Research on urban insect pollinators is changing views on the biological

Although the importance of disturbance regimes in affecting ecosystem structure and function is becoming an accepted paradigm in ecology, the consequences of catastrophic events are poorly understood. On 18 September 1787 Hurricane Hugo struck Puerto Rico, with the center of the hurricane passing within ten kilometers of the Luquillo Experimental Forest. This provided a rare opportunity to document direct and indirect effects of a natural disturbance of high intensity, large scale, but low frequency on selected aspects of animal ecology. The densities and spatial distributions of six species of common invertebrates (four snails, Caracolus caracolla, Polydontes acutangula, Nenia tridens, and Gaeotis nigrolineata, and two walking sticks, Lamponius portoricensis and Agamemnon iphimedeia) in the tabonuco rain forest were estimated before and after the hurricane. Circular quadrats (radius = 5 m; area = 78.54 m2) were established at each of 40 points in the Bisley watersheds. Numbers of individuals of each species were counted during nighttime surveys and densities were compared before and after the hurricane via paired t-tests. Both species of walking stick and three of the four species of snail exhibited statistically significant reductions in density after the hurricane. Densities of N, tridens, G, nigrolineata, and A. iphimedeia were reduced to the point that no specimens were detected in posthurricane surveys. In fact, all species of invertebrates were so rare after the hurricane that comparisons of spatial distribution were only possible for C, caracolla, and its distribution was significantly less clumped after Hurricane Hugo (G-test). At the Bisley watersheds, all size categories of C, caracolla suffered similar reductions in density; no significant alteration in size distribution was detected after the hurricane (G-test).

Previous studies on size patterns within frugivorous and insectivorous bat guilds from northeastern Brazil suggest significant ecological separation of species. Nonetheless, recent simulation studies indicate that stochastic processes alone, rather than competition or coevolution, account for the morphological structure of these communities. To evaluate the dietary consequences of observed morphological structure, monthly samples of bats were collected (September 1976-May 1978) within edaphic Cerrado habitats on the Chapada do Araripe in northeastern Brazil. For each of the 11 most common species, stomach contents were identified, and the diets characterized for wet and dry seasons. Nonparametric statistical analyses of dietary constituents revealed two non-overlapping groups of frugivores based upon a posteriori contrasts: those that specialize on one food source, Vismia sp. (Carollia perspicillata, Artibeusplanirostris, A. lituratus), and those that are more generalistic in their feeding habits (Glossophaga soricina, Sturnira lilium, Vampyrops lineatus). Statistical analyses of insectivorous species produced a homogeneous group (Anoura geoffroyi, Phyllostomus discolor, P. hastatus, Molossus molossus) based on classification of diet into hard-bodied versus soft-bodied insects. Like the ecomorphological assessments of community structure, our results failed to detect pervasive dietary differences among species that are related to size considerations.

This chapter describes the geologic, geographic, and ecological context of the location of Luquillo Mountains, particularly the factors affecting the response mechanisms of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems to disturbance. It describes the existing conditions of the physical environment, chemical environment, and the biota of the Luquillo Mountains as they respond to disturbances. It then merges the decade-long research about the Mountains with the other tropical ecosystems around the globe.

The ability to safely and effectively manage reproduction is central to the success of AZA captive-breeding programs. Although the AZA Wildlife Contraception Center routinely monitors contraceptive safety, there have been no studies that compare the effects of contraceptive use to separation of males from females, the other option for preventing reproduction. We used retrospective medical records and pathology reports submitted by AZA and related facilities for the seven AZA-managed canid species to assess rates of uterine pathology relative to female reproductive life histories. Our results showed that the prevalence of both pyometra and endometrial hyperplasia (EH) was associated not only with treatment with the two most common contraceptives (Suprelorin® and MGA implants) but also with the number of years barren (i.e., not producing a litter and not contracepted). Rates of pyometra and EH were especially high in African painted dogs and red wolves, but lowest in swift and fennec foxes. The number of years producing a litter had a low association, suggesting it could be protective against uterine pathology. A more recently developed Suprelorin® protocol using Ovaban® to prevent the initial stimulation phase, followed by implant removal when reversal is desired, may be a safer contraceptive option. These results concerning the relationship between reproductive management and uterine health have important implications for AZA-managed programs, since the unsustainability of many captive populations may be due at least in part to infertility. Managing a female's reproductive lifespan to optimize or maintain fertility will require a reconsideration of how breeding recommendations are formulated.