Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Annual Report of CREST-CATEC: September 1st, 2004 – August 31st, 2005.
I.Project Participants:
I.1. Participants by thrust area:
Faculty Members Affiliation Faculty Members Affiliation Faculty Members Affiliation Faculty Members Affiliation
W. Owen McMillan CREST Elvia Meléndez-Ackerman Co-PI Carla Restrepo CREST Elvira Cuevas CREST
Alberto Sabat CREST Tugrul Giray Co-PI Edward Bedrick CREST Jorge Ortiz Zayas CREST
Raymond Tremblay CREST Alonzo Ramírez CREST Timothy Hanson CREST
Stephan Funk CREST - CFCT Denny Fernández CREST Collaborators Affiliation
Grizelle González IITF Graduate Students Affiliation Ernesto Menida IVIC - IITF
Collaborators Affiliation Eugenio Santiago-Valentín CREST Ling Xu CREST Ariel Lugo IITF
Carlos Diez DRNE Ariel Diaz UPR-H Andrés Cuervo CREST Luiz Martinnelli CENA - USP
Robert Van Dam CHELONIA Rodney Rodríguez CREST
Alberto Alvarez CREST Collaborators Affiliation Johana Delgado -Acevedo CREST Graduate Students Affiliation
José Sustache CREST Maria F. Barberena Arias CREST
Technicians Affiliation Miguel A. García Bermudez DRNE Undergraduate Students Affiliation Carlos Conde UPR
Jenny Patricia Acevedo CREST Xiomara Sánchez Pérez CREST Juan F. Blanco-Libreros UPR
Manuel Ramírez CREST Technicians Affiliation Debora Figueroa CREST
Heather Helm EPSCOR Joaquín Manuel Mercado CREST Sara Raquel López UPR
Felix Araujo Pérez CREST Manuel Figueroa CREST Brinne Bryant UPR
Gisela Hernández UPR
Post-Doc Affiliation Graduate Students Affiliation Rebeca de Jesus UPR
Durrell Kapan CREST José Fumero CREST
Ricardo Papa CREST Marcos Caraballo CREST Undergraduate Students Affiliation
Bert Rivera-Marchand CREST Manuel A. Correa Negrón CREST
Graduate Students Affiliation Alberto Galindo EPSCOR Marla Torrado UPR
Elsie Rivera EPA Alberto Puente Rolon CREST Betzaida Sandoz UPR
Nestor Pérez CREST Silvia Planas Soto Navarro CREST Coralys Juarbe UPR
Karla Maldonado CREST Cecilia Sanchez CREST Rahiza de Thomas REU-NSFXimena Velez Zuazo CREST Charito Orengo CREST Arleen Vera UPR
Filipa Godoy CREST Sayra Reyes CREST
Manuel Ramírez CREST Efren Vega UPR
Alejandro Merchan RA Alexandra Herrera UPR
Catalina Perdromo TA Devrim Oskay EPSCOR
Keysa Rosas CREST
Ivania Cerons TA Undergraduate Students Affiliation
Sameliz del Rio NSF-PRLSAMP
Undergraduate Students Affiliation Natalia Piñeiro CREST
Esther Peterson CREST Chamary Fuentes Vergara CREST
Lournet Martínez-López CREST Carmen Zayas Santiago CREST
Noel Rivera Gomez CREST Colibrí Sanfiorenzo CREST
Xaymara Serrano Vicente CREST Vanesa Rodriguez Torres CREST
Omara E. Ortiz Vazquez CREST Vilmaliz Rodriguez Guzman CREST
Jose Velazquez Castro CREST Paulina Calle CREST
Yearim Gutierrez CREST Janet Soltero CREST
Neda Sedora CREST Karen Umpierre UPR
Annelis Sanchez CREST Giovani Sánchez Cruz CREST
Sarilveth Flecha Flecha CREST Anamaría Noriega Ovalle CREST
Kareem Nieves CREST Sara I. Rivera Márquez CREST
Karina Robles Maldonado CREST Julianna Rodríguez Collazo CREST
Araim M. Reyes CREST Katherine L. Svensson CREST
Aida Miro Herrans NIH-RISE Claire Chisolm UPR
Willy Ramos Pérez NIH-RISE Rigoberto Gonzalez Perez CREST
Kelitt Santiago CREST Christopher Cheleuitte Nieves CREST
Yahdi Cotto CREST
Cristina Padilla Bravo CREST
Crest-Center for Applied Tropical Ecology and ConservationAnnual Report 2004-2005
Thrust Area I - MEEG Thrust Area II - PEG Thrust Area III - LEG Thrust Area IV - EG
1.2. Organizational Chart of the Center
University of Puerto RicoPresident
Dr. Antonio García Padilla
University of Puerto RicoRío Piedras Campus
ChancellorDr. Gladys Escalona de Motta
Collage of Natural SciencesDean
Dr. María S. Báez – Interim Dean
CREST Center for Applied Tropical Ecology and ConservationCREST-CATEC
Dr. Elvira Cuevas - Director
CRESTPI
Dr. Elvira Cuevas
ExecutiveCommittee
External AdvisoryCommittee
Administrative CoordinatorZobeida Díaz
Data/ System ManagerJoel Ruiz
DBI-0447067Dr. James Ackerman
PI
NSF-0344705Dr. Owen McMillan
PI
SEA GrantDr. Paul Bayman
PI
I.3 DIRECTOR’S NARRATIVE OF THE CENTER’S MAJOR ISSUES:
CREST-CATEC has continued to be very successful in the following areas:
a) We have improved the administrative help and facilities,
b) continued to update the web page for the Center,
c) promoted, supported or sponsored activities such as seminars, symposia and workshops, and
d) supported professors' and students' travel for training, courses, or presentations in congresses and
symposia.
CREST-CATEC has continued to closely collaborate with other UPR Centers and programs such as the
Resource for Science and Engineering and PR- EPSCoR of UPR Central Administration and DEGI
(Deanship of Graduate Studies and Research) of UPR-Rio Piedras. We have also established close
collaborations with universities and institutions such as Duke University, Fairchild Botanical Garden and
the CRC-Smithsonian Institution among others. Our research fellows have also been successful in
obtaining other grants, and we have also added other research fellows to the Center that have also
brought some other grants to CREST-CATEC.
