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DISPERSING SEEDS: BATS, BIRDS, AND THE EVER-CHANGING FACE OF ECOSYSTEMS AT THE HACIENDA LA ESPERANZA NATURE RESERVEArmando Rodríguez Durán, Ph.D. Citizen Science ProgramConservation Trust of Puerto Rico

BATSRESEARCH SUMMARY 2008-2010

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Armando Rodríguez Durán earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, and a doctorate in Biology from Boston University. Rodríguez Durán is a renowned authority on the study of bats. He has carried out many research studies on bat species in Puerto Rico and served as a consultant during the process to establish a Museum of Natural History in Puerto Rico and has also contributed to the development of textbooks about natural sciences. In 2002, he received the U.S. Forest Service New Century of Service Award, granted by the International Institute of Tropical Forestry’s Karst Group, which includes members of local and federal agencies, as well as environmental and academic groups.

His scientific research has been published extensively in various journals and books, including contributions to Comparative Biochemistry & Physiology and The Journal of Thermal Biology, (Elsevier), and The Journal of Herpetology, a publication of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, The Journal of Mammalogy, a publication of the American Society of Mammalogists, and Biogeography of the West Indies(CRC Press,2001). He currently serves as Dean of Research in the Department of Natural Sciences, Interamerican University, Bayamón Campus, and he frequently collaborates with scientists from the University of Pennsylvania and Eastern Michigan University.

ARMANDO RODRÍGUEZ DURÁN, PH.D.Assistant Scientists: Jansel Pérez Martínez (2008-2009),Jean Manuel Sandoval (2008-2009), Viviana Negrón Rivera (2009-2010) and Wilkins Otero Alicea (2010)

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While bats are generally considered the most efficient nocturnal insectivores of all animals, their diets are actually quite diverse, varying considerably according to the species. The bats at the Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve (HLENR) serve as perfect examples of this reality. Aside from insectivorous bats, there are also species that hunt fish, others that prefer flower nectar, and even those that prefer feeding from the fruit of certain plants.

In the Caribbean, fruit-eating or frugivorous bats are of particular significance. Not only do they represent 33 percent of the species identified in the region, but they also play an essential role in dispersing the seeds of the plants they feed on. One of the main objectives of this research was to understand this close relationship between frugivorous bats and plants, which will in turn provide essential information for restoring various ecosystems on the Reserve.

WIDESPREAD IGNORANCE REGARDING BATS AND THE MULTIPLE BENEFITS THEY PROVIDE US WITH HAS WORKED AGAINST CONSERVATION EFFORTS FOR THEIR SPECIES AND HABITATS. EVEN WORST, THERE IS A COMMON MISCONCEPTION THAT BATS ARE PESTS, WHEN IN REALITY THEY ARE QUITE THE CONTRARY. FOR THIS REASON, GENERATING PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT BATS IS ANOTHER OBJECTIVE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.

INTRODUCTION

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The destruction of bat foraging habitats has been known to cause a negative impact on bat species populations. In the case of the HLENR, this habitat loss may be the result of hurricanes or human land use patterns, which have led to the deforestation of large forest and mangrove areas. Additionally, our common misconceptions regarding bats and our lack of knowledge about the numerous benefits they provide us have led us to consider them as pests, which have worked against conservation efforts for these species and their habitats. Therefore, this research also sought to generate increased public awareness about bats.

Taxonomically, these organisms are quite similar to human beings (Homo sapiens). Like us, they belong to the animal kingdom (Animalia), and they are also classified as chordates under the Chordata phylum due to the presence of a spinal column, body symmetry, extremities, among other physical characteristics. They also belong to the class of mammals (Mammalia), because mothers feed their offspring through mammary glands. They also fall into the subclass of mammals known as Theria, since the organisms develop in the mother’s uterus. Finally, bats also belong to the infraclass Eutheria, because the fetus is nourished in utero by an allantoic placenta.

Contrary to us, however, bats are the only mammals with the capacity to maintain sustained flight. This is made possible by a thin and resistant skin membrane known as the uropatagium, which generally extends from the abdomen to the tip of the second digit on the animal’s upper extremities. The scientific name for bat is derived from this particular physical characteristic: Chiroptera, from the Latin words “cheir” (hand) and “pteron” (wing).

