Bird coloration is primarily influenced by melanin pigments, eumelanin and pheomelanin, which produce dark hues ranging from black to pale buff. Genetic mutations disrupting melanin synthesis or deposition result in color aberrations categorized as White Spotting, Albinism, Dilution, and Melanism. Brown mutation, a form of Albinism, results from incomplete eumelanin oxidation, altering black to dark brown and dark brown to light brown plumage. Although common among avian color aberrations, this mutation has not been previously recorded in the Brown Jay, Cyanocorax morio. During a photographic tour in Pejivalle, Cartago, Costa Rica, we observed a Brown Jay with uniform light brown plumage, consistent with the Brown mutation. The bird exhibited typical behavior, such as foraging and vocalizing with its group. Its unusual coloration, susceptible to sunlight bleaching, emphasizes the challenges of field identification. This study adds to the documentation of avian color aberrations and provides insights into their ecological and environmental contexts.

La coloración de las aves está principalmente influenciada por los pigmentos eumelanina y feomelanina, que generan tonos desde negro hasta beige pálido. Las mutaciones que alteran la síntesis o depósito de melanina provocan las aberraciones Manchas Blancas, Albinismo, Dilución y Melanismo. La mutación Marrón, una forma de Albinismo, resulta de la oxidación incompleta de la eumelanina que altera el negro en marrón oscuro y el marrón oscuro en un plumaje marrón claro. Aunque esta mutación es común, no se había documentado en la piapia, Cyanocorax morio. Durante un recorrido fotográfico en Pejivalle, Cartago, Costa Rica, observamos una piapia con un plumaje marrón claro uniforme consistente con Marrón. El ave mostró comportamiento típico, como alimentarse y vocalizar junto a su grupo. Su coloración alterada, susceptible al blanqueo por exposición solar, resalta los desafíos en la identificación de campo. Este estudio contribuye a la documentación de aberraciones de color en aves y su contexto ecológico y ambiental.

We report the presence of the Amatitlan cichlid, Vieja guttulata, in the inland waters of Puerto Rico. Two adults and three juveniles were collected in the municipality of Canóvanas and deposited in the Zoology Museum collection at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Native to Central America, this species is distinguished by its striking colors and characteristic lateral black band, which give it a unique appearance. With this finding, we confirm the existence of an established population of the Amatitlan cichlid in northeastern Puerto Rico, increasing the number of documented exotic freshwater fish species on the island to 39. The aquarium trade is likely the source of this introduction. It is important to evaluate the distribution range of V. guttulata, assess its ecological impact on native fish assemblages, and implement a comprehensive management strategy to mitigate its proliferation and prevent a further expansion across Puerto Rico's freshwater ecosystems.

The Caribbean is a vital contributor to global ecosystem services. Also, the region is a major exporter of tropical products like coffee (Coffea arabica L.), sugar from cane (Saccharum officinarum L.), cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), banana (Musa spp.), and others. Climate change and economic interests threaten the agricultural production of the region, its food security, and its ecological balance. Promoting the use of edible non-crops, or “edible weeds,” serves as a strategy to mitigate environmental hazards, enhance agrobiodiversity, and increase Caribbean food sovereignty. A number of plants usually considered weeds when growing alongside major crops can be a valuable food source, but research on those species has focused mainly on their management as undesirable plants competing with crops. This article showcases the agroecological practices and uses of edible weeds in the Antilles. If species considered weedy, or marginally useful to humans, become more widely used, there is an opportunity to further explore their potential, integrating them into diverse agricultural systems as plants with economic value and as available food resources.

La región del Caribe coopera vitalmente a los servicios ecosistémicos globales. Además, es importante exportadora de productos tropicales como café (Coffea arabica L.), azúcar de caña (Saccharum officinarum L.), cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), guineos (Musa spp.) y otros. El cambio climático y los intereses económicos amenazan la producción agrícola de la región, su seguridad alimentaria y su equilibrio ecológico. Promover el uso de plantas comestibles no cultivadas o “malezas comestibles” sirve como estrategia para mitigar los riesgos ambientales, mejorar la agrobiodiversidad y aumentar la soberanía alimentaria del Caribe. Varias plantas que suelen considerarse malezas cuando crecen junto a los principales cultivos pueden ser una valiosa fuente de alimentos. Sin embargo, la investigación sobre esas especies se ha enfocado principalmente en su rol como plantas indeseables que compiten con los cultivos. Este artículo muestra las prácticas agroecológicas y los usos de las malezas comestibles en las Antillas. Si las especies consideradas malezas o marginalmente útiles para los humanos se utilizan más ampliamente, existe la oportunidad de explorar más su potencial, integrándolas en diversos sistemas agrícolas como plantas con valor ecológico, económico y como recursos alimentarios disponibles.

Humans have been moving animals and plants around the globe intentionally and unintentionally with consequences of introductions affecting ecosystems and native wildlife populations. In the Caribbean, the Small Indian Mongoose (Urva auropunctata (Hodgson, 1836)) seems ubiquitous. We compiled a regional database of 507 islands, discovering that more than 77.7% of Caribbean landmass is occupied by mongoose. Three quarters of these nations engage in mongoose control programs to protect native reptiles and birds, including Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. We evaluated the population structure of the mongoose during a capture, mark, and recapture population study spanning 15 years. Consistent mongoose control to protect nesting sea turtles occurred at the refuge in the last four years of the study. We found a 28% (12.2–50.1%) decrease in mongoose population size at the end of the removal years. We suggest that predator suppression tools can successfully reduce mongoose populations where vulnerable species exist. Assessing invasive predator demography before and during programmatic interventions is an important component of conservation problem-solving for invasive predators, even those that are found across landscapes.

The presence of Archimestra teleboas (Ménétriés, 1832) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Cuba is recorded for the first time, based on individuals observed and collected near Maisí, Guantánamo province, eastern Cuba, on January 29, 2025. This constitutes the first record of the genus and species outside of Hispaniola, where it was believed to be endemic. The possible causes and implications of this discovery are discussed.

The Yagua, Roystonea dunlapiana, is native to the Caribbean coast from Mexico to Nicaragua. In Honduras, it is found mainly in the department of Atlántida. In 1998 it was declared in danger of extinction, and in 2022 its status was updated to the category of Least Concern due to the decrease in its use in construction activities and the decline of other anthropogenic pressures within its distribution area. The objective of this research is to document the distribution of R. dunlapiana in the Barras de Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge (BCSWF) and thereby generate data relevant to its conservation status while promoting research and conservation of the species. Forty patches of R. dunlapiana were identified, with San Francisco being the municipality with the greatest presence at 16 patches, mainly in the so-called “Yagua Forest,” followed by the municipality of Esparta with 10 patches, chiefly in Thompson Lagoon.

La Yagua, Roystonea dunlapiana, es nativa de las costas del caribe desde México hasta Nicaragua. En Honduras se distribuye principalmente en el departamento de Atlántida. Se declaró en peligro de extinción en el 1998, y para el año 2022 se actualizo a la categoría de Preocupación Menor por la disminución de su uso en actividades de construcción y el declive de otras presiones antropogénicas en su área de distribución. El objetivo de esta investigación es documentar su distribución en el Refugio de Vida Silvestre Barras de Cuero y Salado (RVSBCS) y generar datos relevantes a su estado de conservación y propiciar su investigación y conservación. Se identificaron 40 parches de R. dunlapiana, siendo San Francisco el municipio con mayor presencia de parches con 16, principalmente en el denominado “Bosque de Yagua”, seguido por el municipio de Esparta con 10 parches principalmente en la Laguna de Thompson.

Secretive birds are hard to detect, and thus, likely underestimated when surveyed, potentially preventing measures to protect them. We identified a sampling period and method that would yield the most reliable estimates of population numbers of the secretive Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo (Coccyzus vieilloti). We addressed these objectives by comparing point counts (passive) and playback broadcast (active) survey methods from January to December, 2022 at Cambalache State Forest, Puerto Rico. We surveyed 20 stations (radius = 50 m each) between sunrise and 10 am, employing the time-of-detection method. We recorded strong responses from C. vieilloti after birds had been stimulated by playback broadcasts (recapture probabilities), corresponding to a behavioral response (M_b). For example, average capture (p) and recapture (c) probabilities within the peak breeding season for active surveys were 0.23 ± 0.10 and 0.49 ±0.08, respectively. Active surveys yielded higher estimates of C. vieilloti compared to passive surveys. For example, active survey expected population numbers (15.6 ha or area sampled) during peak breeding season were 42.87 ± 12.08 compared to 19.60 ± 2.08 individuals from passive surveys. Coefficients of variation population estimates of active surveys ranged between 10 and 16%, with one exception (28%), well within acceptable levels for wildlife studies. We show that secretive species like C. vieilloti can be reliably surveyed using playback broadcasts. Surveys should be conducted during the peak breeding season when estimates are higher and have better precision. Conducting similar tests on other secretive species could ensure that their status is not mischaracterized and that they receive the benefits of appropriate conservation measures, if warranted.

Seagrass ecosystems provide multiple services, such as habitat for commercially and recreationally important species, improving water quality, sequestering carbon, stabilizing sediment, and reducing coastal erosion. However, since 1990, seagrass cover has declined worldwide by 7% per year. Coastal developments, destructive fishing methods, nutrient runoff, pollutants, invasive species, and hurricanes have been identified as causal agents of the decline. This study aims to evaluate the short-term effects hurricanes have on seagrass ecosystems. Demographic parameters of the native Thalassia testudinum and the invasive Halophila stipulacea, were documented before and after the passing of Category 1 Hurricane Fiona at Culebra, Puerto Rico of September 18, 2022. Percent cover, density, and canopy height were measured in three 10m transects at three distinct sites around the island. Percentage cover, canopy height, and shoot density significantly decreased in T. testudinum by 45%, 34%, and 15%, respectively. On the other hand, H. stipulacea showed no significant change in any of these parameters after the hurricane. Even though T. testudinum has a superior anchoring capacity, contrary to expectation, our results indicate negative immediate effects of hurricane disturbance on T. testudinum and no significant effects on H. stipulacea. In this study, H. stipulacea was inhabiting the canopy of T. testudinum, which could have served as protection from the blunt force of the hurricane and can explain why the hurricane had no significant effect. With hurricane frequency expected to increase, H. stipulacea prevalence over native species is likely.

Las praderas de hierbas marinas proveen múltiples servicios tales como, hábitat para especies comerciales y recreativas importantes, mejoran la calidad de agua, fijan carbón, estabilizan sedimento y reducen erosión costera. Sin embargo, desde 1990, la cobertura de las praderas a disminuido mundialmente por 7% cada año. Entre los muchos agentes causales del decline, los huracanes son grandes contribuidores. Este estudio se enfoca en evaluar el impacto inmediato de un huracán en los ecosistemas de praderas marinas. Parámetros demográficos de la especie native Thalassia testudinum y de la invasiva Halophila stipulacea fueron documentados antes y después del paso de Huracán Fiona en Culebra Puerto Rico del 18 de septiembre del 2022. Porcentaje de cobertura, densidad de hojuelas y altura de dosel fueron documentados dentro de tres transectos de 10 metros de largo en tres distintas localidades alrededor de la isla. Para T. testudinum el porcentaje de cobertura, densidad de hojuelas y altura de dosel se redujeron 45%, 34% y 15% respectivamente. En H. stipulacea no se encontró algún cambio significativo. Consideran-do que el sistema de anclaje es más robusto en T. testudinum, contrario a lo esperado, H. stipulacea no fue significativamente impactado por el huracán. En este estudio H. stipualcea habitaba debajo del dosel de T. testudinum, cual pudo servirle de protección antes las fuerzas del huracán. Antes el pronóstico de incrementos en frecuencias de huracanes, H. stipulacea demuestra mayor capacidad de prevalecer después de los disturbios.

Chromatic aberrations, such as Leucism, are increasingly documented in birds, yet their causes and implications remain poorly understood. In Costa Rica, recent studies have reported multiple cases of pigmentary abnormalities, including Leucism, Progressive Greying, and other mutations, highlighting challenges in accurate diagnosis and classification. We document the first recorded case of partial Leucism in a Yellow-crowned Euphonia (Euphonia luteicapilla), observed in a semi-urban area of Costa Rica. The Yellow-crowned Euphonia is endemic to Central America. This bird displayed white patches on its wings, consistent with partial Leucism, a pigmentary abnormality often linked to genetic mutations. Leucism in birds is typically associated with congenital absence of melanin-producing cells. However, the exact cause of the aberration reported here remains unclear. The rise in reported cases may reflect either increased environmental stressors or improved documentation. This finding contributes to a growing body of knowledge on chromatic aberrations in birds, which may serve as indicators of environmental disturbances. Further documentation of such cases will help refine our understanding of these phenomena.

Las aberraciones cromáticas, como el leucismo, son cada vez más documentadas en aves, aunque sus causas e implicaciones siguen siendo poco comprendidas. En Costa Rica, estudios recientes han reportado múltiples casos de anomalías pigmentarias, incluidas leucismo, encanecimiento progresivo y otras mutaciones, lo que resalta los desafíos en su diagnóstico y clasificación precisa. Aquí documentamos el primer caso registrado de leucismo parcial en una monjita (Euphonia luteicapilla), observado en una zona semiurbana de Costa Rica. Esta especie es endémica de Centroamérica. El individuo presentaba manchas blancas en las alas, consistentes con leucismo parcial, una anomalía pigmentaria frecuentemente asociada a mutaciones genéticas. El leucismo en aves se relaciona típicamente con la ausencia congénita de células productoras de melanina. Sin embargo, la causa exacta de la aberración en este caso sigue sin determinarse. El aumento en los reportes podría reflejar mayor estrés ambiental o una mejora en la documentación. Este hallazgo contribuye al creciente conocimiento sobre las aberraciones cromáticas en aves, las cuales podrían servir como indicadores de disturbios ambientales. La documentación continua de estos casos ayudará a profundizar nuestro entendimiento de estos fenómenos.

Video systems are extensively utilized globally in coastal monitoring strategies, facilitating high temporal and spatial sampling frequencies with reduced logistical efforts. This paper presents a novel and simple tool for processing coastal images, designed for automatic shoreline detection and data analysis using MATLAB. The algorithm is based on applying the region-grow function to pre-selected points and extracting the border between these points which corresponds to the sea/land boundary from averaged images produced from a Video Monitoring System. The study was conducted at Hellshire Bay Beach on the southern coast of Jamaica. The variance/error of the shoreline position produced by the algorithm when compared to a manually delineated shoreline is on average -1.09 and +1.11 pixels, which is comparable to other studies. The data from a single day within the period between September, 2022 and February, 2023 illustrate that the Hellshire beach is highly dynamic, with both erosion and accretion occurring in distinct sections of the beach, corroborating findings from other studies in the area. This further validates the accuracy of both the images generated by the video monitoring system and the algorithm developed to delineate shoreline positions from these images.