On the other hand we continue to "educate" the administrative part of UPR-Rio Piedras on the
management of large grants. As there is no post award management office, Rio Piedras manages the
grants just as they manage the every day expenditures related to teaching.
Issues at hand:
Administrative aspects:
1- Hiring of personnel - The amount of administrative personnel has been kept a t a minimum: one
Administrative Coordinator and One Informatics Coordinator. However, the Center administrative
responsibilities have considerably expanded in the last year as a result of the expansion of CREST
activities, increased amount of students and research fellows and management of other grants. In order
to maintain administrative efficiency a secretary/assistant for the Administrative Coordinator will be hired
with overhead funds from the dean of Natural Sciences.
2 - Headquarters – Since early May we moved and remodeled our new headquarters in the Facundo
Bueso building Rooms 301A and B. We have one office and one small conference room already set up
via wireless connection for LAN and INTERNET for the administrative personnel and 30 more computers
at one time. In the conference room we also have video conferencing facilities that will become
operational by mid-June. The dean of natural Sciences also gave us an additional office for the Center
Coordinator and working area for additional personnel and part time students. The office is being
remodeled (with CREST-CATEC matching funds) and we expect its completion by mid-June.
3 – Grant management - The administrative part of CREST-CATEC has intensively worked on the
following tasks:
a - Contracts and student stipends for the Center participants
b - purchasing of equipment, materials and supplies
c – administrative work for Drs. Raymond Tremblay and Dennis Fernández, University of Puerto Rico,
Humacao campus, and Dr. Jorge Ortiz, Institute of Topical Ecosystem Studies, UPR Rio Piedras, and Dr.
Jason Rauscher, new recruit and research fellow of CREST-CATEC.
d - Administrative work for three additional proposals: NSF –0344705 (PI - Dr. Owen McMillan), NSF
(James Ackerman) and NOAA Sea Grant (Bayman and Sabat)
e - administrative work for field work in Mona Island
f - administrative work related to travel for researchers, students and visitors.
g - arranging and supervising the logistics of the activities sponsored by the Center
h - Training of computer data assistant
i - following-up and finally establishing the financial logistics for the memorandum of understanding
between UPR – Rio Piedras and PR – Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the
Government of Puerto Rico.
j - general administrative work related to the activities of the thrust areas.
4. Other grants management - Since July 2004 we are managing three more grants, apart from the
CREST already at work. Dr. Owen McMillan (PI of Thrust area 1 – MEEG) was awarded an NSF
competitive grant of $750,000 for three years (NSF –0344705). Dr. Alberto Sabat, research fellow in
collaboration with Dr. Paul Bayman, Department of Biology were awarded a NOAA grant of $53,000 for
three years. Another grant was added on February2005: DBI-0447067 for the amount of $391,486 (PI -
Dr. James Ackerman).
Identification of problems related to efficiency of grant and Center management.
We have continued to be very successful in the short time the Center has been active, however there are
pertinent issues that need to be addressed. Although we continue to have the full support of the
Chancellor, Dean of Natural Sciences, and the heads of the Department of Biology and ITES, the
administrative component of the University continues to be a constant source of problems and delays.
Ms. Diaz the Center Coordinator, and myself continue to spend a considerable amount of time just
dealing with petty problems related to hiring of students, payment of fees, payment of compensations,
and transfers of monies from one account to another. The system is very conservative and outdated, so it
takes between 3-4 months, sometimes more, for the Finance Office to clear whatever orders or requests
are done. That includes equipment purchase, payment of students, personnel contracts and
compensations, etc.
This year we had serious problems with student's stipends and contracts at the beginning of the
academic year (August 2004). Academic year at UPR starts in August and our grant year starts in
September 1st. The two month delay between the start of the academic year and the actual reception of
the NSF authorization (October 2004) created a difficult situation as there were changes in the Finance
office of UPR and the new personnel did not want to process the contracts prior to the reception of the
authorization from NSF. We had to involve the Deans of Graduate Studies and Natural Sciences in order
to resolve the situation.
An unexpected situation was a student university lockout (strike) that lasted from April 6 until May 5. As
there was a de facto administrative recess for the duration of the strike, all our management was severely
affected. Ms. Diaz, our administrative coordinator continued to work from home, however stipends,
contracts, purchasing, payments, etc could not be executed as there was no administration to process it.
This situation has created a backlog of work that is now being resolved. The lockout also prevented the
meeting of the external scientific advisory committee, which will now be held in late August.
Proposed solution: Have UPR Rio Piedras establish a grant award office at the University exclusively in
charge of processing external funding finances. Also UPR-Rio Piedras has to evaluate and establish a
more streamlined and time and cost effective way of doing the administrative procedures. We suggest
that NSF recommends UPR Rio Piedras the implementation of such office.
Remodeling of laboratory facilities:
The highly bureaucratic structure of the UPR system makes construction and remodeling a very long and
tedious situation. The centralization of all permanent remodeling or construction at the central
Administration of the UPR system has compounded the problems.
The situation stated above severely affects the remodeling of laboratory facilities for new faculty
recruitment and myself. The university system does not recognize as a priority the remodeling of
laboratories, so it can take up to five years for the remodeling to occur. This situation continues to hinder
the development of the ecosystems ecology thrust area and the potential for any other research fellows
we will want to incorporate in the future. The meeting with the executive Committee where the chancellor
and Deans will be present might resolve this situation.
The fourth thrust area of CREST, ecosystems ecology, continues to be developed research wise (see
activities and findings), however infrastructure for this area is still waiting. Construction and remodeling of
my laboratory (Elvira Cuevas) is now waiting for the bids, and remodeling is expected to start maybe in
late 2005. Meanwhile, the Biology Department will provide an interim use of a laboratory that will be
vacated in late June.
Dr. Jorge Ortiz, leader of the hydrology component of the Ecosystems Ecology area, was given a small
lab in April to be used in conjunction with Dr. Alonso Ramírez, another CREST-CATEC research fellow.
CREST-CATEC provided part of the set up funds to renovate his laboratory facility currently used as
storage. At the request of the Dean of Natural Sciences, the UPR President recently granted additional
funds to complement CREST-CATEC funds to renovate this laboratory. However funding was not enough
so remodeling date not even been considered by the Bids and Contracts Committee. We expect that
remodeling be ready by Spring 2005, however at this time there is no date that can be given.