Our fascination with bats has probably been around as long as we have had contact with these species. Many cultures around the world have different legends and superstitions surrounding bat origins and behavior. Some of them are negative, quite possibly because we only began studying bats scientifically a few centuries ago. These misconceptions have carried over to the common names we have assigned to bats—for example, in Spanish, the term “murciélago” is derived from the Latin words “mur,” which means rat, “caecŭlus,” meaning blind, and “alatus,” meaning winged— only to perpetuate the idea that bats are flying, blind rodents. Some of the aspects that are currently being studied regarding bats include their use of “echolocation,” which helps them navigate and locate food. We now realize that none of these species is completely blind, and that the ultrasounds many of them emit are unique to each species, which helps to identify them when using the appropriate equipment.

We still have a lot to learn about these nocturnal mammals. Myths regarding bats may remain forever present in our popular culture—as evidenced in various popular superheroes and other characters with supernatural powers—however our fascination with these unique organisms would be greatly enriched by a better understanding about the actual role that they play in the ecosystems that sustain us all. Only through scientific knowledge will we ever dispel their reputation as mysterious pests, and instead begin to foster a more comprehensive view that takes into account the important contributions made by these flying mammals

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DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: BATS AND HLENR

Twelve of the 13 bat species identified in Puerto Rico have been documented at the HLENR. They represent 100 percent of the native terrestrial mammals on the island, which means that their presence in a particular region or ecosystem is the result of natural phenomena not related to human intervention. Of these species, only the red fruit bat (Stenoderma rufum) is endemic; it is also considered vulnerable to extinction and, thus, has been classified as a critical element on the Reserve, along with 5 other bat species.

OBJECTIVES AND QUESTIONSThis research seeks to better understand the influence of frugivorous bats on the density and distribution of several plant species found on the Reserve, and how this may relate to ecosystem conservation and restoration. Bats most likely contribute to the dispersal of the plants they feed on by transporting large quantities of intact seeds over long distances. Gaining a better insight into the interaction between bats and plants, particularly within the HLENR area, will contribute significantly to the design and implementation of management plans to protect bat species on the Reserve, and to gain insight into their possible influence on the restoration of areas that have suffered deforestation.

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To that effect, this study focused on two areas and four focus points where there was clear evidence of deforestation due to land use patterns over time at the HLENR. The bat species most likely to be found in these areas of study were also determined. One of the key objectives was to examine the impact of ecological succession over a large period of time.

METHODOLOGY AND ACTIVITIES The sampling process at the HLENR was performed over a period of 2 consecutive months, from December 2008 to December 2010. The different research tasks included morning and night sessions. The activities carried out in the morning included preparation and field tasks, such as plant and seed collection, laboratory tasks involving identification of seeds collected from bat droppings, and comparison to seeds collected from different plants, as well as analysis of data compiled throughout different stages of the study. Night tasks included monitoring selected areas after installing capture nets.

In order to capture bats, 72 meters of mist nets were placed over a period of four hours, beginning at sunset for two nights of each month. This led to the capture of 261 bats belonging to 11 species. The droppings of captured individuals were examined to identify plant seeds in them. Ultrasound detection was also used to identify bats, which helped to determine the twelfth species.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENTInitially, volunteers employed wooden stakes to establish the areas selected for the research. Plant growth and land profile were documented in these areas. Nets were set up to capture bats, which required a considerable amount of waiting time, during which the volunteers, environmental interpreters and scientists discussed the habits and traits of bats, and any other matters pertaining to the research.

The mist nets used are very delicate and designed especially to capture birds and bats for investigative purposes. They capture organisms, without harming them, as they inadvertently try to fly through them. During the study, participants remain very watchful in order to promptly and delicately remove any organisms captured.

A bat field guide was handed out to all volunteers, in order to help them with the identification process, as well as binoculars, flashlights, and special bags and gloves to handle captured individuals. GPS was used to locate study areas, and the ANABAT software system was employed to detect ultrasound emissions specific to certain bat species. The leading scientist suggested incorporating additional materials to help with the collection of bat droppings in the field, such as using removable plastic sheets to cover the surface so that bat movements could be observed.

CITIZEN SCIENTISTSAs in others Citizen Science Program researches, several volunteers stood out due to their great commitment and extensive participation. Such is the case of assistant scientist Wilkins Otero Alicea, who started out as a volunteer but, after numerous participations, began training and leading other volunteers. Jansel Pérez Martínez, Viviana Negrón Alicea and Jean Manuel Sandoval served as assistant scientists during different stages of the study. Sandoval ultimately joined the Conservation Trust team as an environmental interpreter.

