A new report in Science shows that larger females invest disproportionately more in the number of eggs and size of individual eggs. This finding is critical for fisheries management, suggesting a focus on reducing fishing pressure on large fish rather than small ones.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that the Bahamian anole lizard's genetic variation is surprisingly low, making it unlikely to adapt quickly to future climate scenarios. The research suggests that strong selection pressure in the past may have eliminated future genetic variation.
Researchers tracked a female whale shark's 20,142 km migration from eastern Pacific to western Indo-Pacific, the longest recorded migration. The study provides new insights into whale shark migration patterns and conservation efforts.
Researchers tracked Aedes mosquito invasions in Panama, finding evidence of multiple invasions via land and sea. The study revealed high genetic diversity in central Panama, suggesting transport networks facilitate the mixing of different molecular lineages.
Researchers found that frogs surviving the chytridiomycosis epidemic developed stronger defenses against the fungus, inhibiting its growth. However, captive breeding programs face challenges in replicating these findings, highlighting the need for further research on disease dynamics and host resistance.
Researchers at STRI found that predatory bats can learn to recognize new foods from other bat species as quickly as they do from their own species. This ability helps explain how bats adapt to environmental changes and survive in their ecosystems.
Researchers have identified a new ocean-life zone, the rariphotic, located between 130-309 meters below the surface, where shallow reef fishes seek refuge from warming waters. The discovery reveals that these fish have double the depth range previously thought to exist.
Researchers analyzed animal remains from Ceibal, Guatemala, and found that dogs, turkeys, and cats were raised for ceremonial purposes, with dogs being traded across the landscape. The study sheds light on the role of animals in Maya civilization and challenges previous assumptions about their management.
Researchers found that individual tree species are limited by phosphorus but entire forest communities are not. Forests with low phosphorus soils actually show faster growth rates compared to those with high phosphorus levels. This discovery has significant implications for understanding forest growth and change in tropical regions.
The CARICOMP program found significant decreases in water quality at 42% of the monitoring stations across the Caribbean basin. Despite expected increases in water temperature due to global warming, no such changes were detected in the data set.
A survey of residents near two national parks in Panama found that jaguars deserve increased protection due to human-jaguar conflict. The study suggests that educating stakeholders about the connection between healthy ecosystems and jaguar survival is crucial for effective park management.
The Bocas dolphin population in Panama's archipelago is genetically isolated and faces high risk from increasing local boat traffic. The study suggests designating the population as 'endangered' due to low numbers and high mortality rates.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that tropical tree roots account for almost 30% of the total biomass of young trees. The research also revealed diverse root architectures among species, with some sending large tap roots and others extending laterally just below the soil surface.
A team of scientists discovered that tropical fungi form species-specific associations with seeds, influencing survival and germination rates. The study found that different fungi can aid or hinder seed development, depending on the seed species, providing new insights into the persistence of tropical forest diversity.
A new model for tropical plant biodiversity suggests that the storage effect enables tree species to coexist and is stronger in the tropics. Long-term forest monitoring data from 10 plots across 64 degrees of latitude reveal that successful reproductive events become more synchronized as latitude increases.
Researchers knocked out a control gene in seven different butterfly species using CRISPR technology, showing that a single gene influences the diversity of wing patterns. The study reveals unexpected ways in which this gene affects wing pattern, providing insights into the evolutionary origins of biodiversity.
A new model of climate change effects suggests that diversity in bee species may save the day for coffee production in Latin America. The study, which considers both plants and animals, predicts that at least five bee species will be left in future coffee-suitable areas, with 10 species remaining in about half of the regions.
Researchers at STRI and JLU discovered a new species of porcelain crab, Pachycheles tuerkayi, found only along the coasts of Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia. The new species has hairy claws and can be distinguished from another similar species, P. serratus, through its unique characteristics.
Golden-collared manakin males use cleanliness to attract mates and exhibit complex courtship displays. In contrast, females show no motivation to clean their male counterparts' displays, suggesting hormonal influence is specific to males.
A recent experiment by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that native tree species outperformed teak in infertile tropical soils. The study showed that Amarillo (Terminalia amazonia) trees grew exceptionally well, accumulating biomass faster than teak and having excellent timber value.
A recent study by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and other institutions reveals that conserving old-growth tropical rainforests is crucial for preventing new outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases. The research found that disease-carrying mosquito species are scarce in undisturbed forest areas compared to disturbed ones.
A new sonar-based method estimates Antillean Manatees in the San San Pond Sak wetland, finding a lower population than previously thought. The study suggests modifications to protect manatees from illegal fishing nets and human activities.
Researchers have identified three new species of porcupine fish, expanding our understanding of these unique creatures and their role in ancient ocean ecosystems. The discovery sheds light on the impact of the Isthmus of Panama's formation on tropical biodiversity.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute used carrion flies to survey tropical forest mammals, detecting 20 species that were not found by traditional methods. The method was more effective than camera traps and transect counts, but had limitations, such as failing to detect certain species that produce small droppings.
A recent study found that exposing baby cacao plants to healthy adult plant microbes reduces the risk of disease. Microbes from mother trees strengthen the immune system of baby trees, making them less susceptible to pathogens. This discovery has significant implications for the global chocolate industry.
Research found that tropical trees have fewer neighbors to compete with, allowing for more space for rare species. This phenomenon, CNDD, contributes to the higher biodiversity in tropical forests compared to temperate regions.
