@article {17, title = {Size dependent occurence of different types of web decorations and a barrier web in the tropical spider Argiope argentata (Fabricius 1775) (Araneae Araneidae)}, journal = {Tropical Zoology}, volume = {21}, year = {2008}, pages = {97-108}, abstract = {

Web decorations occur in a wide range of spiders and are constructed using various materials such as leaves, carcasses or silk. Silk decorations, so called stabilimenta, have attracted most attention since they are an obvious feature of the webs of several orb web species and are highly visible to the human eye. Silk decorations are mainly discshaped, linear or cruciate. The functions of silk decorations remain a controversial issue. More comparative and experimental work is needed, apart from the assessment of environmental prerequisites for the construction of web decorations. I collected data on the occurrence and type of silk decorations, along with a measure of body size, for a population of the tropical spider Argiope argentata (Fabricius 1775) in the Bijagual biological reserve in Costa Rica. In addition, I recorded whether a barrier web was present or not. I found that whether a discoid or cruciate decoration was produced significantly depended on body size: smaller spiders constructed mainly discoid decorations whereas larger spiders constructed at least part of a cruciate decoration or none at all. Barrier webs predominantly occurred in smaller spiders and were rarely present in larger spiders. The data contradict those of an earlier census performed on the Galapagos Islands, which suggested that the difference in biotic and abiotic environmental parameters not only causes differences in variability of web building behaviour but near complete reversal.

}, keywords = {barrier web, ontogenetic changes, plasticity, predator-prey relationship, St Andrews cross spider, stabilimentum, web decoration}, author = {Uhl, Gabriele} } @article {16, title = {Revision of the Neotropical general Bocageopsis, Onychopetalum, and Unonopsis (Annonaceae)}, journal = {Blumea}, volume = {52}, year = {2007}, pages = {413-554}, abstract = {

A taxonomic revision is made of the Neotropical genera Bocageopsis, Onychopetalum, and Unonopsis (Annonaceae). The closeness of these three genera was expressed by Fries when he placed them in his (informal) Unonopsis group (Fries, 1959), and the close relationship is supported by more recent phylogenetic research as well. Four species are recognized in Bocageopsis and two species in Onychopetalum. Unonopsis is by far the largest of the three genera with close to 50 species, of which no less than 23 species are here described as new. One species (Unonopsis umbilicata) had to be shelved as insufficiently known for lack of data, and another, obviously new, species from Colombia is too incomplete and is described provisionally as Unonopsis spec. A.

Several keys are provided, one for the genera and one each for the species of Bocageopsis and Onychopetalum. For the species of Unonopsis a key to all species and, in addition, a key to the species of Mexico and Central America are provided. The species treatments include full descriptions, geographical and ecological notes, distribution maps, synonymy, taxonomic notes, and vernacular names. A complete list of exsiccatae is appended.

Parallel to the taxonomic revision, a leaf anatomical survey was made by E.-J. van Marle, and is included here.

}, author = {Maas, Paul J.M. and Lubbert Y. Th. Westra and Marloes Vermeer} } @article {15, title = {Assessing species traits and landscape relationships of the mammalian carnivore community in a neotropical biological corridor}, journal = {Biodiversity and Conservation}, volume = {25}, year = {2016}, month = {Jan-04-2016}, pages = {739 - 752}, abstract = {

Mammalian carnivores play an important role in regulating food webs and ecosystems. While many carnivore populations are facing various threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and illegal trade, others have adapted to human-dominated landscapes. Information about Neotropical carnivore communities in particular is limited, especially in disturbed landscapes. We conducted a camera trap survey at 38 sites across the San Juan\–La Selva Biological Corridor in Costa Rica to assess occupancy and detection probabilities of the carnivore community. We developed hypotheses within a likelihood-based framework in order to determine the landscape features and species traits (diet and size) that influenced their occupancy. We detected nine of the 13 native carnivores predicted to occur in the corridor. When modeled separately, each species responded to land cover changes differently, suggesting no strong community-wide predictors of occupancy. We then modeled three separate guilds within the carnivore community: omnivorous mesopredators, obligate carnivorous mesopredators, and apex predators. These community guild models revealed a negative relationship between omnivorous mesopredators and increasing forest and tree plantation cover, suggesting omnivores utilize forest fragments and edge habitats in agricultural landscapes. Obligate carnivorous mesopredator models did not reveal any strong habitat relationships, but landscape effects tended to contradict our a priori predictions. Apex predators were positively associated with increasing forest and tree plantation cover, protected areas, and increasing distances to villages. Alarmingly, apex predators and obligate carnivorous mesopredators were generally rare within the biological corridor. A lack of top-down control alone might result in heightened occupancy for all mesopredators, but because the community is dominated by omnivorous species, bottom-up release from human-induced land cover changes and resource provision may better explain their high occupancy.

