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Ant (Formicidae) Diversity, Species Richness, And Abundance In Response To Different Food Sources, August 2004, Sarah A. Wyatt
Ant (Formicidae) Diversity, Species Richness, And Abundance In Response To Different Food Sources, August 2004, Sarah A. Wyatt
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
More than 500 species of ants (family Formicidae: order Hymenoptera) have been found in Costa Rica (Gauld & Hanson 2000), and 46 of the 80 genera found in Costa Rica are known to live in the Monteverde area (Longino 2000). Some species of ants are known to exhibit food preferences for or against sugar and/or specific prey taxa (Dejean et al. 1999). The purpose of this study was to determine if species richness and diversity change in response to varying bait in traps. One hundred and twenty traps containing one of 6 kinds of bait (crustaceans, tuna, honey, peanut butter, …
Nocturnal Vs. Diurnal Insect Diversity Within Tropical Montane Forest Canopy, August 2004, Michael Rosenthal
Nocturnal Vs. Diurnal Insect Diversity Within Tropical Montane Forest Canopy, August 2004, Michael Rosenthal
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Tropical forest canopies are unique environments with complex interactions, allowing for high levels of specialization for insects. The purpose of this study was to test whether increased specialization has created differences in species richness and diversity between nocturnal and diurnal canopy insects. To test this, insects were collected from six trees using suspended traps containing three types of bait (carrion, rotten fruit, and specific scents that attract euglossine bees). Diversity and species richness was quantified for diurnal and nocturnal traps of all three baits and for total number of insects collected diurnally and nocturnally. The results showed that on all …
A Comparison Of Moth Diversity And Abundance Along An Altitudinal Gradient In Monteverde, Costa Rica, August 2004, Katie Swartz
A Comparison Of Moth Diversity And Abundance Along An Altitudinal Gradient In Monteverde, Costa Rica, August 2004, Katie Swartz
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Costa Rica has high moth (Lepidoptera) diversity, with relatively little known about its distribution (Hanson 2000). Insects tend to decrease in richness and abundance along an altitudinal gradient (Brehm and Fiedler 2003). Lepidopterans are important indicators of environmental health, important herbivores, vital prey species, and a large draw for the country’s main source of income, ecotourists. The purpose of this study was to compare moth diversity and abundance at varying altitudes. Moths were trapped using an ultra violet light and a sheet at three different altitudes (1530 m, 1639 m, and 1759 m) over six nights between July 26th and …
Dung Beetle Response In Relationship To Manure Location, August 2004, Margaret Quinn
Dung Beetle Response In Relationship To Manure Location, August 2004, Margaret Quinn
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Dung beetle ecology is an integral part of nutrient cycling within ecosystems around the world. Farms benefit from the decomposer action of dung beetles from the nutrients imputed into the soil and the breakdown of helminthes parasites. This study analyzed the effects of varying dung location within pastures on dung beetle response. It was hypothesized that cow manure closer to forest edges would elicit a greater response than manure located further away. Also, manure located near an edge would elicit a greater beetle response overall when compared to manure in the middle of the pasture. Three pastures located in San …
Observational Analysis Of Insect Diversity, Richness, And Abundance On The Fungus, Auricularia Delicata (Basiodiomycata), August 2004, Megan Scott
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Fungi are important to ecosystems because of their ability to release nutrients back into the environment and their relationships with insects. This study determined the diversity and richness of insects attracted to Auricularia delicata and related it to external conditions. Eleven colonies of Auricularia delicata were located near the Estación Biológica de Monteverde and observed to determine the morphospecies and abundance of insects present. The results illustrated that insect abundance significantly increased with species diversity (RS = 0.778, P = 0.0001.) Insect abundance significantly increased with colony surface area (RS = 0.659, P = 0.0371) and number of fruiting bodies …
The Effects Of Elevation On Epiphyte Richness And Density On Cloud Forest Tree Ferns (Cyatheaceae And Dicksoniaceae), August 2004, Chad Taylor
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Epiphytes play an integral role in nutrient cycling in tropical rainforests and are often found on the trunks of tree ferns. This study examined the role of elevation on epiphyte load on tree ferns. Ninety-six tree ferns were examined along an elevational gradient, and data were collected regarding the identity and dimensions of the trees as well as their elevations and the number and type of epiphytes on their trunks. Epiphyte abundance was not significantly correlated with elevation, but epiphyte load was significantly related to tree fern morphology. The Alsophila, whose spines likely provide a prime habitat for epiphytes, possessed …
The Effects Of Predator Presence On Nectarivorous Bat Foraging Behavior, August 2004, Rachael Heuer
The Effects Of Predator Presence On Nectarivorous Bat Foraging Behavior, August 2004, Rachael Heuer
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
For many species, predator avoidance changes normal foraging behavior, altering optimal foraging strategies. In this study, foraging behavior of bats was examined by observing the number of feeding visits to control feeders in comparison to feeders with an artificial snake or owl in close proximity. Trials were also performed between snake and owl treatments to determine if one predator was more strongly avoided during feeding. Nectarivorous bats were found to exhibit predator avoidance behaviors for both snake and owl predators (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in trials comparing owl and snake avoidance, suggesting that bats do not fear one more than the other (P = 0.947). This study shows that predator presence must be taken into account along with search time, handling time, and caloric reward when evaluating optimal foraging models with necatarivorous bats.
