Since the time of taíno civilization, the vibrant song of coquí frogs has been a symbol of Puerto Rican culture. But more than just being emblematic, this call has an important warning about the health of natural ecosystems. Now, boricuan investigators are using it to monitor local forests and contribute to conservation efforts. Read more […]
The hum of life sits warm around me like a thick blanket. The ceilings here go up and up and up, letting the footsteps of students walking to a fro echo out into the collective consciousness of human life. Bits and fragments of conversation pierce through the cloud of sound like stars, forming constellations of
In this edition of En Diario, I spoke to Gisela Crespo, a boricuan scientist using bioacoustics to monitor the health of Puerto Rican rainforests. By recording and analyzing the calling activity of melodious coquí frogs, Crespo is able to investigate the impacts of changing microclimates on the forests of the island.
Even though their populations have recuperated from the harmful effects of Hurricane María in 2017, the Puerto Rican parrot is now experiencing a worrying genetic challenge: mutations created by the use of just a few birds to increase their population have resulted in abnormally weak eggshells. Now, boricuan scientists investigate the issue to find the
Genetic Mutations Weaken the Eggshells of Puerto Rican Parrots Read More »
The Puerto Rican Manatee has received a new name. In a new study- led by scientists from the Caribbean Center for Manitee Conservation-, new terminology has been suggested for the Antillean mammals, a change that hopes to improve communication and conservation in countries of the region. Read more here.
Scientists present New Names for Manatees Read More »