Research at Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that fig wasps that cheat by not collecting pollen can still flourish in populations where they have a time and energy advantage. This suggests that cheaters may become more common when punishment is too severe, allowing them to reproduce and pass on their non-cooperative behavior.
A new study reveals that lianas prevent canopy trees from producing fruit, reducing the availability of a critical food resource for tropical animals. The effects of removing lianas are dramatic, with a 173% increase in canopy tree production five years after removal.
The study aims to determine the factors influencing frog survival and persistence in the wild. The release trial will help pave the way for successful reintroduction programs, as researchers monitor the frogs' behavior, dispersal, and disease resistance.
Archaeologists discover a 14-16 year old with bone cancer from the pre-Colombian settlement Cerro Brujo, Panama, dated around 1300 AD. The individual was buried in a fetal position with clay pots and a shell trumpet, indicating a ritual burial.
Researchers found that female vampire bats who invest in non-kin friendships cope better when a major food donor is removed from their social network. They score more food than those who only focus on close kin relationships.
A recent study deployed green clay caterpillars across six continents to reveal that insects are responsible for the majority of predation observed. The findings suggest that predation pressure is stronger in the tropics due to the need for insects to innovate defense mechanisms against predators.
A team of researchers discovered that the Western Amazon sank twice, with ocean water from the Caribbean flooding the region for less than a million years. The study found distinct layers of marine pollen separated by non-marine types, as well as shark teeth and mantis shrimp fossils.
Scientists tagged 47 humpback whales with satellite transmitters in the southeast Pacific to understand their breeding area movements. The study revealed that individuals move between countries within the breeding season and that their entire breeding area extends approximately 2,600 kilometers of non-straight coastline.
Researchers observed glassfrogs sitting on their eggs for up to five hours after laying them, absorbing water and hydrating the jelly-coated embryos. The study found that every species of glassfrog cares for its eggs, with mothers tending to theirs immediately after laying and fathers taking over later.
A new study by Smithsonian scientists reveals that dead zones are a major threat to coral reefs globally, causing mass mortality. By controlling sewage and agricultural runoff, these localized threats can be reduced.
A comprehensive review of Bufonidae family compounds reveals their largely unexplored potential for new drug discovery. The study highlights the critical need for conservation efforts due to declining amphibian populations.
A new study reveals that parrotfish play a vital role in maintaining healthy coral reefs. When parrotfish were more abundant, the reef grew faster and remained healthier due to their algae-eating habits. The research suggests that conserving parrotfish populations is essential for protecting corals.
Researchers found that plants' choice of microbial teammates influences a suite of plant-soil interactions, driving high diversity in shrublands. The study revealed positive and negative feedbacks between plants and microbes, with nutrient-acquisition strategies playing a crucial role.
Researchers found small algae-grazing sea urchins and parrotfish may take the place of larger grazers to prevent algae from overgrowing reefs. These tiny organisms, comprising up to 95% of grazing biomass, can preempt shifts from coral to algae on degraded reefs.
A study by Thomas Zaret and Robert Paine found that peacock bass introductions led to the extirpation of 60% of native freshwater fish in Gatun Lake. The invasive species still have not recovered, with many other exotic fish introduced over time.
A team of scientists found that corals in the genus Orbicella have high genetic diversity, allowing them to adapt to environmental changes. This discovery predicts their potential survival under future climate change, making them a key species for conservation efforts.
A new study by STRI researchers confirms that trees in tropical forests are like islands, with different species living on each one. The number of ant species found on a tree is positively correlated with the size of the liana-free area around it.
A recent study reports a surge in jaguar killings in Panama, primarily due to retaliatory attacks by cattle ranchers on the big cats' prey species. The research highlights the urgent need for conservation measures, including education and economic incentives, to protect the endangered jaguar population.
A new study reveals that leaf-cutter ants have not fully domesticated their fungal symbionts, despite having a mutually beneficial relationship. The ants adjust the nutrient content of their mulch to minimize mushroom production, but this strategy has constraints on productivity.
Researchers from 23 institutions confirm formation of the Isthmus of Panama at 2.8 million years ago, based on geological, oceanographic, genetic and ecological data. This timing has significant implications for evolutionary change, global ocean models, and the origin of modern-day animals and plants in the Americas.
Researchers found that tropical sea urchin eggs and larvae are vulnerable to temperature changes, with early stage larvae dying at temperatures above 32 degrees C. Long-term exposure to warmer waters reduces larval survival and growth, highlighting the impact of climate change on these small marine animals.
A team of scientists discovered that ants first switched to farming fungi 55-60 million years ago, marking the beginning of a mutual adaptation. Leafcutter ants have since developed industrial-scale farming, producing protein-rich bulbs and thriving on an enormous scale.
Red-eyed treefrog embryos, thought to be helpless, are found to have evolved a quick-release mechanism to escape the egg prematurely. The study reveals that tadpoles can hatch up to two days ahead of schedule and use enzymes to create a hole in the egg membrane before escaping.
Researchers have located a gene called cortex that influences the brilliant patterning of <i>Heliconius</i> butterfly wings and is also associated with the evolution of 'sooty' wings in peppered moths. The discovery provides insights into the mechanisms behind wing pattern variation and diversity in butterflies and moths.