Bird coloration is primarily influenced by melanin pigments, eumelanin and pheomelanin, which produce dark hues ranging from black to pale buff. Genetic mutations disrupting melanin synthesis or deposition result in color aberrations categorized as White Spotting, Albinism, Dilution, and Melanism. Brown mutation, a form of Albinism, results from incomplete eumelanin oxidation, altering black to dark brown and dark brown to light brown plumage. Although common among avian color aberrations, this mutation has not been previously recorded in the Brown Jay, Cyanocorax morio. During a photographic tour in Pejivalle, Cartago, Costa Rica, we observed a Brown Jay with uniform light brown plumage, consistent with the Brown mutation. The bird exhibited typical behavior, such as foraging and vocalizing with its group. Its unusual coloration, susceptible to sunlight bleaching, emphasizes the challenges of field identification. This study adds to the documentation of avian color aberrations and provides insights into their ecological and environmental contexts.

La coloración de las aves está principalmente influenciada por los pigmentos eumelanina y feomelanina, que generan tonos desde negro hasta beige pálido. Las mutaciones que alteran la síntesis o depósito de melanina provocan las aberraciones Manchas Blancas, Albinismo, Dilución y Melanismo. La mutación Marrón, una forma de Albinismo, resulta de la oxidación incompleta de la eumelanina que altera el negro en marrón oscuro y el marrón oscuro en un plumaje marrón claro. Aunque esta mutación es común, no se había documentado en la piapia, Cyanocorax morio. Durante un recorrido fotográfico en Pejivalle, Cartago, Costa Rica, observamos una piapia con un plumaje marrón claro uniforme consistente con Marrón. El ave mostró comportamiento típico, como alimentarse y vocalizar junto a su grupo. Su coloración alterada, susceptible al blanqueo por exposición solar, resalta los desafíos en la identificación de campo. Este estudio contribuye a la documentación de aberraciones de color en aves y su contexto ecológico y ambiental.

We report the presence of the Amatitlan cichlid, Vieja guttulata, in the inland waters of Puerto Rico. Two adults and three juveniles were collected in the municipality of Canóvanas and deposited in the Zoology Museum collection at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Native to Central America, this species is distinguished by its striking colors and characteristic lateral black band, which give it a unique appearance. With this finding, we confirm the existence of an established population of the Amatitlan cichlid in northeastern Puerto Rico, increasing the number of documented exotic freshwater fish species on the island to 39. The aquarium trade is likely the source of this introduction. It is important to evaluate the distribution range of V. guttulata, assess its ecological impact on native fish assemblages, and implement a comprehensive management strategy to mitigate its proliferation and prevent a further expansion across Puerto Rico's freshwater ecosystems.

The Caribbean is a vital contributor to global ecosystem services. Also, the region is a major exporter of tropical products like coffee (Coffea arabica L.), sugar from cane (Saccharum officinarum L.), cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), banana (Musa spp.), and others. Climate change and economic interests threaten the agricultural production of the region, its food security, and its ecological balance. Promoting the use of edible non-crops, or “edible weeds,” serves as a strategy to mitigate environmental hazards, enhance agrobiodiversity, and increase Caribbean food sovereignty. A number of plants usually considered weeds when growing alongside major crops can be a valuable food source, but research on those species has focused mainly on their management as undesirable plants competing with crops. This article showcases the agroecological practices and uses of edible weeds in the Antilles. If species considered weedy, or marginally useful to humans, become more widely used, there is an opportunity to further explore their potential, integrating them into diverse agricultural systems as plants with economic value and as available food resources.

La región del Caribe coopera vitalmente a los servicios ecosistémicos globales. Además, es importante exportadora de productos tropicales como café (Coffea arabica L.), azúcar de caña (Saccharum officinarum L.), cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), guineos (Musa spp.) y otros. El cambio climático y los intereses económicos amenazan la producción agrícola de la región, su seguridad alimentaria y su equilibrio ecológico. Promover el uso de plantas comestibles no cultivadas o “malezas comestibles” sirve como estrategia para mitigar los riesgos ambientales, mejorar la agrobiodiversidad y aumentar la soberanía alimentaria del Caribe. Varias plantas que suelen considerarse malezas cuando crecen junto a los principales cultivos pueden ser una valiosa fuente de alimentos. Sin embargo, la investigación sobre esas especies se ha enfocado principalmente en su rol como plantas indeseables que compiten con los cultivos. Este artículo muestra las prácticas agroecológicas y los usos de las malezas comestibles en las Antillas. Si las especies consideradas malezas o marginalmente útiles para los humanos se utilizan más ampliamente, existe la oportunidad de explorar más su potencial, integrándolas en diversos sistemas agrícolas como plantas con valor ecológico, económico y como recursos alimentarios disponibles.

