Fossil trees on Peru’s Central Andean Plateau tell a tale of dramatic environmental change
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.
Brian Gratwicke Building an amphibian ark and searching for a cure for the amphibian Chytrid Fungus
Join Brian as he gives us an update on the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project, its progress over the last 10 years, and its efforts to sustain this collection of living frogs and identify clear solutions to the amphibian crisis.
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
Kirk Broders to Become STRI Research Associate
STRI will miss Kirk and his family when they move back to the U.S., but look forward to continued collaboration.
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...
Science through passion and perseverance
Dr. Gina Della Togna has gone a long way in pursuing her love for animals, including amphibians, insects, and reptiles. Last year she received the L'Oreal-Unesco Prize for Women in Science, for her research in assisted reproductive techniques for endangered species, such as the golden frog. This year she was named by Forbes magazine as one of the 100 most powerful women in Central America and...
Strianassa lerayi Anker, new shrimp species from Panama’s Coiba National Park
Last year’s expedition, part of the project to compare microbiomes of animals in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, resulted in the discovery of several new animal genera and a species of mud shrimp named for STRI and post-doctoral fellow, Matt Leray.
Native trees thrive in teak plantations and may protect the Panama Canal
Teak often underperforms on poor soils. By planting valuable native trees in existing teak plantations, researchers will evaluate the potential increase in timber value, biodiversity value and ecosystem services provided.
Biodiversity may limit invasions: Lessons from lizards on Panama Canal Islands
Lizards transplanted from the mainland to small islands in Lake Gatun, Panama, took their parasitic mites with them. What happened next provides great experimental evidence for the enemy release hypothesis.
New fossil catfish species identified through 3D visualization technology
Through the use of new tools and techniques, paleontologists can better advance our understanding of the paleodiversity of different geological periods
