives.  The arthropod biodiversity on Hainan Island is impressive. From our first expedition in August 2010, we collected 6531 hymenopterans and 10426 spiders and another 56628 arthropods from at least 16 orders—Acarina, Blattodea, Chilopoda, Coleoptera, Collembola, Dermaptera, Diplopoda, Diptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Mantodea, Phasmatodea, Psocoptera, Odonata, Orthoptera and Thysanoptera.  The hymenopteran insects were represented by 36 families, 260 genera and 816 species and 123 species (or 15.1%) we believe to be new records.  The spiders collected were represented by 19 families, 79 genera and 167 species of which 23 (or 15.6%) were definitely new records.  So far only one species has been named, described and published in literature, that of Tetragnatha heongi  in 2011 and 146 new arthropod species remain un-described. It had taken us more than a year to sort, identify and count the arthropod collections because of the acute shortage of experts in arthropod taxonomy.  Although we have identified many new species, but the process of describing, naming and publishing the new taxa require highly specialized taxonomists working with the arthropod group who are familiar with the literature and works of other taxonomists around the world.

Roadmap in discovering, naming, describing and publishing a new species.

New species maybe abundant in Hainan Island but the discovery of new species is a product of a meticulous investigative process that starts from knowing the: CLASS-FAMILY-GENUS-SPECIES. Once the genus had been identified, all the species under the genus must be investigated. The scientists need to compare the species in question to all known described taxa based on taxonomic characters like that of the genitalia, morphology and size and color. This is done by following the published descriptions about the genus/genera and species under it. Whenever possible, type specimens must be borrowed from museums it was deposited for better comparison. Only when it is certain that the “new” species has completely different characteristics can the scientist propose the new name with justifications. Naming species follows many but specific protocols fixed by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) for animals and the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) for plants. The manuscript for publication containing the new species description is submitted to the chosen journal following its guidelines for publication. The journal editor upon receipt submits the manuscript to the journal pool of section reviewers (specialist of the group) for review. Publication of new species is only formally achieved upon satisfying and fulfilling the recommendation(s)/suggestion(s) of the panel of experts .  To recognize that a species is new to science, one must be an expert in a particular taxonomic group. The scientists describing the new species had to be familiar with the particular taxonomic group and know the characteristics of every known species in the world.  The naming of plants and animals was formalized in the 18th century by a Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus.

Biodiversity conservation

Species new to science will continue to be found as long as scientists look for them and have the expertise and patience to describe them. But such species are not new to the world as they have been here for millions of years and it is important that mankind ensure that both “old” and “new” species remain a part of the environment. They may be contributing to an important ecosystem service important for sustainability.  This is more so in the case of species that have specialized functions.  In the case of rice there are only a few species that can reach and attack planthopper eggs embedded in the leaf sheath tissues, the mymarid parasitoids and the mirid egg predator. Thus when these species are destroyed or they become extinct, egg mortality will be reduced allowing these species to grow into outbreak proportions. Earlier we found that spider and parasitoid species diversity is highly dependent  on farm practices, particularly pesticide use and bund management with flowers.

From a small sample of arthropods collected we found 15% of the species were new to science.  Being an island It is very likely that more species are yet to be discovered.  This shows the richness of the biodiversity on Hainan Island and possibly new species of mammals, birds, amphibians and invertebrates will also be discovered. There is great potential in building a biodiversity center in Hainan University that will focus on discovering, describing and naming of the huge biodiversity existing on the island.