Aggressive Behavior Of Hummingbirds And Their Response To Nectar Concentrations, August 2004, Emily Matheson
Aggressive Behavior Of Hummingbirds And Their Response To Nectar Concentrations, August 2004, Emily Matheson
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
As pollinators of many flowers in Costa Rica, the foraging behavior of hummingbirds has been studied many times in the past. The Monteverde area hosts many different hummingbird species all throughout the year. Over time, as the landscape changes and flower abundance fluctuates, it is necessary to study their competitive interactions as well as their abilities to respond to these changes. This particular study quantified aggressiveness in four hummingbird species at feeders in Monteverde. Response to a change in nectar concentration (30% to 10%) was also quantified and then compared between each species (Lampornis calolaema, Eupherusa eximia, Campylopterus hemilecurus, and …
Bromeliad Arthropod Diversity In A Regenerating Pasture Adjacent To A Tropical Montane Forest, Costa Rica, August 2004, Ann Willow Jorgenson
Bromeliad Arthropod Diversity In A Regenerating Pasture Adjacent To A Tropical Montane Forest, Costa Rica, August 2004, Ann Willow Jorgenson
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Tank bromeliads (Bromeliaceae, Vriesea sp.) harbor diverse faunal communities. A total of 426 arthropods assigned to 62 different morphospecies were collected and identified to taxonomic order. The composition of bromeliad arthropod fauna was investigated in an open pasture to see whether arthropod diversity or richness correlated with distance from the forest edge. Neither arthropod richness nor diversity was found to significantly correlate with distance from the forest edge. These results are discussed in relation to island biogeography theory and the ecological implications of arthropod diversity are considered.
Fruit Species Preference In Mountain Robins (Turdus Plebejus), August 2004, Leah Bomberger
Fruit Species Preference In Mountain Robins (Turdus Plebejus), August 2004, Leah Bomberger
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
The Mountain Robin (Turdus plebejus, Turdidae) (in the Monteverde region in Costa Rica) is an opportunistic feeder and an important disperser for many plant species. This study examined fruit preference of the Mountain Robin between three species of plants: Viburnum costaricanum, Chamaedorea costaricana, and Chamaedorea pinnatifrons. A significant preference was found for C. costaricana over C. pinnatifrons (P = 0.040). These results indicate that C. costaricana offers a higher reward and may attract more dispersers than C. pinnatifrons or V. costaricana.
Effect Of Ficus Tuerckheimii Diameter, Host Tree Presence, Habitat And Orientation On Epiphyte Diversity And Abundance, August 2004, Christina Tierno
Effect Of Ficus Tuerckheimii Diameter, Host Tree Presence, Habitat And Orientation On Epiphyte Diversity And Abundance, August 2004, Christina Tierno
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Ficus tuerckheimii, a species of strangler fig found in the cloud forests of Monteverde, is a keystone species for a multitude of animals as well as epiphytic plants. In the study, epiphyte richness on Ficus tuerckheimii was analyzed in order to determine if epiphyte species richness was related to elevation, circumference, hollowness, location, percent of area covered by epiphytes and compass point orientation. Thirty Ficus tuerckheimii were studied in pasture and forest areas between 1400-1500 m elevations. A significant relationship was found between epiphyte species richness in forest habitats versus open (Mann Whitney U=28, P=.0083). Significance was also found between …
The Effect Of Abiotic Factors On The Distribution Of Cerrorchestia Hyloraina (Taltridae) Above And Below The Monteverde Cheese Factory, August 2004, Vanessa Cervantes
The Effect Of Abiotic Factors On The Distribution Of Cerrorchestia Hyloraina (Taltridae) Above And Below The Monteverde Cheese Factory, August 2004, Vanessa Cervantes
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Taltrid amphipods are terrestrial crustaceans known to favor moist habitats and feed off of decaying matter. They have been found infesting caves, beaches, and garden leaf litter. Within the past three years, the Cerrorchestia hyloraina (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Taltridae) population local to the Monteverde area has exploded due to changes in unknown biotic and/or abiotic factors. Three abiotic factors (distance from river, soil moisture, and temperature) were tested at two different sites: one above and one below the Monteverde Cheese Factory (MCF). Taltrid density was significantly higher below (251.800 ± 170.811 taltrids/trap) the MCF than above (1.619 ± 1.910 taltrids/trap, Mann-Whitney …
The Effectiveness Of The Mountain Robin (Turdus Plebejus) As A Seed Disperser In The Monteverde Area, August 2004, Sean Brady
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Quantitative and qualitative factors are important in determining the effectiveness with which bird species disperse seeds. This study examined several factors that may influence the quantitative component of dispersal in the mountain robin. Regurgitation times of three common fruits in the area were examined. Additionally, the size at which seeds transition from being regurgitated to defecated was studied. Results show that regurgitation times between these three fruits do not differ significantly. However, there was a significant difference in the size of regurgitated (X = 5.97 mm ± 2.17 mm) and defecated seeds (X = 4.25 mm ± 2.55 mm) (t …
A Lesson On Symbiotic Interactions For The Centro De Educación Creativa, August 2004, Melissa Reimer
A Lesson On Symbiotic Interactions For The Centro De Educación Creativa, August 2004, Melissa Reimer
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Symbiotic interactions represent the complexity of the functions of tropical ecosystems. Many of these symbiotic interactions are found in the cloud forest. In order to educate students about the importance of these interactions, research was conducted on symbiotic interactions found in the Monteverde area and a lesson plan was created. This lesson plan was created for Centro de Educación Creativa (C.E.C.) a private school in Monteverde, intended for integration into the 6th grade theme four titled “Ecosystem and Relationships in Nature.” It consists of a three-day series of lessons addressing the symbiotic interactions that occur in the cloud forest, including …
Response To Changes In Location Of Nectar Source By Xylophanes Acrus (Sphyngidae) As A Measure Of “Spatial Memory”, August 2004, James T. Murphy
Response To Changes In Location Of Nectar Source By Xylophanes Acrus (Sphyngidae) As A Measure Of “Spatial Memory”, August 2004, James T. Murphy
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
Moths in the family Sphyngidae are known to expend a considerable amount of energy in locating food resources. Considering the high investment of energy required to locate food resources within large areas, a valuable adaptation to aid in more efficiently locating resources might be the ability to “remember” resource locations in order to relocate them when necessary. The purpose of this study was to determine how Xylophanes acrus would respond to sensory cues and if these responses indicated an ability to develop a “spatial memory” for locations of nectar sources. Xylophanes acrus responses to artificial nectar sources were elicited using …
Changes In Saprophytic Fungal Community Structure In Response To Variations In Moisture Content, August 2004, Jessica Gellings
Changes In Saprophytic Fungal Community Structure In Response To Variations In Moisture Content, August 2004, Jessica Gellings
Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]
This study examined community structure of fungal species on dead wood substrates of different moisture contents in Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Forty-five different samples of dead wood substrate were located in the cloud forest and sampled for abundance of fungi individuals and number of fungal morphospecies. Penetrability as a measure of moisture content, surface area, and percent of epiphytic and lichen cover were also recorded for each sample of dead wood substrate. A total of 42 morphospecies were found, with only three of them overlapping between hard and soft substrates. Significant negative correlations were found between penetrability and abundance of …