Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 (Hemiptera, Aphididae) is one of the world's most polyphagous agricultural pests. Integrated pest management strategies for its control require application of knowledge of its biology and ecology, including host preference. This study was designed to examine colonization sequence, fecundity, and colony growth as a measure of host preference among three common economically important host. Colonization sequence was determined in a mixed field plot of Capsicum chinense Jacq. (Solanaceae), Cucumis sativus L. (Cucurbitaceae), and Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae) seedlings. Colony initiation and establishment always occurred on G. hirsutum before the other hosts. Aphids were observed as early as eight days after planting. Aphids collected from the field were acclimatized to the same host plant species in a glasshouse for three generations. Third instar nymphs were used to start colonies on new plants from which fecundity and colony size were documented daily. After twenty-four days the largest colony sizes were reached on cotton (x̄ 70). Colony sizes were found to increase more significantly every three days (p <0.05), especially in the exponential phase; this has implications for regimes implemented to monitor and manage infestations. Third instar aphids were transferred among the hosts then colony size was documented as a measure of suitability and preference. Differences in colony size after transfers were all significant (p <0.05), especially for transfers from pepper to cucumber. Colonies however, developed on all transfer hosts indicating that host transfer success is highly probable once these host plants exist within an intercropping system.

Understanding the dietary habits of animals is paramount, and the initial step in comprehending a species' ecology involves identifying its food intake. The Gray Hawk, Buteo plagiatus, preys on large insects and small vertebrates, occasionally including some birds. However, there is little information about which bird species are included in its diet. Here we present the first record of a Gray Hawk preying on a Squirrel Cuckoo, Piaya cayana, in Costa Rica, and describe the hunting strategy utilized by the hawk to capture this relatively large bird. Besides, we report for the first time predation by the Gray Hawk on the Variegated Squirrel, Echinosciurus variegatoides, a relatively large mammal of over 500 g. This report contributes to the knowledge about the natural history of three species that share similar habitats.

Comprender los hábitos alimentarios de los animales es fundamental, y el primer paso para comprender la ecología de una especie implica identificar su ingesta de alimentos. El aguililla gris, Buteo plagiatus, se alimenta de insectos grandes y pequeños vertebrados, incluyendo ocasionalmente algunas aves. Sin embargo, hay poca información sobre qué especies de aves están incluidas en su dieta. Aquí presentamos el primer registro de un aguililla gris que cazó un cuco ardilla, Piaya cayana, en Costa Rica, y describimos la estrategia de caza utilizada por el gavilán para capturar esta ave relativamente grande. Además, informamos por primera vez sobre la depredación del aguililla gris sobre la ardilla Echinosciurus variegatoides, un mamífero relativamente grande de más de 500 g. Este informe contribuye al conocimiento sobre la historia natural de tres especies que comparten hábitats similares.

Aechmea moonenii Gouda, Tillandsia balbisiana Schult. f., and Vriesea scalaris É. Morren are reported for first time from the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, while A. blanchetiana (Baker) L.B. Sm. and A. fulgens Brogn. were found as cultivated. Bromelia chrysantha Jacq., B. karatas L., and Catopsis berteroniana (Schult. & Schult. f.) Mez are confirmed to be native species to Trinidad and Tobago. A lectotype is designated for Bromelia chrysantha Jacq.

Chromatic disorders in birds are often difficult or even impossible to identify properly, are presumably rare, and have not been systematically quantified across multiple species and populations. The pigmentary abnormality with the greatest prevalence among birds is Progressive Greying, although most forms are not straight forward heritable. Besides, Progressive Greying is often confused with Leucism and Albinism. The Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus, is distributed from Central Mexico to Northwest Bolivia and Amazonian Brazil. This tanager is a common resident in lowlands up to 2,300 m, frequenting subcanopy to canopy in a wide variety of non-forest, arboreal habitats including urban areas. Here we report the first case of Progressive Greying for the Blue-gray Tanager based on an individual observed at San José de Rivas, Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica. This individual had white feathers almost all over its body, while just some feathers maintained their blue coloration, mainly on the wings and tail.

