Publications
Sharing our research findings to maximize impact
There are many ways to ensure that the information we generate through our work in Peru gets to the people that can best use it. One of our key audiences is the scientific community, particularly in the case of our research efforts, and therefore we strive to publish the results of all of our studies in appropriate peer-reviewed journals or other platforms. Scroll down to see what our community of staff researchers, visiting researchers, and interns has published based on work conducted at our Finca Las Piedras field site and throughout southeastern Peru and beyond.
Peer-reviewed Publications - Lepidoptera
Our Lepidoptera Diversity and Biology Project team works at Finca Las Piedras and throughout the southeastern Peruvian Andes-Amazon to document the species of butterflies and moths present in the region, as well as their natural histories and how they interact with other organisms and their environment. These articles, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, highlight some of the team's key findings:
Immature stages and new host plant records for eight euptychiine butterflies in southeastern Peru (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Satyrini)
Nakahara et al. 2026 - Zootaxa
Abstract: We here report the immature stages and novel host plant records for six species in the nymphalid subtribe Euptychiina, which are documented based on populations found in the Madre de Dios department, Peru: Caeruleuptychia urania (Butler, 1867), Harjesia blanda (Möschler, 1876), Deltaya ocypete (Butler, 1867), Yphthimoides renata (Stoll, 1780), Cisandina philippa (Butler, 1867), Cisandina castanya Lamas & Nakahara, 2022. We also report new host plant records for two euptychiine species: Magneuptychia libye (Linnaeus, 1767) and Modestia harpyia (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1867). A total of eight euptychiine species are discussed in the present study and the majority of new host plant records for them belong to the family Poaceae except for M. harpyia which was found feeding on seedlings of Euterpe precatoria (Arecaceae). We provide photos of documented immature stages and host plants for species discussed herein, as well as DNA barcode data for selected taxa.
Pham et al. 2025 - BMC Genomics
Abstract: We report a long-read high-coverage reference genome assembly of the Neotropical butterfly, Batesia hypochlora (Nymphalidae: Biblidinae). This represents the first reference genome in the Biblidinae subfamily, a clade subject to ongoing studies on seasonal and climate adaptation in the Amazon. We assembled the genome from PacBio HiFi long reads (66X coverage), polished it with Illumina short reads (15X coverage), and annotated it using PacBio IsoSeq RNA data. We observed 15 chromosome-sized scaffolds, varying in length from 13.2 Mbp to 37.6 Mbp (median, 24.3 Mbp), which combined to form a total genome size of 395.788 Mbp. This assembly is highly contiguous (contig N50 of 25.14 Mbp) and complete (BUSCO completeness score of 98.6% and 0.2% duplication rate). Repeat annotation revealed that the genome comprises approximately one-third transposable elements. Gene prediction using RNA-seq evidence identified 19,395 genes, of which 17,400 were assigned to 2,883 orthogroups, including genomes of the fruit fly, silk moth, and three other Nymphalid butterfly species. The high sequencing depth also allowed us to assemble the genomes of the mitochondria and the common endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia. The mitochondrial genome was fully assembled (15,540 bp in size) with all expected genes annotated. The Wolbachia genome was fragmented, and we determined that it belongs to the B-supergroup. The high-quality assembly of B. hypochlora can represent the subfamily in further comparative analysis of evolution and provide a key resource for ongoing work to explore reproductive biology and adaptations to seasonality in Neotropical butterflies.
Nakahara et al. 2025 - Zool J Linn Soc
Abstract: We name and describe a new butterfly species in the family Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera), Fulvatis regalodelcielo sp. nov. from Panama and Colombia. In addition to generating mitochondrial and draft nuclear genome assemblies for the type series, we utilized available whole-genome sequencing data and reconciled a species tree using a full-likelihood multispecies coalescent method, as well as producing two concatenated maximum-likelihood trees from nuclear and mitochondrial genome datasets. All three phylogenetic hypotheses recovered F. regalodelcielo sp. nov. as a member of the tribe Phocidini (Eudaminae) with a high support. Fulvatis regalodelcielo sp. nov. is most closely related to Fulvatis fulvius (Plötz, 1882). Coalescent-based species tree analysis suggests that these two taxa diverged less than 1 million years ago. We provide diagnostic morphological characters for congeneric species and designate a lectotype for Telegonus fulvius Plötz, 1882 to remove any ambiguity regarding its identity. We draw attention to both advantage and disadvantage of generating classification schemes based on genomic data, and highlight the importance of biological classification as a tool to effectively communicate about the diversity of life.
Vega et al. 2025 - Acta Amazonica
Abstract: In this study, we describe the immature life stages and two natural host plant associations of the neotropical skipper butterfly Artines angelica Medeiros, 2019 (Hesperiidae), in southeastern Peru. This represents the first published information regarding the basic biology of this species, and only the second for the genus Artines, highlighting our general lack of knowledge of this group. Specimens were collected at the Finca Las Piedras research station in Peru's Madre de Dios department, where immatures were found and reared on two herbaceous bamboo species, Taquara micrantha (Kunth) I.L.C. Oliveira and R.P. Oliveira and Olyra latifolia L. (both Poaceae). The life cycle of the only individual A. artines found and reared from the egg stage spanned 55 days, during which the species went through six larval instars. The life and natural history information we provide may be useful in understanding the species diversity of the skipper subtribe Moncina, which is extremely diverse yet poorly studied to date.
Sherer et al. 2025 - Zootaxa
Abstract: We describe the immature biology of three skipper species in the tribe Hesperiini (Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae), Xeniades orchamus Cramer in the subtribe Hesperiina, and Dubia dubia Bell and Tricrista canta Evans in the subtribe Moncina. All species were recorded feeding on Guadua weberbaueri Pilger (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae). One larva of each species was collected in nature at Finca Las Piedras, a biological research station located in the Amazonian lowlands of Madre de Dios, Peru. Larvae were reared to adulthood in an onsite laboratory using leaves from G. weberbaueri. We present measurements, descriptions, durations, and photographs of recorded larval instars and pupae, illustrations of larval head capsules, and details of the host plant.