Humans have been moving animals and plants around the globe intentionally and unintentionally with consequences of introductions affecting ecosystems and native wildlife populations. In the Caribbean, the Small Indian Mongoose (Urva auropunctata (Hodgson, 1836)) seems ubiquitous. We compiled a regional database of 507 islands, discovering that more than 77.7% of Caribbean landmass is occupied by mongoose. Three quarters of these nations engage in mongoose control programs to protect native reptiles and birds, including Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. We evaluated the population structure of the mongoose during a capture, mark, and recapture population study spanning 15 years. Consistent mongoose control to protect nesting sea turtles occurred at the refuge in the last four years of the study. We found a 28% (12.2–50.1%) decrease in mongoose population size at the end of the removal years. We suggest that predator suppression tools can successfully reduce mongoose populations where vulnerable species exist. Assessing invasive predator demography before and during programmatic interventions is an important component of conservation problem-solving for invasive predators, even those that are found across landscapes.

The presence of Archimestra teleboas (Ménétriés, 1832) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Cuba is recorded for the first time, based on individuals observed and collected near Maisí, Guantánamo province, eastern Cuba, on January 29, 2025. This constitutes the first record of the genus and species outside of Hispaniola, where it was believed to be endemic. The possible causes and implications of this discovery are discussed.

The Yagua, Roystonea dunlapiana, is native to the Caribbean coast from Mexico to Nicaragua. In Honduras, it is found mainly in the department of Atlántida. In 1998 it was declared in danger of extinction, and in 2022 its status was updated to the category of Least Concern due to the decrease in its use in construction activities and the decline of other anthropogenic pressures within its distribution area. The objective of this research is to document the distribution of R. dunlapiana in the Barras de Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge (BCSWF) and thereby generate data relevant to its conservation status while promoting research and conservation of the species. Forty patches of R. dunlapiana were identified, with San Francisco being the municipality with the greatest presence at 16 patches, mainly in the so-called “Yagua Forest,” followed by the municipality of Esparta with 10 patches, chiefly in Thompson Lagoon.

La Yagua, Roystonea dunlapiana, es nativa de las costas del caribe desde México hasta Nicaragua. En Honduras se distribuye principalmente en el departamento de Atlántida. Se declaró en peligro de extinción en el 1998, y para el año 2022 se actualizo a la categoría de Preocupación Menor por la disminución de su uso en actividades de construcción y el declive de otras presiones antropogénicas en su área de distribución. El objetivo de esta investigación es documentar su distribución en el Refugio de Vida Silvestre Barras de Cuero y Salado (RVSBCS) y generar datos relevantes a su estado de conservación y propiciar su investigación y conservación. Se identificaron 40 parches de R. dunlapiana, siendo San Francisco el municipio con mayor presencia de parches con 16, principalmente en el denominado “Bosque de Yagua”, seguido por el municipio de Esparta con 10 parches principalmente en la Laguna de Thompson.

Secretive birds are hard to detect, and thus, likely underestimated when surveyed, potentially preventing measures to protect them. We identified a sampling period and method that would yield the most reliable estimates of population numbers of the secretive Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo (Coccyzus vieilloti). We addressed these objectives by comparing point counts (passive) and playback broadcast (active) survey methods from January to December, 2022 at Cambalache State Forest, Puerto Rico. We surveyed 20 stations (radius = 50 m each) between sunrise and 10 am, employing the time-of-detection method. We recorded strong responses from C. vieilloti after birds had been stimulated by playback broadcasts (recapture probabilities), corresponding to a behavioral response (M_b). For example, average capture (p) and recapture (c) probabilities within the peak breeding season for active surveys were 0.23 ± 0.10 and 0.49 ±0.08, respectively. Active surveys yielded higher estimates of C. vieilloti compared to passive surveys. For example, active survey expected population numbers (15.6 ha or area sampled) during peak breeding season were 42.87 ± 12.08 compared to 19.60 ± 2.08 individuals from passive surveys. Coefficients of variation population estimates of active surveys ranged between 10 and 16%, with one exception (28%), well within acceptable levels for wildlife studies. We show that secretive species like C. vieilloti can be reliably surveyed using playback broadcasts. Surveys should be conducted during the peak breeding season when estimates are higher and have better precision. Conducting similar tests on other secretive species could ensure that their status is not mischaracterized and that they receive the benefits of appropriate conservation measures, if warranted.

Seagrass ecosystems provide multiple services, such as habitat for commercially and recreationally important species, improving water quality, sequestering carbon, stabilizing sediment, and reducing coastal erosion. However, since 1990, seagrass cover has declined worldwide by 7% per year. Coastal developments, destructive fishing methods, nutrient runoff, pollutants, invasive species, and hurricanes have been identified as causal agents of the decline. This study aims to evaluate the short-term effects hurricanes have on seagrass ecosystems. Demographic parameters of the native Thalassia testudinum and the invasive Halophila stipulacea, were documented before and after the passing of Category 1 Hurricane Fiona at Culebra, Puerto Rico of September 18, 2022. Percent cover, density, and canopy height were measured in three 10m transects at three distinct sites around the island. Percentage cover, canopy height, and shoot density significantly decreased in T. testudinum by 45%, 34%, and 15%, respectively. On the other hand, H. stipulacea showed no significant change in any of these parameters after the hurricane. Even though T. testudinum has a superior anchoring capacity, contrary to expectation, our results indicate negative immediate effects of hurricane disturbance on T. testudinum and no significant effects on H. stipulacea. In this study, H. stipulacea was inhabiting the canopy of T. testudinum, which could have served as protection from the blunt force of the hurricane and can explain why the hurricane had no significant effect. With hurricane frequency expected to increase, H. stipulacea prevalence over native species is likely.

Las praderas de hierbas marinas proveen múltiples servicios tales como, hábitat para especies comerciales y recreativas importantes, mejoran la calidad de agua, fijan carbón, estabilizan sedimento y reducen erosión costera. Sin embargo, desde 1990, la cobertura de las praderas a disminuido mundialmente por 7% cada año. Entre los muchos agentes causales del decline, los huracanes son grandes contribuidores. Este estudio se enfoca en evaluar el impacto inmediato de un huracán en los ecosistemas de praderas marinas. Parámetros demográficos de la especie native Thalassia testudinum y de la invasiva Halophila stipulacea fueron documentados antes y después del paso de Huracán Fiona en Culebra Puerto Rico del 18 de septiembre del 2022. Porcentaje de cobertura, densidad de hojuelas y altura de dosel fueron documentados dentro de tres transectos de 10 metros de largo en tres distintas localidades alrededor de la isla. Para T. testudinum el porcentaje de cobertura, densidad de hojuelas y altura de dosel se redujeron 45%, 34% y 15% respectivamente. En H. stipulacea no se encontró algún cambio significativo. Consideran-do que el sistema de anclaje es más robusto en T. testudinum, contrario a lo esperado, H. stipulacea no fue significativamente impactado por el huracán. En este estudio H. stipualcea habitaba debajo del dosel de T. testudinum, cual pudo servirle de protección antes las fuerzas del huracán. Antes el pronóstico de incrementos en frecuencias de huracanes, H. stipulacea demuestra mayor capacidad de prevalecer después de los disturbios.

Chromatic aberrations, such as Leucism, are increasingly documented in birds, yet their causes and implications remain poorly understood. In Costa Rica, recent studies have reported multiple cases of pigmentary abnormalities, including Leucism, Progressive Greying, and other mutations, highlighting challenges in accurate diagnosis and classification. We document the first recorded case of partial Leucism in a Yellow-crowned Euphonia (Euphonia luteicapilla), observed in a semi-urban area of Costa Rica. The Yellow-crowned Euphonia is endemic to Central America. This bird displayed white patches on its wings, consistent with partial Leucism, a pigmentary abnormality often linked to genetic mutations. Leucism in birds is typically associated with congenital absence of melanin-producing cells. However, the exact cause of the aberration reported here remains unclear. The rise in reported cases may reflect either increased environmental stressors or improved documentation. This finding contributes to a growing body of knowledge on chromatic aberrations in birds, which may serve as indicators of environmental disturbances. Further documentation of such cases will help refine our understanding of these phenomena.

Las aberraciones cromáticas, como el leucismo, son cada vez más documentadas en aves, aunque sus causas e implicaciones siguen siendo poco comprendidas. En Costa Rica, estudios recientes han reportado múltiples casos de anomalías pigmentarias, incluidas leucismo, encanecimiento progresivo y otras mutaciones, lo que resalta los desafíos en su diagnóstico y clasificación precisa. Aquí documentamos el primer caso registrado de leucismo parcial en una monjita (Euphonia luteicapilla), observado en una zona semiurbana de Costa Rica. Esta especie es endémica de Centroamérica. El individuo presentaba manchas blancas en las alas, consistentes con leucismo parcial, una anomalía pigmentaria frecuentemente asociada a mutaciones genéticas. El leucismo en aves se relaciona típicamente con la ausencia congénita de células productoras de melanina. Sin embargo, la causa exacta de la aberración en este caso sigue sin determinarse. El aumento en los reportes podría reflejar mayor estrés ambiental o una mejora en la documentación. Este hallazgo contribuye al creciente conocimiento sobre las aberraciones cromáticas en aves, las cuales podrían servir como indicadores de disturbios ambientales. La documentación continua de estos casos ayudará a profundizar nuestro entendimiento de estos fenómenos.

Video systems are extensively utilized globally in coastal monitoring strategies, facilitating high temporal and spatial sampling frequencies with reduced logistical efforts. This paper presents a novel and simple tool for processing coastal images, designed for automatic shoreline detection and data analysis using MATLAB. The algorithm is based on applying the region-grow function to pre-selected points and extracting the border between these points which corresponds to the sea/land boundary from averaged images produced from a Video Monitoring System. The study was conducted at Hellshire Bay Beach on the southern coast of Jamaica. The variance/error of the shoreline position produced by the algorithm when compared to a manually delineated shoreline is on average -1.09 and +1.11 pixels, which is comparable to other studies. The data from a single day within the period between September, 2022 and February, 2023 illustrate that the Hellshire beach is highly dynamic, with both erosion and accretion occurring in distinct sections of the beach, corroborating findings from other studies in the area. This further validates the accuracy of both the images generated by the video monitoring system and the algorithm developed to delineate shoreline positions from these images.

Although the waters around The Bahamas are oligotrophic, elevated chlorophyll concentrations are occasionally observed in the north of the archipelago, and are explained by mesoscale variability and sea level anomalies. An estimate shows that eddies approach The Bahamas region from the Sargasso Sea at a velocity of about 0.04 m to 0.07 m s^-1. In the nearshore region, about 85% of anticyclonic eddies carry higher suspended load in their outer periphery, and 69% of cyclonic eddies carry elevated concentrations outside. Cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies propagate regularly to the region east of The Bahamas, where they interact with the bathymetry of the continental shelf and disintegrate, but they are the cause for a complicated distribution patterns of chlorophyll and suspended matter. Cyclonic eddies seem more numerous, but anticyclonic eddies also seem to appear more frequently near the Little Bahama Bank. Temperature measurements close to the Little Bahama Bank show that about every 40 days eddies drift through the region close to The Bahamas.

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a disease that has been observed in sea turtles around the world for several years. It is caused by a virus, ChHV5, which belongs to the Herpesviridae family and causes the development of skin and internal tumors that can lead to the death of the turtle. The species most affected is Chelonia mydas, the green sea turtle. Initial studies have already observed a significant incidence of FP around the island of Martinique in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, but there is still a lack of information on the occurrence of this disease. In this study, we determined the occurrence of FP at seven sites along the Caribbean coast of Martinique. Observations ranged from zero prevalence in three sites, to 20-30% in two other sites, and up to 76% in Bourg des Anses d'Arlet. Comparing our data with those collected in 2019, regressions or worsening of tumors could be highlighted. Finally, local environmental factors that may have an impact on the development of the disease, such as water quality, were highlighted and solutions proposed.

We conducted a scientific literature review and a comprehensive analysis of data based on international fisheries of wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) to determine catch trends and data gaps among jurisdictions in the Western Central Atlantic Ocean (WCA). This is the first regional catch review for wahoo in the WCA. Based on FAO catch records from 1950 to 2021, reported commercial landings increased nearly fivefold, but 18 nations still do not report commercial wahoo landings to the FAO, yet are known to catch the species. When recreational landings were combined with reported commercial landings for 2019, total direct wahoo catch was 3,547 metric tons, of which 57% was estimated to be recreational. When compared to dolphinfish catch, wahoo was nearly four times lower for the region, but several nations report more substantial wahoo fisheries than dolphinfish fisheries. Despite the importance of the recreational wahoo sector throughout the region, artisanal landings are estimated to be higher according to catch reconstruction data. Similar to dolphinfish, the presence of fish aggregating devices (FADs) in different parts of the WCA, as well as environmental processes (e.g., Sargassum blooms), lead to the presumption that higher amounts of juvenile wahoo may be caught throughout the region, and anecdotal evidence of stock decline has been suggested. Results stress the immediate need for WCA nations to adopt a precautionary approach for proper fishery management of wahoo throughout the WCA, to increase spawning biomass thus strengthening a foundation of long-term overall stock health and conservation.