Technical and Information Support:
1- Web page: Mr. Joel Ruiz, the data/systems-informatics manager, in coordination with the High
Performance Computing Facility (HPCF) of the Resource Center for Science and Engineering has
continued to develop the Web site of CREST-CATEC. The web site, http://crest-catec.upr.edu, is already
functional, but some parts are still under construction. It provides information about the Center, ongoing
research projects and activities such as workshops, symposia, meetings, etc, announces the different
activities of the research groups, other research centers, and people related to CREST-CATEC. In
addition each member of the program can have his/her own web page into the CREST-CATEC Web Site.
We expected to have the web page completed by early January of 2005, however as the center has
continued to expand it is a work in progress. This is an example of the highly successful collaboration
established between the Resource center for Science and Engineering and CREST-CATEC
2 – Development of web collaboration:
This system is a web based application so that the professors, investigators, students and collaborators
can save, share, and publish all the information related to their investigations. The system is divided by
each sub-project with the capacity to be able to work altogether. Input and management of the meta data
will follow after the system is in place. We expected to have it completed by January 2005, however as
Mr. Ruiz is working alone it will take longer than originally proposed. An undergraduate student is
assisting Mr. Ruiz, and we will add two more next august.
In September 24, 2004 Mr. Ruiz gave a training for CREST-CATEC participants in content management
system. This activity will be repeated every year in order to continue training in this aspect.
3 – Computational support for other laboratories:
a) Sequencing and Genotyping Facility and the Bioinformatics Satellite Lab. CREST-CATEC continues to
provide critical computational support for integrating and managing hardware and software components
of both facilities. Mr. Ruiz and Mr. Humberto Ortiz, from HPCF, continue to coordinate the network
development and the programming of the system that is being implanted.
b) Coordination and technical support for the research fellows in the Center.
4- Preparation of audiovisuals for presentations and symposia:
a) Posters and flyers preparation
b) Photographing and maintaining a record of the Center activities
Again, with the success of the Center we have to expand the Data/systems-Informatics area. We plan to
increase the personnel of this support area as Mr. Ruiz capabilities are stretched to the maximum.
4 – Research references and information resources
The previous year problems in maintaining an up-to-date access of information of reference sources
considerably improved. The ISIS Web of Science at the Library of Natural Sciences expanded the
reference search. The Natural Science library is well equipped and has made considerable improvement
in the electronic access to references for students and academics. The library continues to be short of
funds to purchase books and hard copies of journals.
In order to assess how effective CREST-CATEC has been in improving number of publications in
the biological, ecological and environmental areas, I will contract a UPR Master's graduate in Bibliometry
who will make a statistical evaluation of the publications of the last ten years of the Biology Department
and the Institute of Tropical Ecosystem Studies. This study will begin in June and the results will be ready
by December. As PR-EPSCoR will also benefit from a similar evaluation, PR-EPSCoR will leverage the
funds so that the study is expanded to cover the EPSCoR researchers.
Other issues:
I still consider that the Center will benefit with the hiring of an officer in charge of identifying new sources
of funding, helping in grant writing and working along with the Director and research fellows. The
matching funds do not provide for this person so I am in the process of identifying sources of funding for
the hiring of personnel.
I.4. Current Center advisors:
Executive Committee
In April, 2005 the Executive Committee was established. The firs meeting will be held in June.
Chancellor: Dra. Gladys Escalona de Motta,
Dean of Graduate Studies and Research: Dr. Ana Guadalupe
Dean of Administration: Dr. Saul Pratts,
Dean of Faculty of Natural Sciences: Dr. María S. Báez
Director Department of Biology: Dr. Alberto Sabat
Director Institute of Tropical Ecosystems Studies: Dr. John Tomlinson
Director Citizens of the Kartz: Mr. Abel Vale
Director Casa Pueblo, Mr. Alexis Mayol.
External Advisory Committee members CREST -CATEC:
- Robin Chazdon, PhD: University of Connecticut – tropical plant ecology –
- Deborah Clark, PhD: University of Missouri – St Louis – tropical forest conservation and management –
- Larry Gilbert, PhD: University of Texas, Austin – Evolutionary biology and economical entomology –
- Ariel A. Lugo, PhD: USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry – ecosystem
ecology and forest restoration dynamics – [email protected]
- Javier Francisco Ortega, PhD: Florida International University – molecular genetics and island
biogeography – [email protected]
- Daniel Simberloff. PhD: The University of Tennessee [email protected] – Conservation biology and
island biogeography
- Peter Vitousek, PhD: Stanford University - ecosystem processes and island ecosystems-
I.5. Biographical information of new investigators:
Biographical Sketch: Jason T. Rauscher
CURRENT POSITION
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of BiologyUniversity of Puerto Rico, Rio PiedrasSan Juan, PR 00931-3360
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Date of birth: September 14, 1969Place of birth: Grand Rapids, MI, USATelephone: (787) 764-0000e-mail: [email protected]
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Evolutionary and Population Biology,Washington University, St. Louis, MO.December 2000; advisor: Dr. Barbara A. SchaalB.A., Biology, Carleton College, Northfield, MN.June 1992; advisor: Dr. Mark McKone
10
AppointmentsNSF International Research Fellow, 2004-2005Lecturer, Universidad de los Andes, 2004Fulbright teaching/research scholar, Universidad de los Andes, 2003Postdoctoral researcher, Cornell University, 2000-2002
HONORS AND AWARDS
Fulbright Scholar Program, Lecturing/Research Award, January 2003Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Washington University, May 1996Honorable Mention, National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship Program, April 1993Cum Laude with distinction in biology, Carleton College, June 1992Distinction in Undergraduate Thesis: “Tropical diversity and the intermediate disturbance
hypothesis,” June 1992Sigma Xi Society, Associate Member, May 1992
GrantsNSF International Research Fellowship (NSF-0402088), July 2004, $80,436NSF Dissertation Improvement Grant, May 1996Sigma Xi Travel Grant, 1996Explorers’ Club Travel Grant, 1996
Invited Seminars and SymposiaUniversity of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. “Embracing the complexity of plant evolution: rapid
diversification and hybridization from the high Andes to the Land Down Under.” November2003.
International Center for Tropical Agriculture, Cali, Colombia. “Allopolyploid speciation in Glycinetomentella: multiple origins and molecular evolution in species closely related to soybean.”(in Spanish) July 2003.
Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Department of Biology, Bogotá, Colombia. “Evolution in thepáramos: the origin and diversification of the frailejons.” (in Spanish) May 2003.
Cornell University, Department of Plant Biology, Ithaca, NY, USA. “Evolution in the Andes:molecular systematics of the Espeletia complex.” May 2000.
PUBLICATIONS
Rauscher, J.T., J.J. Doyle, and A.H.D. Brown. 2004. Multiple origins and nrDNA ITS homologueevolution in the Glycine tomentella (Leguminosae) allopolyploid complex. Genetics 166: 987-998.
Jolie, S., J.T. Rauscher, S.L. Sherman-Broyles, A.H.D. Brown, and J.J. Doyle. 2004. Evolutionarydynamics and preferential expression of homeologous 18S-5.8S-26S nuclear ribosomalgenes in natural and artificial Glycine allopolyploids. Molecular Biology and Evolution 21:1409-1421.
Doyle, J.J., J.L. Doyle, J.T. Rauscher, and A.H.D. Brown. 2004. Evolution of the perennialsoybean polyploid complex (Glycine subgenus Glycine): a study of contrasts. BiologicalJournal of the Linnean Society 82: 583-597.
Doyle, J.J., J.L. Doyle, J.T. Rauscher, and A.H.D. Brown. 2004. Diploid and polyploid reticulateevolution throughout the history of the perennial soybeans (Glycine subgenus Glycine). NewPhytologist 161: 121-132.
Rauscher, J.T., J.J. Doyle, and A.H.D. Brown. 2002. Internal transcribed spacer repeat-specificprimers and the analysis of hybridization in the Glycine tomentella (Leguminosae) polyploidcomplex. Molecular Ecology 11: 2691-2702.
Rauscher, J.T. 2002. Molecular phylogenetics of the Espeletia complex (Asteraceae): evidencefrom nrDNA ITS sequences on the closest relatives of an Andean adaptive radiation.American Journal of Botany 89: 1074-1084.
Schaal, B.A., D.A. Hayworth, K.M. Olsen, J.T. Rauscher, and W.A. Smith. 1998. Phylogeographicstudies in plants: problems and prospects. Molecular Ecology 7: 465-474.
McKone, M.J., B. Ostertag, J.T. Rauscher, D.A. Heiser, and F.L. Russell. 1995. An exception toDarwin’s syndrome: floral position, protogyny and insect visitation in Besseya bullii(Scrophulariaceae). Oecologia 101: 68-74.
11
COLLABORATORS
Jeff Doyle, Cornell UniversityTony Brown, CSIRO, AustraliaJoe Tohme, International Center for Tropical AgricultureConcepción Puerta, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, ColombiaSantiago Madriñán, Universidad de los Andes, ColombiaJuan Diego Palacio, Instituto Humboldt, Colombia
SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES
During my time in Colombia over the past two years, I had the opportunity to teach classes on theuse of molecular methods in ecology, evolution and conservation, which otherwise would nothave been available to students. In addition, I had the opportunity to co-advise severalundergraduate and Masters students, set up various collaborations, and give lectures on myresearch at several universities and research centers.
REVIEWING ACTIVITIES
American Journal of BotanyGeneticsMolecular EcologyMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
I.6. Accomplishments
Indicators of progress:
CREST-CATEC has had excellent progress on the goals defined since the establishment
of the Center. This year we had a reverse site visit where our progress was evaluated. The
review panel considered that we had done an exceptionally well job (See document below). We
understand that the external review committee has to play a determinant role in the evaluation of
the Center and as such we commit ourselves to hold yearly meetings.
Goal 1: Increase the participation of our undergraduate and graduate
students in research activities.
Being the University of Puerto Rico a Hispanic institution, we considered from the very beginning
that increasing the participation of undergraduate and graduate students in research was a top
priority. During the three years that the Center has been in existence, the amount of students has
continued to increase. In the first year of the grant we had 25 students, fourteen graduate and 11
undergraduates, all Hispanic. Already in year three we have almost tripled the original number.
This year we had 69 students, doubling the amount of graduate students and quadrupling the
amount of undergraduates. Of the 69 students, 9 are non-US citizens or residents, and are paid
from other sources than CREST, and the rest are US citizens or permanent residents.
Goal 2: Increase the research productivity of our faculty in the field in
applied ecology and conservation.
12
By providing the necessary infrastructure and research monies plus an efficient administration,
the research fellows have considerably improved their productivity. As of year three, there have
been 54 publications, 3 technical reports and 20 submitted manuscripts.
Examples of direct results of the increased productivity can be shown as follows: 1) Dr. Eugenio
Santiago and Dr. Tugrul Giray received their tenure at UPR-Rio Piedras on February,2005 and
May, 2005 respectively.
2) Dr. Jorge Ortiz received a UNESCO recognition for existing and planned efforts to promote
integrated water resources management in the Luquillo Mountains region of Puerto Rico.
3) Dr. Tugrul Giray received the President’s award to attend the first Gordon Research
Conference on Genes and Behavior to present his work on reduced defensiveness in Africanized
bees in Puerto Rico in February 2004 in Los Angeles, California.
4) Dr. Tugrul Giray’s publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the
USA has been selected for press interest.
In the last three years reserachers and students from CREST-CATEC have a total of 90
presentations in Congresses and Symposia . Thirty four (34) were presented by students and fifty
six (56) presented by researchers. The presentations denote the importance of national and
international venues dissemination for the work being carried in CREST-CATEC: USA, PR,
Belgium, Estonia, Australia, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Britain,
Colombia, Perú, Dominican Republic, Colombia and Scotland.
Goal 3: Expand the research infrastructure of the University of P.R.
CREST-CATEC has helped in the improvement of laboratory facilities for our research fellows,
Drs. Carla Restrepo , Tugrul Giray, Owen McMillan, Elvia Meléndez-Ackerman at UPR-Rio
Piedras and Raymond Tremblay and Denny Fernández at UPR-Humacao. The Bee Ecology
Field Station at UPR Experimental Station in Gurabo, PR, headed by Dr. Tugrul Giray was
established and the building have been remodeled with monies from CREST-CATEC, NIH-
COBRE and UPR.The Genomic Facility, Bioinformatics Laboratory headed by Dr. Owen McMillan
is also established with funding from CREST-CATEC, NIH and UPR. CREST-CATEC also
awarded Dr. Jason Rauscher, a new assistant professor from the Department of Biology and our
most recent reserarch fellow $100,000 as start up funds. Dr. Elvira Cuevas also got $25,000
from PR-EPSCoR to purchase two Nikon microscopes.
