Caribbean Journal of Science最新文献

{"title":"Application of a Sequential Methodology for the Digital Processing of Rock Art Images in the Isthmus of Panama","authors":"A. Mojica, R. Villarreal, T. Mendizábal, Leomar Acosta, C. Ho","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a10","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This work presents the results of the application of a series of sequential analyses of a digital image of rock art obtained at the Piedra del Sol site, located in central Panama. In this sequence, we propose the application of (i) median filtering for the elimination of high-frequency components present in the original image; (ii) a process of stretching histogram that seeks to improve the contrast of the image by means of stretching of the range of density values; (iii) a simple thresholding process where the grayscale image is converted to a binary or two-level scale; (iv) edge detection using several computational codes based on image segmentation; and (v) a negative representation of the obtained edges. The structure of the sequential code used in this study is based on MATLAB functions. The detection of the edges of the images obtained over the nine threshold levels between 0 and 1, as a product of the result obtained from the histogram stretching process by defining a window of maximum and minimum intensities of [0 0.7] and [0.7 0], which, in turn, of the application of the filter through the median for a mask (2 × 2), allowed us to better define the elements that characterize the rock art of Piedra del Sol. In summary, this low-cost technique can offer valuable information on rock art, starting a complete database of these cultural features made by the ancient indigenous societies of the Isthmus of Panama.","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":"47333317","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":"A Comparison of Circle and J Hook Performance Within the Grenadian Pelagic Longline Fishery","authors":"A. Burns, D. Kerstetter","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a6","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The use of circle hooks in pelagic longline fisheries has often been proposed as a minimally disruptive means to minimize bycatch mortality. However, most studies have been in large scale fisheries, not the small-vessel fleets seen in many Caribbean countries. Size 16/0 circle hooks and 9/0 J hooks were alternated over 26 sets to assess the performance of circle hooks in the Grenadian pelagic longline fishery. Catch, mortality, hook location, length, and grade of fish were compared between hook types. No species-specific differences in at-vessel mortality rate or yellowfin tuna grade were found between hook types. However, significantly fewer billfish collectively (t = 2.36, p = 0.028), and sailfish specifically (t = 3.04, p = 0.005), were caught on circle hooks. Additionally, tunas caught with circle hooks had a 69% greater chance of external hooking compared to J hooks (χ2 = 4.38, p = 0.036). All other species analyzed had similar catch rates regardless of hook type (p < 0.05), including yellowfin tuna. The results of this study suggest that the Grenadian pelagic longline fishery – and other Caribbean fleets, by extension – could reduce impacts on billfish stocks by using 16/0 circle hooks without incurring negative effects on yellowfin tuna catch rate or grade. With many bycatch species populations at depressed levels, these results also provide further evidence that circle hooks should be the recommended terminal gear type when using a bycatch mitigation approach to manage pelagic longline fisheries while maintaining target catches for local and export markets.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46726420","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":"Predation of a Juvenile Iguana rhinolopha (Squamata: Iguanidae) by Basiliscus plumifrons (Squamata: Corytophanidae) in the Costa Rican Rainforest","authors":"Randy Alvarado, Elián Villalobos Alvarado, Lucía I. López, Dinia Umaña, J. M. Mora","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a7","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Lizards play key roles in ecosystems where they are prey for a wide variety of predators, including snakes, other lizards, mammals, birds, and invertebrates. The Green Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons; Squamata: Iguania: Corytophanidae) and the Green Iguana (Iguana rhinolopha; Squamata: Iguania: Iguanidae) are two large lizards usually found sympatrically in the lowland humid forests of Central America, and show the same diurnal, arboreal habits; both species are found near bodies of water. Male Green Iguanas can reach two meters in length; females up to 1.4 m. This species possesses a notable crest of comb–like spines along the neck, back, and tail, and a greatly enlarged smooth scale on the side of the throat. It is green, particularly so the juvenile individuals, and they commonly develop darker wavy transverse dorsal crossbands. The Green Basilisk can exceed 0.9 m in total length, although females are shorter. The coloration is emerald green with strikingly yellow eyes and conspicuous crests are present on the head, dorsum, and tail. This species feeds mainly on insects and other arthropods, but it also consumes flowers and fruits and occasionally eats vertebrates such as small lizards. On July 11, 2022 at 09:36 h we observed an adult Green Basilisk preying on a young Green Iguana at Selva Verde Lodge, located in tropical wet forest in northern Costa Rica. Herein, we present the details of this event in the context of lizard predatory encounters. Resumen Las lagartijas juegan un papel clave en los ecosistemas en los cuales son presa de una gran variedad de predadores tales como serpientes, otras lagartijas, mamíferos, aves e invertebrados. El basilisco verde (Basiliscus plumifrons; Squamata: Iguania: Corytophanidae) y la iguana verde (Iguana rhinolopha; Squamata: Iguania: Iguanidae) son dos lagartijas grandes que suelen encontrarse en simpatría en los bosques húmedos de tierras bajas de América Central y presentan los mismos hábitos diurnos y arbóreos; ambas