Aunque no se han cuantificado de manera sistemática en varias especies y poblaciones, los trastornos cromáticos en las aves son presumiblemente raros y, a menudo, son difíciles o incluso imposibles de identificar correctamente. La anormalidad pigmentaria con mayor prevalencia entre las aves es el Encanecimiento Progresivo, aunque la mayoría de las formas no son heredables de manera directa. Además, el Encanecimiento Progresivo se confunde a menudo con el Leucismo y el Albinismo. La tangara azuleja, conocida como viudita en Costa Rica, Thraupis episcopus, se distribuye desde el centro de México hasta el noroeste de Bolivia y la región amazónica de Brasil. Esta tangara es un residente común en tierras bajas hasta los 2,300 m donde frecuenta el subdosel y el dosel en una amplia variedad de hábitats arbóreos no forestales, incluidas áreas urbanas. Aquí informamos el primer caso de Encanecimiento Progresivo en la tangara azuleja, basado en un individuo observado en San José de Rivas, Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica. Este individuo presentaba plumas blancas en casi todo su cuerpo, mientras que solo algunas plumas mantenían su coloración azul, principalmente en las alas y la cola.

Stranding events of marine mammals provide valuable opportunities to study their biology, health, and causes for mortality, such as interactions with predators. Here we document the stranding of a deceased adult spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) with a shark bite (possibly an injury) on Utila Island, Honduras. The findings may shed light on predator-prey dynamics and scavenging in the region.

Predatory fishes often have strong top-down effects on coastal marine ecosystems and are considered a priority for conservation and management. Predator activity can influence prey distribution, abundance, and foraging behaviors, and is likely to influence habitat by impacting ecological and environmental characteristics as well as presence of competitor species. There are knowledge gaps of the effects of functional diversity, non-consumptive predator association, and environmental effects on fish assemblages, particularly within the Greater Caribbean region. In this study, effects of apex marine predatory fishes on diversity and abundance of prey ichthyofaunal communities were examined in putative predation low-risk (north side = lagoon) and high-risk (south side = flat) areas around South Bimini Island, The Bahamas. Baited remote underwater video surveys (BRUVs, n = 100 sites) deployed in the two nearshore habitat types captured abundance and potential predator-prey interactions, which were compared to assess potential risk effects within low-risk and high-risk habitats. Results showed a difference in ichthyofaunal communities between the two habitats, with teleost abundance highest on the south side. Depth, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were significantly linked to biotic assemblages. There were no differences in flight (escape) behavior of prey from predator (sharks versus great barracuda), suggesting that predator avoidance was a minimal factor in ichthyofaunal community structures. In the rapidly developing Greater Caribbean region, knowledge of ichthyofaunal communities and predator-prey interactions in different coastal habitats can better inform management regarding ecological changes over time and between island locations.

We report for the first time the genus Incilius from the Honduran Caribbean islands, specifically Incilius valliceps, through three specimens found on Roatan Island. Because we found many individuals of different ages, we assume that the population of this species is well established. We discuss the increase in herpetofaunal biodiversity observed in the Bay Islands in recent years. Furthermore, we hypothesize that Rhinella horribilis may also have been incidentally introduced to Guanaja Island. To validate these considerations, we recommend the implementation of a molecular study aimed to confirm the genetic origins of the amphibian populations on the respective islands.

Reportamos por primera vez el género Incilius de las islas del Caribe hondureño, específicamente Incilius valliceps, a través de tres especímenes encontrados en la isla de Roatán. Debido a que encontramos muchos individuos de diferentes edades, suponemos que la población de esta especie está bien establecida. Discutimos el aumento de la biodiversidad herpetofaunística observada en las Islas de la Bahía en los últimos años. Además, planteamos la hipótesis de que Rhinella horribilis también pudo haber sido introducida incidentalmente en Isla Guanaja. Para validar nuestras consideraciones, recomendamos la realización de un estudio molecular destinado a confirmar los orígenes genéticos de estas poblaciones de anfibios en las respectivas islas.