The lead scientist emphasized the importance of limiting the number of citizen scientists to approximately 6 per work session, whilestressing the crucial nature of volunteer participation within the framework of the research project’s objectives. Rodríguez Durán also pointed out the positive impact that the activities would have on young participants, some of them still in grade school, and older participants, including university students beginning their own investigative work.

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ARTIBEUS JAMAICENSIS

UNID SEED 17%

PIPER 42%

PULP 25%

MUTINGA 16%

EROPHYLLA BOMBIFRONS

UNID SEED 14 %

SOLANUM 4%

PIPER AMALGO21%

PULP 36%

MUTINGA 25%

BRACHYPHYLLA CAVERNARUM

SOLANUM 10%

UNID SEED 19 %

MUTINGA 5%

PIPER 5%

PULP 61%

SEEDS40%

FRUIT CONSUMPTION AND SEED DISPERSAL (n=221 bats)

PULPS 60%

FECAL SAMPLE28%

NO FECAL SAMPLE72%

FRUIT CONSUMPTION AND SEED DISPERSAL

+Verificar titulos y nombres en graficas

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RESEARCH SUMMARY

OUTSTANDING RESULTS

Of the 261 individuals captured, 221 (85 percent) were frugivorous bats and 62 (28 percent) provided samples of droppings. Of these samples, 25 (40 percent) contained identifiable seeds, which suggests that most bats fed from fruits with seeds that were too large to be swallowed. The predominant seeds belonged to the species Mutinga calabura, Piper amalago, and Solanum torvum. The presence of seedless pulp in the droppings does not invalidate the role of bats in seed dispersal; instead, it suggests their importance in dispersing seeds too large to be carried by other organisms in Puerto Rico.

Most captured individuals belonged to three species of frugivorous bats: Artibeus jamaicensis, Erophylla bombifrons and Brachyphylla cavernarum. It is interesting to note that the latter two species live only in caves, so they must fly a considerable distance to reach the HLENR. In fact, the closest known cave is located 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) to the east, and none of these two species have been identified there. This finding deserves more extensive and rigorous research.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

No clear seasonal pattern was observed regarding bat activity during the two years spanning the research, except for a slight peak in the presence of the species E. bombifrons during the month of September. During the first night of sampling, 33 percent of all bat species known in Puerto Rico were identified. Within 5 months, 75 percent had been identified, and by the end of the first year, the tenth species had been identified. After 21 months, the eleventh species

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was identified and, by the 23rd month, the twelfth species, thus culminating with 100 percent of the total species identified during this study.

These results highlight the importance of monitoring over an extended period of time in order to identify fauna in an area such as the HLENR. Additionally, detecting the presence of the frugivorous bat S. rufum on the Reserve emphasizes the need for management plans aimed at restoring feeding habitats for this endemic species.

REMAINING QUESTIONS AND FUTURE APPLICABILITY

The relationship between the feeding patterns of bats and the flora and fauna species at the HLENR suggests the possibility of conducting researches in collaboration with scientists who specialize in other areas of study. The data collected will certainly enrich future decisions concerning HLENR management plans and programs that seek to restore natural bat habitats.

POINTS OFINVESTIGATION

Abra (community)

Abra (road) Vereda

Carso

Caño Boquilla

66° 30' 34.1"

66° 30' 30.8"

66° 30' 50.6"

66° 30' 39.7"

18° 27’ 27.4"

18° 27' 29.7"

18° 27' 44.5"

18° 28' 34.8"

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LIST OF PARTICIPATING CITIZEN SCIENTISTS

Abdiel FigueroaAbdier A. Muñiz ValentínAbiah N. FigueroaAchlee GonzálezAdlín A. S. Reyes RiveraAdrián Lugo BendezúAdriana AlfonsoAdriana de JesúsAdriana PiñeroAdriana Salas DíazAgustín Angel RodríguezAida MedinaAidyl SotoAirinés González VelázquezAlanna M. Cruz BendezúAlannah PratsAlbania PujolsAlberto López TorresAlejandra Carrión ClaudioAlejandra MoralesAlejandro Roqué VegaAlesandro QuiñonesAlex BurgosAlex Rodríguez RodríguezAlexamar RosarioAlexander DonesAlexandra Alfonso CastroAlexandra AyalaAlexandra Ayala VegaAlexandra Hertell StubbeAlexandra PortilloAlexandra RigauAlexandra RiveraAlexandra Rodríguez GelpiAlexandra SteidelAlexis Avilés GarcíaAlexis MuleroAlexis PortilloAlexis Rivera ColónAleysha Velázquez VillegasAliana N. Figueroa NegrónAlina SuedAlison R. RodríguezAllen KurtaAlvin A. PeraltaAmileris Orta De JesúsAmy Rivera ColónAna Longo BerríosAna SevillaAnabelle SurisAndrea P. DennisAndrea S. Cruz BendezúAndrea S. Mattei

