New Tiny Tarsier Specie Discovered in Dinagat Island

A new specie of tarsier was discovered in Dinagat Island in the region of Caraga. It was discovered by a team of Scientist lead by by University of Kansas biodiversity curator who is Rafe Brown. It was confirmed that the existence of this said specie of tarsier is possibly endemic to the said place.

Dinagat Island

According to him, the tiny Dinagat-Caraga tarsier was only suspected to exist after it was recognized that it was already possibly distinct in 1970’s. This is based on a news from Philstar. Brown was already studying about the Philippine Diversity over the years.

Based on the explanation of Brown, the confirmation of the said specie is done through genetic analysis. It then shows that the new specie of tarsier is a “real conservation priority.”

“Previously tarsiers were one species, divided into three named subspecies. Our data disagree with that subspecies arrangement and instead demonstrate that the Philippine tarsiers are divided into three genetic units — but these units are from different localities than the named taxa,” he said.

Perhaps, it really needs an urgent effort just to preserve the newly recognized specie of tarsier. It should include the declaration of a natural park. Actually, the new specie recognized does not have it’s protection.

“Currently, the newly discovered entity, the Dinagat-Caraga tarsier, has no protection. It is known from a small island that is being extremely heavily mined. Thus, it emerges as a new lineage — and a new major conservation urgency,” he said.

Perhaps, he is calling the species of tarsier to be cute and cool. But then, they really need to preserved. The are actually being threatened now due to mining and deforestation from the timber industry.

Indeed, this new specie really needs to be preserved so that they will not get extinct in the country. They too play a vital role in the environment and in any other aspects it can be.

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