}, keywords = {Biological corridor, camera traps, Carnivores, Mesopredators, Occupancy models, Omnivores}, issn = {0960-3115}, doi = {10.1007/s10531-016-1089-7}, url = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10531-016-1089-7}, author = {Pardo Vargas, Lain E. and Cove, Michael V. and Spinola, R. Manuel and de la Cruz, Juan Camilo and Sa{\'e}nz, Joel C.} } @article {14, title = {Factors influencing the occurrence of the Endangered Baird{\textquoteright}s tapir Tapirus bairdii : potential flagship species for a Costa Rican biological corridor}, journal = {Oryx}, volume = {48}, year = {2014}, month = {Jan-07-2014}, pages = {402 - 409}, abstract = {

Baird\’s tapir Tapirus bairdii is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is considered rare and locally extirpated from most of its historic range in Costa Rica. We conducted camera-trap and track surveys at 38 forested sites in and around the San Juan\–La Selva Biological Corridor in the Northern Zone of Costa Rica. Cameras were set along established game trails and natural funnels and operated for 14\–38 days per site. Additionally, we documented tapir tracks at many sites. We used survey photographs and track presence to create detection histories to estimate the habitat and survey-specific variables that influence the probability of detection and the probability of occurrence of Baird\’s tapir. The two major protected areas within and adjacent to the corridor were most positively associated with tapir occurrence, and forest cover and native and exotic tree plantations were also positively associated with tapirs\’ use of sites. Although the Baird\’s tapir is rare, our findings suggest that it is more resilient and better able to use available habitat in the fragmented corridor than previously thought. This is most likely a consequence of increased forest cover from reforestation and tree plantations and limited hunting pressure. Given its charismatic nature we recommend that Baird\’s tapir could be used as a flagship species for the San Juan\–La Selva Biological Corridor, to raise local awareness about conservation and increase economic growth from ecotourism.

}, issn = {0030-6053}, doi = {10.1017/S0030605313000070}, url = {http://www.journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S0030605313000070https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0030605313000070}, author = {Cove, Michael V. and Pardo Vargas, Lain E. and de la Cruz, Juan Camilo and Spinola, R. Manuel and Jackson, Victoria L. and Sa{\'e}nz, Joel C. and Chassot, Olivier} } @article {10, title = {A new species of Macbrideola from Costa Rica}, journal = {Bolet{\'\i}n de la Sociedad Micol{\'o}gica de Madrid}, volume = {38}, year = {2014}, chapter = {63-66}, abstract = {

Macbrideola spinosispora is described as a species new to science based on material collected in a lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica. This new species can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the violaceous color of the sporotheca, the loose and flexuous capillitium and the conspicuously spiny spores. Images are provided of diagnostic morphological features.

}, keywords = {ecology, mycobiota, Protozoa, Reserva Ecol{\'o}gica Bijagual, Stemonitales, taxonomy}, author = {Walker, L. M. and Moreno, G. and Stephenson, S. L.} } @article {7, title = {Effect of clonal reproduction on genetic structure in Pentaclethra macroloba (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae)}, journal = {Revista de Biolog{\'\i}a Tropical}, volume = {62}, year = {2014}, chapter = {443-454}, keywords = {Costa Rica, genetic diversity, La Selva Biological Station, Reserva Ecol{\'o}gica Bijagual, sprouting, tropical forest}, author = {Keith D. Gaddis and Helen L. Zukin and Inca A. Dieterich and Elizabeth Braker and Victoria L. Sork} } @article {6, title = {Molecular phylogenetics and morphological evolution of Thunbergioideae (Acanthaceae)}, journal = {Taxon}, volume = {57}, year = {2008}, chapter = {811-822}, abstract = {

Based on nucleotide sequences from three chloroplast DNA regions (rps16, rpl16, trnT-trnL), we infer detailed phylogenetic relationships within the subfamily Thunbergioideae (Acanthaceae) and among major lineages of the family as a whole. Taxa were sampled to cover the geographic distribution of Thunbergioideae and to include all subgenera of the largest genus Thunbergia. All other major lineages of Acanthaceae were sampled to test monophyly and intrafamilial position of Thunbergioideae. Both parsimony and Bayesian analyses support Thunbergioideae as monophyletic. The mangrove genus Avicennia is consistently placed as sister to Thunbergioideae although with only moderate support. Thunbergia and Mendoncia are both monophyletic in all analyses, and Mendoncia is placed as sister to Thunbergia plus Pseudocalyx. Relationships within the two largest genera Mendoncia and Thunbergia are highly resolved and most branches are strongly supported. Our results suggest that the existing morphology-based classification of Thunbergia partially holds, but needs revision. Based on the phylogenetic relationships we found it likely that a twining habit is ancestral for the genus Thunbergia. The thecal awns, characteristic for many species in the genus, have probably evolved from unicellular bristles. Longitudinal dehiscence over the whole length of the thecae, which is present in many Thunbergia species, most likely evolved from short slits or pores as present in Pseudocalyx and Mendoncia.

}, keywords = {Acanthaceae, chloroplast DNA, morphology, phylogeny, Reserva Ecol{\'o}gica Bijagual, Thunbergioideae}, author = {Borg, Agneta Julia and McDade, Lucinda A. and Sch{\"o}nenberger, J{\"u}rg} } @article {5, title = {Observations of cavity-roosting behavior in Costa Rican Lophostoma brasiliense (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)}, journal = {Mammalian Biology}, volume = {73}, year = {2008}, chapter = {230-232}, keywords = {Costa Rica, Lophostoma, Phyllostomidae, Reserva Ecol{\'o}gica Bijagual, roosting behavior, termite nest}, author = {York, Heather A. and Foster, Paul F. and Jones, M. F. and Schwarz, Walter H.} } @article {3, title = {Reproductive strategies and natural history of the arboreal Neotropical vesper mouse, Nyctomys sumichrasti}, journal = {Mammalia}, volume = {77}, year = {2013}, chapter = {363-370}, abstract = {

The vesper mouse, Nyctomys sumichrasti (Rodentia: Cricetidae), a poorly known, arboreal, nocturnal, rodent found in Central America, has been considered rare, and limited information is available about its biology, especially reproduction. We obtained vesper mice from several sites in Costa Rica and prepared them as scientific specimens with standard external measurements and reproductive data recorded. We expanded our dataset by including specimens from museum collections. Vesper mice have 1:1 sex ratios throughout their range. They reproduce year-round and litters may occur in rapid succession. Testis size is positively correlated with body mass; however, we could not determine the onset of sperm production. The onset of reproduction for females, based on mass, is variable but most females are parous by 60 g. Litter size is small with a mode of two, and embryos are not evenly distributed across the uterine horns. Vesper mice exhibit striking morphological differences in terms of tooth-wear and pelage patterns across their range. Much work is needed to fully appreciate N. sumichrasti, its role in tropical habitats, and its reproductive biology.

}, keywords = {Central America, embryo balance, litter size, Reserva Ecol{\'o}gica Bijagual, seasonality, sex ratios}, author = {Romero, Andrea and Timm, Robert M.} } @article {2, title = {Stable-isotope Analysis of Diets of Short-tailed Fruit Bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Carollia )}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {90}, year = {2009}, month = {Mar-12-2010}, pages = {1469 - 1477}, abstract = {

The coexistence of multiple species of short-tailed fruit bats (Phyllostomidae: Carollia) is common throughout the range of the genus. Previous studies of fecal and stomach contents have documented differences in dietary breadth and in habitat use as mechanisms by which these species may partition dietary niches. By comparing values of \ð15N and \δ13C across species of Carollia from 17 sites in Central and South America, we show that co-occurring Carollia frequently differ in dietary breadth, foraging habitats, and level of insectivory. Values of \δ15N, which tended to be enriched in C. castanea, depleted in C. perspicillata, and intermediate in C. brevicauda and C. sowelli, indicate trophic stratification. Values of \δ13C followed the opposite trend, tending to be enriched in C. perspicillata and depleted in C. castanea, suggesting interspecific differences in breadth of the foraging area. Isotopic comparisons among Carollia, other bat species, and potential food items at 5 of our sites illustrate that populations of Carollia tend to be trophically intermediate between strictly phytophagous and strictly insectivorous organisms, and, contrary to the paucity of insect remains found in fecal samples, indicate that the consumption of insects by Carollia is more common and potentially more important than previously was thought.

}, keywords = {Carollia, feces, frugivory, habitat use, insectivory, niche partitioning, Reserva Ecol{\'o}gica Bijagual, stable isotopes, trophic level}, issn = {0022-2372}, doi = {10.1644/08-MAMM-A-382R.1}, author = {York, Heather A and Billings, Sharon A} }