Although the waters around The Bahamas are oligotrophic, elevated chlorophyll concentrations are occasionally observed in the north of the archipelago, and are explained by mesoscale variability and sea level anomalies. An estimate shows that eddies approach The Bahamas region from the Sargasso Sea at a velocity of about 0.04 m to 0.07 m s^-1. In the nearshore region, about 85% of anticyclonic eddies carry higher suspended load in their outer periphery, and 69% of cyclonic eddies carry elevated concentrations outside. Cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies propagate regularly to the region east of The Bahamas, where they interact with the bathymetry of the continental shelf and disintegrate, but they are the cause for a complicated distribution patterns of chlorophyll and suspended matter. Cyclonic eddies seem more numerous, but anticyclonic eddies also seem to appear more frequently near the Little Bahama Bank. Temperature measurements close to the Little Bahama Bank show that about every 40 days eddies drift through the region close to The Bahamas.

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a disease that has been observed in sea turtles around the world for several years. It is caused by a virus, ChHV5, which belongs to the Herpesviridae family and causes the development of skin and internal tumors that can lead to the death of the turtle. The species most affected is Chelonia mydas, the green sea turtle. Initial studies have already observed a significant incidence of FP around the island of Martinique in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, but there is still a lack of information on the occurrence of this disease. In this study, we determined the occurrence of FP at seven sites along the Caribbean coast of Martinique. Observations ranged from zero prevalence in three sites, to 20-30% in two other sites, and up to 76% in Bourg des Anses d'Arlet. Comparing our data with those collected in 2019, regressions or worsening of tumors could be highlighted. Finally, local environmental factors that may have an impact on the development of the disease, such as water quality, were highlighted and solutions proposed.

We conducted a scientific literature review and a comprehensive analysis of data based on international fisheries of wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) to determine catch trends and data gaps among jurisdictions in the Western Central Atlantic Ocean (WCA). This is the first regional catch review for wahoo in the WCA. Based on FAO catch records from 1950 to 2021, reported commercial landings increased nearly fivefold, but 18 nations still do not report commercial wahoo landings to the FAO, yet are known to catch the species. When recreational landings were combined with reported commercial landings for 2019, total direct wahoo catch was 3,547 metric tons, of which 57% was estimated to be recreational. When compared to dolphinfish catch, wahoo was nearly four times lower for the region, but several nations report more substantial wahoo fisheries than dolphinfish fisheries. Despite the importance of the recreational wahoo sector throughout the region, artisanal landings are estimated to be higher according to catch reconstruction data. Similar to dolphinfish, the presence of fish aggregating devices (FADs) in different parts of the WCA, as well as environmental processes (e.g., Sargassum blooms), lead to the presumption that higher amounts of juvenile wahoo may be caught throughout the region, and anecdotal evidence of stock decline has been suggested. Results stress the immediate need for WCA nations to adopt a precautionary approach for proper fishery management of wahoo throughout the WCA, to increase spawning biomass thus strengthening a foundation of long-term overall stock health and conservation.

In this note we report on a small Vespertilionid bat belonging to the genus Eptesicus (Vespertilionidae) caught in a web of the orb-weaver spider Eriophora ravilla (Araneae: Araneidae). The observation was made in the Isthmian–Atlantic Moist Forests ecoregion of Costa Rica. Predation on bats by Eriophora species has only previously been positively documented for Eriophora fuliginea. This is the first record of E. ravilla catching a bat in its web, and also represents the first record of an Eptesicus bat as a potential prey of spiders.

The Caribbean Sea has been one of the marine regions most affected by diseases in Scleractinian corals. For Costa Rica, knowledge of coral diseases is scarce. Understanding the health status of these ecosystems is key to take effective conservation measures. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the diversity and prevalence of diseases in Scleractinian corals in the southern Caribbean of Costa Rica and their possible relationship with coral cover, physicochemical conditions, and marine protection status. Observations were made during September and October 2023, at the sites of Isla Uvita, Cahuita, Punta Cocles, Puerto Viejo, Punta Uva, and Manzanillo. Based on the visual appearance of the lesions found in the colonies we probably found the presence of five infectious coral diseases: White Band Disease, Dark Spot Disease, White Spot Disease, White Plague Disease, and for the first time in the Caribbean of Costa Rica Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). The affected coral species were Acropora palmata, Siderastrea siderea, Porites furcata, and Pseudodiploria strigosa. Porites furcata was affected by the White Syndrome, although the specific disease type could not be identified. The most common disease was White Plague. No significant relationship was found between the prevalence of coral diseases against coral cover, marine protected areas (MPA), and physicochemical factors in the locations of this study (p>0.05). It is recommended to conduct continuous water quality analyses in each locality, such as targeted nutrient, temperature, and sedimentation tests, as these physicochemical factors directly and indirectly impact coral health. This is the first report focused solely on coral diseases in the southern Caribbean of Costa Rica. Due to the possibility of having SCTLD on the reef, it is crucial to maintain adequate monitoring in the area.

