scholarly journals Understory bat roosts, availability and occupation patterns in a Neotropical rainforest of Costa Rica

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Villalobos-Chaves ◽  
Jendry Vargas-Murillo ◽  
Emmanuel Rojas-Valerio ◽  
Brian W. Keeley ◽  
Bernal Rodríguez-Herrera
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Sensitive Species ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Roosting Ecology ◽  
Neotropical Rainforest ◽  
Traveled Distances ◽  
Occupation Rate ◽  
Biological Reserve

The strong link between bats and their roosts is widely recognized as being particularly significant. Despite this, roosting ecology of bats is poorly understood and much of the basic information is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the availability and occupation patterns of four roost types (trees, caves, termite nests and tents) used by bats at Tirimbina Biological Reserve (TBR), Costa Rica. To accomplish our aim, we systematically surveyed both sides of established trails and transects, looking for understory roosts. Potential roosts were examined for bat presence in order to establish occupation. Roost availability and density were estimated using traveled distances (km) and inspected area (10 m for trees/caves and 15 m for tents/termite nests) of each trail or transect sampled. For the tent roosts, data on taxonomic information of plant modified, type of architecture, condition and construction achievement were also recorded. The area surveyed represented 45.4 % of the total area of the TBR (345 ha). Tents were the most common roost (56.6 % of all roosts, N = 223), followed by trees (24.4 %, N = 96), termite nests (18.8 %, N = 74) and caves (0.2 %, N = 1). We detected only 27 roosts occupied by bats (6.8 % of all roosts, 0.17 occupied roosts/ha). Caves showed the highest occupation rate (100 %, N = 1), followed by trees (17.7 %, N = 17), tents (3.6 %, N = 8) and termite nests (1.3 %, N = 1). We found the roosts for 10 species, representing 33.9 % of the bat fauna documented at the reserve (62 species). Density of roosts per bat species varied between 0.017-0.138 roosts/ha. Phyllostomidae was the best-represented family with Micronycteris microtis representing the most common species encountered. Four distinct tent architectures were documented. Bifid architecture was the most common (133 tents), followed by Conical (47 tents), Apical (27 tents) and Inverted Boat (16 tents). Most of the tents found were healthy (76.7 %, N = 171) and totally constructed (88.8 %, N = 198). Our study demonstrated that occupied bat roosts are difficult to find in the forest. When compared to the roost availability, the low occupation rates suggested that, at least in our study area, roosts might not be a limiting resource. Nevertheless, to confirm this hypothesis, information about fidelity and selection process of the species is fundamental for understanding to what extent these roosts meet the requirements to be inhabited or modified. Worldwide conservation efforts on bats should focus on understanding roosting ecology, especially due to anthropogenic pressures that are continuously reducing the availability of roosts, which undoubtedly contributes to the risk of extinction for specialized and sensitive species.

scholarly journals Líquenes folícolas de la Estación Biológica La Selva, Costa Rica: Inveritiuio, comunidades y comparación florística de tipos de vegetación

1969 ◽  
pp. 287-308
Author(s):  
Robert Lücking
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Forest Understory ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Lowland Rain Forest ◽  
La Selva ◽  
Foliicolous Lichens ◽  
Anthropogenic Vegetation ◽  
Light Gaps ◽  
Made In

A total of 28 0 foliicolous lichens and 1 2 Jichenicolous fungi was found in an inventory made in the lowland rain forest at La Selva Bi010gical Station, Costa Rica. ll1e species composition reflects 50 % of the world's diversity of foliicolous lichens and i5 representative for neotropical lowland rain forests. The most common specíes are Gyalectidium filicinum, :-,'poropodium leprieuríi, Trieharia vainloi, Porina epiphylla. Phyllophiale alba, Trichotheliuní epiphyllwll. Mazosia phyllosema, Tricharia ureeolata. and Arthonia leptosperma. Many species show distinct microsite preferences: (1) Characteristic of the shady Ullderstory, inc1uding Arthoniaceae, Opegraphaceae, Pilocarpaceae, and Trichotbeliaoeae; (2) characteristic oflíght gaps, .incJuding Gomphillaceae and Ectolechiaceae; (3) characteristic of the canopy, incJuding Asterothyriaceae and Gomphil1ace.ae. Only few species exhibit preferences towards oertainleaf types, either dicoty1edoneous oc palm lea ves. The microsite preferences agree with earlier established indices, except for a few species for which modified índices are proposed, Communities resulting f'l-om tbese preferences are illustraíed by clustering of phorophytes and associatiol1s oí foliicolous ·lichens. The . three principal associatiol1s correspood to the shady understory,- light gaps and the canopy, whereas two subassociations reflect subtJe phorophyte preferences, Species diversity and compositiona.re strongly affected by the degreeof disturbanceofvegetation typesatLa Selva. Diversity i8 highest in the primary forest and lowest in young successíonal stages.The foliicolons lishen flora of open,anthropogenic vegetatíon resembles that oí l¡ght gaps. 01' fue canopy in the primary forest, while species characteristíc of the forest understory disappear.