especies se encuentran cerca de cuerpos de agua. Los machos de la iguana verde pueden alcanzar dos metros de longitud, mientras que las hembras alcanzan 1.4 m. Esta especie presenta una notable cresta de espinas en forma de peine en el cuello, la espalda y la cola, y una escama lisa muy agrandada en el costado de la garganta. Es verde, en particular los individuos juveniles, comúnmente con bandas cruzadas dorsales transversales oscuras y onduladas. El basilisco verde puede superar los 0.9 m de longitud total, aunque las hembras son más pequeñas. Es de color verde esmeralda con ojos amarillos notables y crestas conspicuas en la cabeza, el dorso y la cola. Se alimenta principalmente de insectos y otros artrópodos, pero también consume flores y frutos y ocasionalmente vertebrados como pequeñas lagartijas. El 11 de julio de 2022 a las 09:36 h observamos un basilisco verde adulto depredando a un neonato de iguana verde en Selva Verde Lodge en el Bosque Húmedo Tropical del norte de Cost","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44282067","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":"A New Miniature Melocactus (Cactaceae) from Puerto Rico","authors":"Andrew Gdaniec, P. Hoxey, J. Ackerman, A. Culham","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a8","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract A new species of Melocactus is described from Puerto Rico. This miniature species, with a stem no more than 70 mm in diameter, is of uncertain affiliation but is unlikely to be a close relative of M. intortus, the only other Melocactus known from Puerto Rico, due to the lack of a pink-coloured stigma, smaller stem dimensions and distinct seed structure. There are morphological similarities with some other Caribbean species: M. lemairei and M. praerupticola of Hispaniola, and M. guitartii (= M. curvispinus) from Cuba.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42192130","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":"Simulated Green Turtle Grazing Reduces Seagrass Productivity and Alters Benthic Community Structure While Triggering Further Disturbance by Feeding Stingrays","authors":"A. Cannon, Michael G. Hynes, Mackenzie Brandt, Christian Wold, A. O’Dea, A. Altieri, J. Smith","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a16","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a16","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract While green turtles (Chelonia mydas) were once abundant throughout the Caribbean, over-exploitation has dramatically reduced their numbers. We conducted a 168-day simulated grazing experiment to determine how loss of this once-abundant mega-herbivore could have affected the productivity and community composition of Thalassia testudinum-dominated seagrass beds in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Simulated grazing reduced both percent cover and productivity of T. testudinum. High runoff and local pollution from industrial farming may limit light availability and reduce seagrass photosynthetic performance to replace biomass lost to simulated grazing. Other seagrass species and algae failed to colonize space opened by reductions in T. testudinum percent cover. Many plots subjected to simulated grazing were also bioturbated by stingrays. Relevance of these findings to balancing sea turtle and seagrass conservation efforts are discussed.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43795779","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":"Checklist of Carabidae, the Ground Beetles, of Jamaica","authors":"Athol Hamilton, Tannice A. Hall, E. Garraway","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a5","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Carabidae is a large worldwide family of long legged, fast running beetles (Order Coleoptera). While the carabid fauna of Jamaica has been studied by various authors, here we present the first comprehensive checklist of the Carabidae family for the island. Included are 148 species from 59 genera and 28 tribes.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41967176","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":"Evidence of Spatial Stability in Core Fauna Community Structure of Holopelagic Sargassum","authors":"Dayna S Hunn, C. Blanar, D. Kerstetter","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a4","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract As Sargassum biomass continues to increase globally, it is critical to develop a better understanding of how it functions as habitat, therefore, community structure of Sargassum-associated organisms was examined from 11 sampling locations spanning the tropical Florida Straits to the more temperate Gulf Stream off the coast of Savannah, Georgia from May to September 2018 using a combination of modified shrimp trawls and dip nets. A total of 5413 organisms were collected from Sargassum habitat representing 14 species from 10 families. A core group of organisms (Platynereis dumerilii, Litiopa melanostoma, Portunus sayi, Portunus spinimanus, Leander tenuicornis, and Latreutes fucorum) were found throughout the entirety of the geographic range surveyed. This core community did not vary significantly with increasing distance to shore or latitude, nor did it correlate with environmental variables such as salinity and temperature. However, community structure did vary with clump size, with larger clumps harboring more speciose communities. The Sargassum community in the Florida Straits and Gulf Stream appear to provide habitat for a consistent group of epifaunal organisms. In turn, this stable group offers a consistent prey source for a variety of important, higher trophic level organisms.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47844214","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":"Variation in Body Length, Length-Weight Relationship, and Condition Factor of Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Between Years in a Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem in Alacranes Reef, Southern Gulf of Mexico","authors":"A. Aguilar-Perera, R. C. Hernández-Landa","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract More than 30 years ago the Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans, P. miles) were introduced into the western Atlantic Ocean, where P. volitans has reached the level of biological invasion threatening the marine ecosystem. The aim of this study was to describe the variation in body length, length-weight relationship (LWR), and condition factor of P. volitans between years in a mesophotic coral ecosystem (MCE) in the southern Gulf of Mexico, to provide baseline life history data. From September 2014 to September 2017, we speared 92 lionfish at the same MCE in the Alacranes Reef, off the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. There were differences in length between years, with larger lionfish found in 2014, and also differences between the LWRs. The LWR for all lionfish indicate a positive allometric growth. No significant difference was found in length between females and males. Males showed a greater Fulton's condition factor in 2015 and 2016, in comparison to females. This study revealed P. volitans has attained a large length and good condition factor in the MCE. Human limitations for diving deep areas preclude mechanical removal of lionfish by culling. Further scientific research is necessary to quantify its density and understand the potential lionfish would have to impact the MCEs in the region. Resumen Desde hace más de 30 años el pez león del Indo-Pacífio (Pterois volitans, P. miles) fue introducido en el Atlántico Oeste, donde P. volitans ya ha alcanzado el nivel de invasión biológica que amenaza al ecosistema marino. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir las variaciones en longitud corporal, relaciones peso-longitud (RPL) y factor de condición de P. volitans entre años en un ecosistema coralino mesofótico (ECM), en el sureste del Golfo de México, para proporcionar una línea base de datos de historia de vida. De septiembre 2014 a septiembre 2017, arponeamos 94 peces león en el mismo ECM en el Arrecife Alacranes, frente a la costa norte de la península de Yucatán, México. Hubo diferencias en longitud, con peces león más grandes en 2014 y también diferencias enre las relaciones RPLs. La RPL para todos los peces león indicó un crecimiento alométrico positivo. No hubo diferencias en la longitud entre las hembras y los machos. Los machos mostraron un factor de condición de Fulton mayor, en 2015 y 2016, en comparación con las hembras. Este estudio reveló que P. volitans ha adquirido una longitud mayor y un buen factor de condición en el ECM. Las limitaciones humanas para buceo en áreas profundas impiden la remoción mecánica de pez león por sacrificio. Se requiere de análisis más amplios para cuantificar su densidad y entender el potencial que el pez león tendría para impactar los ECMs en la región.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47761670","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 First Record of Parachromis managuensis (Günther, 1867) (Cichliformes, Cichlidae) and an Analysis of its Feeding Habits in Jamaica","authors":"T. Miller, E. Hyslop","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a2","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The first official record of Parachromis managuensis in Jamaica is reported in the Large Cockpit Spring, Clarendon. This species is native to Central America. It was introduced into Jamaica to control the growth of aquaculture species. A total of 104 specimens were captured between December 2017 and March 2020 using seine nets. Morphometric and meristic descriptions are provided. Specimens captured had total lengths of 3.663–11.797 cm and weighed 0.787–36.810 grams. All specimens were classified as juveniles. Gut content analyses were conducted, which revealed that Parachromis managuensis mainly fed on invertebrates which include insects, ostracods, and gastropods. Ostracods were ranked as the most important food item. Other food items include algae and plant matter.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46929838","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":"Atlantic Spotted and Bottlenose Dolphin Sympatric Distribution in Nearshore Waters Off Bimini, The Bahamas, 2003–2018","authors":"A. Levengood, Kelly Melillo-Sweeting, C. Ribic, A. J. Beck, K. Dudzinski","doi":"10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a3","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Within nearshore waters off Bimini, The Bahamas, Atlantic spotted (Stenella frontalis) and common bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) dolphins are sympatric but separated spatially in different geographic areas and water depth ranges. Afternoon surveys during summer months across a 16-year period showed S. frontalis used the northern part of the nearshore area more, while T. truncatus used the southern area more. Generally, examination of geographic zones and water depth distributions of both species before and after construction of a pier in the study area suggested these dolphins were not impacted, long-term, by this anthropogenic activity. Still some differences in use of the nearshore area were identified. For water depth, S. frontalis varied use between 5–<12 m and 12–<20 m, depending on location along the coast. In contrast, T. truncatus consistently used the 5–<12 m depths. This difference may be related to how each species used the nearshore area, with T. truncatus feeding more and S. frontalis travelling and doing other activities. A small change in the distribution of S. frontalis by water depth off the northern coast of Bimini was found, specifically an increased use of deeper (12–20 m) water post 2014, which is unlikely an effect of pier construction as S. frontalis continued to use the 5–12 m depths as they had before pier construction. How this change might be related to an unprecedented 2013 S. frontalis immigration event, which might have disrupted the social structure, habitat/resource use, and distribution of both species, is discussed.","PeriodicalId":55274,"journal":{"name":"Caribbean Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2022-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42955493","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}