Salmonella Typhimurium, a zoonotic and foodborne pathogen, has experienced a surge in antibiotic resistance, contributing to a global public health crisis. In response to this crisis, the isolation and studying of bacteriophages has gained significance as an alternative biological control and/or treatment modalities in combating these bacterial pathogens. This study reports the isolation of Salmonella bacteriophages from wastewater at the treatment plant in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. MBBL_B and MBBL_S, two Salmonella Typhimurium bacteriophages, were isolated and their host range was tested against eight serovars. The results showcase two isolated bacteriophages from the class Caudoviricetes with the ability to infect various serovars of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, including Typhimurium, Tennessee, Lexington, Havana, and Heidelberg, highlighting the potential use of bacteriophages for biocontrol of foodborne pathogens.

Actinobacteria are the most biotechnologically valuable prokaryotes and are best known as a source of diverse secondary metabolites. However, there is scarce information on marine actinobacterial diversity in the Caribbean Sea. In this study, the diversity of Actinobacteria was examined through culture-dependent methods in the marine sponges Aplysina fistularis and Aplysina fulva. Sponge specimens were collected by SCUBA diving in the La Parguera Natural Reserve in Lajas, Puerto Rico. A total of 62 isolates of Actinobacteria were obtained from the collected sponge samples and identified through phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene. The isolated Actinobacteria were phylogenetically allocated to 18 genera. A. fulva yielded more Actinobacteria isolates (39) than A. fistularis (24). In terms of genus diversity, a higher variety of Actinobacteria was observed from A. fulva (17 genera) than from A. fistularis (7 genera). Even though a culture-dependent approach can give us valuable insight into the sponge's microbiome and is an important basis for the study of the compounds that are produced by Actinobacteria, this strategy is limited because it does not reveal all the Actinobacteria that may be present in a sponge since a small portion of bacteria are culturable. Moreover, a partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene often does not contain enough phylogenetic information to provide species-level resolutions. Ecological and phylogenetic studies of marine Actinobacteria will improve our understanding of the actinobacterial diversity associated with different marine ecosystems and could lead to the discovery of useful bioactive compounds.

Many sea anemones (Actiniaria) display agonistic behaviors towards genetically different conspecifics. When individuals come into tentacular contact, they engage in a series of agonistic behaviors, inflicting damage onto opponents with nematocyst-laden marginal structures termed “acrorhagi.” However, these behaviors remain poorly described in the majority of acrorhagi-bearing taxa. Here, I describe the agonistic behaviors of two Caribbean intertidal sea anemones: Bunodosoma granuliferum and Bunodosoma cavernatum. A unique posture and acrorhagial application behavior were documented for individuals of both species. A relatively low propensity to attack and retreat suggests that agonistic behavior may primarily serve a communicatory function in both Bunodosoma species considered in this study. Lastly, I also describe an onset of agonistic behavior induced by an environmental change. This study contributes to a comprehensive ethological understanding of agonistic repertoires across various acrorhagi-bearing Actiniarian taxa, elucidating the drivers of adaptive variation in these behaviors.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (JBNERR) has flora and fauna adapted to a tropical climate. Within the reserve lies the Aguirre Power Plant Complex, which produces a great deal of noise that could place significant stress on marine life and cover a significant area. To test this hypothesis, underwater sound frequencies were recorded at several points of different proximity to the power plant using a hand-held sound recorder with a hydrophone attachment. Each recording was two minutes in duration and positioned one meter above the ocean floor. Results revealed anthropogenic noise from the power plant is strongly present in the 0.01–200 Hz frequency range in an area up to 1.5 km from the power plant. However, because sound waves travel further in water than in air, this distance could be even greater. Acoustic frequencies from the power plant were not detected across a mangrove barrier located approximately 1.0 kilometers from the power plant. This implies that mangroves may have an unreported noise reduction function which, in this case, mitigates and completely blocks off acoustic frequencies from the power plant.