scholarly journals Cimex lectularius Linnaeus, 1758 (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) in Costa Rica: First Case Report Confirmed by Molecular Methods in Central America

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 969-973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Cambronero-Heinrichs ◽  
Laura Sofía Sánchez-Portilla ◽  
Ólger Calderón-Arguedas ◽  
Adriana Troyo
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Central America ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Cimex Lectularius ◽  
Bed Bugs ◽  
First Case ◽  
Cimex Hemipterus ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus are the most common species of bedbugs that infest homes. Although case reports decreased substantially by the end of the 20th century, bed bugs, and especially C. lectularius, are currently suffering a resurgence mostly attributed to insecticide resistance, inadequate pest control, and increased travel. Here, we report, to the best of our knowledge, the first molecular confirmation of C. lectularius in Central America. Specimens were obtained from an apartment located in Heredia, Costa Rica. These specimens were identified morphologically as C. lectularius. The species identification was confirmed by amplifying and sequencing fragments of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and the 16S rRNA (16S) genes. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequences obtained were more closely related to a C. lectularius mitochondrial complete genome sequence from China, with similarities of 98.84% (686/694) for COI and 98.97% (387/391) for 16S. The finding of C. lectularius in Costa Rica will require further investigation in order to determine the extent of current infestations and the susceptibility to insecticides, especially due to the impact that this species can have in human health, as well as the tourism industry in the region.

Pliocene foraminifera and environments, Limon Basin of Costa Rica

1989 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
David T. Cassell ◽  
Barun K. Sen Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Benthic Foraminifera ◽  
Depositional Environment ◽  
Planktonic Foraminifera ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Multiple Group ◽  
Marine Current ◽  
Sandstone Facies ◽  
Transported Material

The sandstone facies of the Pliocene Rio Banano Formation of eastern Costa Rica contains benthic foraminifera indicative of an open marine, current-swept, neritic depositional environment. These sandstones and associated siltstones are placed in Zone N18 on the basis of overlapping ranges of planktonic foraminifera, particularly Globigerinoides obliquus extremus and G. ruber, and a short-ranging ostracode species, Radimella ovata. One hundred and eight species of benthic foraminifera have been identified from the formation. A multiple-group-component factor analysis of abundance distributions of several dominant or common species (Amphistegina gibbosa, Articulina mayori, Cassidulina laevigata, C. subglobosa, Cibicidoides floridanus, Elphidium discoidale, Hanzawaia concentrica, Pararotalia sarmientoi, Pseudononion basispinata, Quinqueloculina lamarckiana, Rosalina globularis, and Trifarina angulosa) in the type section aided in the recognition of three benthic foraminiferal assemblages related to environmental parameters. An open marine, shallow, sandy continental shelf environment is suggested by the first assemblage. This is considered the typical depositional environment of the unit. The second and the third assemblages, suggesting an inner littoral environment and the proximity to a reef, respectively, also indicate introduction of significant amount of transported material into the thanatotopes.

Factors affecting infestation by larvae of Phyllophaga spp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Costa Rica

1985 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. S. King
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Acid Soil ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Phosphate Fertilizer ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Consequent Reduction ◽  
Third Instar Larvae

AbstractObservations were made on the behaviour of some Costa Rican species of Phyllophaga. Studies of oviposition and early larval survival under controlled conditions indicated that P. menetriesii (Blanchard) laid most eggs under a ground cover containing grasses and that the presence of living roots in the soil was important to the survival of the young larvae of the two most common species, P. menetriesii and P. vicina (Moser). At Turrialba, Costa Rica, the destruction of young maize plants by larvae of these two species and the consequent reduction in yield were significantly greater in land which was weedy or in close association with stands of old cassava plants, than where weeds had been effectively controlled and cassava was absent. Both plant loss and yields of maize were significantly correlated with larval densities. The best correlations were with numbers of second- and third-instar larvae sampled in July and with the total numbers of third-instar larvae sampled. Regression analyses established that 4·45 seedlings, or approximately 170 kg dry grain/ha, were lost per larva per square metre sampled during the seedling stage in July. An expression to calculate the economic threshold was determined. Significantly more larvae of P. vicina were found in maize growing on ridged than on unridged land, and where applications of lime and phosphate fertilizer had been made to an acid soil. The significance of weed control on infestation is discussed.

