00:00And we are back. A new species of Tarantula has been discovered in the island of Romblon or the province of Romblon,
00:09highlighting the country's rich biodiversity and the growing contributions of local scientists in global research.
00:16Paul Dysanth Foss of the Philippine Information Agency, Memaropa, tells us more.
00:21A team of researchers from the University of Santo Tomas, in collaboration with Romblon State University and the Tirapusid Research Team in Germany,
00:34has identified a new species of Tarantula in the province of Romblon.
00:38The new species has been named Selenoborachis ostrom sopacios, a name that honors multiple Philippine research institutions,
00:47including UST, RSU, MSU-IIT, UP Diliman, and the Philippine Aranoc Logical Society.
00:55Despite their large and hairy appearance, experts remind the public that most Tarantulas, like this new species,
01:02are not dangerous to humans, with venom often no more harmful than a bee sting.
01:07The discovery was officially published in the international journal Zookies on March 31, 2025,
01:15as part of a study that also reclassifies to Tarantula, GINERA.
01:20The research also supports a Department of Science and Technology-funded initiative called Gagamba,
01:26which aims to explore potential medical applications for spider venom.
01:30The study led by UST researchers Daryl Acuna, Maria Michaela Dombroque,
01:38Lawrence Riam-Margaza, and others, along with RSU scientist and German aranologist Volker von Wirt.
01:46The Philippines is home to several Tarantula species, including the well-known Philippine tangerine,
01:52and this news discovery continues to show the country's significance in global biodiversity and research innovation.
02:01From the Philippine Information Agency, Mimaropa, Paul Jason Foss, Balitang Pambansa.