Andrés Carrero OrtizAndrés Molina VillarinoAngel BrunoAngel David RiveraAngel E. GonzálezAngel G. Rodríguez EscuderoAngel M. AbramsAngel M. GonzálezAngel M. RoblesAngel R. ColónAngel SantiagoAngélica Colón CorderoAngelica RamosAngelie Marie SueiroAnirt Y. MoqueteAntonio Torres MatosAnya P. Medero DelgadoArlene Rivera LeónAshley AndujarAshley CollazoAshley ConcepciónAshley J. PachecoAshley McClain VegaAshley RolfeAudha V. RamírezAwilda Muñiz RuizAxel Dahl RiveroAyslinn Ramirez SotoBernardo AlvaradoBernardo Alvarado, Jr.Bernice Rivera BerrocalBethzaida Otero RodríguezBetzaira MartínezBianca SantosBianca TorresBienvenida RodríguezBlanca BadilloBob MuscarellaBrenda PérezBrenly M. PagánBruni Marie GonzálezBryan F. GonzálezCaleb A. Rivera OrtizCamille P. MaldonadoCarem Vega RíosCaribel SanchezCarina Gobaira MuñizCarla DonesCarla TorresCarlos A. MatosCarlos BonillaCarlos F SotoCarlos G. Rodríguez Vega

Carlos González CofinoCarlos González DentonCarlos O. Cordero GonzálezCarlos PagánCarlos PizarroCarlos RigauCarlos RodríguezCarmen C. OrtízCarmen J Pagán CabreraCarmen L. EstradaCarmen M. CorderoCarmen M. TorresCarmen Rosa Rivera MirabalCarol M. Canales VillanuevaCarolina MaldonadoCharlene M. Meléndez RiveraCharlienne M. LópezChezmarie AbreuChristian Alicea MoralesChristian D. McRobertsChristian MaldonadoChristian MayorgaChristian O. RodríguezChristian RiveraChristian Rosado PagánChristian VizcarrondoChristopher RomeroClaudia C. PérezCoral Del Mar TorresCoral FigueroaCoralis Colón RiveraCristal Díaz NegrónCristal N. García VegaCristian MoralesCristian RiveraDalet D. Sierra GalindoDalmar RamosDanaylee Ortiz BáezDaniel E. Mejías AdornoDaniel MontalvoDaniela GonzálezDarlene González TorresDashira QuiñonezDavid Fontánez MeléndezDayane MoralesDeborah EstradaDeborah RiveraDeivy CastroDelinid CastilloDeliris Deliz PagánDeric Campo MarreroDiana Neris RosaDiana Trujillo Sandoval

Dianer RosarioDianil Pacheco TorresDianisa BáezDigna RiveraDilcia González GandarillasDolores ReyesDora J. CepédaEdgard Figueroa NegrónEdgardo L. SantanaEdgardo RiveraEdgardo VigoEdmy AyalaEduardo J. Rosado MéndezEduardo MartínezEduardo VázquezEdward WesterbandEdwin Ayala TorresEdwin C. Pacheco SuárezEdwin J. MaldonadoEdwin RiveraEdwin RomanEileen Rivera VélezElí Sánchez UrbinaElian T. PabónEliana BendezúElizabeth LozadaElizabeth Serrano DíazElkys R. Ríos SemideyElsa Diaz AponteElsie RoblesElvin I. RosarioElvira MárquezElwood D. MartínezEmannuel MarreroEmanuel Álvarez PérezEmanuel Berríos CollazoEmanuel H. MirandaEmanuel Pagán LaureanoEmanuel RechaniEmilie SerranoEmilmarí NegrónEnid PortesEnrique CarrilloEnrique MarínEric BayalaEricka Echevarria TorresEstefania CruzEsther Díaz RamosEsther EscuderoEsther Villarino TurEthien Soto GonzálezEva J. HernándezEva Tirado