scholarly journals In vitro antimalarial activity of extracts of some plants from a biological reserve in Costa Rica

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Misael Chinchilla ◽  
Idalia Valerio ◽  
Ronald Sánchez ◽  
Víctor Mora ◽  
Vanessa Bagnarello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Antimalarial Activity ◽  
Biological Reserve

scholarly journals Behavioural preference for low levels of UV-B radiation in two neotropical frog species from Costa Rica

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 336-340
Author(s):  
Joseph A. DeMarchi ◽  
Andrew Britton ◽  
Kaylee O'Donnell ◽  
Ralph A. Saporito
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Alternative Mechanism ◽  
Behavioural Adaptation ◽  
Oophaga Pumilio ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Diurnal Species

Abstract:Tropical frogs experience damaging effects from exposure to UV-B radiation, and some diurnally active, conspicuous species exhibit avoidance behaviours to high levels of UV-B. To determine if similar behaviours are present in other diurnal frogs, we experimentally compared UV-B avoidance in two common species of neotropical diurnal frogs – Oophaga pumilio, an aposematic poison frog and Craugastor bransfordii, a cryptic leaf-litter frog – in response to different levels of UV-B. Wild-caught frogs were tested in experimental arenas fitted with filters that permitted two different levels of UV-B (low: 14% vs. high: 84% UV-B). Both species spent significantly more time under the low UV-B filter, suggesting that behavioural preferences for lower levels of UV-B are common to different diurnal species. Furthermore, male O. pumilio significantly preferred lower levels of UV-B, whereas females did not exhibit a preference for lower UV-B, which may suggest differences in UV-B exposure or sensitivity and/or alternative mechanism(s) to avoid UV-B between sexes. Although limited in scope, the findings of our study suggest that UV-B avoidance may be a behavioural adaptation common to all diurnal frogs.

scholarly journals ANÁLISIS DE LAS CAPTURAS DE TIBURONES Y RAYAS EN LAS PESQUERÍAS ARTESANALES DE TÁRCOLES, PACÍFICO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés López Garro ◽  
Rándall Arauz Vargas ◽  
Ilena Zanella ◽  
Loic Le Foulgo
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Total Catch ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Sphyrna Lewini ◽  
Scalloped Hammerhead ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Common ◽  
Mustelus Henlei

Se analizaron las capturas de tiburones y rayas látigo realizadas por pescadores artesanales de Tárcoles  en el Pacífico de Costa Rica, desde febrero del 2006 hasta febrero del 2007. Se observaron 415 faenas de pesca (línea de fondo, trasmallo y línea rayera): 340 correspondieron a observaciones de descarga y 75 (18.1%) a observaciones a bordo. Durante las descargas se analizaron 3299 tiburones y rayas látigo: el tiburón mamón enano (Mustelus henlei) dominó en la captura total (63.7%), seguido por el tiburón mamón común (Mustelus lunulatus) (16.7%), el tiburón picudo común (Rhizoprionodon longurio) 6.9% y el tiburón martillo común (Sphyrna lewini) 6.1%. A su vez, la raya látigo (D. longa) y el tiburón picudo fucsia (Nasolamia velox) representaron un 3.5% y 2.6% de la captura total, respectivamente. En los 75 viajes a bordo se capturó un total de 6.458 peces, de los cuales solo el 4.4% (240 individuos) fueron tiburones y rayas látigo. M. henlei fue nuevamente la especie más abundante (50.4%), le siguieron R. longurio (21.7%), D. longa (13.8), N. velox (5.8%), S. lewini (5.8%), y por último, M. lunulatus (2.5%). Debido a la estacionalidad y abundancia de tiburones mamones en la zona de Herradura, se recomienda un cierre técnico en enero-febrero y setiembre-octubre, meses con las mayores capturas. También se recomienda la protección de la zona del Peñón, ya que es utilizada por la raya látigo y por los juveniles del tiburón martillo.From February 2006 to February 2007, we analyzed shark and rays captures by the artisanal fishermen from Tárcoles, in the Pacific of Costa Rica. We observed 415 fishing operations (bottom line, gillnet and ray line): 340 dock landing observations and 75 (18.1%) on board observations. During the landing observations, we analyzed 3299 sharks and rays: the brown smooth hound (Mustelus henlei) was the most common species (63.7%), followed by the common smooth hound (Mustelus lunulatus) (16.7%), the Pacific sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon longurio) (6.9%) and the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) (6.1%). The longtail stingray (Dasyatis longa) and the whitenose shark (Nasolamia velox) represented the 3.5% and 2.6% of the total catch, respectively.  During 75 fishing trips, we analyzed 6.458 fish individuals, of them only 4.4% (240 individuals) were sharks and longtail stingrays. Among these, M. henlei was also the most abundant species (50.4%), followed by R. longurio (21.7%), D. longa (13.8%), N. velox (5.8%), S. lewini (5.8%), and M. lunulatus (2.5%). Considering the seasonality and abundance of smooth hound sharks in Herradura, we recommend a technical closure during the higher catch months (January-February and September-October). Also, we recommend protecting the Peñón, which is inhabited by adults of longtail stingray and juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks. 

