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Diversity And Composition Of Insects In A Regenerated Premontane Tropical Forest, June 2019, Katelyn Sanko
Diversity And Composition Of Insects In A Regenerated Premontane Tropical Forest, June 2019, Katelyn Sanko
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Tropical forests, the richest ecosystems on earth, are rapidly disappearing. This is causing the loss of species at an unprecedented rate. However, there is hope to regain lost biodiversity through the process of forest regeneration. Insects, the most specious class of animals, are concentrated in the tropics. I examined the effects of reforestation on insect species composition and diversity in the canopy and understory of a premontane tropical forest in Monteverde, Costa Rica: La Calandria. I collected insects with flight interception traps and analyzed the composition and diversity of orders and hymenopteran morphospecies. I found that species composition varies with …
Is There A Social Hierarchy In The Heifer Herd Of Finca Paraíso?, June 2019, Kai Patterson
Is There A Social Hierarchy In The Heifer Herd Of Finca Paraíso?, June 2019, Kai Patterson
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Dairy cows were domesticated about 10,500 years ago and have been used for milk production ever since. In Costa Rica, they usually live in herds in pastures, therefore they spend most of their time near each other. Research shows they have hierarchies which can be influenced by size, age, and lactation cycle. In this study, I set out to find the social hierarchy in a herd of heifers who are of similar age and size, and do not have a lactation cycle. I traveled to La Finca Paraíso to observe heifers for a total of 12 hours, and recorded every …
Does Environment Affect The Diversity Of Microbes Found On Frog Skin?, June 2019, Yanelyn Perez
Does Environment Affect The Diversity Of Microbes Found On Frog Skin?, June 2019, Yanelyn Perez
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Many frog populations are currently threatened due to a variety of reasons, but a prevalent reason is due to a fungal disease, chytridiomycosis, that attacks amphibian skin. Current studies suggest that possible resistance of chytrid fungus in certain frog populations can be attributed to the bacterial and fungal diversity found on the mucus of frog skin. In this study, I looked at whether various environmental factors can be correlated to a higher micro-biodiversity by swabbing individual frogs that were found in a variety of habitats. I swabbed 39 frog individuals in five different locations around Monteverde. I then grew fungal …
Effects Of Mass And Sex On Distress Calls Of Bats In Monteverde, June 2019, Ana Moreland
Effects Of Mass And Sex On Distress Calls Of Bats In Monteverde, June 2019, Ana Moreland
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Animal behavior is strongly influenced by the threat of predation. This has led to the development of complex communication systems between predators and prey. In bats, many types of ultrasonic calls have been studied in depth, but low frequency distress calls have rarely been examined. In order to analyze which variables might be able to predict whether a given bat performs a distress call, I captured 36 bats and recorded their behavior and the decibel power of their calls. I found that bats of a smaller mass were more likely to engage in distress calls while bats with a greater …
Male And Female Bats Have Similar Number Of Bat Flies, June 2019, Brianna R. Kennedy
Male And Female Bats Have Similar Number Of Bat Flies, June 2019, Brianna R. Kennedy
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Bats are commonly affected by parasites known as bat flies in the families Nycteribiidae and Streblidae. It is important to understand bat flies and their effects on bat populations due to their ubiquity. Differences in roosting behaviors, led me to believe that female bats would carry more bat flies than males. I investigated the difference in bat fly abundance between the sexes in a variety of species in Monteverde included in the genera Carollia (n = 9), Sturnira (n = 5), Lonchorhina (n = 1), Micronycteris (n = 1), Artibeus (n = 6), Glossophaga (n = 1), Desmodus (n = …
A Deeper Understanding Of The Minima Caste Function Of The Leafcutter Ants (Atta Cephalotes), June 2019, Crystal Ramirez
A Deeper Understanding Of The Minima Caste Function Of The Leafcutter Ants (Atta Cephalotes), June 2019, Crystal Ramirez
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Leafcutter ants Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), common to Central and South America, have a profound caste system to ensure the cultivation of a special fungus, Leucocoprinus gongylophorus, which is their main food source. Within the caste system, the workers job is to forage and carry back pieces of leaves that are necessary for fungus farming. The minima have long been thought to be protecting the worker ants from parasitic phorid flies (Diptera: Phoridae), who have been studied to await near the entrance of the nest to land on a leaf and lay eggs on the head of the worker ant. …
The Efficacy Of Compost Tea As A Biological Fungicide Against Coffee Rust (Hemileia Vastatrix), June 2019, Alexandra D. Reep
The Efficacy Of Compost Tea As A Biological Fungicide Against Coffee Rust (Hemileia Vastatrix), June 2019, Alexandra D. Reep
