Baletemys kampalili was named after the late mammalogist Danilo "Danny" S. Balete

Kampalili shrew-mouse is an endemic rodent species known only in the high elevation forest of Mt. Kampalili, Davao Oriental. Some external characteristics unique to this new shrew-mouse include a long, narrow snout, small eyes and ears, a stout body with a hairy tail, stout front paws, and short fur.

The late mammalogist Danilo "Danny" S. Balete was a champion for Philippine biodiversity, especially mammals. He worked alongside PEF Director for Research and Conservation Dr. Jayson Ibañez and biologists from 2006 to 2013 in the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC). They pioneered expeditions in those areas to gather baseline data later used for the protection and management of these wildlife habitats.

Dr. Ibañez co-authored the paper "A new genus and species of shrew-like mouse (Rodentia: Muridae) from a new center of endemism in eastern Mindanao, Philippines," wherein the new species Baletemys kampalili is named after Danny and Mt. Kampalili.

Read the publication here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyac057