Gamboa seminarMonday, June 20, 12 noonseminar speaker will AngieEstrada Amphibian Rescueand Conservation Project,Summit ZooPanama Amphibian Rescueand Conservation Project -one step ahead!

Tupper seminarTuesday, June 21, 4pmseminar speaker will be CoriRichards-Zawacki, TulaneUniversityA frog of a different color:Why are the poison frogs ofBocas del Toro soamazingly diverse?

Centennial talkWednesday, June 22,Centennial Talk speaker will beCarlos Jaramillo, STRIPaleontología en Panamá[Paleontology in Panama]

Bambi seminarThursday, June 23, Bambiseminar speaker will beWouter Halfwerk, LeidenUniversityThe tits tango in trafficnoise

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panamá STRI news www.stri.si.edu June 17, 2011

“United platesof America”New Scientist (June 11) publishedthe article “United plates ofAmerica” by science writerGaia Vince, featuring a new,not-yet-published theory bySTRI stratigrapher CarlosJaramillo, on the age of thePanamanian Isthmus. Histheory, drawn from his findingsin the Panama Canalexcavations, would contradictthe accepted orthodox accountof the rise of Panama, piecedtogether in the 1980s byJaramillo’s colleague at STRI,geologist Tony Coates.

According to New Scientist,Jaramillo is digging “for hislife” in the Panama Canalbefore the Panama CanalAuthority “drowns the pastforever” in the process ofwidening the waterway.Jaramillo has one more year todig! “Based on the evidence heand his team at the STRI haveunearthed in the past couple ofyears, they conclude that theAmericas crashed into eachother not 3 million years ago,but up to 22 million years ago –some 19 million years beforethe birth of the Arctic ice cap.”

“To say that this iscontroversial is anunderstatement. Jaramillo willrun his flag up the pole andsome will salute it and somewill burn it,” says Coates. “It’s a

Jaramillo

fascinating finding, if he’s isright, but it’s going to cause afurore.”

The article “United plates ofAmerica” was distributed bySTRI’s Neal Smith, through theScience Sendings. You may alsoobtain it from calderom@si.edu

Jaramillo will present theupcoming Centennial Talk,“Palentología en Panamá”[Paleontology in Panama] onWednesday, June 22, at theTupper Center Auditorium.Everybody is invited!

La revista New Scientist (11 dejunio) acaba de publicar“United plates of America” [Lasplacas unidas de América] por

Coates

Gaia Vince, describiendo unanueva (aún no publicada) teoríasobre la edad del Istmo dePanamá. Su teoría, basada ensus descubrimientos de lasexcavaciones del Canal dePanamá, van a contradecir lahistoria ortodoxa aceptadasobre el surgimiento del Istmode Panamá, cuyos puntos unióen 1980 el colega de Jaramilloen STRI, el geólogo TonyCoates. De acuerdo a NewScientist, Jaramillo está “cavandopor su vida” en el Canal dePanamá, antes de que laAutoridad del Canal terminepor “ahogar el pasado parasiempre” en el proceso delensanchamiento de esta víaacuática. ¡Jaramillo tiene un añomás para excavar! Basado en laevidencia que él y su equipo de

ArrivalsRobert Dudley, University ofCalifornia at Berkeley, tocontinue working on theecophysiology of Neotropicalbutterfly migration, on BCI.

Jerry Howard, University ofCalifornia at Berkeley, to studyculture change and the processof Creolization in Bocas delToro, Panama: An historicalarchaeological investigation, atthe Bocas Research Station.

Susan Finkbeiner, Universityof California at Irvine, to studyHeliconius roost recruitmentand resource sharing, inGamboa.

Spencer Ingley, BringhamYoung University, Utah, tostudy the temporal evolutionof reproductive barrier inBrachyrhaphis fishes(Poeciliidae), at Tupper.

Andy Van Alst, University ofSt. Thomas, MN, to join theproject "Toward astoichiometric theory of antecology —from colonyperformance to communitycomposition", on BCI.

Billy Swalla, University ofWashington, to serve asinstructor of the 2011 PASOAdvanced Biology ofTunicates Field Course, atBocas del Toro.

Hamilton Farris, LousianaState University HealthSciences Center, to studyfemale choice in Túngarafrogs, in Gamboa.

Jacalyn Giacalone and GregWillis, Montclair StateUniversity, to work on theannual Barro Colorado Islandmammal census, at BCI.

Jessy Delia, Boston University,to study parent-embryointeractions in Neotropicalgrassfrogs (Aura:Centrolenidae), in Gamboa.

