Trapped in time
Unearthing the prehistoric plant species of Panama
Julio 04, 2019
Little is known about the early flora of the isthmus. The first Panamanian paleobotanist aims to change this
Little is known about the early flora of the isthmus. The first Panamanian paleobotanist aims to change this
Fossil corals show what reefs were like before human impact and reveal a modern “bright spot” reef with apparent long-term resilience to deterioration caused by humans.
Human remains used to be considered a nuisance in archaeological excavations. Today they are considered a valuable source of information to understand the ways of life of prehistoric populations and their conditions.
As the demand for hydroelectricity and water increases in the tropics, a team of scientists explored the natural impacts of one of the oldest tropical dams in the world
Through the use of new tools and techniques, paleontologists can better advance our understanding of the paleodiversity of different geological periods
As the Earth’s surface transforms, entire ecosystems come and go. The anatomy of fossil plants growing in the Andean Altiplano region 10 million years ago calls current paleoclimate models into question, suggesting that the area was more humid than models predict.
These maps dramatically illustrate how rising sea levels completely altered the shape of Panama’s coastline, creating islands and submerging large areas of land.
By integrating machine-learning technology with high-resolution imaging, scientists are improving the taxonomic resolution of fossil pollen identifications and greatly enhancing the use of pollen data in ecological and evolutionary research.
Coming from a humble family, Félix Rodríguez decided from a young age that he would focus on his education in order to secure a better future for himself and his family. At different points in his life he said yes to the opportunities that were presented to him, with a curious heart. This led him to learn from world-class experts, get training abroad and become a paleontologist at the Smithsonian (STRI) working in the Panama Paleontology Project. Listen to him describe his anecdotes and experiences as a paleontologist in the tropics.
The disproportionate extinction of South American mammals when the Americas collided is still evident today