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Hemileia vastatrix, or Coffee Rust, is a fungal parasite on coffee tree leaves that has devastated coffee crops across South and Central America. While a variety of synthetic fungicides and fertilizers are currently used to combat the pathogen, there is a dearth of information available to farmers for more sustainable alternatives. This experiment assessed the effectiveness of six treatments: three forms of compost tea (CT), a Mountain Microorganism (MMO) solution, a Mokave inorganic compound fertilizer, and a Control group in combating Coffee Rust infections. I measured the changes in mean fungal lesion size before and after treatment on 270 leaves …
The Function Of Crocodile Hatchling (Crocodylus Acutus) Distress Calls, June 2019, Dhiraj Ramireddy
The Function Of Crocodile Hatchling (Crocodylus Acutus) Distress Calls, June 2019, Dhiraj Ramireddy
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
This study attempts to describe communication and behavior among Crocodylus acutus hatchlings. By understanding when and why vocalizations occur, new insight can be found regarding extant ancestors of crocodilians including dinosaurs. In Cuajiniquil, Costa Rica, I observed two Crocodylus acutus nests and captured five crocodile hatchlings. I observed the captured hatchling and its siblings recording vocalizations and movement patterns. After catching a random hatchling, it vocalized distress calls, and in response, the siblings would vocalize and approach the captive. These results support the hypothesis that a distress call of a hatchling seeks help from sibling crocodiles. An acoustical analysis displayed …
Factors That Limit Establishment Of Stony Corals, June 2019, Michelle C. Temby
Factors That Limit Establishment Of Stony Corals, June 2019, Michelle C. Temby
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Corals occupy less than 1% of the surface area of world oceans but provide a home for 25% of all marine fish species. Nevertheless, corals do not get the attention they deserve in terms of their success as organisms. In my study, I analyze individual coral heads, specifically the genus Pocillopora (tentative identification: Pocillopora elegans), and their establishments in Cuajiniquil using 3 locations in Guanacaste, Costa Rica to understand why coral reefs are not establishing at some sites. These sites occur at Bajo Rojo, Bahía Thomas West, and Isla David. I recorded the size of establishing coral heads, the surrounding …
Stenomicra Sp. Flies (Diptera: Periscelididae) On Rolled Leaves Of Heliconia Sp. And Calathea Sp., June 2019, Caroline Brandt
Stenomicra Sp. Flies (Diptera: Periscelididae) On Rolled Leaves Of Heliconia Sp. And Calathea Sp., June 2019, Caroline Brandt
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Stenomicra are a genus of small, often yellowish flies of the family Periscelididae (Diptera). The Stenomicra I studied live in leaves of Heliconia sp. and Calathea sp. in Monteverde, Costa Rica. While not much is known about their biology, I suspected that some factors may influence whether or not they will be found on a particular leaf. I proposed that the amount of matter found within the rolled leaves, other arthropods within the leaves, and the stage of the rolled leaf affect whether or not the Stenomicra flies inhabit them. I found that none of the above factors contribute to …
Anura Distribution And Richness In A Tropical Montane Forest In Monteverde, Costa Rica, June 2019, Elizabeth L. Mcdonald
Anura Distribution And Richness In A Tropical Montane Forest In Monteverde, Costa Rica, June 2019, Elizabeth L. Mcdonald
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Tropical regions, especially tropical montane regions, are biodiversity hotspots for amphibians. In tropical montane forests, varying temperatures and precipitation along an elevational gradient create distinct Holdridge life-zones for the 51 species of frogs and toads in Monteverde, Costa Rica. However, changing climatic conditions, and other complex factors, have contributed to recent anuran declines in the Monteverde area and worldwide. Shifting abiotic conditions cause species to move to new areas with suitable conditions. Within this study, I establish a data set complimentary to previous baselines of anuran distributions in local areas. In doing so, current encountered distributions can be compared to …
Diversity And Richness Of Non Vascular Epiphytes On Strangler Figs: Effects Of Elevation On Emergent Trees, June 2019, Kimberlie M. Sullivan
Diversity And Richness Of Non Vascular Epiphytes On Strangler Figs: Effects Of Elevation On Emergent Trees, June 2019, Kimberlie M. Sullivan
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
The Monteverde cloud forest is characterized by its high precipitation levels, frequency of cloud immersion, and extraction of cloud water, but global climate models indicate a reduction in low level cloudiness, suggesting cloud forests may soon be replaced by forests that occur at lower altitudes. Studies found that non- vascular epiphytes are very sensitive to changes in moisture and temperature, resulting in a substantial deterioration in health, such as reduced growth rates, water holding capacity, and ability to fix nitrogen, which makes non- vascular epiphytes a compelling indicator of climate change. I conducted a survey that contrasts epiphyte diversity and …