ArrivalsDouglas Robinson andRandall Moore, OregonState University, toparticipate in the ESPmonitoring in the BarroColorado NatureMonument, on BCI.

Jessica Ha Eu Yi,Connecticut College, to jointhe ICBG: Training,conservation and drugdiscovery using Panamanianmicroorganisms, at Tupper.

Kaoru Kitajima and MarijnSlot, University of Florida,to study temperatureresponses of leaf darkrespiration and theirimplication for tropicalforest carbon balance, atTupper and Gamboa.

Janina Seemann, Museumfur Naturkunde Berlin, tojoin the Coral Adaptability,Resilience & Resistance toAnthropogenic Impacts inBiodiverse Caribbean ReefEcosystems (CARIBE)project, on Bocas del Toro.

DeparturesFernando Bouche toWashington DC, to attendtraining at the Smithsonian.

Ross Robertson to NewYork, to photograph fishspecimens at the AmericanMuseum of Natural History.

Fernando Santos-Granero toBelem, Brazil, to participatein the Society for theAnthropology of LowlandSouth America (SALSA)Annual Congress.

Tania Romero to SaintLouis, MO, to visit Washington University,sponsored by the university.

Owen McMillan to NewYork, on a short vacation.

News from AccountingThe Accounting Department has finally made it possible for STRI visitors

to make payments online using the following address and selecting the

ONLINE PAYMENTS.

http://www.stri.si.edu/formularios/payments/index.php

For further information regarding this notice, call the STRI main cashier

at: 212-8047 or send your email: Accounting@si.edu

El Departamento de Contabilidad ha conseguido finalmente que sus

visitantes puedan hacer sus diferentes pagos en línea utilizando la

siguiente dirección y seleccionando la opción de ONLINE PAYMENTS:

http://www.stri.si.edu/formularios/payments/index.php

Para más información sobre este mensaje, llame al Cajero principal de

STRI al 212-8047 ó envíe un correo a: Accounting@si.edu

STRI han sacado a la superficieen los últimos dos años,concluyen que las Américascolisionaron no hace tresmillones de años, sino hace hasta22 millones de años —19millones de años antes delnacimiento de la capa de hielodel Ártico.”

“Decir que esto es controversiales un detalle. “Jaramillo izará subandera y algunos la saludarán ytros la quemarán” dice Coates.“Estos son hallazgos fascinantes,

de tener la razón, pero en todocaso, esto ¡causará furor!”

El artículo, “United plates ofAmerica” fue distribuido porNeal Smith, de STRI a través deScience Sendings. Puedeobtenerlo de calderom@si.edu

Jaramillo presentará el próximoseminario del Centenario,“Paleontología en Panamá” elmiércoles, 22 de junio, en elAuditorio del Centro Tupper.¡Todos están invitados!

“An itsy-bitsy spit of landwith a colossal influenceon the world stage”Gaia VinceNew Scientist

“Un pedacito chiquitito de tierracon una importancia colosalsobre el estado del mundo.”

Map: Courtesy of William A. BowenCalifornia Geographical Survey

New publicationsBonachea, Luis A., and Ryan,Michael J. 2011. "Predationrisk increases permissivenessfor heterospecificadvertisement calls in túngarafrogs, Physalaemus pustulosus."Animal Behaviour doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.05.009

Connelly, Scott, Pringle,Catherine M., Whiles, Matt R.,Lips, Karen R., Kilham, Susan,and Brenes, Roberto. 2011."Do tadpoles affect leafdecomposition in Neotropicalstreams?" Freshwater Biologydoi:10.1111/j.1365-2427.2011.02626.x

Estrada, Catalina, Schulz,Stefan, Yildizhan, Selma, andGilbert, Lawrence E. 2011."Sexual selection drives theevolution of antiaphrodisiacpheromones in butterflies."Evolution: doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2011.01352.x

Kline, David I., and Vollmer,Steven V. 2011. "White banddisease (type I) of endangeredCaribbean Acroporid corals iscaused by pathogenic bacteria."Scientific Reports 1: 1-5.doi:10.1038/srep00007

Larjavaara, Markku, andMuller-Landau, Helene. 2011."Cross-section mass: Animproved basis for woodydebris necromass inventory."Silva Fennica 45(2): 291-298.

McMahon, Sean M., Harrison,Sandy P., Armbruster, W.Scott, Bartlein, Patrick J.,Beale, Colin M., Edwards,Mary E., Kattge, Jens, Midgley,Guy, Morin, Xavier, andPrentice, I. Colin. 2011."Improving assessment andmodelling of climate changeimpacts on global terrestrialbiodiversity." Trends In Ecology& Evolution 26(5): 249-259.

New publicationsMiura, Osamu, Frankel,Victor, and Torchin, Mark E.2011. "Differentdevelopmental strategies ingeminate mud snails,Cerithideopsis californica and C.pliculosa, across the Isthmusof Panama." Journal ofMolluscan Studiesdoi:10.1093/mollus/ eyr012

Okamura, Beth, O'Dea,Aaron, and Knowles, Tanya.2011. "Bryozoan growth andenvironmental reconstructionby zooid size variation."Marine Ecology Progress Series430(1): 133-146.

Pringle, Elizabeth G., Adams,Rachel I., Broadbent, Eben,Busby, Posy E., Donatti,Camila I., Kurten, Erin L.,Renton, Katherine, andDirzo, Rodolfo. 2010."Distinct leaf-trait syndromesof evergreen and deciduoustrees in a seasonally drytropical forest." Biotropica43(3): 299-308.

Schnitzer, Stefan A.,Klironomos, John N.,HilleRisLambers, Janneke,Kinkel, Linda L., Reich, PeterB., Xiao, Kun, Rillig, MatthiasC., Sikes, Benjamin A.,Callaway, Ragan M., Mangan,Scott A., van Nes, Egbert H.,and Scheffer, Marten. 2011."Soil microbes drive theclassic plant diversity-productivity pattern." Ecology92(2): 296-303.

Velez, Maria I., Curtis, JasonH., Brenner, Mark, Escobar,Jaime, Leyden, Barbara W.,and Popenoe de Hatch,Marion. 2011."Environmental and culturalchanges in highlandGuatemala inferred fromLake Amatitlán sediments."Geoarchaeology 26(3): 346-364.

How taxonomy can get youinto primetimePink tarantula, named after Panamanian musicianRuben Blades, rocks!STRI visiting scientist RayGabriel from Oxford Universityand colleagues described a newtarantula, Ami bladesi, found byhim in Bocas del Toro for thefirst time in 2003. The article,headed by Fernando Pérez-Miles, of the University ofUruguay, was published byZootaxa in 2008. The genericname, Ami, is a Tupi Indianword that means “a spider thatdoes not spin a web,” and thespecies name, bladesi, is forRuben Blades, Panamanianmusician and former tourismminister.

The news was received by thePanamanian media withenthusiasm and humor asevidenced by recent web andprinted pieces such as “AhoraRubén Blades es una tarántula”[Now Ruben Blades is atarantula], or “Tarántula consalsita” [Tarantula à la “salsa”].TVN, Channel 13, RCM andRPC Television broadcastimages of the tarantula alongwith Blades in concert severaltimes during primetime viewing.Could there possible be a newsong in the making? Maybe!

El científico visitante en STRI,Ray Gabriel de la Universidad deOxford y colegas, describieronuna nueva tarántula, Ami bladesi,econtrada por él en Bocas delToro por primera vez en 2003.El artículo, liderado porFernando Pérez-Miles de laUniversidad de Uruguay, fuepublicado por Zootaxa en 2008.El nombre genérico, Ami, es unapalabra de los indígenas tupi quesignifica “araña que no tejetelaraña” y el nombre de laespecie bladesi, es por RubénBlades, el músico panameñoquien fuera ministro deTurismo.

La noticia fue recibida por losmedios panameños conentusiasmo y un toque dehumor, como se nota en lasrecientes noticias impresas y enla web como “Ahora RubenBlades es una tarántula”, o“Tarántula con salsita.” TVN,Canal 13, RCM y RPCTelevisión mostraron a latarántula junto con Blades enconcierto en horas pico y variasveces. ¿Tendremos acaso unanueva canción? ¡Quizás!

Amphibiandisease foundin Darien SI scientists have confirmed thatchytridiomycosis, a rapidlyspreading amphibian disease,has reached a site near Darien.This was the last area in theentire mountainous Neotropicsto be free of the disease. This istroubling news for the PanamaAmphibian Rescue andConservation Project (ARC), aconsortium of nine US andPanamanian institutions thataims to rescue 20 species offrogs in imminent danger ofextinction.

Chytridiomycosis has beenlinked to dramatic populationdeclines or even extinctions ofamphibian species worldwide.Within five months of arrivingat El Cope in western Panama,chytridiomychosis extirpated50% of the frog species and80% of individuals.

