How the ability to clone itself
may empower a mystery globetrotter

It always pays to think outside of the box. Rachel Collin decided to look further afield to find the adult form that matched a larvae from a plankton sample in Panama and was surprised by the result. 

Story location

Panama

Taxonomy Marine Biology Exploration Zoology Molecular Genetics and Genomics Connections in nature: Plants, Animals, Microbes and Environments Bocas del Toro Naos sky-blue Rachel Collin

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Mother bats use baby talk
to communicate with their pups

Just as humans with their babies, adult female bats change their vocalizations when interacting with “babbling” pups, which could be interpreted as positive feedback to their offspring during vocal practice

Story location

Gamboa, BCI
Byline: Leila Nilipour

Developmental Biology Animal Behavior Ecology Evolutionary Biology Evolutionary Ecology Connections in nature: Plants, Animals, Microbes and Environments Barro Colorado Gamboa sky-blue

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How and when to reintroduce frogs
into their natural habitat?

Returning endangered frogs back to nature is not an easy task, particularly when their main threats are not under control. In this talk (Spanish), former STRI fellow and current director of the Summit Municipal Park, Dr. Angie Estrada, explains what is causing so many amphibian species around the world to be at risk for extinction and discusses the different approaches that scientists are exploring to reintroduce these animals back into nature safely.

Story location

Gamboa

Herpetology Disease Ecology Conservation Biology Biodiversity Ecosystem Ecology Animal Behavior Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet Gamboa sky-blue Roberto Ibañez

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Have vessels cooperated with whale conservation efforts in the Gulf of Panama?

Several years after the International Maritime Organization adopted Traffic Separation Schemes to reduce the risk of collision between vessels and migratory whales in the Gulf of Panama, scientists assessed whether these conservation management actions are being effective

Story location

Gulf of Panama

Conservation Biology Fisheries and Marine Conservation Ecosystem Ecology Animal Behavior Marine Biology Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet Naos sky-blue Hector M. Guzman

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Mariana Muñoz-Romo’s introduction
to the fascinating world of bats

People who’ve attended Bat Night, the STRI bat lab’s open house in Gamboa, Panama, may have had the opportunity to hear bat researcher, Mariana Muñoz-Romo, talk about her favorite animals: the only mammals with wings. Now we all have a chance to hear her talk online.

Story location

Gamboa

Animal Behavior Zoology Biodiversity Taxonomy Origins of Species and Societies Gamboa sky-blue Rachel Page

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Bocas dolphins may be more sociable while we shelter in place

A study of dolphin behavior in the presence of tourist boats informs conservation efforts.

Story location

Panama
Cover photo by Betzi Perez

Animal Behavior Marine Biology Anthropology Origins of Species and Societies Bocas del Toro sky-blue

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Traditional fisherfolk help uncover
ancient fish preservation methods

Modern fish preparation techniques leave behind bone fragmentation patterns resembling those found among fish remains in archaeological sites, revealing the antiquity of traditional butchering methods 

Story location

Parita Bay, Herrera and Nabek Oasis in southern Sinai-Egypt

Archaeology Anthropology Life in Deep Time Naos sky-blue

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An invisible story is
revealed through the senses

Through sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch, Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellow Jennifer Gil-Acevedo makes the world of microalgae accessible to all

Story location

Panama
Text by Leila Nilipour, STRI

Marine Biology Taxonomy Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet Naos sky-blue Rachel Collin

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Bats use leaves as mirrors to
find their prey in the dark

Bats can find motionless insects on leaves in the dark. This was thought to be impossible, because the acoustic camouflage provided by the leaves should confuse their echolocation system. Inga Geipel and colleagues discovered how they overcome this problem.

Story location

Panamá

Animal Behavior Evolutionary Biology Zoology Biodiversity Natural History Origins of Species and Societies Barro Colorado sky-blue Rachel Page

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New BioMuseo exhibits, Staff awards,
Gamboa Science Day… and more

New BioMuseo exhibits, Staff awards, Gamboa Science Day, R-Course, UCSB Smithsonian-Scholars Summer Program, Tropical Plant Ecophysiology Symposium, new book on park flora, Crocodile project honored by SENACYT, Oris Sanjur featured in book, new ORCID numbers, Children's Day at Punta Culebra and Tupper renovation project.

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