The small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata), introduced to Caribbean and Pacific islands to control rat populations, has led to the decline of many native species. In Martinique, mongooses predate on the eggs and hatchlings of three nesting sea turtle species. To mitigate turtle nest predation, annual mongoose population regulation through trapping is conducted under the National Action Plan for Sea Turtles in the French West Indies. This study evaluates the effectiveness of DOC-250 lethal traps compared to live cage traps at two sites in Martinique, focusing on the probabilities of capturing mongooses, non-target species, and trap inactivity. Our results suggest DOC-250 traps were more effective for capturing mongooses in Northern Martinique, but as effective as live traps in the South. DOC-250 traps also captured non-target species more frequently in crustacean-rich areas, highlighting the need to refine these traps for better targeting of mongooses. Live traps demonstrated higher rates of inactivity resulting in less availability for mongooses. Overall, DOC-250 traps can be an advantageous alternative to the live traps traditionally used in mongoose control operations, especially for remote or extended trapping campaigns. We recommend deploying DOC-250 traps for several months as part of a permanent trapping strategy to reduce mongoose predation during the sea turtle nesting season, thereby enhancing predator control efforts at nesting sites in Martinique.

La petite mangouste indienne (Urva auropunctata), introduite dans les Caraïbes et le Pacifique pour contrôler les populations de rats, est responsable du déclin de nombreuses espèces indigènes. En Martinique, elle prédate les œufs et les jeunes de trois espèces de tortues marines qui viennent pondre sur les plages. Pour limiter cet impact, une régulation annuelle de la population de mangoustes par piégeage est mise en œuvre dans le cadre du Plan National d'Action pour les Tortues Marines des Antilles Françaises. Cette étude compare l'efficacité des pièges létaux DOC-250 et des cages pièges (ratières) sur deux sites martiniquais, en examinant les taux de capture de mangoustes et d'espèces non ciblées ainsi que l'inactivité des pièges. Nos résultats montrent que les pièges DOC-250 sont plus efficaces pour capturer les mangoustes dans le nord de l'île, mais ont une efficacité équivalente aux ratières dans le sud. Par ailleurs, ces pièges capturent davantage d'espèces non ciblées dans les zones riches en crustacés, suggérant que des modifications des pièges sont nécessaires pour une meilleure sélectivité. Les ratières, quant à elles, sont plus souvent inactives, réduisant leur efficacité. Les pièges DOC-250 se révèlent plus pratiques sur le long terme, ce qui en fait une option privilégiée pour les campagnes prolongées ou en zones isolées et une alternative avantageuse aux cages traditionnellement utilisées dans les opérations de contrôle des mangoustes. Nous recommandons de déployer ces pièges durant plusieurs mois afin de réduire la prédation des tortues en période de ponte, renforçant ainsi les efforts de contrôle des prédateurs sur les sites de ponte en Martinique.

Laguna Cartagena is one of the few naturally occurring lake-like habitats in Puerto Rico, and has experienced significant ecological impacts from invasive species and degradation of the surrounding landscape. In this study, the mollusks and fish of the lagoon were surveyed, and their macroparasites were also sampled. Snails from five families were found, with Marisa cornuarietis (Linnaeus, 1758) most abundant in the main lagoon and Tarebia granifera (Lamarck, 1816) most common in an inlet canal. Parachromis managuensis (Günther, 1867) was the most abundant fish, followed by Amatitlania nigrofasciata (Günther, 1867) and Poecilia sphenops (Valenciennes, 1846). Eight macroparasites were identified. The digeneans Clinostomum cichlidorum Sereno-Uribe, García-Varela, Pinacho-Pinacho & Pérez-Ponce de León, 2018, Centrocestus formosanus (Nishigori, 1924), and Ascocotyle sp. represent new records for Puerto Rico. All organisms identified in the lagoon were non-native, highlighting the disturbed condition of this water-body. The lagoon's biota appears to have undergone radical shifts in recent decades. This study provides baseline data useful for monitoring and potential restoration of this habitat, as well as management of invasive species.

La Laguna Cartagena es uno de los pocos cuerpos de agua dulce lacustre en la isla de Puerto Rico, y ha experimentado impactos ecológicos por especies invasoras y degradación del paisaje circundante. En este estudio, se recolectaron de la laguna los moluscos, peces y sus macroparásitos. Se encontraron caracoles de cinco familias, siendo Marisa cornuarietis (Linnaeus, 1758) la más abundante y Tarebia granifera (Lamarck, 1816) la predominante en un canal de entrada. Parachromis managuensis (Günther, 1867) fue el pez más abundante, seguido de Amatitlania nigrofasciata (Günther, 1867) y Poecilia sphenops (Valenciennes, 1846). Se identificaron ocho macroparásitos, incluidos Clinostomum cichlidorum Sereno-Uribe, García-Varela, Pinacho-Pinacho & Pérez-Ponce de León, 2018 y Centrocestus formosanus (Nishigori, 1924), que representan nuevos registros para Puerto Rico. Todos los organismos identificados en la laguna no eran nativos, lo que resalta la condición perturbada de este cuerpo de agua. Aunque los datos anteriores son escasos, la biota de la laguna parece haber experimentado cambios radicales en las últimas décadas. Este estudio proporciona datos de referencia útiles para el monitoreo y la restauración de este hábitat, así como para el manejo de especies invasoras.

Invasive species pose a significant threat to native wildlife, ecosystems, and biodiversity, often resulting in ecological degradation, economic losses, and public health risks. Globalization, particularly through the use of shipping containers, yachts, and other transport vessels, has accelerated the spread of non-native fauna worldwide. Here, I report the occurrence of the non-native Cosmopolitan Spider Hunter, Cithaeron praedonius, from New Providence, Bahamas.

Following centuries of persecution and the destruction and degradation of wetland habitat, the coastal populations of the American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, of Colombia and Venezuela show signs of recovery, in part, due to conservation efforts. Here we first report on the sequence of events surrounding a crocodile arrival and death in the Southern Dutch Antilles in 2024, and discuss this along with three additional older records for the same island group. The results are then integrated regionally by discussing three remarkable crocodile records for the island of San Andrés, Colombia, since 2012, and nine for the Cayman Islands since 2006. The findings indicate the species' ability to disperse hundreds of kilometers across the open sea to colonize new and/or former habitat. We conclude by arguing that the islands we discuss should also be considered part of the current natural range of occurrence of the species, even though this has generally not been acknowledged, and the few animals noticed have typically been persecuted. Finally, we urge island governments and conservation organizations to prepare awareness and action plans to accommodate this vulnerable and valuable top predator in the wild.

The butterfly family Riodinidae Grote, 1895 is a megadiverse Neotropical group comprising 133 genera and over 1,300 species, yet the Antilles only hosts the monotypic genus Dianesia Harvey & Clench, 1980, represented by D. carteri. This species includes two subspecies: D. carteri carteri (Holland, 1902) from the Bahamas and north-central Cuba, and D. carteri ramsdeni (Skinner, 1912), endemic to south-central and eastern Cuba. Recently, a disjunct population of Dianesia was discovered in western Cuba, marking the first record of the genus in this region, and raising questions about its taxonomic status. Here, we tested whether this geographically isolated population represents a distinct species by integrating phylogenetic, genetic distance, and phenotypic analyses. Genetic analyses using nuclear and mitochondrial markers revealed no shared haplotypes between populations, minimal effective gene flow, and significantly high F_st values, supporting strong genetic differentiation. Pairwise genetic distances showed a clear ‘barcode gap,’ with maximum intrapopulation divergence falling below minimum interpopulation divergence. Phylogenetic reconstruction recovered reciprocal monophyly between eastern and western populations, with robust bootstrap support. Morphologically, the western population is diagnosable by unique wing patterning, including whitish transverse bands and orange scale lines absent from the eastern subspecies, as well as a row of orange spots extending from the ocellus to the costal margin in both males and females. These results collectively support that the western population is a distinct species. Based on these lines of evidence, we formally describe the western population as a new species, Dianesia galindoensis Barro, Hernández & Torres sp. nov., with Lomas de Galindo in Mayabeque province as the type locality. Additionally, we recognize D. carteri ramsdeni and D. carteri carteri at the rank of species—D. ramsdeni (Skinner, 1912) stat. nov., and D. carteri (Holland, 1902).

La familia de mariposas Riodinidae Grote, 1895 es un grupo neotropical megadiverso que comprende 133 géneros y más de 1,300 especies; sin embargo, las Antillas solo albergan el género monotípico Dianesia Harvey & Clench, 1980, representado por D. carteri. Esta especie incluye dos subespecies: D. carteri carteri (Holland, 1902) de las Bahamas y el centro-norte de Cuba, y D. carteri ramsdeni (Skinner, 1912), endémica del centro-sur y del oriente de Cuba. Recientemente, se descubrió una población disyunta de Dianesia en el occidente de Cuba, marcando el primer registro del género en esta región y generando preguntas sobre su estatus taxonómico. En este estudio, evaluamos si esta población geográficamente aislada representa una especie distinta integrando análisis filogenéticos, de distancia genética y fenotípicos. Los análisis genéticos utilizando marcadores nucleares y mitocondriales no revelaron haplotipos compartidos entre las poblaciones, un flujo genético efectivo mínimo y valores de F_st significativamente altos, lo que indica una fuerte diferenciación genética. Las distancias genéticas por pares mostraron una clara ‘brecha de código de barras’, con una divergencia intrapoblacional máxima inferior a la divergencia interpoblacional mínima. La reconstrucción filogenética mostró monofilia recíproca entre las poblaciones oriental y occidental, con un sólido respaldo de bootstrap. Morfológicamente, la población occidental es diagnosticable por un patrón único en las alas, que incluye bandas transversales blanquecinas y líneas de escamas anaranjadas ausentes en la subespecie oriental, así como una fila de manchas anaranjadas que se extiende desde el ocelo hasta el margen costal en ambos sexos. Estos resultados en conjunto respaldan que la población occidental constituye una especie distinta. Con base en estas evidencias, describimos formalmente la población occidental como una nueva especie, Dianesia galindoensis Barro, Hernández & Torres sp. nov., con Lomas de Galindo en la provincia de Mayabeque como localidad tipo. Además, reconocemos a D. carteri ramsdeni y a D. carteri carteri en el rango de especie—D. ramsdeni (Skinner, 1912) stat. nov. y D. carteri (Holland, 1902).

We present the first detailed morphological study of the red alga Ceramium floridanum J.Agardh (Ceramiaceae), a species little known in Colombia and the Atlantic. Ceramium floridanum is characterized by alternate and distichous branching, arising every 3–6 segments, cortication only at the nodes, (4–) 6–7 periaxial cells with five primary cortical cells, cortical filaments that may be up to seven cells long acropetally and five basipetally, initially with relatively straight margins, then, in older plants, cortical cells elongate longitudinally producing irregular margins with excurrent cortical cells, always with acropetal dominance. The specimens studied are compared with previous descriptions from other authors and similar species in the Western Atlantic. The current geographical distribution of the species is discussed.

Presentamos el primer estudio morfológico detallado del alga roja Ceramium floridanum J.Agardh (Ceramiaceae), especie poco conocida en Colombia y el Atlántico. Ceramium floridanum se caracteriza por presentar ramificación alterna y dística, surgiendo cada 3–6 segmentos, corticación solo en los nudos, (4–) 6–7 células periaxiales con cinco células corticales primarias, filamentos corticales que pueden tener hasta siete células de largo acropétalamente y cinco basipétalamente, inicialmente con márgenes relativamente rectos, luego, en plantas más viejas, las células corticales se alargan longitudinalmente produciendo márgenes irregulares con células corticales excurrentes, siempre con dominancia acropetala. Los especímenes estudiados se comparan con descripciones previas de otros autores y especies similares del Atlántico Occidental. Se discute la distribución geográfica actual de la especie.

Seven female individuals of the parasite Lernanthropus chacchi Suárez-Morales, Reyes-Lizama & González-Solís, 2010 (Copepoda: Lernanthropidae) were recorded from the gill filaments of the White grunt, Haemulon plumierii (Lacépède, 1801) (Teleostei: Haemulidae), caught by a local fisher on January 20, 2025 off Celestún, Yucatan, northwestern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, in the southern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Based on their morphological characteristics, the copepods were identified as L. chacchi. In 2010, L. chacchi was first taxonomically described from the Blue striped grunt, H. sciurus, and H. plumierii off the southern coast of Quintana Roo, in the Mexican Caribbean Sea. Fifteen years later, the present work provides a new geographic record extending the distribution of L. chacchi from H. plumierii to the southern GOM more than 1,500 km away from its type-location in the Caribbean Sea. This record contributes to the understanding of the biogeographical distribution of L. chacchi. It is recommended to examine the parasitological parameters of L. chacchi from H. plumierii, and from other commercial marine fishes from the southern GOM, to understand the ecological interactions of these parasitic crustaceans with their hosts.

Siete individuos hembra del parásito Lernanthropus chacchi Suárez-Morales, Reyes-Lizama & González-Solís, 2010 (Copepoda: Lernanthropidae) se registraron de los filamentos branquiales del Ronco blanco Haemulon plumierii (Lacépède, 1801) (Teleostei: Haemulidae) capturado por un pescador el 20 de enero, 2025 frente a Celestún, Yucatán, costa noroeste de la península de Yucatán, México, en el sureste del Golfo de México (GOM). Con base en sus características morfológicas, los copépodos fueron identificados como L. chacchi. En 2010, L. chacchi fue descrito taxonómicamente del Ronco líneas azules, H. sciurus, y de H. plumierii frente a la costa del sur de Quintana Roo, Mar Caribe Mexicano. Quince años después, este trabajo proporciona un nuevo registro geográfico que extiende la distribución de L. chacchi en H. plumierii en el sureste del GOM a más de 1,500 km de la localidad tipo en el Mar Caribe. Este registro contribuye al conocimiento sobre la distribución biogeográfica de L. chacchi. Es recomendable examinar los parámetros parasitológicos de L. chacchi en H. plumierii, y de otros peces marinos comerciales del sureste del GOM, para entender las interacciones ecológicas de estos crustáceos parásitos con sus hospederos.

Color aberrations in birds, though rare, can serve as indicators of genetic mutations or environmental stress. Here, we report the first documented case of an aberrantly colored Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens) in Costa Rica. The individual, observed in a Premontane Wet Forest near Chachagua, San Ramon, Alajuela, exhibited a pale or “dirty” white plumage instead of the species' typical dark brown coloration. Despite its atypical appearance, the bird displayed normal behavior and social integration with conspecifics. Based on phenotypic traits, the aberration is consistent with the Ino mutation—a type of Albinism involving a severe reduction of both eumelanin and phaeomelanin synthesis. This case adds to the growing body of records of chromatic aberrations in Neotropical birds and underscores the importance of documenting such anomalies. Observations like this can contribute to conservation and ecological monitoring, especially in species already threatened by habitat loss and hunting pressures across their range.

Las aberraciones cromáticas en aves, aunque poco comunes, pueden servir como indicadores de mutaciones genéticas o estrés ambiental. En este estudio, reportamos el primer caso documentado de una pava serranera (Penelope purpurascens) con coloración anómala en Costa Rica. El individuo, observado en un bosque húmedo premontano cerca de Chachagua, San Ramón, Alajuela, presentaba un plumaje pálido o blanco “sucio”, en lugar de la coloración marrón oscura típica de la especie. A pesar de su apariencia atípica, el ave mostró un comportamiento normal y una integración social adecuada con sus congéneres. Según las características fenotípicas, la aberración es consistente con la mutación Ino, un tipo de Albinismo que implica una reducción severa en la síntesis de eumelanina y feomelanina. Este caso se suma al creciente número de registros de aberraciones cromáticas en aves neotropicales y resalta la importancia de documentar tales anomalías. Observaciones como esta pueden contribuir al monitoreo ecológico y a la conservación, especialmente en especies ya amenazadas por la pérdida de hábitat y la caza.

Kleptoparasitism is a feeding strategy in which one animal takes food that has been gathered or prepared by another, often through theft or opportunistic behavior. This behavior has been extensively documented across various taxa, particularly among seabirds, but it has also been observed in other bird groups, including vultures. Here, we report the case of Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) stealing Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) eggs excavated by White-nosed Coatis (Nasua narica). Olive Ridley Turtles nest solitarily at Sirena Beach in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica. White-nosed Coatis dig up fresh turtle nests to consume the eggs, either as solitary males or in groups that can depredate an entire nest. Black Vultures follow the Coatis, wait for them to unearth the eggs, and then opportunistically steal some of them. This is the first report of interspecific kleptoparasitism by Black Vultures targeting a wild mammal's activity without carrion being the resource. Future studies should aim to quantify the absolute and relative number of fresh nests excavated by solitary Coatis, the success rate of Black Vultures in stealing eggs, and the overall impact on turtle nests. completely depredated by Coatis during a nesting season. Sirena Beach seems to be an ideal location to quantify these events and behaviors.

El cleptoparasitismo es una estrategia de alimentación en la que un animal toma alimento que ha sido recolectado o preparado por otro, a menudo mediante el robo o un comportamiento oportunista. Este comportamiento ha sido ampliamente documentado en diversos taxones, especialmente entre aves marinas, pero también se ha observado en otros grupos de aves, incluidos los buitres. Aquí, reportamos un caso de cleptoparasitismo en el zoncho (Coragyps atratus) en el que estos individuos roban huevos de la tortuga lora, (Lepidochelys olivacea) que han sido excavados por pizotes (Nasua narica). La tortuga lora anida de forma solitaria en playa Sirena, en el Parque Nacional Corcovado, Costa Rica. Los pizotes ex-cavan nidos frescos de tortugas para consumir los huevos, ya sea como machos solitarios o en grupos que pueden depredar un nido entero. Los zonchos siguen a los pizotes, esperan a que desentierren los huevos y luego los roban oportunistamente. Este es el primer reporte de cleptoparasitismo interespecífico por parte del zoncho dirigido a la actividad de un mamífero silvestre sin que la carroña sea el recurso. Estudios futuros deberían enfocarse en cuantificar el número absoluto y relativo de nidos frescos excavados por pizotes solitarios, la tasa de éxito de los zonchos en el robo de huevos y el impacto general en los nidos de tortuga completamente depredados por pizotes durante una temporada de anidación. Playa Sirena parece ser un sitio ideal para cuantificar estos eventos y comportamientos.

Various types of color aberrations are observed in birds due to genetic mutations, including some attributed to Leucism, but often better described under other types of color aberrations that result in very pale plumage and nearly colorless skin. The Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Ramphocelus passerinii, is a resident breeder in the lowlands of the Caribbean slope from southern Mexico to western Panama, as well as on the Pacific side of Costa Rica and Panama. Adult females of the Pacific race have brownish-gray heads, ochraceous-olive upperparts brightening toward the rump, brownish wings and tail, and ochraceous-olive underparts with a broad dark orange breast band. We describe a female from Costa Rica's Pacific side with all ochraceous-olive feathers that appear white, lacking the typical black bill and feet coloration, and displaying yellow and orange lower parts. We discuss the possible chromatic aberration observed in this bird; however, without further evidence, we prefer not to attribute this color aberration to a specific mutation, as its exact cause remains unknown to us.

Se observan varios tipos de aberraciones cromáticas en aves debido a mutaciones genéticas, incluidas algunas atribuidas al leucismo, aunque a menudo se describen mejor bajo otros tipos de aberraciones cromáticas que resultan en un plumaje muy pálido y una piel casi incolora. El sargento, Ramphocelus passerinii, es un ave residente reproductora en las tierras bajas de la vertiente del Caribe, desde el sur de México hasta el oeste de Panamá, así como en el lado del Pacífico de Costa Rica y Panamá. Las hembras adultas de la raza del Pacífico tienen la cabeza de color gris parduzco, las partes superiores ocráceo-oliváceas que se aclaran hacia la rabadilla, las alas y la cola parduscas, y las partes inferiores ocráceo-oliváceas con una amplia banda anaranjada oscura en el pecho. Describimos una hembra del lado del Pacífico de Costa Rica con todas las plumas ocráceo-oliváceas apareciendo blancas, sin la coloración negra típica del pico y las patas, y con partes inferiores de tonos amarillos y anaranjados. Discutimos la posible aberración cromática observada en esta ave; sin embargo, sin más evidencia, preferimos no atribuir esta aberración cromática a una mutación específica, ya que su causa exacta sigue siendo desconocida para nosotros.