The Darien National Park is aWorld Heritage site andrepresents one of CentralAmerica's largest remainingwilderness areas. In 2007, DougWoodhams, a research associateat STRI, tested 49 frogs next toDarien. None tested positive forthe disease. In January 2010,however, Woodhams found that2% of the 93 frogs he testedwere infected.

ARC has already establishedcaptive assurance colonies inPanama of two priority speciesendemic to the Darien—thePirre harlequin frog (Atelopusglyphus) and the Toad Mountainharlequin frog (A. certus). Inaddition, the Smithsonian'sNational Zoo maintains anactive breeding program for thePanamanian golden frog, acritically endangered species,according to IUCN.

The Smithsonian ConservationBiology Institute serves as anumbrella for the SI's globaleffort to understand andconserve species and train

future generations ofconservationists. Headquarteredin Front Royal, VA, SCBIfacilitates and promotes researchprograms based at Front Royal,the National Zoo inWashington, DC, and at fieldresearch stations and trainingsites worldwide.

Los científicos del Smithsonianconfirmaron que laquitridiomicosis, unaenfermedad fungal de rápidocontagio que afecta a losanfibios, llegó a un lugar cercade Darién. Esta era la última áreaNeotropical montañosa queestaba libre de la enfermedad.Estas noticias preocupan alProyecto de Rescate yConservación de Anfibios dePanamá (ARC), un consorcio denueve institucionesestadounidenses y panameñasque tienen como objetivorescatar a 20 especies de ranasen peligro inminente deextinción.

La quitridiomicosis se harelacionado a la dramáticadisminución y extinción depoblaciones de especies anfibiosalrededor del mundo. En losprimeros meses de haber llegadoa El Copé en el oeste dePanamá, la quitriodimicosisextirpó al 50% de las especies deranas y el 80% de los individuosdel lugar.

El Parque Nacional Darién es unSitio de Patrimonio de la

Humanidad y representa una delas áreas silvestres más extensasque quedan en Centroamérica.En 2007, Doug Woodhams, uninvestigador asociado a STRI,examinó 49 ranas próximas aDarién. Para entonces, ningunaestaba infectada. Sin embargo,en enero de 2010, Woodhamsencontró que 2% de las 93 ranasque examinó, ya estabaninfectadas.

ARC ya ha establecido coloniasde seguridad en cautiverio enPanamá de dos especiesprioritarias endémicas de Darién,la rana arlequín Pirre (Atelopusglyphus) y el sapo de montaña(Atelopus certus). Además, elZoológico Nacional delSmithsonian mantiene unprograma de cría activo para larana dorada de Panamá, unaespecie en peligro crítico deextinción, de acuerdo la UICN.

El Instituto de Biología de laConservación del Smithsonianfunge como un paraguas para losesfuerzos globales de laInstitución Smithsonian paraentender y conservar especies ycapacitar a las generacionesfuturas de conservacionistas.Con sede en Front Royal enVirginia, este instituto facilita ypromueve los programas deinvestigación con base en FrontRoyal, el Zoológico Nacional enWashington DC, y estaciones deinvestigación y centros decapacitación a todo lo ancho delmundo.

New publicationsWang, Xugao, Wiegand,Thorsten, Wolf, Amy, Howe,Robert, Davies, Stuart J., andHao, Zhanqing. 2011. "Spatialpatterns of tree speciesrichness in two temperateforests." Journal of Ecologydoi:10.1111/j.1365-2745.2011.01857.x

Wolf, Sebastian, Eugster,Werner, Potvin, Catherine,Turner, Benjamin L., andBuchmann, Nina. 2011."Carbon sequestrationpotential of tropical pasturecompared with afforestationin Panama." Global ChangeBiologydoi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2011.02460.x

Woodhams, Douglas, Bosch,Jaime, Briggs, Cheryl, Cashins,Scott, Davis, Leyla, Lauer,Antje, Muths, Erin,Puschendorf, Robert,Schmidt, Benedikt, Sheafor,Brandon, and Voyles, Jamie.2011. "Mitigating amphibiandisease: strategies to maintainwild populations and controlchytridiomycosis." Frontiers inZoology 8(1): 8.

Wright, Emma L., Black,Colin R., Cheesman,Alexander W., Drage, Trevor,Large, David, Turner,Benjamin L., and Sjogersten,Sofie. 2011. "Contribution ofsubsurface peat to CO2 andCH4 fluxes in a Neotropicalpeatland." Global Change Biologydoi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2011.02448.x

Zotz, Gerhard, Wilhelm,Kerstin, and Becker, Annette.2011. "Heteroblasty—AReview." The Botanical Review77(2): 109-151.

Safety number:212-8211