Microplastics threaten the health of numerous marine organisms at all trophic levels. Currently, the topic is well studied among large predators. However, knowledge of microplastics present in organisms at lower trophic levels is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of microplastics within lower trophic level forage fishes. Four locations were sampled, classified into two categories based on human population: urban and non-urban. Five species were sampled: Striped Mullet (Mugil cephalus), Scaled Sardine (Harengula jaguana), Redfin Needlefish (Strongylura notata), Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), and Irish Pompano (Diapterus auratus). Of the 248 fish sampled, 99.6% contained microplastics, with a total of 2,126 pieces found in gastrointestinal tracts and livers. No significant difference in microplastics concentration among forage fish species was found. However, location had a significant effect on the frequency of microplastics found within the fishes, with the urban location near Miami, Florida having a higher frequency of occurrence compared with the other three sampled locations. This was the first study to assess microplastics within the forage fishes of southeastern Florida and provides further evidence that microplastics are pervasive throughout multiple trophic levels.

Spiders are an important but poorly understood group of arachnids in West Indian ecosystems. This is especially true for The Bahamas. In 2016 and in 2023, while visiting old growth forests on the islands of Andros and Great Abaco, I found two species of spiny orbweavers in the genus Micrathena. Although the presence of the genus is reported on the islands of the Greater Antilles, this represents the first record of Micrathena in The Bahamas, and adds to the spider diversity of the country.

African green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) are an established introduced species in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, and the source of human-wildlife conflict. The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has responsibility to manage problems caused by the monkeys, which include real and perceived social, economic, and ecological impacts, the most notable being agricultural damage to crops. These problems are widespread across the island and affect many community members in diverse ways. This study asked if the governmental policy environment enabled or impeded intersectoral management of monkeys. No formal policy addressed all harms or benefits the monkeys engender across multiple places and sectors, nor enabled an all-of-government approach. Government actions were guided by unwritten policies operating under the authorities of agriculture, conservation, or public health legislation and international agreements. No policies addressed harms while concurrently preserving the benefits the monkeys afford, such as their promotion and use in tourism. Private sector policies addressed animal welfare and exportation of animals used in biomedical research. Cross-sectoral governance was achieved through informal mechanisms. No metrics were found to evaluate effectiveness, acceptability or feasibility of government efforts. The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has the intentions and components that could support an integrated One Health, healthy public policy approach to its monkey problems, but all actions to concurrently protect the health of monkeys, people, incomes and ecosystems were achieved through informal means which present certain implementation and assessment challenges. Written policies could increase transparency of decision making, aid in policy evaluation and ensure sustainability of action through variation in personnel and other organizational change.

The Panamanian White-faced Capuchin (Cebus imitator) is a highly adaptable omnivore, with a diet that includes various plant parts, invertebrates, bee honey, eggs, and occasionally small vertebrates such as amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals. This highly social monkey has been observed caring for its deceased infants. In this report, we document the care exhibited by one Capuchin towards a deceased infant of its own species. However, concurrently, we also report an incident where another adult Capuchin consumed an infant Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata). These observations took place at Manuel Antonio and Corcovado national parks, located in the central and southern Pacific regions of Costa Rica. In both scenarios, the behavior towards the Howler Monkey suggests it was perceived as prey by the Capuchin, intended for consumption. However, it is possible that the Howler Monkey could have been kidnapped, played with, or nurtured only to die and then be consumed. In contrast, the handling of the deceased infant Capuchin was tender, resembling acts of nurturing such as kissing and what appeared to be a suggestive navel cut. The behavior displayed by the two Capuchins involved in these contrasting cases was entirely divergent, and we present detailed accounts of both events herein.

El mono capuchino o mono cara blanca (Cebus imitator) es un omnívoro altamente adaptable, cuya dieta incluye varias partes de plantas, invertebrados, miel de abeja, huevos, y ocasionalmente pequeños vertebrados como anfibios, reptiles, aves y mamíferos pequeños. Este mono altamente social ha sido observado cuidando a sus crías fallecidas. En este informe, documentamos el cuidado exhibido por un capuchino hacia una cría fallecida de su propia especie. Sin embargo, al mismo tiempo, también informamos de un incidente en el que otro capuchino adulto consumió un mono aullador (Alouatta palliata) bebé. Estas observaciones tuvieron lugar en los parques nacionales Manuel Antonio y Corcovado, ubicados en las regiones central y sur del Pacífico de Costa Rica. En ambos escenarios, el comportamiento hacia el mono aullador sugiere que fue percibido como presa por el capuchino, destinado al consumo. Sin embargo, también es posible que el mono aullador haya sido secuestrado, jugado con él o cuidado solo para luego morir y ser consumido. En contraste, el manejo del capuchino bebé fallecido fue tierno, similar a actos de cuidado como besos y lo que pareció ser un corte del ombligo. El comportamiento mostrado por los dos capuchinos involucrados en estos casos contrastantes fue totalmente divergente y aquí ofrecemos relatos detallados de ambos eventos.

Ocean warming threatens the provisioning of coral reef ecosystem services through the increasing frequency and intensity of coral bleaching and associated mortality events. Here, we quantified sea surface temperature warming trends and maximum annual degree heating weeks (DHW) from the NOAA Coral Reef Watch CoralTemp station-level data for Puerto Rico (1985–2023) and paired this with a review of coral bleaching observations to inform management and restoration efforts. Every region in Puerto Rico warmed at rates surpassing the hypothesized 0.10° C per decade rate of coral adaptation and acclimatization, with warming rates increasing from 0.154 ± 0.005° C per decade in the west to 0.215 ± 0.006° C per decade in the east. Ecologically significant (DHW ≥ 4) or severe (DHW ≥ 8) coral bleaching heat stress events were observed in 2005–2006, 2010, 2019, and 2023, but varied in intensity between regions with consistently lower heat stress in the west. We found coral bleaching observations for 50% of years since 1969, but many observations lacked quantitative information and/or were biased towards the major areas of reef development. The National Coral Reef Monitoring Program island-wide stratified random sampling recorded moderate and/or severe coral bleaching at multiple sites in 2019 and 2021, but not for 2014 or 2016/2017. While regional variability in warming rates, heat stress, and climate model projections provide some indications for increased climate resilience in the west, coral bleaching observations and previous resilience assessments highlight the importance of local-scale variability. Climate models nonetheless project annual severe bleaching (DHW ≥ 8) across Puerto Rico by 2022 ± 5 under the very high greenhouse gas emissions scenario.

Basilisks, diurnal ground-foraging tree lizards with an omnivorous and opportunistic diet, occasionally consume certain vertebrates. The Brown Basilisk, Basiliscus basiliscus, demonstrates a diverse diet that includes snakes, although reports have identified only one specific species as prey, namely Thamnophis proximus. The Brown Basilisk is commonly found along vegetated edges of streams and rivers in lowland areas, including gallery forests and secondary growth within highly disturbed agricultural regions. Similarly, the Yates Coral Snake, Micrurus yatesi, appears to favor these habitats. Here, we document the first observed instance of a Brown Basilisk consuming a Yates Coral Snake in its natural habitat within the Premontane Wet Forest of Villa Nueva, Quepos, on the Pacific slope of Costa Rica. Each predation event contributes to the food web and ecological network, emphasizing the value of reporting even individual observations to enhance our understanding of trophic relationships involving lizards and snakes.

Los basiliscos, lagartos arborícolas diurnos que buscan alimento en el suelo con una dieta omnívora y oportunista, ocasionalmente consumen ciertos vertebrados. El cherepo, Basiliscus basiliscus, muestra una dieta diversa que incluye serpientes, aunque informes solo han identificado una especie como presa, a saber Thamnophis proximus. El cherepo se encuentra comúnmente a lo largo de bordes de arroyos y ríos en áreas de tierras bajas, incluidos bosques de galería y crecimiento secundario en regiones agrícolas altamente perturbadas. De manera similar, la coral, Micrurus yatesi, parece preferir estos hábitats. Aquí documentamos la primera observación de un cherepo consumiendo una Micrurus yatesi en su hábitat natural dentro del Bosque Húmedo Premontano de Villa Nueva, Quepos, en el Pacífico de Costa Rica. Cada evento de depredación contribuye a la red alimentaria y al entramado ecológico, enfatizando el valor de reportar incluso observaciones individuales para mejorar nuestra comprensión de las relaciones tróficas que involucran lagartijas y serpientes.

The butterfly species of Tobago have been recorded for over a century, but there has been no assessment of the relative abundance of species and the variation in species richness across the island. This study is a first step towards butterfly community ecology in Tobago, using timed walks and counts. Overall, 79 species comprised of over 2,000 individuals were recorded from 40 hours of sampling across two years, during the transition from rainy to dry season. The species total represented about half of the known total number of species, indicating the value of this methodology for rapid sampling of the island's butterflies. Cluster analysis was used to identify four different assemblages and their constant species. Rarefaction analysis revealed a significant difference in species richness between forest, north coast, and south coast. The highest richness was associated with trails near dry forest in the south-east. Lowland rainforest in the north had a distinctive fauna but low species richness. Significant change across the island is associated with large variation in climatic conditions. This study is important for understanding the biogeographic relationship with Trinidad, the Lesser Antilles, and the continent. The disparity between the forest fauna of Trinidad and that of Tobago is highlighted, along with the absence of key groups in the Lesser Antilles and the highly fragmented nature of dry forest from south-east Tobago via north-west Trinidad to Venezuela.

Chromatic aberrations resulting in abnormally white plumage in birds are generally due to genetic mutations, although some are of non-hereditary origin. Other anomalies may result in only a few white feathers or other alterations in the quantity, quality, and deposition of eumelanin and phaeomelanin. In the Clay-colored Thrush, Turdus grayi, there has been one reported case of total Leucism in Honduras, two cases of partial Leucism in Mexico, another in Costa Rica, and one more in Colombia. This bird is found from Mexico to Colombia where it inhabits altered environments such as forest edges, gardens, and open areas in general, being very common in Costa Rica. The Clay-colored Thrush has a uniform cinnamon-colored plumage, with a light brown head and back. In this work, we report a previously unreported aberration for this bird based on a dirty-white individual observed in the Lower Montane Rain Forest of central Costa Rica.

Las aberraciones cromáticas que resultan en plumaje anormalmente blanco en las aves son generalmente debido a mutaciones genéticas, aunque algunas son de origen no hereditario. Otras anomalías pueden resultar en solo unas pocas plumas blancas u otras alteraciones en la cantidad, calidad y deposición de eumelanina y feomelanina. En el yigüirro, Turdus grayi, se ha reportado un caso de leucismo total en Honduras, dos casos de leucismo parcial en México, otro en Costa Rica y uno más en Colombia. Esta ave se encuentra desde México hasta Colombia donde habita entornos alterados como bordes de bosque, jardines y áreas abiertas en general, siendo muy común en Costa Rica. El yigüirro tiene un plumaje de color canela uniforme, con la cabeza y el dorso de color marrón claro. En este trabajo, informamos una aberración no reportada previamente para esta ave, basada en un individuo de color blanco sucio observado en el Bosque Lluvioso Montano Bajo del centro de Costa Rica.

Data are presented on the diet, health status, and comments on the oldest known captive individual of Ctenosaura bakeri, known as Swampy. This species is endemic to Útila Island, Bay Islands, Honduras. Swampy is a male held in captivity at the Iguana Research and Breeding Station, on Útila Island.

Se presentan datos sobre la alimentación, estado de salud y comentarios del individuó en cautiverio más longevo de Ctenosaura bakeri, conocido como Swampy. Esta especie es endémica a la Isla de Útila, Islas de la Bahía, Honduras. Swampy es un macho que se encuentra en cautiverio en la Iguana Research and Breeding Station, en Isla de Útila.