Researchers found that bats prefer moving katydid models over still or vibrating ones, posing a risk to both signalers and searchers during courtship. This study highlights the importance of predator avoidance in tropical ecosystems.
Researchers found that coral reefs in Panama's Caribbean coast suffered significant declines in species diversity and abundance after a 1986 refinery accident. Thirty years later, the impacts of coastal development and human-related stressors on reefs were comparable to those of oil spills.
Researchers observed that monkeys on Coiba spent up to 14.5 minutes on the ground, whereas mainland sites had smaller group sizes and limited ground time. The absence of predators likely played a key role in the behavior.
Researchers discovered a Megalopta gynandromorph, exhibiting both male and female characteristics. The bee's activity patterns closely resembled those of females, with higher intensity periods during the day.
A new study found that vampire bats' social relationships change differently depending on the type of behavior and relationship. The lead author injected the bats with a bacterial extract to make them feel sick without harming their health, observing how it affected their social interactions.
Researchers discovered a 7,000-year-old fossilized coral reef that predates human settlement and closely resembles its pre-human state. The team found the reef to be resilient, with minimal changes over centuries, despite current environmental degradation.
Marine bacteria colonize microplastics, using them as artificial reefs, while some diatoms exhibit a preference for specific plastic types. Microplastics may serve as vehicles for toxic organisms, affecting marine life.
Researchers discovered that most soil protists consume smaller organisms, while others thrive in tropical soils and are affected by annual precipitation. The study provides new insights into the ecological roles of these single-celled organisms in ecosystems worldwide.
Leatherback turtle eggs laid in Bocas del Toro nesting beaches contain high concentrations of trace metals, posing a health risk to local communities. The ingestion of these eggs could lead to increased lifetime carcinogenic risk for adults and children.
Researchers found that coyotes and crab-eating foxes are co-occurring in eastern Panama due to deforestation along the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. Jaguars and other tropical forest predators may prevent coyotes from moving further south by maintaining their habitats.
A recent study highlights the alarming exploitation of shark populations in Pacific Panama, with many species caught immature and vulnerable to intensive fishing. The research recommends implementing seasonal fishing bans and monitoring programs to improve conservation strategies.
Researchers have discovered a new fossil species of comma shrimp in Colombia, filling a 160 million-year gap in the evolution of these crustaceans. The fossils, which include hundreds of individuals, are remarkably well preserved and provide insights into the origins and relationships of these marine arthropods.
Researchers used CRISPR gene editing to study butterfly wing patterns, finding that similar patterns evolved through different genetic pathways despite shared environmental pressures. The study reveals the complex interplay between chance and history in shaping evolutionary outcomes.
A study by researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that vampire bats form lasting social bonds, even when released back into the wild. The bats' social networks were tracked using miniaturized computers weighing less than a penny, showing daily changes in their relationships.
A recent study analyzed over 4.7 million mtDNA sequences from GenBank and found fewer errors than predicted, with less than 1% of sequences mislabeled. The researchers identified potential sources of error, such as human or lab animal contamination, but overall found GenBank to be a reliable tool for environmental DNA identification.
Researchers have discovered a new species of deep-water coral, Psammogorgia pax, in the Pacific Ocean off Panama. This find is significant for its contribution to understanding the ecology and biodiversity of mesophotic coral communities, which are difficult to access and require increased protection.
Two new porcelain crab species, Polyonyx socialis and Petrolisthes virgilius, have been discovered in the South China Sea and Colombian Caribbean. The species exhibit unique symbiotic relationships with other organisms, highlighting a long-term story of coexistence between distantly related taxa.
A new study suggests that imprinting on mothers plays a crucial role in shaping the color morphs of poison dart frogs, potentially driving the formation of new species. Researchers found that female frogs tend to choose mates of the same color as their mother, while males choose rivals based on their mother's color.
A new study finds that warmer tropical soils release more car-bon, leading to a 9% increase in atmospheric CO2 by the century's end. The increased microbial activity and changes in soil microbes also promote a positive feedback loop, exacerbating global warming.
A new method for detecting manatee calls could help restore populations of the endangered Antillean manatee. By analyzing underwater recordings, scientists can estimate manatee numbers and understand their habitat use in turbid waters.
A recent study on the Great Barrier Reef found that living coral cover can slow future reef dissolution due to ocean acidification. The experiment used a controlled system to simulate high CO2 conditions and showed that living corals were more resilient than dead ones, which would dissolve earlier.
Bats employ a range of hunting strategies, from echolocation in open spaces to listening for prey sounds in enclosed areas. They also utilize eavesdropping on prey communication and social interactions to locate prey and minimize search effort.
Researchers uncover traditional fish preparation techniques employed by fisherfolk in Panama and Egypt, revealing patterns of modifications to fish skeletons comparable to those found in archaeological sites. The study provides a powerful model for identifying fish butchering and preservation methods at archaeological sites worldwide.
Researchers found that bats can distinguish insect from leaf by approaching at optimal angles, exploiting echo reflection on leaves. The study has implications for predator-prey interactions and echolocation.
Researchers discovered signs of 'feasting behavior' associated with white-tailed deer at the Sitio Sierra archaeological site. The findings suggest that deer hunting was restricted and consumption linked to important occasions, reinforcing social relations among Panamanian pre-Columbian populations.
