Treesearch

1. The primary effects of climatic conditions on invertebrate litter communities, and the secondary effects of different forest types, were distinguished by using the sierra palm as a control in a natural experiment along an elevational gradient in the Luquillo Mountains. These mountains have three well-defined forest types along the gradient, with the palm occurring as stands within each forest. 2. Palm litter samples were richer in nutrients, particularly phosphorus, than nonpalm litter, significantly so at higher elevations where leaching would have been expected. In nonpalm litter,...

This revision of the classification of unicellular eukaryotes updates that of Levine et al. (1980) for the protozoa and expands it to include other protists. Whereas the previous revision was primarily to incorporate the results of ultrastructural studies, this revision incorporates results from both ultrastructural research since 1980 and molecular phylogenetic studies. We propose a scheme that is based on nameless ranked systematics. The vocabulary of the taxonomy is updated, particularly to clarify the naming of groups that have been repositioned. We recognize six clusters of eukaryotes...

Cornipulvina ellipsoides is described as a new genus and species in the family Boliniaceae, order Boliniales and Erythromada lanciospora is described as a new genus and species in the Sordariomycetidae. Cornipulvina is distinguished by irregular stromata with long rostrate necks and ellipsoid ascospores lacking a germ pore. Erythromada differs from similar scolecosporous genera in its superficial, clustered, ovoid ascomata and its nonseptate, wider ascospores. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear 28S large subunit (LSU) sequences supports the establishment of both genera.

Mist nets have been used to monitor site, composition, and survival rates of bird populations in the Guanica Forest of Puerto Rico every winter since 1972. Each line of nets consists of 16. 12-m nets erected end-to-end in a straight line and operated from dawn to dark for three consecutive days. Here we examine features of the netting protocol that could affect quality of results for population studies, including species sampled, length and frequency of netting sessions. and number of captures and recaptures. Point counts and mist-net samples gave very different results for relative...

There is a dichotomy between open- and cavity-nesting species in the quantitative and temporal aspects of most reproductive parameters. For example, parameters such as 1) breeding season commencement, length, and conclusion, 2) number of clutches per season, 3) length of recrudescence periods, and 4) incubation and nestling periods, usually reflect shorter times in open nesters. However, these parameters are not always comparable among species with a proclivity for similar nest placement strategies, nor are they mutually exclusive within a given species. The Pearly-eyed Thrasher (Margarops...

A discussion of the general characteristics of shrubs as a life form and their distribution within the United States is followed by 311 short monographs containing general descriptions, ranges, ecology, reproductive habits, growth and management, and benefits to humans, animals, and the environment.

WE ENDORSE THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF America’s (ESA) call to shift its primary focus from the study of undisturbed ecosystems to interdisciplinary studies of humaninfluenced ecosystems for the betterment of human societies (1, 2). At the 2004 annual meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) in Miami, Florida, we released a report (“Beyond Paradise: Meeting the Challenges in Tropical Biology in the 21st Century”), which also makes a plea for an interdisciplinary, participatory, and socially relevant research agenda to study and conserve human-impacted as well...

Observations of foraging behavior of the Puerto Rican boa (Epicrates inornatus) were performed at a cave entrance beginning one hour before sunset until one hour after sunrise. Boas captured bats from 1745 h to 0600 h, but most captures were between 1900 and 2400 h. The most common preyed bats were Erophylla sezekorni, Mormoops blainivillii, Pteronotus quadridens and Monophyllus redmanii, while Brachyphylla cavernarum was rarely caught. The average prey handling time was 12.53 min. The Radiotelemetry was used to determine the home range, activity and movements of E. inornatus. Eleven...

Conversion of abandoned cattle pastures to secondary forests and plantations in the tropics has been proposed as a means to increase rates of carbon (C) sequestration from the atmosphere and enhance local biodiversity. We used a long-term tropical reforestation project (55–61 yr) to estimate rates of above- and belowground C sequestration and to investigate the impact of planted species on overall plant community structure. Thirteen tree species (nine native and four nonnative species) were planted as part of the reforestation effort in the mid to late 1930s. In 1992, there were 75 tree...