Researchers found that hot temperatures during development reduced the brightness of Morpho butterfly iridescence, making them duller and more susceptible to predation. The effects of this color change on predators or possible mates remain unknown.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that coral reefs on Panama's Pacific coast support 100 times more sharks than those in the Caribbean, despite heavy fishing pressure. The study suggests that ocean productivity should be considered when setting conservation targets to avoid overestimating shark populations.
Researchers combined iNaturalist photos with scientific observations to study harvestman care for 85 species, doubling the known data on parental care. The study reveals two evolutionary paths for paternal care and sheds light on the evolution of care in the Gonyleptoidea group.
A recent study published in Nature analyzed satellite estimates of biomass from tropical forests in the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia. The research found that temperature, aridity, soil nutrients, and other environmental variables affect forest biomass differently across regions.
Researchers found that connected habitats enhance the ability of amphibian skin microbiome to defend against diseases by increasing beneficial bacteria presence. This study highlights a critical link between environmental disturbance, microbial defenses, and disease dynamics.
A new study reveals that tropical trees have more positive interactions with their neighbors, leading to increased diversity and richness in these ecosystems. This finding may help explain why tropical forests are home to so many tree species.
A new study finds that food chains on modern Caribbean coral reefs are 60-70% shorter than they were 7,000 years ago. Individual fish have lost dietary specialization, leading to a compression of the distance between different trophic levels.
Rebuilding coral reef fisheries can help fight global hunger and improve nutrition by increasing sustainable fish yields by nearly 50%. Countries with higher malnutrition indexes can benefit most from recovered reef fish stocks, which could provide enough servings for several million people annually.
Scientists discovered that leafcutter ants with large loads perform fewer antennae taps per step, limiting their ability to perceive the trail. By reducing the load, they increase antennae taps, highlighting the impact of oversized loads on trail navigation.
Researchers at STRI discovered that a tropical bug's flag-waving behavior is an anti-predator strategy, increasing waving seven-fold in the presence of mantids and deterring attacks. The finding highlights the importance of studying insects and their behaviors.
Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute recorded that Panama's Pacific upwelling did not occur in 2025, leading to diminished temperature drops and productivity spikes. The researchers attribute this event to a significant reduction in wind patterns, highlighting the vulnerability of tropical upwelling systems.
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute is digitizing images of pollen from over 18,000 plant species to create a massive database. This dataset will be used to train an AI model to aid pollen identifications, transforming the process into a digital and universally accessible one.
A study by 16 researchers, including those from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, found that genetic differences alone cannot explain how 19 species of hamlet fish diverged. Instead, they identified a single gene involved in color patterns and mate choice, but it did not allow them to reconstruct a family tree for the group.
Researchers found that urban Túngara frog tadpoles developed faster than their forest counterparts, but ended up being smaller. This suggests a possible adaptation to the urban environment, with tadpole body sizes affecting adult male sizes.
A groundbreaking study of 7000-year-old fossilized coral reefs reveals that human fishing has transformed Caribbean reef food webs. Shark populations have declined by 75%, while prey fish species have doubled in abundance and grown 17% larger on modern reefs.
Research in Panama reveals that corals from more variable ocean environments are better equipped to survive rising ocean temperatures. The study found that these corals have more resilient microbiomes, which play a crucial role in their survival.
Researchers studying White-necked Jacobins found a unique caterpillar-like appearance on a newly hatched hummingbird chick, which may be an adaptation to avoid predators. The chick's fluffy down feathers and camouflaged nest suggest potential mimicry or camouflage strategies.
The Bezos Earth Fund has launched a five-year project to conserve amphibian species in Latin America, partnering with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and Amphibian Survival Alliance. The initiative aims to halt amphibian extinctions and boost captive populations by 15%.
Botanists have identified six new tree species, including three found only in Panama, using comparisons of dried plant specimens across the Neotropics. The new species are part of the Matisia genus and have been added to herbarium collections in Panama and Colombia.
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute will use the grant to apply a free, definitive standard for quantification of forest carbon everywhere. The project aims to provide accurate estimates of carbon storage and change in forests globally, enabling countries, companies, and landowners to offset their emissions.
Researchers found that regrowing tropical forests on pastureland can reduce soil carbon emissions by nearly two-fold, offering a quick win in the fight against climate change. This unexpected finding is attributed to warmer temperatures experienced by soils in pastureland, which may explain higher carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers found 16 native species of mammals using timber plantations as corridors and refuges in Central Panama. However, teak monocultures showed the lowest records of species, highlighting the importance of restoring natural habitats for comprehensive wildlife conservation.
The authors argue that building relationships with places of study can lead to more fair science, accurate and meaningful research outcomes. They propose three pathways: deepening reflection and communication about relationships, strengthening collaboration amongst research teams, and transforming systems of knowledge creation to foste...
Researchers found that attaching red flags to crickets made them less appealing to predatory birds, suggesting a warning signal. The experiment supported the chemical defense explanation, as matador bugs were actively avoided with or without flags.
A study by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that economic solutions like cost-sharing and carbon payments can benefit landholders if the right tree species are planted on infertile soils. Annual carbon payments, in particular, made forests growing back after trees were removed financially viable.
The discovery of a complete Anachlysictis gracilis skeleton in Colombia provides new insights into the species' weight, estimated at around 23 kg, and diet as a hypercarnivore. The fossil's analysis suggests it preyed upon small mammals, such as marsupials and rodents, and possibly primates.
A team of paleontologists has discovered the oldest record of sea turtle DNA in a fossil shell from Panama's Caribbean coast. The findings, published in Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, date back approximately 6 million years to the upper Miocene Epoch.
Fossil discoveries in northern Panama Canal area suggest that marine species interchange persisted across shallow waters during the final stages of formation of the isthmus. The findings provide new insights into the connectivity between the Pacific and Caribbean marine faunas during this period.
Researchers argue that equitable governance and science are crucial for ocean sustainability, prioritizing tropical voices and expertise. The study proposes four key actions: equity in ocean science and governance, reconnecting people and the ocean, redefining ocean literacy, and decolonizing ocean science.
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute received a $12 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund to support the GEO-TREES project, which verifies satellite monitoring of forest biomass. The system uses on-the-ground measurements and LiDAR scans to provide accurate carbon estimates.
Scientists developed a new diagnostic test for chytridiomycosis, identifying previously undetected strains and detecting pathogens in amphibians worldwide. The test's success verified its affordability as an alternative for widespread surveillance, addressing the urgent need for rapid detection of the disease.
Scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that matador bugs wave their legs to signal aggression or to advertise their toxicity to predators, not for sexual attraction. The study revealed no differences in waving behavior between males and females.
Scientists studied lightning's impact on Panama Canal forests, finding that some tree species, like palms, are more likely to die after a strike. Others, with denser wood and larger water vessels, are more resistant and may even store more carbon.
Researchers found that frog-eating bats could recognize ringtones indicating a food reward up to four years later. The bats learned to associate specific tones with rewards and were able to recall these associations even after long periods of time.
Over 50 sightings of manatees have been reported between the Gatun Lake and Miraflores Locks since 1977, leading to speculation about their possible entry into the Eastern Pacific Ocean. A population of 20-25 manatees was estimated in the Gatun Lake in 2015.
Satellite-tracking of whale sharks in the Panamanian Pacific reveals their feeding and breeding patterns, with a focus on protecting these endangered species from human threats. The study highlights the importance of identifying and conserving large oceanic areas and marine corridors to safeguard their migration routes.
Researchers have created a new classification system for coexisting mangrove-coral habitats, identifying four distinct types: lagoons, creeks, fringe areas, and under the mangrove canopy. These habitats are diverse, with about 130 species of corals living in them, and are crucial for coral survival.
A scientific expedition led by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute aims to explore and document the biodiversity of Panama's Cordillera de Coiba seamounts. The mission, funded by several organizations, will use advanced technology to study the important habitats in the area.
Researchers used camera traps to monitor interactions between Panama's epiphytic Zamia pseudoparasitica and animals, revealing that a nocturnal tree-dwelling mammal called northern olingos may be responsible for seed dispersal. The study sheds light on the plant's persistence in the forest canopy.
The expanded protected area protects fourteen marine mammal species and improves connectivity of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor. The new management plan prohibits fishing in two-thirds of the area and allows sustainable fishing, reducing bycatch and promoting conservation.
Researchers used submersibles to explore deep reefs, increasing the recorded number of deep-reef fishes by 9-fold. The study found that reef-fish faunas extend below the mesophotic zone and revealed a previously unknown reef ocean zone, the rariphotic.
Seed dispersal rates by Central American agoutis are lower in ocelot habitats with high scent presence. This change allows bruchid beetles to attack seeds for longer periods, promoting forest diversification. The study's findings have implications for understanding the ecology of fear and its effects on ecosystems.
Researchers used drones to visualize canopy height and identify 11,153 thousand canopy disturbances, including treefalls and dead trees. These disturbances were more common in older forests with steep slopes or certain soil types.
A new species of angel shark, Squatina mapama, has been identified in the Central American Caribbean, shedding light on the region's biodiversity. Genetic analyses reveal distinct characteristics from other related species, emphasizing the importance of forensic science in understanding cryptic species within the genus.
A new study by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute reduces uncertainty in predicting carbon dioxide release from deforestation scenarios. It highlights the capacity of young, regenerating or secondary forests to pull greenhouse gas from the atmosphere, suggesting that these forests can store up to 15% of Panama's national carbo...
A group of high school students, with the help of a STRI scientist, discovered that Azteca ants rapidly repair damage to their Cecropia host plants. Within 2.5 hours, the hole's size had been significantly reduced and was often completely repaired within 24 hours.
Researchers found that bacterial communities in streams adjacent to young secondary forests recover to resemble those of mature forest streams within a decade after cattle is removed from the land. This study provides hope for restoring water quality through passive reforestation, which can be crucial for human health and the environment.
A recent study found that whale sharks in Panama may originate from the Arabian Gulf and Western Indian Ocean, highlighting their ability to travel long distances. This discovery underscores the need for transboundary conservation measures like marine corridors to protect this endangered species.
A newly discovered ancient crab fossil, Cretapsara athanata, has shed new light on the evolution of crabs. The 100 million-year-old fossil, found in amber, provides evidence that crabs transitioned to land around 100 million years ago, bridging a previously unknown gap in their evolutionary history.
Researchers found that regular plants have distinct metabolic differences from CAM photosynthesis-adapted species, which could hinder efforts to bioengineer drought tolerance in crops. Understanding these differences is crucial for future research and potential crop improvement.