The study found that Darien has the highest carbon stocks among nine mature forest sites across the Neotropics and second-highest tree species richness in the region. Disturbed forests maintained a high capacity to sequester carbon, challenging REDD+ exclusion policies.
Entomologists call for immediate science-based actions to mitigate insect decline worldwide. Insect diversity and ecosystem services require targeted legislation and public awareness.
Climate change connected and disconnected Andean sky islands over the past million years, according to a new mathematical model. The páramo habitat, with stunted shrubs and alpine plants adapted to high winds and cold temperatures, exists between the upper forest line and snowline.
Recent research suggests that pathogens may have driven the evolution of warm-blooded animals by providing a selective advantage. By maintaining stable body temperatures, mammals and birds can prime their immune systems to withstand virulent pathogens, making endothermy a more favorable strategy than ectothermy.
A study published by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute has identified eight potentially new species of phoronid larvae, a type of horseshoe worm found in Panama's two oceans. The larvae were collected from plankton samples and analyzed using DNA sequencing to distinguish between different species.
Researchers found that parasitoid wasp larvae use the ecdysone hormone to hack into spiders' internal code, inducing changes in web construction and behavior. This external parasite rides on the surface of the spider's abdomen, injecting psychotropic substances to access the brain.
A new fossil crab species, Callichimaera perplexa, has been discovered, challenging our understanding of evolution and revealing a unique body form. The species has characteristics similar to crab larvae, with adults exhibiting disproportionately large eyes and oar-like legs that are the oldest record of adaptations for swimming.
Scientists used fossil and modern whale barnacles to reconstruct the movements of ancient humpback and grey whales. The study found that summer-breeding and winter-feeding migrations have been a consistent part of these whales' way of life for hundreds of thousands of years.
In tropical rainforests, plants produce unique defense chemicals to evade insect-eating predators, promoting biodiversity. A study found that nine Inga tree species developed distinct defense strategies, leading to a diverse forest ecosystem.
A recent study found that bacteria from frog skin have produced compounds that can inhibit the growth of fungi, including Aspergillus fumigatus. The most promising compound, viscosin, showed significant activity against both fungi.
A global survey of frog skin bacteria reveals that diverse microbial communities thrive in cold, variable environments. Fast-growing bacteria are often outcompeted by slower-dormant types in temperate climates.
Researchers found that female manakins can produce a male-specific 'chee-poo' vocalization when implanted with testosterone, while untreated females cannot. In contrast, juvenile males who received testosterone exhibited vocalizations closer to those of treated females than adult males in the wild.
Bats use rain noise as a salient informational cue to inform their decision making about emerging from roosts. This study shows that noise can be beneficial for animals, providing important information about their environment and when it's safe to hunt.
Visceral adipose tissue prioritizes over subcutaneous fat storage, leading to chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. Early life malnutrition and modern diets contribute to VAT accumulation.
A recent study by Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute scientists evaluated the economic viability of PES programs in the PCW, finding that reforestation efforts have a significant impact on ship transits and dry-season water flow. The researchers also identified market clearing equilibriums for such programs, highlighting their pot...
Researchers found seven cases of surfers' ear in males and one in a female skull from sites near the Gulf of Panama. The bony growths are believed to be caused by cold water or stress in the ear canal, similar to bone spurs.
Male tungara frogs in urban environments produce more complex and conspicuous calls to attract females, which are preferred over those of forest frogs. This adaptation suggests that urbanization drives changes in sexual signaling to improve mating success.
A study by Ummat Somjee and colleagues found that male leaf-footed bugs invest more in their large hind legs than females do, which are used as weapons in male-male duels. The team measured energy use of live bugs with and without hind legs to calculate the hidden energetic cost of maintaining these structures.
Researchers analyzed rake marks on over 3000 humpback whale tails and found that attacks by orcas are on the rise. The study suggests that young whales are primary targets, with scarred females showing a higher reproductive success rate.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute studied Peters' tent-making bats and found that mothers prod their young with forearms, possibly encouraging them to fledge and wean. Bat pups' arms grew faster than the rest of their bodies, allowing them to learn to fly in just a few nights with help from their mothers.
A new evaluation of Panama's Playa Venado site reveals no signs of trauma at or near time of death, contradicting earlier interpretations of violent death. The burial site likely tells a more culturally nuanced story, with adults buried next to urns containing children and evidence of adult kinship practices.
Researchers at STRI and CIMAR discovered a new blood-red octocoral species, T. dalioi, on Hannibal Bank, highlighting the importance of mesophotic reefs and coral conservation. The study's findings have potential applications in medicine, including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that young species of cupuladriid bryozoans can expand into new Caribbean habitats more quickly than older species, taking 2 million years longer to adapt on average.
A study found that tropical tree species have distinct nutrient-capture strategies, with some producing more phosphatase in poor soils. The research highlights the importance of biodiversity for successful reforestation projects and suggests that applying basic biological processes can maximize carbon capture.
Research reveals that tropical pioneer tree species employ physical and chemical defenses to survive, with seeds relying on different strategies based on their persistence time. The study's findings have implications for crop production, weed management, and understanding natural plant community dynamics.