Everaldo Burgos LópezFabián MorenoFabiola QuiñonesFelipe ReyesFelix J. Ginés RiveraFélix M. Adorno BrunoFernando GutierrezFrances González FeliuFrances RaguánFrances Toledo RodríguezFrancheisa Cruz ChangFrancheska CubanoFrancis M. De Jesús GonzálezFrancisco AlmánzarFrancisco de JesúsFrancisco LoraFrancisco MaldonadoFrancisco Medero HernándezFrancisco QuiñonezFrancisco RiveraFrank P. AcevedoFreddie Rodríguez BeatoGabriel DíazGabriel E. RuizGabriel MaldonadoGabriel Morales RodríguezGabriel O. LabordeGabriel RiveraGabriel VélezGabriel Y. Giraldo MachucaGabriela I. MorisGabriela SuauGabriela TorresGian ToyosGiancarlo CarrasquilloGilbert GutiérrezGilberto Hernández CondeGiomara La QuayGladimarie García CartagenaGlarry Infante OteroGlenda I. Camacho RiveraGloria E. MéndezGloria M. QuiñonesGretchen MartínezGuillermo EspinosaGustavo RodríguezGynarliz Rivera BáezHamsel Marmolejos RizikHéctor R. BergolloHeidi Martínez AcevedoHilda A. AvilaHilda Martínez CarbonellHiralis López

Hiram Colon AponteHumberto RamírezHyam Abdiel ColónIan RiveraIleana Irizarry MedinaIleana PérezIndhira M. Rosa NievesIraida VilanovaIris Escobar AcevedoIris M. VargasIris N. PérezIrving WesterbandIsabel Collazo RodríguezIsamar Feliciani-GlezIsamdia MuñizIsaura AponteIsmael Molina SerranoIsmael Molina VillarinoItzarmar RodriguezIván Colón RiveraIván Hernández NúñezIvan Rodríguez VegaIvaniella López MolinaIvelisse Román TorresIvelisse TorresIvonne Cruz MedinaIyan DíazJ.F. Bibi RodriguezJacobo NorbyJacqueline NegrónJaileen De La Paz VélezJamie NelsonJanelis M. TiradoJanet Vega SedaJania M. Medero DelgadoJanice MercadoJanice Ramírez SantiagoJavier Acosta RománJean Carlo M. GarcíaJean Carlos Matos CancelJeannette CarriónJeannette CorderoJecenia Sanabria PérezJemanuel Martínez GonzálezJennifer de la Paz VélezJensy Ayala CuevasJeraliann Ruiz RamosJesireé Mora PiñeroJessibeth VieraJessica RiveraJessica RodríguezJesús M. Martínez CortesJeyshua Miguel Cortijo

Jhoxel G. ReyJoan M. FoyJoan Manuel Berríos CollazoJocelyn AlbinoJoel E. Vélez RiveraJoel TorresJohanna HernándezJohanny RodríguezJohnsy CarriónJonathan CosmeJonathan E. Nevárez AvilésJonathan MayorgaJonathan OrtegaJonathan Rodríguez VillanuevaJonnathan HernándezJordan Lleras RosadoJorge DulzaidesJorge E. RiveraJorge G. Narváez FigueroaJorge Joel González RiveraJosé A. Colón LópezJosé A. Deliz RosadoJosé A. González CruzJosé A. González DonatoJosé A. González IrizarryJosé A. MeléndezJosé A. Mestre MaldonadoJosé A. RiveraJosé A. Rivera CamachoJosé Alberto Burgos GonzálezJosé Antonio EspinalJose CruzJosé D. QuintanaJosé Espinal San MiguelJosé F. Cruz FelicianoJosé Francisco Aponte MercadoJosé GonzálezJosé Julio Martínez RodríguezJosé Luis CabreraJosé M. UrbinaJose OrtizJosé R. CuodraJosé RamosJosé Roqué VelázquezJosé Vargas RiveraJosé X. Vélez QuiñonesJoselys M. MéndezJoshua Cortijo CottoJoshuamir De La CruzJuan A. RosarioJuan C. RodríguezJuan G. De JesúsJuan Guevarez