Nakahara et al. 2023 - Trop Lep Res
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Abstract: Here, we describe and name a new nymphalid butterfly species in the subtribe Euptychiina. Caeruleuptychia thaliana Nakahara & Piovesan, n. sp. is proposed by incorporating three independent sources of evidence: adult external morphology, DNA sequence data, and early stage biology. Caeruleuptychia thaliana n. sp. is known from two sites in the Amazon basin, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, and another site situated in Madre de Dios department, Peru. A single egg of C. thaliana n. sp. was obtained while conducting field work at the latter locality, and subsequently observations were made of the larva passing through four larval stages until reaching the adult stage. The natural host plant for C. thaliana n. sp. was identified as a species of grass, Lasiacis ligulata Hitchcock & Chase (Poaceae: Panicoideae: Paniceae)
Corahua-Espinoza 2022 - Neotropical Entomology
Abstract: We report here the immature stages and natural host plants for three species in the so-called "Taygetis clade" of the nymphalid butterfly subtribe Euptychiina, Taygetis echo (Cramer, 1775), Taygetis sosis Hopffer, 1874, and Pseudodebis valentina (Cramer, 1779). The study was carried out at Finca Las Piedras in Madre de Dios department, Peru. Taygetis echo was observed utilizing a species of herbaceous bamboo, Olyra latifolia L. (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Olyreae), T. sosis was found feeding on another species of herbaceous bamboo, Pariana lunata Nees (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Olyreae), and P. valentina was found utilizing a species of woody bamboo, Guadua weberbaueri Pilg. (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae). We describe and provide photos of the immatures and host plants, as well as illustrations of the head capsules for each of these three species.
Duerr et al. 2022 - Zootaxa
Abstract: We describe here for the first time the complete immature life cycles and shelter structures of two Neotropical skipper butterflies in the subtribe Moncina, Troyus phyllides (Röber, 1925) and Thoon ponka Evans 1955, along with new natural host plant records for these species at Finca Las Piedras, Madre de Dios, Peru. Four eggs and a preantepenultimate larva of T. phyllides, as well as three eggs of Thoon ponka were collected in nature and each passed through five larval instars to adulthood. Troyus phyllides fed on a herbaceous species, Lasiacis ligulata Hitchcock & Chase (Poaceae: Panicoideae: Paniceae), while T. ponka fed on two congeneric herbaceous bamboo species, Pariana lunata Nees and Pariana sp. (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Olyreae). We present photos of all immature stages and host plants, as well as illustrations of the shelter structures and the head capsules for each of these two species.
Corahua-Espinoza et al. 2022 - Trop Lep Res
Abstract: The immature stages of two euptychiine butterflies (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae), Paryphthimoides terrestris (Butler, 1867) and Magneuptychia iris (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1867), are described herein and their natural host plants are documented. Notes on the immature stages of these two species were included previously in an unpublished dissertation, although our work is the first to provide satisfactory illustrations of the immature stages of these two taxa. Based on the population found and studied in Madre de Dios, Peru, both species utilize plant species in the family Poaceae. We provide illustrations of immatures, head capsules, and host plants for both species.
Corahua-Espinoza et al. 2022 - Zootaxa
Abstract: We describe here for the first time the complete immature life cycles and shelter structures of two Neotropical skipper butterflies in the subtribe Moncina, Troyus phyllides (Röber, 1925) and Thoon ponka Evans 1955, along with new natural host plant records for these species at Finca Las Piedras, Madre de Dios, Peru. Four eggs and a preantepenultimate larva of T. phyllides, as well as three eggs of Thoon ponka were collected in nature and each passed through five larval instars to adulthood. Troyus phyllides fed on a herbaceous species, Lasiacis ligulata Hitchcock & Chase (Poaceae: Panicoideae: Paniceae), while T. ponka fed on two congeneric herbaceous bamboo species, Pariana lunata Nees and Pariana sp. (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Olyreae). We present photos of all immature stages and host plants, as well as illustrations of the shelter structures and the head capsules for each of these two species.
Nakahara et al. 2022 - Insect Systematics & Diversity
Abstract: We here establish a new genus in the nymphalid butterfly subtribe Euptychiina, Cisandina Nakahara & Espeland, n. gen. to harbor five species hitherto placed within two polyphyletic genera, namely Magneuptychia Forster, 1964 and Euptychoides Forster, 1964. We compiled data from over 350 specimens in 17 public and private collections, as well as DNA sequence data for all relevant species, to revise the species-level classification of this new genus. According to our multi-locus molecular phylogeny estimated with the maximum likelihood approach, Cisandina lea n. comb., Cisandina philippa n. comb. & reinst. stat., Cisandina fida n. comb., Cisandina sanmarcos n. comb., and Cisandina trinitensis n. comb. are proposed as new taxonomic combinations, since these species are distantly related to the type species of Magneuptychia and Euptychoides and cannot reasonably be accommodated in any other genus. Lectotypes are designated for Papilio lea Cramer, 1777, Papilio junia Cramer, 1780, Euptychia philippa Butler, 1867, and Eupytchia fida Weymer, 1911. Two new species of Cisandina n. gen. are named and described herein, C. esmeralda Nakahara & Barbosa, n. sp. and C. castanya Lamas & Nakahara, n. sp., increasing the described species diversity of the genus to seven. The immature stages of C. castanya n. sp. and C. philippa n. comb. & reinst. stat. are documented along with their natural hostplants, representing the first two species of the genus with known life history information. We describe a new subspecies, Cisandina fida directa Nakahara & Willmott, n. ssp., based on a limited number of specimens from southern Ecuador and central Peru. We were unable to obtain genetic data for the nominate race of C. fida n. comb., and thus, this taxonomic hypothesis is currently based solely on phenotypic characters.
Hurtado et al. 2021 - J Trop Lep Res
Abstract: Here we document the complete life cycle of the Neotropical nymphalid butterfly Taygetis cleopatra (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1862) based on two individuals collected and reared in Madre de Dios, Peru, including the morphology and duration of each life stage. We also report this species' natural hostplant at the study site, a species of herbaceous bamboo, Olyra latifolia L. (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Olyreae). Our study confirms existing information regarding the partial life history of this species in Ecuador, as well as its use of O. latifolia as a hostplant in southeastern Peru, while adding new information regarding its immature biology.
Ccahuana 2021 et al. - J Trop Lep Res
Abstract: We here report for the first time the complete immature life cycle of a Neotropical skipper butterfly, Ebusus ebusus ebusus (Cramer, 1780), with a report of a new natural hostplant based on a single individual reared at Finca Las Piedras (Madre de Dios, Peru). An egg obtained in nature passed through four larval instars and reached the adult stage, feeding on a palm species identified as Mauritia flexuosa L.f. (Arecaceae: Calamoideae). We provide images of each life stage including illustrations of head capsules and larval shelter structures, as well as information on the duration of the stages.
