Bird species inventory in secondary tropical montane cloud forest at Cloudbridge Nature Reserve, Talamanca Mountains, Costa Rica

The tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) of the Talamanca Mountains of Costa Rica are a unique and understudied habitat that is home to a high number of endemic bird species. Cloudbridge Nature Reserve is a TMCF reforestation reserve lying on the Pacific slope of Cerro Chirripó in the cantón of Pérez Zeledón. Here, we synthesize data collected at Cloudbridge between March 2016 and May 2020 from multi-year point count, walking, call-playback, and camera trap surveys along with photographs collected from February 2007 to April 2021 to present a bird species inventory of the reserve. In total, 204 bird species from 40 families, including 40 endemic species, were identified, and monthly presence summarized for each species. We discuss the implications of our findings for understanding TMCF avian communities, as well as the importance of year-round surveys using a variety of techniques to better capture overall avian diversity.

Two new species of Monstera (Araceae: Monsteroideae) from the Pacific slope of the Andes in Colombia

The genus Monstera is represented in Colombia by 20 species, 12 of them from the Pacific slope of the Andes. Fieldwork between 2017 and 2019 in this region and a thorough revision of the main Colombian herbaria allowed us to discover two undescribed species belonging to Monstera section Monstera. The two new species are described and illustrated using color photographs of vegetative and reproductive features from living material, and compared to Monstera oreophila, M. epipremnoides and M. dissecta from Central America.

Reinstatement of Athis miastagma (Dyar, 1925) (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) as a valid species inhabiting the Pacific slope of Central Mexico

Mexico is the Mesoamerican country with the highest number of Castniidae species (12), most of which are found in the dry regions of the country. Among these, Athis hechtiae (Dyar, 1910) was considered a species widely distributed in Mexico after Athis miastagma (Dyar, 1925) was synonymized with A. hechtiae over two decades ago. A genetic and morphological study, as well as details of the natural history of various populations of these two taxa have led us to restore Athis miastagma as a valid species (stat. rest.), increasing the number of castniids recorded in Mexico to 13.

A new species of climbing Chamaedorea (Arecaceae) from Chiapas, Mexico

Chamaedorea tacanensis (Arecaceae), a new species from the Tacaná Volcano Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, Mexico, is described based on morphological and phylogenetic data. It is morphologically similar to C. elatior, the only other climbing species in the genus. However, C. tacanensis is distinguished by having linear pinnae (lanceolate in C. elatior), petioles emerging glaucous (glabrous in C. elatior), and longer rachises, blades and peduncles than C. elatior. Also, C. tacanensis has pinnate-leaved seedlings and juveniles, whereas they are simple or bifid in C. elatior. The two taxa form separate monophyletic groups. Geographically, C. tacanensis is found in tropical montane cloud forests of the Pacific slope whereas C. elatior mostly occurs in lowland tropical forests of the Atlantic slope. Chamaedorea tacanensis has been recorded in only three localities: two in the Tacaná Volcano Biosphere Reserve, Mexico, and one in San Marcos, Guatemala. Further floristic studies in surrounding areas might better clarify the geographic distribution range of this species.

Characterization of Riparian Tree Communities along a River Basin in the Pacific Slope of Guatemala

Ecosystem conservation in Mesoamerica, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, is a top priority because of the rapid loss of native vegetation due to anthropogenic activities. Riparian forests are often the only remaining preserved areas among expansive agricultural matrices. These forest remnants are essential to maintaining water quality, providing habitats for a variety of wildlife and acting as biological corridors that enable the movement and dispersal of local species. The Acomé river is located on the Pacific slope of Guatemala. This region is heavily impacted by intensive agriculture (mostly sugarcane plantations), fires and grazing. Most of this region’s original forest is now restricted to forest remnants concentrated along the riverbank. However, the botanical composition and species diversity of the riparian communities has not been characterized. This baseline information is essential to develop restoration strategies and management plans. This study aimed to characterize the riparian tree communities along the Acomé riverbank by systematically collecting herbarium specimens and photographic material for trees over 10 cm DBH (diameter at breast height). Cluster analysis was used to identify the main riparian communities, and diversity indices were calculated for each community. A total of 115 tree species were identified, belonging to 91 genera and 43 families. The cluster analysis suggested the presence of four riparian tree communities along an altitudinal gradient. Rhizophora mangle, Cecropia obtusifolia, Guazuma ulmifolia, and Brosimum costaricanum were the dominant species of the identified communities. This research will support ongoing restoration efforts and biological connectivity plans in this region.

A new record of the exotic Guapote jaguar, Parachromis managuensis (Günther, 1867) (Cichliformes, Cichlidae) in a tropical coastal lagoon of the Mexican Pacific slope

The presence of Parachromis managuensis has been reported for the first time in the Tres Palos Lagoon, State of Guerrero, on the coastal Lagoon of the Mexican Pacific slope. Two specimens (189 mm and 215 mm standard length) were caught by local fishermen from the community of San Pedro de Las Playas. A description of the morphological and meristic characters of the specimens is provided. The natural distribution of the species is from Honduras to Costa Rica and, as it is predatory and highly territorial, in conjunction with other introduced species, it can present a risk to native species and alter the biological dynamics in the lagoon system.