Juan José Rodríguez ZayasJuan RiveraJudimar Ríos RiveraJulián ParadaJuliana UnanueJuliany MarreroJulio Abreu NegrónJulio CubanoJulio Reyes AmadorJulio WesterbandKabir CintrónKarelle A. Luyo OrtizKarelys N. González VázquezKarib K. ReyesKarilyn Pérez SerranoKarla Pagán BenítezKasandra L. Vázquez OrtízKashiri HernándezKassandra SerranoKatherine RosarioKathia SantiagoKathy HallKatia Y. Vega MuleroKatria Rivera RiveraKeilanys P. MaldonadoKeishla M. Ocasio RodríguezKeishla Pérez OquendoKelvin AyalaKevin A. Dahl RiveroKevin Flores SantiagoKevin Gabriel Martes RománKevyn Torres ColónKeyla BáezKeylanis P. MaldonadoKeysha ReyesKeythzannette ColónKeyzamar L. RománKianna M. PaulinoKiara K. ReyesKidralyz ReyKirby Lee LeivaKiriat M. TorresLaura B. OrtízLeila Martínez SantiagoLeonardo Díaz ArceLeonardo GonzálezLeonicio Iván Copo AguiarLeticia RodríguezLiliana PerelesLillian Bayron FerreiraLillianette ReyesLinda I. LebrónLinís Rivera León

Lisa GonzálezLizzette VélezLoida OrtizLorangeline GuadalupeLoren PagánLorena Del Mar Acevedo MolinaLorimar LozadaLorrie Ann MoralesLouis A. Santiago BrevanLourdes EspadaLourdes SantanaLucila DíazLucy OcasioLuis A. Quiñones RiveraLuis A. Rivera CepedaLuis A. Rivera ReyesLuis A. VelázquezLuis CruzLuis Daniel DelgadoLuis E. SantanaLuis J. CuevasLuis J. LladóLuis José CruzLuis M. SotoLuis Sánchez CruzLuis SantiagoLuis VélezLuz BarretoLuz C. OrtízLuz CastroLuz DahlLuz León VillegasLuz Rivera SotoLydia MéndezMagda Collazo SimonetMagda FigueroaMaillil H. Soto RiveraManuel BarriosManuel Berrios SaezMarangeli Cruz VegaMarangeli Vega NievesMarangelie Ortíz JonasMarena AyalaMargarita DíazMargie JoubertMaría Alejandra GonzálezMaría BurgosMaría C. MoralesMARIA COLONMaría De Lourdes TorresMaria E. ArroyoMaría E. VicentyMaría Gil

María RomeroMaría Rosa LozadaMaría S. ColónMarialejandra González VegaMariana CruzMariangeliz HernandezMarice Rivera PagánMariceli González CartagenaMarie León VillegasMarielis MaldonadoMariliz SantiagoMarilyn Rodríguez MojicaMarilyn VargasMarinelly Rodríguez VillanuevaMario A. AgraitMario MarreroMarisol Pagán SánchezMaristella SánchezMaritza OquendoMarivette ColónMark Anthony Sánchez AlbaMarlon N. AsencioMarnie CruzMarta AlvarezMarta M. VillamilMayleen LeónMayra Amador TorresMayra HernándezMayra RiveraMelanie RosaMelany Negrón IlarrazaMelianid GonzálezMelissa Rodríguez RamosMeliza SerranoMelvin L. Silva OcasioMercedes CamachoMia LoraMichael Maya RománMichael RiveraMichelle RamírezMigdalia RosadoMigdalis L. Rivera HuertasMiguel GarcíaMiguel Maldonado CedeñoMiguel VélezMiguel Vélez QuiñonesMilagros De JesúsMilton RecioMirna Claudio AdornoMisael Marcano De LeónMoisés OrtizMónica DíazMónica López Rodríguez

Mónica Parada VillanuevaMyriam OrtizMyriam Villegas FigueroaMyriam Y. SepúlvedaMyrna TorresNaisha RománNansheska PagánNanushka SantiagoNanysma ANaomi Ríos CandelariaNariel M. Loubriel RodríguezNatacha AvilésNatalia Ayala AlagarínNatalia RosadoNatalie RiveraNatanael Vega MolinaNathan R. ColónNayda RiveraNeisha TorresNelly GarcíaNelly SantiagoNelson Alvarez ColónNelson BaergaNelson I. Alvarez RolónNestor L. MoralesNeythan PagánNicolás A. Sánchez DíazNicole DelgadoNicole E. Valentin RodriguezNoelis Reyes OrtegaNoelys Antonetti GómezNoemí Otero FernándezNorma CartagenaNorma LlonaNorma Pérez FloresNydia GonzálezNydia González VázquezOcxana OquendoOlga I. González MirandaOmara OquendoOnelys M. PabónOrlando SalasOrlando Salas DíazOscar AcostaOscar MonclovaPaola LópezPaola M. UrbinaPaula MarreroPedro RamosPriscilla Méndez CavallieryRabssarys MartínezRafael FigueroaRafael Moreno