Ccahuana et al. 2021 - J Trop Lep Res
Abstract: We report for the first time the complete immature stages of the Neotropical riodinid butterfly Leucochimona hyphea (Cramer, 1776), based on individuals reared in Madre de Dios, Peru. We illustrate all five larval instars, in addition to the pupa and the egg, and provide the duration of each stage. We also provide evidence for the presence of ant organs on A8 of the larvae and pupa of L. hyphea, and report its natural host plant at the study site, Spermacoce latifolia Aubl. (Rubioideae: Rubiaceae), which represents a new host record for this species.
Tejeira et al. 2021 - J Trop Lep Res
Abstract: We here describe the immature stages of a rare Neotropical satyrine butterfly, Chloreuptychia marica (Weymer, 1911), with a report of its natural hostplant based on two individuals reared in southwestern Amazonia (Madre de Dios, Peru). Two eggs obtained in nature passed through four larval instars and reached the adult stage, and the hostplant was identified as Pariana lunata Nees (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Olyreae), a species of herbaceous bamboo. Images of each stage, as well as their duration, are provided herein, and we also illustrate the head capsules of the first and third instars
Nakahara et al. 2020 - J Trop Lep Res
Abstract: We here report for the first time the complete life history of Magneuptychia harpyia (C. Felder & R. felder, 1867) (Satyrinae: Euptychiina), based on an individual from Madre de Dios, Peru. An egg obtained from a single female was reared on Lasiacis ligulata Hitchcock & Chase (Poaceae: Panicoideae) and the larva passed through five instars. Images of the egg, all larval instars, and the pupa are provided herein, in addition to illustrations of the head capsule and information on the duration of each stage. The host plant in nature is unknown.
Baine et al. 2019 - J Trop Lep Res
Abstract: In the present study, the immature stages of the Neotropical euptychiine butterfly Taygetis rufomarginata Staudinger, 1888 are described and illustrated in detail for the first time, from specimens collected in Madre de Dios department, Peru. The morphology of all four instars, the egg and pupa, are described and the duration of each stage is recorded. General immature morphology is similar to that of Taygetis virgilia (Cramer, 1776), and T. acuta Weymer, 1910. The life history of studied specimens is compared to that of T. rufomarginata in Brazil and Costa Rica. In addition, we report a species of grass, Lasiacis ligulata Hitchcock & Chase (Poaceae), as a new host plant for this species.
Joseph See et al. 2018 - J Trop Lep Res
Abstract: The immature stages of the Neotropical nymphalid butterfly Splendeuptychia quadrina (Butler, 1869) are documented herein based on a population found in Madre de Dios, Peru. Larval morphology is illustrated for the first time for the genus. The host plant is a species of bamboo, identified as Rhipidocladum racemiflorum (Steud.) McClure (Poaceae: Bambusoideae).
Other peer-reviewed publications
In addition to studies of the diversity and basic biology of Lepidoptera, the ASA conducts research in other areas as well—we have active projects spanning forest dynamics, plant phenology, and the taxonomy, systematics, ecology, and even the physics and biomechanics of organisms ranging from mammals and birds to a variety of non-lepidopteran insects and other arthropods. These are the published results of our work in these areas:
Barr et al. 2025 - The Coleopterists Bulletin
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Abstract: Nanelmis Barr, new genus with two new species, Nanelmis aguaje Barr, new species from Peru and Nanelmis longicruris Barr, new species from French Guiana, are diagnosed, described, and illustrated, as is the larva of N. aguaje. Adult specimens of both species are tiny, less than 2 mm long. Despite the fact that a fairly large series of N. aguaje was collected, all are female. Nanelmis longicruris is described from a single male which has modifications that are likely due to sexual dimorphism. Each species is known from a single locality, both of which are described in detail.
Stupski et al. 2025 - Newton
Abstract: Fieldwork is an essential component for an expanding umbrella of research on the physics of living systems, where observing organisms in nature is a critical component of discovery. However, conducting field research can be a barrier for scientists, in particular physicists, who do not have experience working with organisms under challenging field conditions. Here, we propose seven critical steps for organizing and executing interdisciplinary, curiosity-driven field research. Our recommendations are drawn from insights gained from the in situ Jungle Biomechanics Lab, a field research course that helps early-career scientists from both physical and life sciences gain experience in both organizing and conducting interdisciplinary field research in the Amazon Rainforest. We emphasize a curiosity-driven approach toward the scientific inquiry of living systems, which we believe is crucial for discovery while working with wild organisms under unpredictable field conditions. We further provide guidance on teamwork when conducting fieldwork, including creating an inclusive environment and advocating for codes of conduct and team structures that aid in conflict resolution. Finally, we outline an in situ approach to fieldwork that requires engagement with the environment, scientific community, and local people where field sites exist
Riiska et al. 2025 - Int Comp Biol
Abstract: When terrestrial organisms locomote in natural settings, they must navigate complex surfaces that vary in incline angles and substrate roughness. Variable surface structures are common in arboreal environments and can be challenging to traverse. This study examines the walking gait of katydids (Tettigoniidae) as they traverse a custom-built platform with varying incline angles (30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°) and substrate roughness (40, 120, and 320 grit sandpaper). Our results show that katydids walk more slowly as the incline angle increases and as katydid mass increases, with a decrease of around 0.3 body lengths per second for every 1° increase in incline. At steeper inclines and larger sizes, katydids are also less likely to use an alternating tripod gait, opting instead to maintain more limbs in contact with the substrate during walking. Katydids also increased average duty factor when climbing steeper inclines and with increasing body mass. However, substrate roughness did not affect walking speed or gait preference in our trials. These findings provide insights into how environmental factors influence locomotor strategies in katydids and enhance our understanding of effective locomotor strategies in hexapods.
Leavengood et al. 2025 - Proc Entomol Soc Wash
Abstract: A list of checkered beetles (Coleoptera: Cleridae) collected at Finca Las Piedras (Madre Dios, Peru) is presented. Eight new country records for Peru, field observations and taxonomic notes are presented, and distributions are updated for all species herein. The species Phyllobaenus cylindricollis (Gorham, 1886), formerly not known from South America, is supplemented with data from additional geographic regions. Taxonomic problems involving Phyllobaenus cylindricollis (Gorham, 1886), the genus Plocamocera, Enoclerus bipartitus (Schenkling, 1915), E. flavibasis Chapin, 1927 (status restored) and E. dichrous Chapin, 1927 are reviewed and include the assessment of type specimens.
Fortier et al. 2025 - Ecology and Evolution
Abstract: The southwestern Amazon is a biodiversity hotspot home to some of the oldest permanent forest dynamics plots in the basin. Despite the region's abundance of plots, we still know relatively little about how tree diversity and composition change across the region's precipitation gradient, between habitat types, and how disturbed and managed forests compare to protected, old-growth forests since the majority of forest plots are located in protected forests. In this study, we first described a new 1-ha permanent forest dynamics plot at the confluence of agricultural land and managed Brazil nut forest. We then compared the plot to others in the region to evaluate the relationship between precipitation and plot diversity, compositional differences between floodplain and terra firme forest, and differences in forest dynamics between our disturbed forest plot and old-growth forest plots. Contrary to large-scale patterns in tree diversity, we found no relationship between precipitation and tree alpha diversity for plots in the southwestern Amazon. There were, however, clear compositional differences between floodplain and terra firme forests. Annual change in the aboveground biomass of the new plot was higher than in other plots in the region. Similarly, annual rates of mortality and recruitment were lower and higher, respectively, in the new plot compared to the other plots. The floristic and structural similarities between plots in disturbed or managed forests and plots in old-growth forests indicate a high resilience of tropical forests to low-intensity disturbances. Our findings thus provide evidence that low-intensity logging and low-impact Brazil nut harvesting in the southwest Amazon do not significantly alter forest structure and composition in the medium to long term. Our new plot bolsters the representation of disturbed and managed forests in plot databases and will be an important resource for future studies of large-scale patterns of forest diversity, structure, and dynamics.
Corahua-Espinoza et al. 2025 - Gentryana
Abstract: Biodiversity in neotropical forests is highly threatened by human activities, including in southern Peru, one of the world’s most important biodiverse hostpots. These forests are also generally poorly studied, with the data required to develop effective, science-based conservation strategies severely limited throughout most of the region. The establishment of permanent forest dynamics, by providing baseline inventories and information regarding change over time, offers a way out of this problem. This study characterized tree diversity, composition, and structure of a new 1-ha permanent plot high terrace forest dominated by Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) at the Finca Las Piedras field station in Madre de Dios, Peru. The permanent plot "FLP-01" was established as part of ForestPlot.net network, using the RAINFOR protocol. FLP-01 had 549 individuals of 173 species, in 106 genera and 48 families; based on IVI, the most ecologically important species were Bertholletia excelsa, Siparuna decipiens, and Protium altissimum. In terms of horizontal structure, 67.2% of individuals were between 10-19.9 cm in diameter, and vertically, 76.5% were found between 10-20 m in height. Floristic diversity was high: Shannon (4.79), Fisher's alpha (87.06), and Chao 1 estimated 313 possible species. We conclude that FLP-01 has high floristic diversity, but is not taxonomically similar to other more studied areas nearby (Manu and Tambopata); factors such as soil type, geographic location, and phytosociology (sympatry) could influence this.
Fortier et al. 2024 - Global Change Biology
Abstract: Rapid warming and high temperatures are an immediate threat to global ecosystems, but the threat may be especially pronounced in the tropics. Although low-latitude tree species are widely predicted to be vulnerable to warming, information about how tropical tree diversity and community composition respond to elevated temperatures remains sparse. Here, we study long- term responses of tree diversity and composition to increased soil and air temperatures at the Boiling River—an exceptional and unique “natural warming experiment” in the central Peruvian Amazon. Along the Boiling River's course, geothermally heated water joins the river, gradually increasing water temperature and subsequently warming the surrounding forest. In the riparian forests along the Boiling River, mean annual and maximum air temperatures span gradients of 4°C and 11°C, respectively, over extremely short distances.
Harrison et al. 2024 - Integrative & Comparative Biology
Abstract: The in-situ Jungle Biomechanics Lab is a two-week field research experience in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest for early-career scientists, undergrads to post docs. This NSF-funded program helps participants learn how to bring their interdisciplinary science into the field. However, one of the JBL program’s goals is to offer opportunities for scientists to make novel observations in biodiverse habitats and help them find new curiosity-based lines of questions. Fostering creativity in the field within a short time frame can be challenging. Facilitating curiosity-based research is often overlooked in science education, but we argue it is a critical part of developing future generations of scientists. Here we discuss the in-situ Jungle Biomechanics Lab program, the research facilities, and community outreach programs. We show our approach to making an inclusive field research experience and how critical this is for fostering creativity in the challenging environments of the field. These lessons inform methods for engaging and collaborative interdisciplinary field research and provide insights on establishing collaborations with local communities in the field.
Soto-Quispe et al. 2023 - Specimen
Abstract: The subfamily Rutelinae (Scarabaeoidea: Scarabaeidae) is highly diverse, particularly in the Neotropics, where about 1,350 of the subfamily’s approximately 4,900 total species are known to occur (Roskov et al., 2019; Puker et al., 2020). Of the Rutelinae taxa known to occur in the Neotropics, around 270 species contained within 52 genera are found in Perú (Ratcliffe et al., 2015). These beetles are commonly known as leaf chafer beetles, due to the fact that many have metallic coloration on the body. Many species have strong legs of variable sizes, and the overall size ranges from small to large (Jameson, 1997). The genus Macraspis MacLeay, 1819 belongs to the tribe Rutelini and occurs from Mexico to Argentina, and includes 71 described species (Soula, 1998; Roskov et al., 2019; Bento et al., 2022). Adults feed on flowers and larvae are saprophagous (Medeiros et al., 2019; Neita-Moreno, 2014). Macraspis phallocardia was described by Bento et al. (2022) based on 18 specimens from the Amazonian state of Rondônia, Brazil. In this paper we record M. phallocardia for the first time in Peru.
Pitman et al. 2022 - PhytoKeys
Abstract: We report the rediscovery of the Critically Endangered cloud forest herb Gasteranthus extinctus, not seen since 1985. In 2019 and 2021, G. extinctus was recorded at five sites in the western foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes, 4–25 km from the type locality at the celebrated Centinela ridge. We describe the species’ distribution, abundance, habitat and conservation status and offer recommendations for further research and conservation efforts focused on G. extinctus and the small, disjunct forest remnants it occupies.
Fortier & Wright 2021 - Ecology
Abstract: Nutrient addition experiments indicate that nitrogen and phosphorus limit plant processes in many tropical forests. However, the long-term consequences for forest structure and species composition remain unexplored. We are positioned to evaluate potential long-term consequences of nutrient addition in central Panama where we have maintained a factorial nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium fertilization experiment for 21 yr and an independent study quantified the species-specific nutrient requirements of 550 local tree species. Here, we ask whether nutrients limit reproduction at the species and community levels. We also ask whether species-specific reproductive responses to nutrient addition are stronger among species associ- ated with naturally fertile soils, which could contribute to a shift in species composition. We quantified species-level reproductive responses for 38 focal species in the 21st year of the exper- iment and community-level reproductive litter production for the first 20 yr. Species-level reproductive responses to nitrogen and potassium addition were weak, inconsistent across spe- cies, and insignificant across the 38 focal species. In contrast, species-level responses to phos- phorus addition were consistently and significantly positive across the 38 focal species but were unrelated to species-specific phosphorus requirements documented independently for the same species. Community-level reproductive litter production was unaffected by nutrient addition, possibly because spatial and temporal variation is large. We conclude that phosphorus limits reproduction by trees in our experiment but find no evidence that reproductive responses to phosphorus addition favor species associated with naturally phosphorus-rich soils.
Klinges & Scheffers 2021 - The American Naturalist
Abstract: An extension of the climate variability hypothesis is that relatively stable climate, such as that of the tropics, induces distinct thermal bands across elevation that render dispersal over tropical mountains difficult compared with temperate mountains. Yet ecosystems are not thermally static in space-time, especially at small scales, which might render some mountains greater thermal isolators than others. Here we provide an extensive investigation of temperature drivers from fine to coarse scales, and we demonstrate that the degree of similarity in temperatures at high and low elevations on mountains is driven by more than just absolute mountain height and latitude. We compiled a database of 29 mountains spanning six continents to characterize thermal overlap by vertically stratified microhabitats and biomes and owing to seasonal changes in foliage, demonstrating via mixed effects modeling that micro- and mesogeography more strongly influence thermal overlap than macrogeography. Impressively, an increase of 1 m of vertical microhabitat height generates an increase in overlap equivalent to a 5.267 change in latitude. In addition, forested mountains have reduced thermal overlap—149% lower—relative to nonforested mountains. We provide evidence in support of a climate hypothesis that emphasizes microgeography as a determinant of dispersal, demographics, and behavior, thereby refining the classical theory of macroclimate variability as a prominent driver of biogeography.
Hinkelman et al. 2020 - The Science of Nature
Abstract: Eusociality in its various degrees represents an animal social system characterised by cooperative brood care, differentiation into castes and generational overlap. The fossil record indicates that eusociality is likely to have originated in hymenopterans and blattodeans during the Cretaceous. In this study, we present findings from surveys in Peruvian (Villa Carmen) and Ecuadorian (Rio Bigal, El Reventador) cloud forests revealing the first extant cockroach species living in complex, structured groups (n = 90–200 individuals, ˃ 20 adults). We observed and described behaviours that suggest the existence of cooperative care, nest guarding, nest chamber preparation within hardwood Casearia sp. (Salicaceae) and bamboo (Bambusoideae), multiple overlapping generations (‘different stages of’ instars), colony translocation, possibly a sole reproductive female (1.25 times larger white ‘queen’, but no potential ‘king’ observed), and morphologically diversified immature stages. In order to define the lineage where this type of sociality originated and occurs, the forms of Melyroidea magnifica Shelford, 1912, M. ecuadoriana sp. n., M. mimetica Shelford, 1912 and an undescribed species from Peru are also described in a separate section of this study. Blattoid morphological characteristics such as typical styli suggest categorisation within distinct Oulopterygidae (Rehn, 1951), outside Corydiidae Saussure 1864. Transitional advanced sociality or semisociality in related Aclavoidea socialis gen. et sp. n. is documented in a rotting stump (n = 80 individuals, few adults). Close phylogenetic relation between the genera, conserved morphology of numerous characters and their diverse feeding strategies generally lacking specialisation suggests a rather recent origin of a social way of life in this group. Eusociality in invertebrates and vertebrates can thus originate in various phylogenetical and ecological trajectories including predation, parasitism, care for herbs and the new one, documented through diet shift from detritivory to fungivory and algaevory. Interdisciplinary approaches reveal the low degree of knowledge of rainforest ecosystems, with fundamental groups remaining still systematically and also behaviourally undescribed.
Iverson et al. 2020 - Integrative & Comparative Biology
Abstract: Temperature is one of the most important environmental factors driving the genome-to-phenome relationship. Metabolic rates and related biological processes are predicted to increase with temperature due to the biophysical laws of chemical reactions. However, selection can also act on these processes across scales of biological organization, from individual enzymes to whole organisms. Although some studies have examined thermal responses across multiple scales, there is no general consensus on how these responses vary depending on the level of organization, or whether rates actually follow predicted theoretical patterns such as Arrhenius-like exponential responses or thermal performance curves (TPCs) that show peak responses. Here, we performed a meta-analysis on studies of ectotherms where biological rates were measured across the same set of temperatures, but at multiple levels of biological organization: enzyme activities, mitochondrial respiration, and/or whole-animal metabolic rates. Our final dataset consisted of 235 pairwise comparisons between levels of organization from 13 publications. Thermal responses differed drastically across levels of biological organization, sometimes showing completely opposite patterns. We developed a new effect size metric, “organizational disagreement” (OD) to quantify the difference in responses among levels of biological organization. Overall, rates at higher levels of biological organization (e.g., whole animal metabolic rates) increased more quickly with temperature than rates at lower levels, contrary to our predictions. Responses may differ across levels due to differing consequences of biochemical laws with increasing organization or due to selection for different responses. However, taxa and tissues examined generally did not affect OD...
Perez & Feeley 2020 - Functional Ecology
Abstract: 1. Photosynthetic heat tolerances (PHTs) have several potential applications including predicting which species will be most vulnerable to climate change. Given that plants exhibit unique thermoregulatory traits that influence leaf temperatures and decouple them from ambient air temperatures, we hypothesized that PHTs should be correlated with extreme leaf temperatures as opposed to air temperatures. 2. We measured leaf thermoregulatory traits, maximum leaf temperatures (TMO) and two metrics of PHT (Tcrit and T50) quantified using the quantum yield of photosystem II for 19 plant species growing in Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (Coral Gables, FL, USA). Thermoregulatory traits measured at the Garden and microenvironmental variables were used to parameterize a leaf energy balance model that estimated maximum in situ leaf temperatures (TMIS) across the geographic distributions of 13 species. 3. TMO and TMIS were positively correlated with T50 but were not correlated with Tcrit. The breadth of species' thermal safety margins (the difference between T50 and TMO) was negatively correlated with T50. 4. Our results provide observational and theoretical support based on a first principles approach for the hypothesis that PHTs may be adaptations to extreme leaf temperature, but refute the assumption that species with higher PHTs are less susceptible to thermal damage. Our study also introduces a novel method for studying plant ecophysiology by incorporating biophysical and species distribution models, and highlights how the use of air temperature versus leaf temperature can lead to conflicting conclusions about species vulnerability to thermal damage.
Perez et al. 2020 - Functional Ecology
Abstract: PREMISE: The use of functional traits has surged in recent decades, providing new insights ranging from individual plant fitness to ecosystem processes. Global plant trait databases have advanced our understanding of plant functional diversity, but they remain incomplete because of geographic and taxonomic biases. Herbarium specimens may help fill these gaps by providing trait information across space and time. We tested whether herbarium specimen-derived measurements are reliable estimates of three important, commonly measured functional traits—specific leaf area (SLA), branch wood specific gravity, and leaf thickness. METHODS: Leaves and branches were collected from species cultivated at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Florida International University in Miami, FL, USA. Fresh components of SLA (area), branch wood specific gravity (volume), and leaf thickness were measured following standard trait measurement protocols. We compared these trait values to corresponding measurements using plant tissues dried in a plant press following standard herbarium plant collecting protocols. RESULTS: Herbarium-derived trait measurements (dried tissues) were highly correlated with those measured using fresh tissues following standard protocols (SLA: R2 = 0.72–0.97, p < 0.01; wood specific gravity: R2 = 0.74–0.75, p
Perez et al. 2018 - Philosophical Transactions B
Abstract: Functional traits are increasingly used to understand the ecology of plants and to predict their responses to global changes. Unfortunately, trait data are unavailable for the majority of plant species. The lack of trait data is especially prevalent for hard-to-measure traits and for tropical plant species, potentially owing to the many inherent difficulties of working with species in remote, hyperdiverse rainforest systems. The living collections of botanic gardens provide convenient access to large numbers of tropical plant species and can potentially be used to quickly augment trait databases and advance our understanding of species’ responses to climate change. In this review, we quantitatively assess the availability of trait data for tropical versus temperate species, the diversity of species available for sampling in several exemplar tropical botanic gardens and the validity of garden-based leaf and root trait measurements. Our analyses support the contention that the living collections of botanic gardens are a valuable scientific resource that can contribute significantly to research on plant functional ecology and conservation.
Gallice et al. 2019 - Oryx
Abstract: The construction of roads and other large-scale infrastructure projects, and the secondary impacts they precipitate, are among the key drivers of change in tropical forests. The proposed expansion of a road in the buffer zones of Peru's Manu National Park and Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, in the country's Amazon region, threatens biodiversity and indigenous communities in one of the world's most species-rich and environmentally sensitive rainforest areas. In particular, road expansion is likely to result in uncontrolled colonization, deforestation, and the illicit extraction of timber and other natural resources, as well as an increase in social conflict between resource extractors and indigenous communities. Furthermore, the development of infrastructure in the Manu region puts at risk Peru's international commitments regarding climate change by promoting, rather than avoiding, forest loss. A number of viable alternatives to further road expansion are available to achieve economic development and improved mobility in Manu, including agricultural intensification, improved land-use planning, and a less invasive transportation infrastructure. Given the growth in the global road network expected in the coming decades, as well as the common factors underlying the expansion of such infrastructure across tropical, developing countries, the issues surrounding road expansion in Manu and the compromise solutions that we propose are broadly applicable to efforts to achieve sustainable development in other remote, tropical regions.
Perez & Hogan 2018 - Biotropica
Abstract: Collaboration can improve conservation initiatives through increases in article impact and by building scientific understanding required for conservation practice. We investigated temporal trends in collaboration in the tropical ecology and conservation literature by examining patterns of authorship for 2271 articles published from 2000 to 2016 in Biotropica and the Journal of Tropical Ecology. Consistent with trends in other studies and scientific disciplines, we found that the number of authors per article increased from 2.6 in 2000 to 4.2 in 2015 using a generalized linear model (glm). We modeled changes in multinational collaboration in articles using a glm and found that the mean number of author-affiliated countries increased from 1.3 (0.6 SD) to 1.7 (0.8 SD) over time and that increases were best explained by the number of authors per article. The proportion of authors based in tropical countries increased, but the probability of tropical–extratropical collaboration did not and was best explained solely by the number of authors per article. Overall, our analyses suggest that only certain types of collaboration are increasing and that these increases coincide with a general increase in the number of authors per article. Such changes in author numbers and collaboration could be the result of increased data sharing, changes in the scope of research questions, changes in authorship criteria, or scientific migration. We encourage tropical conservation scientists continue to build collaborative ties, particularly with researchers based in underrepresented tropical countries, to ensure that tropical ecology and conservation remains inclusive and effective.
Larrea-Gallegos et al. 2017 - Int J Life Cycle Assess
Abstract: Purpose The main goal of this study is to provide a thorough environmental sustainability analysis of the construction, traffic, and maintenance of a 45.6-km section of the ‘Manu Road’, an unpaved tropical road that is currently being built in the vicinity of Manu National Park, in the region of Madre de Dios, Peru. Methods Life cycle assessment (LCA) using a set of 18 different impact categories was selected to conduct the environmental analysis. Modelling of machinery and vehicle emissions, as well as dust emissions, was performed to account for site-specific characteristics in terms of road construction and traffic. Similarly, direct land use changes were modelled with a particular emphasis on the decay of deforested biomass during construction. A set of different scenarios for the production system were considered to account for uncertainty regarding vehicle transit, amount of deforested biomass, and emission standards. Results and discussion Construction, maintenance, and traffic of the Manu Road varied considerably depending on methodological assumptions. Deforestation due to direct land use changes appears to be the main environmental hotspot in terms of climate change, whereas in the remaining impact categories, traffic was the main carrier of environmental burdens. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first LCA that focuses on the construction, maintenance, and traffic in a tropical rainforest environment. Despite the low requirements in terms of materials and technology to build this road, its derived environmental impacts are relevant in terms of climate change and particulate matter formation due to deforestation and dust emissions, respectively. Unpaved roads represent a relevant proportion of the entire road network worldwide, especially in developing tropical countries, playing a crucial role in the transportation of raw materials. Furthermore, road infrastructure is expected to expand explosively in the decades to come. Therefore, we suggest that LCA studies can and should improve the planning of road infrastructure in terms of life cycle inventories.
Iverson & Karubian 2017 - The Auk
Abstract: Purpose The main goal of this study is to provide a thorough environmental sustainability analysis of the construction, traffic, and maintenance of a 45.6-km section of the ‘Manu Road’, an unpaved tropical road that is currently being built in the vicinity of Manu National Park, in the region of Madre de Dios, Peru. Methods Life cycle assessment (LCA) using a set of 18 different impact categories was selected to conduct the environmental analysis. Modelling of machinery and vehicle emissions, as well as dust emissions, was performed to account for site-specific characteristics in terms of road construction and traffic. Similarly, direct land use changes were modelled with a particular emphasis on the decay of deforested biomass during construction. A set of different scenarios for the production system were considered to account for uncertainty regarding vehicle transit, amount of deforested biomass, and emission standards. Results and discussion Construction, maintenance, and traffic of the Manu Road varied considerably depending on methodological assumptions. Deforestation due to direct land use changes appears to be the main environmental hotspot in terms of climate change, whereas in the remaining impact categories, traffic was the main carrier of environmental burdens. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first LCA that focuses on the construction, maintenance, and traffic in a tropical rainforest environment. Despite the low requirements in terms of materials and technology to build this road, its derived environmental impacts are relevant in terms of climate change and particulate matter formation due to deforestation and dust emissions, respectively. Unpaved roads represent a relevant proportion of the entire road network worldwide, especially in developing tropical countries, playing a crucial role in the transportation of raw materials. Furthermore, road infrastructure is expected to expand explosively in the decades to come. Therefore, we suggest that LCA studies can and should improve the planning of road infrastructure in terms of life cycle inventories.
Posters & presentations
Not quite peer-reviewed but nevertheless shared at scientific or other professional meetings, posters and other presentations are an additional important way that we share our research findings with a variety of audiences.
Articles by visiting researchers & students
Works in which ASA-affiliated staff or researchers were not directly involved, but which were carried out at Finca Las Piedras or with our support otherwise:
Viana et al. 2024 - PeerJ
Abstract: Background: Lucidotini is a diverse tribe of lampyrine fireflies present throughout the New World, Europe, and Asia. Most of the over 30 genera have overlapping diagnoses, largely due to a lack of revisionary and phylogenetic studies. Widespread convergence in sensory morphology, traditionally used in genus-level diagnoses, further compounds the taxonomic issues surrounding the Lucidotini. Recent work has cast light on the value of terminalia and genitalic traits for Lucidotini taxonomy and called for a more thorough screening of morphological characters. Of special interest are basal outgrowths of the phallus (i.e., ventrobasal processes)—currently only known in Alychnus Kirsch and Photinus Laporte–that can be quite informative at the species level, but its variation within Lucidotini remains poorly studied. Most Lucidotini species remain only superficially described, while internal characters—including those of terminalia and genitalia—which could inform species identification and phylogenetic relatedness, remain unknown. Upon studying eight Lucidotini species superficially looking like Photinus and Photinoides McDermott—all of which bearing long ventrobasal processes–we raised the hypothesis that they belonged to a genus yet to be recognized. Methods: Here, we analyzed 97 morphological characters of 32 lampyrid species spanning 17 of 30 Lucidotini genera under Bayesian Inference. Results: We found evidence for the recognition and description of Saguassu gen. nov. to include seven new species (Saguassu acutum sp. nov., Saguassu grossii sp. nov., Saguassu manauara sp. nov., Saguassu rebellum sp nov., Saguassu roura sp. nov., Saguassu serratum sp. nov. and Saguassu sinuosum sp. nov.), in addition to Photinus dissidens Olivier ((transferred herein, thus generating Saguassu dissidens comb. nov.), for which we also designate a lectotype and two paralectotypes). This previously neglected lineage of Lucidotini spans four South American biomes: Amazon, Atlantic Rainforest, Cerrado, and Pampa. Interestingly, Saguassu species span a gradient of morphologies related to signaling: from Lampyris-style ventrally bulging eyes, tiny antennae and no lanterns; intermediate eyes and antennae, with complete lanterns as in Photinus; to small eyes and long antennae and small lanterns as in many Lucidota Laporte. Saguassu gen. nov. was consistently found closely related to the three other Lucidotini taxa with ventrobasal processes (i.e., Alychnus, Photinoides, and Photinus). We provide an occurrence map of and a dichotomous key to Saguassu species, thoroughly compare this genus with co-occurring Lucidotinigenera, and suggest steps towards a revision of the Lucidotini tribe.
Robert Sites 2024 - Zootaxa
Abstract: The neotropical saucer bug genus Maculambrysus Reynoso & Sites is currently represented by five species from tabasco, México to Pará, brazil. Presented here is the description of a sixth species, Maculambrysus gallicei n.sp., which was collected from rootmats and leafpacks in an aguaje palm swamp in southeastern Peru. It can be distinguished from most congeners by the concolorous dark-brown hemelytra and the mottled orange-brown pronotum, as well as characteristics of the male accessory genitalic process of tergum VI, and female subgenital plate and laterosternites VI. other aquatic Heteroptera co-occurring with this new species are given.
Chaboteaux et al. 2023 - Biotropica
Abstract: This study represents the first evidence of mercury contamination in the family Scarabaeidae, with a close focus on Coprophanaeus lancifer, the largest copro- necrophagous beetle in South America. This work shows the repartition of total mercury (THg) in the insect body and lays the groundwork for additional future studies.
Challita et al. 2023 - Nature Communications
Abstract: Food consumption and waste elimination are vital functions for living systems. Although how feeding impacts animal form and function has been studied for more than a century since Darwin, how its obligate partner, excretion, controls and constrains animal behavior, size, and energetics remains largely unexplored. Here we study millimeter scale sharpshooter insects (Cicadellidae) that feed exclusively on a plant’s xylem sap, a nutrient-deficit source (95% water). To eliminate their high-volume excreta, these insects exploit droplet superpropulsion, a phenomenon in which an elastic projectile can achieve higher velocity than the underlying actuator through temporal tuning. We combine coupled-oscillator models, computational fluid dynamics, and biophysical experiments to show that these insects temporally tune the frequency of their anal stylus to the Rayleigh frequency of their surface tension-dominated elastic drops as a single-shot resonance mechanism. Our model predicts that for these tiny insects, the superpropulsion of droplets is energetically cheaper than forming jets, enabling them to survive on an extreme energy-constrained xylem-sap diet. The principles and limits of superpropulsion outlined here can inform designs of energy-efficient self-cleaning structures and soft engines to generate ballistic motions.
Challita et al. 2021 - J Comp Phys
Abstract: We develop a mathematical model to capture the web dynamics of slingshot spiders (Araneae: Theridiosomatidae), which utilize a tension line to deform their orb webs into conical springs to hunt flying insects. Slingshot spiders are characterized by their ultrafast launch speeds and accelerations (exceeding 1300 m/s2), however a theoretical approach to characterize the underlying spatiotemporal web dynamics remains missing. To address this knowledge gap, we develop a 2D-coupled damped oscillator model of the web. Our model reveals three key insights into the dynamics of slingshot motion. First, the tension line plays a dual role: enabling the spider to load elastic energy into the web for a quick launch (in milliseconds) to displacements of 10–15 body lengths, but also enabling the spider to halt quickly, attenuating inertial oscillations. Second, the dominant energy dissipation mechanism is viscous drag by the silk lines - acting as a low Reynolds number parachute. Third, the web exhibits underdamped oscillatory dynamics through a finely-tuned balance between the radial line forces, the tension line force and viscous drag dissipation. Together, our work suggests that the conical geometry and tension-line enables the slingshot web to act as both an elastic spring and a shock absorber, for the multi-functional roles of risky predation and self-preservation.
Hazzi & Hormiga 2021 - Zookeys
Abstract: The species of the genus Phoneutria (Ctenidae), also called banana spiders, are considered amongst the most venomous spiders in the world. In this study we revalidate P. depilata (Strand, 1909), which had been synonymized with P. boliviensisis (F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897), using morphological and nucleotide sequence data (COI and ITS-2) together with species delimitation methods. We synonymized Ctenus peregrinoides, Strand, 1910 and Phoneutria colombiana Schmidt, 1956 with P. depilata. Furthermore, we designated Ctenus signativenter Strand, 1910 as a nomen dubium because the exact identity of this species cannot be ascertained with immature specimens, but we note that the type locality suggests that the C. signativenter syntypes belong to P. depilata. We also provide species distribution models for both species of Phoneutria and test hypotheses of niche conservatism under an allopatric speciation model. Our phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of the genus Phoneutria and recover P. boliviensis and P. depilata as sister species, although with low nodal support. In addition, the tree-based species delimitation methods also supported the separate identities of these two species. Phoneutria boliviensis and P. depilata present allopatric distributions separated by the Andean mountain system. Species distribution models indicate lowland tropical rain forest ecosystems as the most suitable habitat for these two Phoneutria species. In addition, we demonstrate the value of citizen science platforms like iNaturalist in improving species distribution knowledge based on occurrence records. Phoneutria depilata and P. boliviensis present niche conservatism following the expected neutral model of allopatric speciation. The compiled occurrence records and distribution maps for these two species, together with the morphological diagnosis of both species, will help to identify risk areas of accidental bites and assist health professionals to determine the identity of the species involved in bites, especially for P. depilata.
Gómez-Galdos 2021 - thesis
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Abstract: Amphibians are one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates in the Amazon region and have crucial roles in the functionality of the ecosystem. Likewise, these species are mainly affected by the loss or deterioration of the forests in the region, generating a decrease in diversity and an increase in the coverage of regenerating forests. Due to this, the management of secondary forests represents an alternative for the conservation of species biodiversity, as this are potential reservoirs for various species that are displaced and threatened by different factors. In this study, carried out in 2019, we compared the amphibian communities present in a primary and secondary forest in the Amazon lowland forest, located in the Madre de Dios region, in order to identify the factors that could influence the presence or absence of amphibian species in a secondary forest, which had suffered selective logging events. Transects were used to sample amphibians, in addition to recording the main variables that described the abiotic and biotic characteristics of the habitats. 60 transects were sample in each forest, registering a total of 150 individuals belonging to 22 species. Likewise, when comparing the forests, structural differences were found in relation to environmental temperature, relative humidity, abundance of trees and canopy cover. Despite this, comparative analysis showed that amphibian communities were similar across forests in relative abundance, richness, and species diversity. However, differences were found when analyzing the species of the genus Pristimantis, which had the highest representativeness in the sampling (120 individuals) and could have favor a higher relative humidity in the primary forest. The results obtained show that secondary forests can support a community of amphibians similar to that of a primary forest, despite the differences in their biotic and abiotic structure. These differences between forests may not be reflected at the amphibian community level, but could be influential on some of its components, particularly for the species of the genus Pristimantis. This study provides evidence on the potential of secondary forests for amphibian conservation in Peru and the need to identify those factors that favor or limit their biodiversity.
Alexander & Bhamla 2020 - Current Biology
Abstract: In the Theridiosomatidae spider family, at least three genera (Epeirotypus, Naatlo and Theridiosoma) use their three-dimensional cone-shaped webs as ultrafast slingshots that catapult both the spider and the web towards prey. Also known as slingshot spiders, theridiosomatids build three-dimensional conical webs with a tension line directly attached to the center of the web. In 1932, Hingston hypothesized that the slingshot spider releases the tension line using its front legs, while holding the web with its rear legs. Coddington [2] detailed how female spiders meticulously build their webs line-by-line. But lacking to date has been quantifi cation of spider kinematics, such as displacement, velocity and acceleration. Here we report the first quantification of theridiosomatid motion, revealing that slingshot spiders generate the fastest arachnid full body motion through use of their webs for external latch-mediated spring actuation.
Intern research reports
Every year we host a cohort of research interns at Finca Las Piedras who conduct field-based projects in areas ranging from biology and ecology to conservation, sustainability, and economic development. Encouraging and guiding our interns to publish their findings is a key objective of the internship program, both for their own professional development and so that we may continue to build upon their insights to advance research, reforestation, and education in southeastern Peru. Scroll down to see all of our published intern reports:
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2019
2018
2017
Field Guides
To maximize the utility of the information we generate, we also produce field guides to help others make sense of the incredible biodiversity found here. Our hope is that by making the identification of some key groups of plants and animals easier, we can foster a greater appreciation of our region's natural wealth.
Annual Reports
Check out our annual reports for summaries of key projects and accomplishments during the corresponding reporting periods:
