The Panama Biological Survey (1910-1912) tracked fish migration between the Atlantic and Pacific slopes of Panama's Isthmus. New research finds that dispersal played a key role in increasing species richness in local freshwater fish assemblages, even after many generations.
Researchers found starch grains from barley and wheat on a grinding stone at Ohalo II, dating back 13,000-45,000 years. This discovery suggests that people processed these grains to make them more digestible around 14,800 years ago.
Deforestation has risen by nearly 50% in Brazil's southern and eastern Amazon since 2002, threatening indigenous plant and wildlife species. The expansion of new highways and infrastructure projects is a key driver of this destruction.
Rising carbon dioxide levels are altering Amazonian forest ecosystems, leading to faster growth and changes in species composition. Large trees are outcompeting smaller ones, with the latter's decline posing concerns for the entire ecosystem.
The new assay uses fluorochrome binding to detect malaria parasites in cell culture, providing a safer and more cost-effective alternative to current methods. This breakthrough has the potential to drastically reduce the price tag for drug discovery and promote research into tropical parasitic diseases.
Scientists linking rainforest canopy and floor layers examine effects of falling materials on soil processes, decomposition rates, and nutrient availability. The study aims to understand the connection between these factors and global climate change.
This study demonstrates that Symphonia globulifera, a widespread tropical rainforest tree, has a complex evolutionary history shaped by oceanic currents and land bridges. The research revealed distinct phylogeographic structure in Panama's Isthmus, linked to its historical connection with Central America and South America.
Researchers from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute are using a $5 million grant to study Wolbachia, a bacterium that affects insect reproduction and evolution. The team will collect insects in Panama and use molecular tools to identify Wolbachia strains and understand their effects on host organisms.
The IBISCA project aims to understand the vertical stratification of insects throughout the dark understory and emergent canopy of Panama's tropical forest. Using advanced technologies, including a canopy crane, raft, bubble, and treehouse, researchers will collect samples and data on arthropods and other organisms.
Historical coral reef research reveals that most world reefs were degraded by overfishing and pollution even before grandparents' birth. Top carnivores and grazers are the first to disappear when humans enter the picture.
A study published in Animal Behaviour found that female fiddler crabs are attracted to burrows, not just male courtship signals. The researchers suggest that some male signals may be designed to keep females safe as they search for a mate.
Researchers found that males of iridescent butterfly species approach females producing polarized signals more often when not depolarized. Non-iridescent species show no preference regardless of filter presence. Light bending by genetic scales may influence sexual selection and speciation in tropical forests.
A new study found that many fig wasp species are cryptic, meaning they are genetically identical but belong to different host fig species. This challenges current ideas about the stability and evolution of mutualisms, strengthening other critical parts of modern evolutionary theory.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have discovered evidence of early domestication of wild squash varieties in coastal Ecuador dating back to around 12,000 years ago. The phytoliths found in these ancient fruits suggest a significant shift towards more productive agricultural practices among hunter-gatherers.
Researchers challenge a recent study's estimate of greenhouse gas emissions from tropical deforestation, citing seven serious errors that lead to a major underestimate. The Achard study failed to account for drier forests, biomass, and the effects of methane and nitrous oxide.
The book is a comprehensive guide to the flora of the Caribbean, featuring over 700 underwater color photographs and detailed information on 565 species of marine plants. The award recognizes the widespread need for this reference among students, researchers, and reef managers.
Researchers studied DNA sequences to understand co-evolutionary system between ants, garden fungi and parasitic fungal weeds. They found that the system has been locked in an evolutionary 'arms race' for millions of years.
A new study by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute uses a large sample of live caterpillars to analyze tropical insect community composition. The research finds that there is indeed a predictable structure in caterpillar communities, allowing for more accurate measurements and applications in various studies.
The Amazon forest, a significant carbon sink, may be slowing global climate change. A new monitoring team, RAINFOR, aims to study the impact of environmental changes on Amazonian forests. The project will analyze data from multiple sites across the basin to better understand productivity and dynamics.
The Association for Tropical Biology honors Ira Rubinoff's vision and perseverance in defining the direction of tropical biology research. His contributions include establishing Panama's Soberania National Park, Barro Colorado Nature Monument, and promoting forest conservation.
A team of scientists from Smithsonian and other institutions sequenced bird genetic material found in the 1917 collection, comparing it with the 1918 pandemic virus HA gene sequence. The comparison suggests that the pandemic viral HA gene was not derived directly from an avian source.
Advanced sensors and communication platforms can monitor complex tropical environments to track elusive animals and study their behavior. Technologies like automated telemetry systems, high-quality sound recordings, and radiotransmitters are being developed to aid conservation efforts in the Amazon basin.
Researchers have identified a single genetic locus in the squash genus Cucurbita that controls phytolith production and plant defense. This discovery will help archaeologists determine whether ancient plants were domesticated or wild varieties by analyzing their phytolith content and cell configurations.
The Vinland Map's date has been determined to be around 1434, indicating a strong connection to the Catholic Church's Council of Basel. The parchment analysis provides new evidence supporting the map's authenticity and sheds light on European knowledge of North America during this period.
Deforestation rates in Brazilian Amazonia averaged seven football fields per minute, with highway proximity being a significant predictor. Current policy initiatives to expand infrastructure networks will likely increase deforestation activity, particularly in south-easterly areas.
Research shows that exotic honeybees significantly improve coffee crop yields by up to 50%. The study emphasizes the need to preserve natural habitats for these pollinators to maintain biodiversity and sustainable agriculture practices. By removing their natural habitats through intensive cultivation, we risk losing crucial pollinators.
A recent study published in Science finds that the genetic variation of the nene bird species decreased significantly between 160-850 years ago, likely due to human expansion on the island of Hawaii. The researchers used DNA analysis from ancient specimens and modern captive birds to draw this conclusion.
A long-term study found that habitat fragmentation has a far-reaching impact on rainforests, increasing local extinction rates and altering species richness. To maintain diversity and dynamics, Amazonian nature reserves will need to be very large to withstand human disturbances.
Researchers suspect that a six-armed brittlestar, common in shallow coral reefs, may have invaded the western Atlantic via ships over the past two centuries. Genetic markers indicate massive long-distance dispersal and recent mixing of populations from the Pacific and Indian Ocean, raising concerns about ecological consequences.
A new study estimates 3.7 to 5.9 million insects worldwide, down from Erwin's initial estimate of 30 million. The research suggests that specialist herbivores are rare, and genera rather than species are the preferred unit for biodiversity calculations.
Researchers found a wide swath of the western Amazon has a forest with minimal species change over distances of over 1000 kilometers. In contrast, forests on the Isthmus of Panama exhibit high beta-diversity due to abrupt variation in rainfall across the Central American isthmus.
A new report identifies knowledge gaps in Central American flora, particularly among fungi and mosses. The Mesoamerican and Caribbean Herbarium Network, which holds over one million plant specimens, is a key resource for future discovery.
A research team led by William Laurance found that Amazonian forest destruction rates have risen sharply since 1995, contrary to the Brazilian government's claims. Deforestation has increased due to infrastructure projects and expanding logging and mining industries.
Scientists have identified a genetic marker that points to Mexico as the origin of domesticated squash, contradicting previous theories. The study used mitochondrial DNA genetic markers to analyze the relationships between wild and domesticated Cucurbita pepo populations.