Caribbean Journal of Science最新文献

{"title":"Geographic Distribution of the Puerto Rican Harlequin Butterfly (Atlantea tulita): an Ensemble Modeling Approach","authors":"Carlos Ramirez‐Reyes, F. J. Vilella, K. Evans, Garrett M. Street, C. Pacheco, O. Monzon, A. Morales","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v53i1.a3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v53i1.a3","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Species distribution models have become increasingly important tools for species conservation. This modeling approach can help guide conservation practitioners and inform decisions. Distribution models are particularly relevant for rare species, whose habitat associations are often not well understood. Using species occurrence data, and a variety of predictor variables, we developed three individual distribution models and a weighted ensemble model for the Puerto Rican harlequin butterfly (Atlantea tulita). The ensemble model had the greatest accuracy (AUC = 0.92). Further, the ensemble model indicated 7.1% of the main island of Puerto Rico encompassed suitable habitat for the harlequin butterfly. However, only 0.5% was classified as including the greatest suitability. Using an ensemble modeling approach to delineate areas of the island with suitable environmental conditions may improve habitat conservation efforts for the species.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2023-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47727091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Are Gasteromycetes Silent Helpers in Habitat Conservation?","authors":"Kiara L. Pérez Medina, H. Torres-Pratts, Sandra L. Maldonado Ramírez","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v53i1.a2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v53i1.a2","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The informal group of Basidiomycetes commonly known as Gasteromycetes, are now included in the sub-classes Agaricomycetidae and Phallomycetidae. These fungi are characterized mainly by distinctive enclosed fruiting bodies with a gleba that stores spores until maturity. For Puerto Rico, there is no official inventory of Gasteromycetes. To fulfill this need, a study was conducted within five different areas at the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Mature specimens were collected during twenty-eight fieldtrips between January, 2016 and July, 2017 from areas under three different conservation strategies. Throughout the visits there was a pattern of occurrence of various genera consistent with the season. Bovista, Cyathus, Rhizopogon, Tulostoma, and two unknown species were collected exclusively during the rainy season. Calvatia and Disciseda occurred only during the dry season. The presence of saprophytic and ectomycorrhizal Gasteromycetes is indicative of the success of the different conservation/restauration strategies implemented at the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge in Cabo Rojo.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2023-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43698034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Telemetry-Based Assessment of Home Range to Estimate the Abundance of Invasive Green Monkeys on St. Kitts","authors":"Kerry M. Dore, Christa A. Gallagher, A. Mill","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v53i1.a1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v53i1.a1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) have been a “pest” species on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts for hundreds of years, and data on their abundance are crucial to inform effective management strategies. To estimate population size, we present the first use of radio telemetry tracking technology combined with home range estimation and habitat analysis. We use detailed tracking information collected from 10 monkeys from nine different troops in four different biotic areas. For each tracked animal, bootstrapped Brownian bridge home range estimates were calculated from GPS positional data (90% with replacement) to quantify space use by troops. The home range area estimates for the different biotic areas were used to estimate the total troop number across the whole island based on land use cover. We modelled an estimate of population size accounting for variation in space use by troops, variation in troop number by biotic area, and uncertainty around number of individuals in a troop. Our results, which we will continue to refine with additional data, show that the 174 km2 island is home to between 690 and 929 monkey troops, or between 22,000 and 37,000 green monkeys.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2023-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44559961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First Record of a White Humpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, from the Eastern Tropical Pacific","authors":"J. M. Mora, Lucía I. López, Luis A. Cruz, G. Chaves","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a17","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Abnormal white vertebrates are a result of chromatic anomalies that may be associated to several genetic and environmental factors. On October 2, 2022 a Humpback Whale mother Megaptera novaeangliae and a white calf were observed in northwestern Costa Rica. This is the first record of a white Humpback Whale in the Eastern Pacific. This species is found in Costa Rican waters, where the Central American wintering ground of the North Pacific Humpback Whale overlaps the winter range of the Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whale. The calf is hypopigmented, without a clear conclusion about the exact chromatic abnormality determining its white coloration. Resumen Los vertebrados de coloración blanca anormal son el resultado de anomalías cromáticas que pueden estar asociadas a varios factores genéticos y ambientales. El 2 de octubre de 2022 se observaron una madre ballena jorobada Megaptera novaeangliae y una cría blanca en el noroeste de Costa Rica. Este es el primer registro de una ballena jorobada blanca en el Pacífico oriental. Esta especie se encuentra en aguas de Costa Rica, donde la zona de invernada de América Central de la ballena jorobada del Pacífico Norte se superpone con el área de distribución invernal de la ballena jorobada del hemisferio sur. El ballenato es hipopigmentado sin una conclusión clara sobre la anomalía cromática exacta que determina su coloración blanca.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47843275","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using DNA Barcoding to Identify Seafood Fraud in Puerto Rico","authors":"Natalie Báez Rodríguez, Chelsea A. Harms-Tuohy, N. Schizas","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a14","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract DNA barcoding is a powerful tool that can be effective for identifying unknown seafood samples when morphological characteristics are unreliable. Additionally, DNA barcoding has proven useful for identifying illegal trade such as commercial seafood fraud, and the technique has advanced such that it can be used to identify even highly processed products such as jerky, dog food, and cosmetics. In Puerto Rico, a popular local fried turnover called “empanadillas de chapín” are allegedly prepared using other fish or meat products as a substitute for the traditional smooth trunkfish (Lactophrys triqueter), known in Spanish as chapín. Sharks and rays are commonly sold for local cuisine; however, it is unknown which species of sharks or rays are being consumed. Driven by these unconfirmed reports of substitutions and the consumption of protected shark species, we sought to identify the prevalence of this allegedly common yet unverified type of seafood fraud, using DNA barcoding. Fifteen fish species were identified as substitutes for chapín including elasmobranchs and imported freshwater species. Furthermore, this molecular forensic technique also identified nine shark species sold as fillets in local cuisine, of which the majority were misidentified to the consumer. The meat source inside these fried turnovers and shark meat products could be identified even after it was cooked and visually unrecognizable. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that rays are being consumed in Puerto Rico, and confirms the report that a variety of native and imported fish are being substituted for chapín in the local cuisine.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42495414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of Underwater Visual Census (UVC), Underwater Remote Video (RUV), and Handline Used by Fisheries-Independent Programs to Assess Reef Fish","authors":"Leysa A. López-González, J. Cruz‐Motta, A. Rosario, Marcos Hanke, R. Appeldoorn","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a13","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Fisheries managers rely on independent programs to collect data to design and inform management plans and decisions. These programs aim to implement cost-effective, robust monitoring approaches to assess spatiotemporal changes in fish structure and composition using different methods, which could lead to different conclusions. We compared four methods: two types of underwater visual censuses (UVC) (i.e. transect and roving), remote underwater video (RUV), and fishing using handline (HL) to characterize differences, identify potential complementarities, and estimate relative precision among them. All methods were simultaneously performed on 13 sites in Fajardo, eastern Puerto Rico for a total of 26 visits, and nine sites in La Parguera Natural Reserve (LPNR), western Puerto Rico for a total of 43 visits. Multivariate analysis revealed significant dissimilarities between all methods, with higher species diversity, abundances, and biomass observed in UVC and RUV. Patterns of spatial and temporal variation detected with UVC and RUV were significantly correlated among them, but not with HL. Univariate analysis for commercially important species showed that UVC and RUV methods were more precise and time efficient than HL. Complementarity between UVC and RUV was observed with the latter increasing the diversity observed during surveys. This study showed that UVC and RUV were different, however, they can be used complementarily they were significantly correlated. HL should be used when additional information (e.g. sex and age) is needed. A multi-gear approach with increased use in RUVs is recommended depending on the aims of the study to precisely assess a broader diversity.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48427235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Feeding Ecology of Four Species of Mojarras (Family: Gerreidae) Inhabiting a Brackish Water Stream in Jamaica","authors":"Tremaine Bowman, E. Hyslop","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a15","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a15","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The feeding ecology of four co-occurring mojarra species, Eucinostomus argenteus, Diapterus auratus, Gerres cinereus, and Diapterus rhombeus in a shallow, brackish water, tropical stream on the south coast of Jamaica was studied. Stomach content analyses were performed, and these revealed that the fishes have a primarily zoobenthic diet. Both juveniles and sub-adults of the four species feed significantly on cyclopoid copepods, but in varying amounts. Invertebrate eggs, nematodes, algae (both filamentous and unicellular), and amorphous organic matter were shown to be of significant importance in the diets as well. The working hypothesis is that these four species of mojarras vary their diet interspecifically and intraspecifically to decrease competition within this habitat.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46460438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"“Out of Cuba” – The Additional Botanical Expeditions of Brother Marie-Victorin Across the Caribbean (1940–1942)","authors":"Nathalie Saliba, N. André, Geoffrey Hall, M. Oatham, K. Campbell, F. Jiménez, William Cinea, Eugenio Santiago‐Valentín, Brett Jestrow, Liesl Picard, J. Francisco‐Ortega","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a12","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Brother Marie-Victorin was the founder of the Montreal Botanical Garden, and one of the most important figures in the botanical history of Canada. Between 1938 and 1944, he undertook seven major plant exploration expeditions to Cuba that resulted in the discovery of several new Cuban endemics. Archival research carried out in the Division de la Gestion de Documents et des Archives (University of Montreal) revealed that during his voyages to Cuba, he made three major side-trips in 1940, 1941, and 1942 to other regions of the Caribbean. Specifically to Barranquilla (Colombia), Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, and Yucatan (Mexico). We could not find any of his written accounts of his 1940 voyage to the Yucatan; however, we were able to find a collection of photographic slides. An unpublished 33-page travelogue of his 1941 trip to Colombia, Jamaica, and Trinidad was discovered, studied, and translated into English, with annotations. Furthermore, we examined and interpreted two of his published papers that described the 1942 visits to Haiti and Puerto Rico. During these three “out-of-Cuba” voyages, no plant material was collected; however, Brother Marie-Victorin's written accounts and the 502 photos that he took provide unique insights into Caribbean society of the 1940s, as well as on the naturalists and botanists working in the region, and the plants and habitats they encountered. Brother Marie-Victorin's records highlight racial discrimination against those of African descent in Jamaica and Trinidad. It appears that these trips did not lead to major botanical research initiatives. Furthermore, the few collections that he made for potential propagation in botanic gardens or botanical institutes are not currently being grown any longer. The trips had clear leisure aims and they were centered on learning about the society, the flora, and plant science research activities of the visited areas.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42566462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Longevity, Philopatric Behavior, and Health Condition of the Mona Island Iguana Cyclura stejnegeri","authors":"N. Pérez-Buitrago, C. Díez, A. Sabat, Pilar Angulo-Sandoval","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a9","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The critically endangered Mona Island iguana, Cyclura stejnegeri, is threatened by nest predation by feral pigs, invasive plants that reduce nesting area, and high juvenile mortality. Even though studies in the last 45 years have been sporadic, they had led to different management actions such as protecting nesting areas from feral pig incursion and expanding suitable nesting sites by eradicating the Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia) and other invasive plant species. In addition, from 1999 to 2016 a head-start program (HST) was implemented, to increase the recruitment and survival of juvenile iguanas. In 2021, we conducted a 10-week mark-recapture study to survey the population. Data obtained suggest that the Mona iguana lifespans can exceed 32 years, iguanas are very philopatric staying in the same areas over many years, and that health parameters for HST individuals are similar to those of wild ones. These findings provide new information that should be considered when implementing management actions directed at guaranteeing the survival of the Mona iguana.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49146358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Importance of Urban Green Spaces for Pollinating Insects: The Case of the Metropolitan Area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti","authors":"Pierre Michard Beaujour, F. Cézilly","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a11","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The relative contribution of urban agriculture vs. urban forest remnants to the preservation of insect diversity in large cities, particularly in developing countries in the tropics, remains poorly documented. We assessed the distribution of pollinating insect orders in the densely-populated capital city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world. From early January to late April 2018, a survey was conducted in 16 urban green sites, consisting of eight unexploited, private secondary forest remnants (Fo) and eight agroforestry plantations (Ag) embedded within the urban landscape. At each site, we relied on coloured pan traps as an efficient way to sample pollinating insects during three different 24 hour sampling sessions. Overall, we collected a total of 2,747 pollinating insects, belonging to six different orders (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, and Thysanoptera). Site area, site elevation, and percentage of built area within a 500 m radius had no significant influence on the total number of insects collected at each site. Insect order richness was significantly higher at Ag sites compared to Fo ones. Although it was not possible to identify all collected insects at the family or species level, we collected two Lepidopteran species of patrimonial interest, the Hispaniolan-endemic Zetides Swallowtail, Battus zetides, and the Jaeger's anetia, Anetia jaegeri, in our pan traps during the course of the survey. We discuss our results in relation to the value of urban green spaces for the conservation of pollinating insects and particular characteristics of the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44779462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}