Social Feeding Preferences Of Cane Toad Tadpoles (Rhinella Marina), June 2019, E. O. Hanabusa
Social Feeding Preferences Of Cane Toad Tadpoles (Rhinella Marina), June 2019, E. O. Hanabusa
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Cane toad tadpoles (Rhinella marina) form aggregations in shallow water while feeding. To investigate their social feeding preferences, this study sampled tadpoles from a human-made pond on the property of Estación Biológica Monteverde. These tadpoles were given choices of feeding alone or in a group, and feeding with different group sizes. Individual tadpoles were placed in an aquarium with a built-in choice chamber, with a starting chamber that had two pathways that lead to the two different options. Overall, the tadpoles spent a greater amount of time remaining in the start of the aquarium than by the given options. These …
Sabertooth Blennies (Plagiotremus Azaleus) Benefit From Aggressive Mimicry And Schooling With Conspecifics, June 2019, Olivia A. Weaver
Sabertooth Blennies (Plagiotremus Azaleus) Benefit From Aggressive Mimicry And Schooling With Conspecifics, June 2019, Olivia A. Weaver
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Mimicry serves as a marker of a longstanding and evolutionary complex relationship, though studies on mimicry are notoriously difficult to execute, as there are many factors to consider. In interspecific relationships that are reported to exhibit both frequency dependent and frequency independent mimicries, evaluating the benefits of association are especially complex. The relationship between the Sabertooth Blenny Plagiotremus azaleus and the Cortez Rainbow Wrasse Thalassoma lucasanum is proposed to be one of both aggressive and social mimicry, with the former species acting as the mimic and the latter as the model. However, previous observations as well as my own have …
Foraging And Nesting Behavior Of Leafcutter Ants (Atta Cephalotes) In A Tropical Secondary Forest, June 2019, John Wade Carson
Foraging And Nesting Behavior Of Leafcutter Ants (Atta Cephalotes) In A Tropical Secondary Forest, June 2019, John Wade Carson
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
La Calandria Forest is a coffee plantation-turned-reforestation project located in Los Llanos, Monteverde, Costa Rica. One of the species that seems to be successful in this forest is Atta cephalotes leaf cutter ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). I studied A. cephalotes foraging and nesting behavior to better understand their ecological relationships within a tropical forest ecosystem. I recorded the location of A. cephalotes nests and foraging sites with a GPS, and then identified plant species that these leaf cutter ants foraged from. After collecting data for two weeks: I created a map of A. cephalotes nests and their corresponding foraging sites, calculated …
Tropical Bivalves In Extreme Storms: Survivorship And Filtration In Response To Salinity, June 2019, Haley Hudson
Tropical Bivalves In Extreme Storms: Survivorship And Filtration In Response To Salinity, June 2019, Haley Hudson
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Bivalve water filtration provides important ecosystem services that can help to offset anthropogenic pollution and other human induced ecosystem imbalances. Pinctada mazatlanica, Pteria sterna, and Modiolus capax are bivalves that grow on fish mariculture nets filtering fish feces from the water. Bivalves can help make fish mariculture a more sustainable alternative to overfishing. However, freshwater from extreme storms threaten these species. Tropical Storm Nate caused salinity changes in marine ecosystems resulting in widespread destruction. Little was known about how Tropical Storm Nate affected bivalves. In my study, I addressed the question: How are survivorship and filtration rates of Pinctada mazatlanica, …
Mangroves Have More Morpho-Species Of Fish Larvae Than Bays, June 2019, Richard R. Urbina
Mangroves Have More Morpho-Species Of Fish Larvae Than Bays, June 2019, Richard R. Urbina
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Mangroves are known to be a nursery to fishes and other animals, but they have not been as studied as other ecosystems in the world. This study is about learning the difference in the number of fish species of the mangroves compared to the bays. I went out at night with a boat and a plankton net to tow in the mangroves and the bays near Cuajiniquil, Costa Rica. Afterwards I compared the number of morpho-species of the mangroves and the bays. There was a difference in the number of morpho-species with the mangrove having 12, the bay having 3 …
Azteca Ants Inhabiting Cecropia Trees Are Moving Up In Elevation In Monteverde, June 2019, Meghan R. Garfink
Azteca Ants Inhabiting Cecropia Trees Are Moving Up In Elevation In Monteverde, June 2019, Meghan R. Garfink
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Global climate change impacts ecological relationships of all taxa and kingdoms, yet little has been documented of the impact on insects. This study documents the changing elevational range of four Azteca ant species in Cecropia trees in the Monteverde cloud forest. In Monteverde, Costa Rica, many species of Cecropia form a mutualism with Azteca in which ants receive nutrients in exchange for protection of the tree. Data was collected in May 2019 and compared to similar studies done in 1989 (Longino), 2003 (Mazzei), 2008 (Loope), and 2016 (Jensen). Since 1989, maximum elevational range of Azteca increased by 132 meters. Average …