Evaluation of environmental heterogeneity and its effect on arbuscular mycorrhizal interaction in coastal dunes

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. e1371
Author(s):  
Uriel Ramón Jakuosi Solís-Rodríguez ◽  
Patricia Guadarrama ◽  
Laura Hernández-Cuevas ◽  
Luis Salinas-Peba ◽  
José Ramos-Zapata
Keyword(s):  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Environmental Heterogeneity ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
The Status ◽  
Salt Industry

Background: Coastal dune scrub vegetation is established on a substrate that favors biodiversity, but this is currently restricted to small patches. Objective: To determine the status of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in this vegetation under different anthropogenic pressures and to propose actions addressing its conservation and restoration. Methods: Plant and fungal community was characterized through taxonomic identification of the AMF and determination of their percentage of viability, number of infective propagules (NIP) and percentage of mycorrhizal colonization. Three contrasting sites were identified in the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve: C = Conserved, IPS = Intermediate perturbation by the salt industry and HPA = high perturbation of anthropogenic origin. In each site, fine roots were collected from 12 common species and compound soil samples were taken. Results and conclusions: Eight AMF species were identified, in IPS, the highest values were presented in terms of percentage of colonization 55.43 ± 6.5, NIP = 142.07 ± 91.2 and viability = 27.6 ± 15.21 % while, in HPA, a higher number of healthy spores were found 43.6 ± 11.5/50 g. Infective propagules are an indicator of a “healthy ecosystem” and were found at a higher proportion in the conserved site.

Wintering Behaviour and Spatial Ecology of Eurasian Wigeon Anas Penelope in a Coastal Mediterranean Wetland Complex (Guerbes-Sanhadja) of Northeastern Algeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laid Bouchaala ◽  
Ali Elafri ◽  
Nabil Charchar ◽  
Mohamed Boukhemza ◽  
Moussa Houhamdi
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Wetland Management ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Sensitive Species ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Wetland Complex ◽  
Anas Penelope ◽  
Migration Phenology ◽  
Northeastern Algeria

As rare and threatened species, ecological information about common waterbirds is needed to assess priorities for wetland management. In this study, we attempt to provide information about the spatial ecology and wintering behaviour of one of the most common species of the coastal Mediterranean wetland complex of northeastern Algeria, the Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope. Over the three winters of the study the maximum number of recorded Eurasian Wigeon across all sites rose from 1,096 in 2010/11 to 1,397 in 2012/13. This represents a 27% increase over three years in the Guerbes-Sanhadja region. Among these wetland complex sites abundance varied markedly during the three wintering periods of study, being highest in Garaet Hadj-Tahar and Garaet Beni Mhamed (ranging from 300–700 individuals), and lowest in the remaining sites, which never exceeded 150 individuals. Bird abundance often peaked in January of each year and decreased as winter progressed. Wigeon have similar patterns of migration phenology among years at Garaet Hadj-Tahar and Garaet Beni Mhamed. At the remaining sites, they exhibited a different pattern. The multiple regression analysis for all seasons showed a marginally significant correlation between Wigeon abundance changes and three environmental variables of the wetland complex exclusively in the spring seasons (depth, vegetation and temporariness). A roosting area is identified as a functional role of the Guerbes-Sanhadja wetland complex for this anatid, since they spent all of the daytime sleeping, swimming (ranged from 30 to 40%), and resting (from 15 to 25%) in all winters. Despite their semi-permanent and unprotected status (apart from only three sites), these patched wetlands provide suitable conditions for this sensitive species, and therefore should receive the attention of wetland management.

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