Where decay breathes life

From sonic tomographies to global biodiversity negotiations, this journey through research, resilience, and connection reveals how even the smallest organisms can shape entire ecosystems and inspire lasting change.

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By: Valerie Lenis

Disease Ecology Microbial Ecology Forest Ecology Ecosystem Ecology Botany Biodiversity Connections in nature: Plants, Animals, Microbes and Environments Barro Colorado Island black Erin Spear

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Tropical tree fern repurposes its dead leaves

A species of tree fern found only in Panama uses ‘zombie leaves’ or reanimated dead leaf fronds, and turns them into root structures that feed the mother plant.

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ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS NEWS BUREAU

Botany Plant Physiology Ecosystem Ecology Ecosystem Services Evolutionary Ecology Connections in nature: Plants, Animals, Microbes and Environments Fortuna black

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Marine fossils unearth story
about Panama’s deep past

New fossil mammals in Caribbean Panama suggest ongoing marine interchange during the final stages of formation of the isthmus.

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Text by Leila Nilipour
Artwork: Jaime Bran

Paleontology and Paleobiology Evolutionary Biology Life in Deep Time CTPA black Carlos Jaramillo

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The Matador Bug’s
flag-waving mystery deepens

Why do matador bugs wave bright flags on their hind legs? The usual explanation for showoffs in nature is sexual selection, but that’s not it.

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Byline: Beth King

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Alejandro Arze, STRI Director of
Protection and Security, Retires

It takes a very special personality to ensure people’s safety, especially when they work in tropical jungles and reefs at sites that span the Republic of Panamá.

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Byline: Beth King

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The Vampire Bat

Celebrating International Bat Week, come learn about real vampires! 

Animal Behavior Biodiversity Evolutionary Biology Natural History Taxonomy Zoology Connections in nature: Plants, Animals, Microbes and Environments Gamboa black Rachel Page

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Some tropical trees
won’t be defeated by lightning

A multi-year study in the tropical forests of the Panama Canal found that the species most frequently damaged by lightning tended to be the most capable of surviving it.

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Text by Leila Nilipour

Forest Ecology Biodiversity Plant Physiology Ecosystem Ecology Evolutionary Biology Global Change Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet Barro Colorado black

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Wild bats can remember
sounds for years

Researcher May Dixon discovered that frog-eating bats could recognize ringtones indicating a food reward up to four years later.

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Text by Vanessa Crooks
Cover photo by Andrew Quitmeyer

Animal Behavior Biodiversity Evolutionary Biology Long-term monitoring Zoology Origins of Species and Societies Gamboa black Rachel Page

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STRI special events,
June 2022

UN Oceans Conference 2022, COLACMAR, #EarthOptimism, McGill Neotropical Option Reboots and more.

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How do genes allow butterflies to mimic
each other’s wing color patterns?

Young entomologist Sol Parra uses gene editing technology to understand how color pattern mimicry evolves in butterflies.

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Biodiversity Entomology Evolutionary Biology Molecular Genetics and Genomics Taxonomy Origins of Species and Societies black

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