Influence Of Co-Digestion And Water Content On Biodigester Gas Production, June 2019, Madeleine Gregory
Influence Of Co-Digestion And Water Content On Biodigester Gas Production, June 2019, Madeleine Gregory
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Excess livestock waste can pollute water sources. Limited access to clean energy leads to burning of fossil fuels such as propane. Biodigesters treat animal manure, converting it into a nutrient-rich fertilizer and methane gas for fuel. I tested different substrate mixtures (including pig manure co-digested with goat manure, chicken manure, and whey) in a lab setting, measuring methanogenic potential of each treatment in order to test one in the biodigester. I also tested the effect of water-towaste ratio on gas production. Treatments containing pig manure, either alone or codigested with other manure types, produced the most gas. Mixtures containing whey …
Giant Damselfish Display More Nest Aggression Towards Acapulco Damselfish Than Conspecifics, June 2019, Samantha V. Abarca, Camille A. Ornburn
Giant Damselfish Display More Nest Aggression Towards Acapulco Damselfish Than Conspecifics, June 2019, Samantha V. Abarca, Camille A. Ornburn
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Species of the family Pomacentridae, including damselfishes, provide parental care and show territorial behavior. Microspathodon dorsalis, Giant damselfishes, are known to be especially territorial within their nesting sites and will attack other species that go within a few meters of their nests. Another species known as Stegastes acapulcoensis, Acapulco damselfish, are often seen to inhabit near the Giant damselfish nests. From 11 May 2019 to 18 May 2019, we studied the aggressive behavior of Giant damselfish and Acapulco damselfish at multiple sites on the coast of Cuajiniquil, including Bajo Rojo, Bahía Thomas, and Jack’s Point. We observed how often Giant …
From Reforestation To Research Duke Engage 2018 Symposium, 2018, Tevin Brown, Grant Larson, Sofia Calvo
From Reforestation To Research Duke Engage 2018 Symposium, 2018, Tevin Brown, Grant Larson, Sofia Calvo
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Research question: Does the new forest provide the same services and functions as the secondary forest?
The Effects Of Forest Fragmentation On Avian Nest Predation In The Monteverde Region, June 2018, Sara Gibbons
The Effects Of Forest Fragmentation On Avian Nest Predation In The Monteverde Region, June 2018, Sara Gibbons
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Habitat fragmentation is the division and reduction of a large, continuous area of habitat into smaller pieces. In nearly all cases tropical rain forest fragmentation has led to a loss of local species due to an increase in predators, a shift in microclimate, and a decrease in habitat area. Forested avian species are especially affected, showing a significant decrease in abundance and nest success in forest fragments. I investigated the predation rates on thrush nests in two fragmented sites. The first site was La Calandria, which is an isolated forest patch. The second site was Bajo Del Tigre which is …
Growth Variation Of Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) And Cilantro (Coriandrum Sativum) Seedlings With Different Types Of Compost, June 2018, Ashley Anderson
Growth Variation Of Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) And Cilantro (Coriandrum Sativum) Seedlings With Different Types Of Compost, June 2018, Ashley Anderson
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Compost is decomposed organic material from households, farms, and restaurants. Compost is used in organic agriculture to replenish the soil with nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. There are different methods of composting, such as bokashi fermentation, aerobic decomposition, and vermicomposting. Each method of composting as well as the composition of compost provides plants with a different proportion of nutrients. The purpose of this study was to compare the growth of cilantro and lettuce seedlings in five types of compost, manure compost, coffee vermicompost, food waste vermicompost, food waste compost, fish feces, and a control of just soil. …
Euglossine Bee Composition Along An Altitudinal Gradient On The Caribbean And Pacific Slopes Of The Tilarán Mountains, Costa Rica, June 2018, Sakoya Hart
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Bees not only contribute significantly to ecosystem biodiversity, but as pollinators they are responsible for facilitating the reproductive processes of many tropical forest plants. As tropical forests are fragmented and destroyed, euglossine bees are under increasing threat of habitat loss and population declines. Understanding their altitudinal and geographical distributions is a critical aspect needed for future conservation efforts. I sampled at four different altitudes along the Pacific slope and three different altitudes along the Caribbean slope. I used three different chemical scents: Methyl Salicylate, Eugenol, and Cineole, as baits to attract male Euglossine bees to sample their populations. The chemical …
Avian Frugivory And Displays Of Aggression On Güitite (Acnistus Arborescens) In Monteverde, Costa Rica, June 2018, Lyubov Kaplanskaya
Avian Frugivory And Displays Of Aggression On Güitite (Acnistus Arborescens) In Monteverde, Costa Rica, June 2018, Lyubov Kaplanskaya
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Competition for food is evident in many living beings and essential for the continuous survival of a species. Some animals will show dominance or aggression by scaring other animals away that are at or near their food source. I observed trees of the species Acnistus arborescens (Güitite), from the Solanaceae family, for two weeks in order to learn more about what species of birds feed on its orange fruits, where on the tree they feed, and if they show aggression by flying onto the tree towards other birds, defined as the other birds flying away subsequently. I conducted my observational …
Microfiber Density In Relation To Elevation And Pollution Source In Two Freshwater Streams In Monteverde, Costa Rica, June 2018, Madison Juul
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Freshwater streams and rivers are known pathways of microplastics, and account for between 1.14 and 2.4 million tons of plastics that end up in oceans. Among these microplastics are synthetic microfibers, which can shed directly from clothing or break off from larger pieces of plastic. Microfiber durability and small size makes particles difficult to remove and increases the likelihood of harming aquatic organisms. Despite their prevalence in waterways, few studies have been conducted regarding the impact of microplastic materials on freshwater ecosystems. The aim of this study was to determine the presence and pervasiveness of microfiber particles in Quebrada Cuecha …
Reasons For Movement In Hermit Crabs, Coenobita Compressus, June 2018, Alexandra K. Lee
Reasons For Movement In Hermit Crabs, Coenobita Compressus, June 2018, Alexandra K. Lee
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Coenobita compressus, more commonly known as the Ecuadorian hermit crab, can be found across the pacific coast of Costa Rica. If you go to a beach along this coast, you often see these crabs walking around in all directions without clear aim. In my study, I examined the reasons for these crabs’ movement, and hypothesized that they were motivated by food, water, shells, and sun avoidance. I offered crabs shells and food and monitored their behavior before and after. If the hermit crabs’ movement was motivated after I provided them with said food or shells, and their movement should slow …
Life History Of Charoxus Rove Beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) In Ficus Pertusa (Moraceae), June 2018, Sydney Schalk
Life History Of Charoxus Rove Beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) In Ficus Pertusa (Moraceae), June 2018, Sydney Schalk
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Rove beetles of the genus Charoxus are a group that takes advantage of the obligate mutualistic relationship between fig trees (Ficus sp.) and their pollinating Agaonidae wasps. I examined 101 fig syconia from the species Ficus pertusa and recorded the number of living fig wasps, the stage of development of the fig, the numbers and morphs of beetles found, and the presence of a hole in the fig. I found a relationship between the stage of fig development and how common fig wasps and rove beetles were. I also found a relationship between the number of fig wasps in a …
Food Finding Using Olfaction By Scorpion Mud Turtles (Kinosternon Scorpioides), June 2018, Megan M. Graham
Food Finding Using Olfaction By Scorpion Mud Turtles (Kinosternon Scorpioides), June 2018, Megan M. Graham
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
The mechanism used to locate food varies between animals, whether it be by olfaction, vision, hearing, touch, taste, or some combination of these. Many turtle species rely on vision and olfaction to find prey. I designed an experiment to test if scorpion mud turtles (Kinosternon scorpioides) can find food using olfaction by placing the turtles in Rio Cuajiniquil with three nondescript capsules containing sardine chunks and three empty, control capsules. Observations of six turtles’ interactions with the capsules suggested that they can locate food through olfaction; however, only one statistical analysis was significant which was that the turtles were more …
Sea Urchins Reduce Fish Grazing On Algae, June 2018, Alice Beittel
Sea Urchins Reduce Fish Grazing On Algae, June 2018, Alice Beittel
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Overfishing of reef ecosystems poses a threat to key trophic interactions that regulate the food competition between fish and the sea urchin, Diadema mexicanum. An important ecosystem engineer, D. mexicanum can help control for positive coral growth at intermediate levels but at high levels can erode coral reefs and at low levels results in algae dominated reefs. Due to the overfishing of echinoderm-predators in Bahía de Cuajiniquil, Costa Rica. D. mexicanum populations are less regulated and have the potential to outcompete other herbivorous fish. My overarching question is how does Diadema mexicanum grazing impact fish feeding intensity? To answer this …