Ramón E. MartínezRandy RechaniRaquel Lugo BendezúRaquel M. Torres TiradoRaul RodriguezRaúl S. MirandaRay David Rodríguez ColónRay E. MonteagudoRaymon GordihnyRaymond RiveraRicardo CollazoRicardo GonzálezRichard M. PérezRobert Laboy MercadoRoberto de JesúsRoberto F. Avilés VegaRoberto Rodríguez MartínezRoberto SánchezRoderick FoyRodolfo CaballeroRolando Bruno OquendoRosa M. TorresRosali Hernández RestoRosaliz RodríguezRosamar AyalaRossyveth Rey BerríosRoxannie Morales NazarioRubén GonzálezRudy RíosRuth RodríguezSahylis SalazarSamaria N. CamachoSamuel MoralesSamuel VázquezSandra Martínez ColónSandra RosadoSandra S. Vazquez OrtizSaneida J. GarcíaSantiago OliverSaribel M. TorresSebastián E. TorresSebastián Torres MoralesShaquille RodríguezSheila ColónSifmad RodríguezSomarie Noemi Vera RiveraSorienice GonzálezStacy D. BunceStephanie GarcíaStephanie Martínez RiveraStephanie RodríguezSynthia M. Pérez FloresTaishmary Soto

Tania Díaz MárquezTatiana CabánTatiana G. GonzálezTatiana Ortíz GonzálezTatiana Torres PabónTaysha Bruno OrtizTeresa Pacheco CamachoThais A. SantiagoValeria Mattei MedinaValeria MontesinoValeria T. Rivera MartinezVanessa A. SotoVanity RosarioVasco A. Carinhas PiñeiroVerónica V. Díaz MarcanoVíctor Hanzlik ValentínVictor Loubriel RodríguezVíctor M. LoubrielVíctor RománVictoria MachadoVilma Vega RodríguezVilmiannie Mora RiveraVirgen Torres SegarraViviana Acevedo RodríguezViviana Negrón RiveraVyomar Santiago FernándezWaldemar AlcobasWanda ArroyoWanda E. AlgarínWanda SierraWilberto OrtízWildalys OrtízWilfredo Santiago RiveraWilkins Otero AliceaWillie J. OlmeidaXavier R. RodríguezXiomara M. MéndezXiomarnet Cabrera CentenoXoelis Aimee AcostaYadielis HernándezYadielys HernándezYadira Román ChanzaYaidelys M. SerranoYairaliz Rodríguez GonzálezYalis HernándezYalitza N. SerranoYamilka MottaYamilmary PizarroYanaliz RosarioYaniel E. Mejías AdornoYara M. RiveraYaroliz ColónYayah Ramos

Yesenia Bruno LaureanoYesenia Cana RojasYesenia MelendezYesliane Morales TorresYetsenia Soto SantosYiria MuñizYlis Morales AyalaYoandalis Mendoza FigueroaYobanni Díaz BorreroYolanda GonzalezYomayra E. Sierra RodríguezYoufreisi Báez RodríguezYuliana SuárezYureilys CollazoZoeling MedinaZoraida Morales

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The Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to secure functional and healthy ecosystems on the islands of Puerto Rico, and to instill in their inhabitants a sense of responsibility toward the conservation of our natural resources, so that we may have ecosystem services that will help us achieve our social, economic and quality-of-life goals.

The Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico believes that we can achieve our full potential, both individually and collectively, if we can sustain the ecosystem services on the islands of Puerto Rico and respect all forms of life with which we share our natural environment.

787.722.5834

ciudadanocientifico@fideicomiso.orgwww.ciudadanocientifico.orgwww.fideicomiso.org

This program was sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Informal Science Education Proposal 0638966, and by the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico. The opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the National Science Foundation or the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico.