Lex talionis
Punishment enforces cooperation in the fig-wasp mutualism: The exception proves the rule
August 02, 2021
Mutually beneficial relationships are common, but what happens when one partner stops enforcing the other’s good behavior?
Mutually beneficial relationships are common, but what happens when one partner stops enforcing the other’s good behavior?
The tiny female fig wasp carries a huge burden but cutting corners may not be worth the risk.
Join Brazilian biologist, Bruno de Medeiros, as he explores mysterious trade-offs between plants and their pollinators and why they are important to the Brazilian economy and ecosystems.
Geologist Tony Coates changed the way we think about the ground under our feet. He confirmed the date when North and South America were connected at about 3 million years ago. We remember Tony not only as a skilled field geologist, but as a kind person and storyteller, who captured the imagination of scientists and non-scientists alike with his ability to spin a tale.
A Smithsonian emeritus scientist takes a field trip to some of Panama’s most important known marine fossil deposits for a quick lesson the age of the Ithsmus of Panama.
In September 2017, divers observed a massive “dead zone” rising to envelop Caribbean coral reefs in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Smithsonian post-docs joined together to understand marine hypoxia now and in the past.
My research interests have evolved from a strict focus on the ecology of coral reefs to paleontological investigations of the evolution of Caribbean marine ecosystems in response to environmental change and finally towards elucidating the causes and consequences of past and ongoing human...
My colleagues and I bring field-collected leaf beetles (principally Cassidinae sensu lato) into the lab to more carefully observe and photograph feeding behavior and to archive the various immature stages for systematic morphological study. Insects are labeled and stored in ethanol at -20C and...
I have worked on the behavior and natural history of diverse organisms, and have generally allowed them to guide me to interesting questions rather than attempting to impose my own pre-planned questions on them. Other than a general emphasis on natural selection, behavior and its functions, and...
Discover the fascinating world of spiders in Panama!