13
Goal 4: Foster long-term research collaborations among scientists within
Puerto Rico and with national and international governmental and academic institutions.
We have expanded our strategic alliance-building partners from three (PR-EPSCoR, Department
of Natural Resources and Environment, USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical
Forestry) to seven (the original three plus NOAA, UPR Mayagüez Experimental Station, US Fish
and Wildlife Service and the Smithsonian National Zoological Park - Conservation Research
Center. We have also expanded our national and international research partners. Our
researchers are collaborating with eleven national institutions and five international ones. In 2003,
our research partners were the University of New Mexico, Department of Natural Resources and
Environment and the USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry. As of today
we have added Duke University, Institute of Tropical Ecosystem Studies of the University of
Puerto Rico, Botanical garden of UPR, Fairchild Botanical gardens, Florida International
University, Cornell University, University of Minnesota, University of Washington. Internationally
we have added research collaborations with the Royal Botanical Garden in Melbourne, Australia,
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro and Universidade do Vale de Itajai in Brazil, CENA
Universidade de Sao Paulo also in Brazil, and the National Botanical Garden Rafael Moscoso in
the Dominican Republic. We also established research collaborations under the Interamerican
Institute of Global Climate Change Research (IAI) where Drs. Jorge Ortiz and Elvira Cuevas are
actively involved in a research proposal to study how antrhopogenic Nitrogen is changing the
Nitrogen budgets in the Americas.
Goal 5: Ensure that funding continues after the CREST funding period:
Various researchers in CREST-CATEC had already gotten new awards or are in the process of
writing the proposals.
I.6 Current collaborations and interactions:
The establishment of UPR-CREST - CATEC documented the important synergy between UPR
researchers and local and federal agencies and laboratories. It has also documented the
important synergy that can be developed among campuses within the UPR University system.
The development of a cooperative agreement between UPR-Rio Piedras and the Department of
Natural Resources and Environment of the Government of Puerto Rico, an important milestone in
the recognition of synergic collaborative work.
14
Collaborative research activities:
- Terrestrial-coastal linkages in the Caribbean. Dr. Jorge Ortiz from UPR-Rio Piedras and Dr.
Michael McClain from Florida International University. It involves regional collaboration between
scientists and government officials from Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.
- Coordinator of the Luquillo Mountains UNESCO’s Hydrology for the Environment, Life and
Policy Program (HELP). This program promotes the dissemination of integrated water resources
management principles among an international network of catchments of which the Luquillo
Mountains were promoted to an Envolving Status by UNESCO.
- Effect of invasive species on the soil nutrient dynamics of wetlands in Puerto Rico. Dr. Elvira
Cuevas UPR-Río Piedras and USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry
and Puerto Rico Conservation Foundation. We are determining how an invasive tree species,
Melaleuca quinquenervia, is affecting the soil nutrient availability in eutrophicated wetland areas
in the San Juan Bay area in Puerto Rico in order to establish management strategies for the
control and use of this rapidly growing invasive tree.
- Downstream effects of plant species plasticity at the ecosystem level in a seasonally dry forest
in Guánica, Puerto Rico. UPR-Río Piedras, USDA Forest Service International Institute of
Tropical Forestry and Puerto Rico Conservation Foundation. Will provide a better understanding
of how species diversity affect ecosystem functioning, and to develop better management
strategies for selection of tree species for rehabilitation of degraded areas. Both Crest-CATEC
and USDAFS-IITF are providing funds to a PhD student.
- Morphological and physiological plasticity of tropical trees modulated by physicochemical
stressors: nutrients, salinity and wind. UPR-Río Piedras, USDA Forest Service International
Institute of Tropical Forestry and Puerto Rico Conservation Foundation. Will provide a better
understanding of how species diversity affect ecosystem functioning, and to develop better
management strategies for selection of tree species for rehabilitation areas under different
environmental stressors.
- Climate change and sea level rise as measured by 13C and 15N natural abundance in a dwarf
mangrove peat substrate in northeastern Puerto Rico. UPR-Río Piedras and USDA Forest
Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry. The research is allowing understanding how
sea level rise and paleoclimatic changes in the last 4500 years have occurred in the Caribbean
region.
- A Review on molecular phylogenetics of Caribbean-endemic plant groups. Dr. Eugenio Santiago
from UPR Rio Piedras and Dr. Javier Francisco-Ortega from Fairchild Botanical Gardens, Florida.
- Propagation of Endangered Plants of Puerto Rico. Dr. Eugenio Santiago from UPR Rio Piedras
and Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources/U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service. Dr. Santiago´s main research project under CREST revolves around the reproduction of
15
a Federally Endangered species. After performing the experimental phase on pollination, plant
material propagated will be used for recovery activities outlined by the Fish & Wildlife Service.
- Hydrologic evaluation of the habitat of the endangered crested toad (Peltophryne lemur) in
Guánica, Puerto Rico. UPR-Río Piedras and Department of Natural and Environmental
Resources of the Government of Puerto Rico (DNRE), US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Toronto
Zoo, development of a project proposal to gather preliminary data.
- Puerto Rico Water Plan. Department of Natural Resources and Environment of the Government
of Puerto Rico. Jorge Ortiz, from UPR-Río Piedras participated as a water resources consultant
to the Government of Puerto Rico in the development of a comprehensive evaluation of water
reservoirs in Puerto Rico. This project was also sponsored by the Chancellor's Office of the
University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus.
- Population biology of hawksbill turtles, an endangered species. UPR-Río Piedras and
Department of Natural Resources and Environment of the Government of Puerto Rico. Ongoing
collaboration involving molecular/field projects.
- Reproductive biology of the Mona Rock Iguana. UPR-Río Piedras and Department of Natural
and - Environmental Resources of the Government of Puerto Rico. Ongoing collaboration
involving molecular/field projects.
- Status surveys of marine turtles aggregations inhabiting coastal waters of Puerto Rico.
Department of Natural Resources and Environment of the Government of Puerto Rico, NOAA.
Provided foundation for continued research on marine turtles.
- Population biology of black mangroves in Puerto Rico, University of Puerto Rico-Humacao,
Provides a forum for inter campus collaboration.
- The developmental architecture of wing pattern variation in Heliconius erato. NSF, Duke
University. Provided attached undergraduate and graduate studentship. Also, CREST-CATEC
will be responsible of administering the grant.
- Metapopulation dynamics of an endangered riparian orchid. UPR-Río Piedras andd UPR-
Humacao, Provides funding for molecular/field project on endangered riparian orchids. Many
Puerto Rican undergraduate students from Humacao are actively involved in this project.
- Effects of Introduced Feral Ungulated on the native vegetation of Mona Island Reserve. UPR-
Río Piedras Department of Natural Resources and Environment, USDA Forest Service
International Institute of Tropical Forestry, UPR-Humacao, UPR-Bayamón, University of
Minesota. CREST-CATEC is providing most of the funds for materials, student and faculty
salaries, equipment and travel. By providing student funding, CREST-CATEC allows this project
to expand its scope to ecosystem parameter. Matching funds in UPR-Humacao were approved to
Dr. Denny Fernandez and Dr. Raymond Tremblay (also a CREST-CATEC researcher) to
complement research activities related to the CREST project. The funds include materials,
equipment, stipends and travel funds, used mainly to facilitate local undergraduate student
16
participation. The project is generating data on the relationship between plant and insect diversity
at the site. The following investigators are contributing with insect identification: Dr. Miguel
Garcia (Department of Natural Resources and the Environment), Dr. Michael Ivy (University of
Minnesota), Dr. Alonzo Ramirez (ITES-UPR), DR. Ariel Diaz (UPR-Humacao, and Dr. Juan
Torres (UPR-Bayamon). The information generated will allow us to address questions related to
the indirect effects of introduced herbivores on trophic structure.
- Use of High Resolution Imagery for vegetation analysis of Mona Island. UPR- Rio Piedras,
UPR-Humacao, USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry and Smithsonian
National Zoological park -Conservation Research Center, Front Royal, Va. Olga Ramos - GIS
Analyst of USDAFS-IITF is collaborating as a consultant and in the GIS training of students. Dr.
Peter Leimgruber from Smithsonian CRC is collaborating in the study design and will contribute
image analyses for remote sensing.
- Development of Conservation Center for Neotropical Zingiberales. Zingiberales Society of
Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Chapter of Heliconia Society International, Crest funds for PI summer
salary are facilitating the development of a Strategic Plan for the Conservation Center.
- Spatial distribution of congenital diseases in Puerto Rico. UPR-Rio Piedras and Health
Department of Government of Puerto Rico. X. Sanchez and C. Restrepo. Funding of one
undergraduate student and infrastructure (computers and software).
- Rare plants of the karstic reigon of Puerto Rico. UPR-Rio Piedras and Citizens of the Kartz. J.
Delgado and C. Restrepo. Funding for J. Delgado.
- Taxonomy of the Scytalopus tapaculos (Aves: Rhinocryptidae) of Colombia. In collaboration with
Niels Krabbe (Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen), Daniel Cadena (Dept. Biology,
University of St.Louis-Missourti, Luis M. Renjifo (Universidad Javeriana-Colombia) and F. Gary
Stiles (Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia). Funding for Andres
Cuervo.
- Workshops on TROPICANDES: An integrated program to study geophysical, biological, and
social systems in the tropical Andes. Carla Restrepo from UPR-Rio Piedras and German Poveda
(Colombian Academy of Exact Physical and Natural Sciences and Universidad Nacional de
Colombia-Medellin).
- Dr. Elvira Cuevas- Board of Directors AAAS, Caribbean Division (2003 - present). Co-leader
Thrust Area: Environment and Ecology, PR-EPSCoR – University of Puerto Rico (2003 –
present).
17
Seminars, Symposia and workshops:
CREST-CATEC has been very active in promoting and sponsoring seminars, workshops and
short courses.
- Symposium on Epistemiology and Biocomplexity: theoretical bases for a new biology. 20-29
August 2004. Co-sponsored by CREST-CATEC, DEGI UPR-Rio Piedras and teh Graduate
Program of the Department of Biology. Two professors from the Physics department of UPR-Rio
Piedras were speakers in this symposium. Students and researchers attending this activity
benefited with the multidisciplinary interaction in this activity.
- Second Symposium of Graduate Research: Integrating Scales in Biology: a
Holistic Approach - co-sponsored by UPR-RP, Faculty of Natural
Sciences, CREST-CATEC, NIH-RISE & AGEP - 18-19 March 2005. There were 80 participants in
this symposium, of which 62 graduate students presented their research results. Students and
professors from UPR-Rio Piedras, UPR-Humacao, UPR-Mayagüez and Universidad del Turabo
attended this symposium. Ms. Isabel Ashton, PhD student from SUNY attended and presented a
poster of her research in this activity.
- First Symposium on the use of GIS Information Systems in Applied Ecology and Conservation -
co-sponsored by CREST-CATEC, Smithsonian National Zoological Park’s Conservation and
Research Center (CRC), UPR Resource Center for Science and Engineering and PR-EPSCoR-
NASA . May 28, 2005. This symposium brought together researchers from Instituto Nacional de
Tecnología Agropecuaria, Argentina, USA and Puerto Rico.Locally it brought together
researchers and students from UPR-Rio Pidras, UPR-Humacao, UPR-Mayagüez, CoHemis
(UPR-Mayagüez)and USDAFS IITF. There were 86 participants in the activity.
Short courses given at UPR-Rio Pidras:
- Plant reproductive ecology - Dr. Marcelo Aizen from Universidad de Bariloche, Argentina, 8
September- 4 October, 2004. Trained undergraduate and graduate students both in class and
field activities.
- CREST-CATEC web collaboration - Mr. Joel Ruiz, informatics coordinator, September 24, 2004.
Training of participants in content management system.
18
Seminars sponsored by CREST-CATEC:
Dr. Marcelo Aizen, University of Bariloche, Argentina - Why do hummingbirds' flowers look
downwards? September 15, 2004. One student from the population ecology thrust area did a
short training period with Dr. Aizen. Dr. meléndez-Ackerman and Dr. Aizen are at present
establishing collaborative interactions.
Dr. Richard Palmer - Symmetry-breaking and the evolution of development. September 17, 2004.
Impacted Biology students and research university community. He is also a member of the thesis
committee of Andrés Cuervo.
Dr. Manuel Lerdau, SUNY: The biology of phytogenic isoprene: from leaf to landscape.
December 10, 2004. Dr. Elvira Cuevas and Dr. Lerdau are establishing research collaboration to
work in the effects of land use change in N dynamics in mangrove ecosystems in southern Puerto
Rico.
Dr. Robert Lowe - New species and new challenges for the Great Lakes: the role of exotics in
reshaping food webs. January 19, 2005. Dr. Lowe is also participating in a dissertation committee
of a PhD from the Graduate Program in Biology.
Drs. Pablo Marquette (Chile), Rex Lowe and Bryan Epperson (USA) were invited speakers in the
Second Symposium of Graduate Research: Integrating Scales in Biology: a Holistic Approach:
co-sponsored by UPR-RP, Faculty of Natural
Sciences, CREST-CATEC, NIH-RISE & AGEP on 18-19 March 2005. Participants benefited in
the exposure of hierarchical points of view in ecosytem and biological studies.
I.7. International activities
The international activities carried out by CREST-CATEC fellows allow the recognition of the
scientific work being carried out in Puerto Rico. It has also exposed students and researchers to
other laboratories where collaboration can be developed. The proven expertise in conservation
and applied ecology are being sought by international institutions to have a better understanding
of research problems.
CREST-CATEC continues to develop international activities during the next years and the plans
are to be able to establish collaborations, student and faculty exchanges, publications and short
courses. The Center Director will be attending a scientific Congress in Espiritu Santo, Brazil in
19
October, 2005 and in Maracaibo, Venezuela in November, 2005 where contacts will be made with
faculty from Universities for this purpose. We are also in conversations with Dr. Sandra Diaz from
Universidad de Cordoba in Argentina and Dr. Holm Tiessen from Göttingen University in
Germany.
Dr. Owen McMillan helped develop a very fruitful collaboration between the Durrell Wildlife
Conservation Trust (DWCT) and (CREST-CATEC). The two institutions launched a collaboration
in order to facilitate research in applied tropical ecology and conservation biology within the
Caribbean, Central and South America. The collaboration is managed and maintained by Dr
Stephan M Funk, Conservation Geneticists at DWCT. Dr Funk conducts research at CREST-
CATEC for one year (starting May 2005) as visiting professor, jointly funded by CREST-CATEC
and DWCT. Alongside research projects specific to both organizations, the collaborative
approach includes joint research in behavioral ecology and conservation genetics of several
iguana populations across the Caribbean. Benefits for UPR include lectures and seminars in
conservation biology and conservation genetics, supervision of UPR students associated with
ongoing CREST-CATEC conservation genetics projects and several projects that are in the early
stages of development, and further development and optimization of UPR molecular facilities.
Benefits for DWCT include the use UPR’s state-of-the-art molecular laboratory. Both
organizations hold unique positions within the Caribbean and Central and South America, with
CREST-CATEC being particular strong in academic research and DWCT being particularly strong
in applied conservation biology. The set of field sites is complementarily. The mutual collaboration
will further both organizations' goals to become dominant centers for research and conservation,
respectively, in tropical ecology and conservation biology in the Caribbean region.
Elvira Cuevas has ongoing collaboration with Drs. Francisco Herrera, Ernesto Medina and
Elizabeth Olivares from the Centro de Ecología, Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research
(IVIC) in Caracas, Venezuela. This collaboration encompasses research activities in Venezuela
as well as development of new research in the Karst region of Puerto Rico. In this last effort the
USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry will also be involved.
There is one presentation and two other publications from this collaboration:
- Herrera, F.F., Alceste, C., Armenise, A., Flores, S., Cuevas, E. Soil microbiological variables
and chemical properties as indicators of fire effects in secondary savannas. XVI Congreso
Latinoamericano de la Ciencia del Suelo, Cartagena, Colombia. September 2004.
-Omar Tremont and Elvira Cuevas. 2004. Organic carbon, nutrients and seasonal changes in
microbial biomass of principal species in two types of tropical forests. Multiciencias 4: 96-103.
20
- Francisco Herrera, Carla Alceste, Annahil Armenise, Saúl Flores and Elvira Cuevas. Soil
chemical, microbial and enzymatic activities in a tropical secondary savanna affected by fire
Biology and Fertility of Soils. Accepted for publication.
Dr. Cuevas also established collaborative interactions in Brazil with Dr. Mario Soares from State
University of Rio de Janeiro and Drs. Monica Tognellaand Simone Rabello Cunha from
UNIVALE, Itajai. Along with Dr. Ernesto Medina from IVIC/USDAFS IITF work is being done on
mangrove adaptations to temperature and salinity eastern South America. Dr. Mario Soares has
been invited to come in 2006 to give a seminar and do research in the mangrove areas in Puerto
Rico. This collaboration resulted from Dr. Cuevas participation in the Brazilian Oceanographical
Congress, held in Itajai from October 10 -15, 2004. She participated in four activities:
1) presentation of the poster "Paleohistory of climate change ss measured by 15N natural
abundance in mangrove peat substrate in northeastern Puerto Rico".
2) invited speaker in the Workshop “Studies on Coastal vegetation: State of the art and future
perspectives in recovery, conservation and management of brazilian coastal ecosystems
(Estudos da Vegetação Costeira: Estado da arte e perspectivas futuras em recuperação,
conservação e manejo de ecossistemas costeiros brasileiros) where she presented Global
change and mangroves.
3) Co-taught the mini course: Ecophysiology of Coastal vegetation from October 11 - 14, and
4) participated as a researcher in the post congress field work on mangrove systems
Dr. Cuevas is also Adjunct faculty at the Department of Management and Conservation of Natural
Tropical Resources, Faculty of Veterinary and Zootechnology, Universidad Autonoma de
Yucatán, Mérida, México. May 2004.
Drs. Jorge Ortiz and Elvira Cuevas from UPR-Rio Piedras are involved in the project Interactions
of Urbanization, Globalization of Agriculture and Aquaculture and Climate Change: Effects on the
N Cycle in the Americas. A multinational research project whithin the Interamerican Institute from
Global Climate Change Research (IAI) with researchers from USA, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela,
Canada, Chile and Puerto Rico.
Dr. Jorge Ortiz - participated in the Inter-American Nitrogen Network Workshop held in Brasilia,
Brazil on May 16-20, 2005 where he presented "Urban influences on the nitrogen cycle in Puerto
Rico". This is the second working workshop of the IAI project stated above. The first one was
held last year here in Puerto Rico and was sponsored by CREST-CATEC and PR-EPSCOR.
21
Dr. Eugenio Santiago has continued collaborations with the National Botanical Garden of the
Dominican Republic. Goetzea is also found in Hispaniola, where it is very rare. Colleagues of
this institution are collaborating with Dr. E. Santiago in a project to determine the taxonomic
boundaries of the species in this genus.
Dr. Raymond Tremblay is Chair of the International Committee for In Situ Conservation of the
Orchid Specialist Group, Species Survival Commission, IUCN – The World Conservation Union.
This committee has a World Impact: to foster In situ conservation at the local level. In February,
2005 he participated in a four day workshop at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne.
"Population Dynamics Workshop: Tools for understanding & Conserving our Australian flora". In
April, 2005 he participated in a two-day day workshop at the Department of Sustainability and
Environment in Adelaide, Australia. "Population Dynamics Workshop: Tools for understanding &
Conserving our Australian flora".
Dr. Owen McMillan is a participant in the Research Coordination Network grant to establish
protocols to monitor, document, and study invasive species.
Dr. Carla Restrepo participated in a student exhange where she receive in her laboratory the
students Mariska te Beest and Nicola Stevens of the Laboratory Han Olff-University of
Groningen-The Netherlands. She is also in the process of developing collaboration with
Universidad del Valle-Guatemala and Fundacion Amigos Defensores de la Naturaleza where she
gave two talks during this year.
I.8 Description of Shared facilities within the CREST framework.
The Sequencing and Genotyping Facility, under the supervision of Dr. Owen McMillan, is a core
research facility designed to allow students and researchers access to state-of-the-art
sequencing and genotyping equipment. In addition, the facility is charged with creating essential
infrastructure for archiving, manipulating and analyzing large molecular data sets. The facility was
recently upgraded with the arrival of a new capillary-based automated DNA sequencer
(MegaBACE™ 1000) and Li-Cor NEN Global DNA Analyzer System and Odyssey Infrared
Imaging System. The MegaBACE is a high throughput sequencer and genotyper and will be
instrumental in the characterization and development of the microsatellite loci that are
cornerstone of the core MEEG projects. The Li-Cor DNA Analyzer and Imaging systems was
purchased specifically for our genotyping needs. The Li-Cor software and LIMs support for
analysis of microsatellite or Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLP) data is excellent
22
and will allow researchers to easily manage the large molecular datasets generated over the
course of this proposal.
One of the most important contributions to research infrastructure of this proposal was continued
growth and development of core genomic facilities at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras.
Specifically, we were able to use this project as leverage to secure additional funds for growing
and integrating the UPR-RP’s Genotyping and Sequencing Facility. A high-throughput DNA
Sequencer and additional genotyping equipment greatly increases our ability to collect high-
resolution molecular data. In addition, we have secured funding to purchase key computer
hardware and software to better manage and analyze large molecular genetic projects. Both
these expansions are essential for the success of the CATEC’s Molecular Ecology, Genetics, and
Evolution Program. Although NIH provide the primary funding, NSF-CREST computational
support will be essential for integrating and managing hardware and software components of the
facility. In addition to allowing CREST researchers to collect high-resolution molecular data, the
expanded Sequencing and Genotyping Facility is critical for attracting new researchers and new
research funding.
Bioinformatics Satellite Lab: It is in the beginning stages of establishment and will act as a core
data processing and storage center for all molecular based research activities associated with
CREST projects. All equipment has arrived and been set up. Permanent space for the facility has
been secured in JGD 215. We are in the process of renovating the facility and expect for the
facility to be fully functional within the next two months.
Both the Sequencing and Genotyping Facility and the Bioinformatics Satellite Lab are
essential for the success of the CATEC’s Molecular Ecology, Genetics, and Evolution Program.
Although NIH provide the primary funding, NSF-CREST provides critical computational support
for integrating and managing hardware and software components of both facilities. In addition to
allowing CREST researchers to collect and manage large molecular data sets, the expanded
facilities are important assets for attracting new researchers and new research funding into the
CREST program. For example, the Biology Department has recently hired two new faculty, both
of whom will join CATEC’s Molecular Ecology, Genetics, and Evolution Group However, neither
researcher would have accepted the position without unimpeded access to a functioning
sequencing and genotyping facility. Furthermore, we were able to secure recent NSF funding
largely because we could document our ability to produce and manage a large sequencing and
databasing project.
23
I.9 Special equipment/facilities
The UPR Honey Bee Research Facility (Gurabo): Make available the non-defensive Africanized
bees for behavior, genetics, and genomics research.
The Herbarium/Botany lab and grounds of the Puerto Rico Botanical Garden. The grounds of the
Botanical Garden are very accessible from UPR main campus, providing a logistically easy-to-
access experimental field to students. The proximity of the Herbarium/Botany lab and the Garden
grounds allow to carry outdoor as well as indoor research activities almost simultaneously.
The plant ecology and conservation laboratory of Dr. Raymond Tremblay in UPR-Humacao was
established in part with the funds from CREST-CATEC. The equipment includes PCR,
Centrifuge, Gel ridges, refrigerator, freezer (-20C°), pipette man and power pack. It is used for
research and involves undergraduate students in research activities. The fledging molecular
facilities provide an important resource for students and researchers at UPR-Humacao. The
facility serves two functions. First it will allow students to conduct most of the molecular
techniques needed in the genetic components of our core project at UPR-Humacao. This greatly
facilitates training and technology transfer and increases the number of students served by the
MEEG group. Second, the establishment of this facility is essential for attracting external
research funds to this UPR campus.
Virtual Herbarium/computers. It consists of a digitized collection of all voucher specimens. Data
will be stored and managed by the New York Botanical Garden but entered from computers at
UPR-Rio Piedras. It will allow for the benefits of the actual collection from any computer with
Internet connection. Information on Mona Island plant species will also be available for the
scientific community around the world given the expected Internet access to these collections.
Insect collections. It will contain reference species of all insects collected in the island.
Collections specimens preserved in alcohol with information on the date of collection, locality,
collection method as well as some complementary materials (i.e. digital photographs). All
information is being digitized and placed in Lucid 3 for construction of taxonomic keys. It will also
create an insect collection and inventories of Mona Island (now lacking) and will improve the state
of insect inventories for tropical dry forest species. Information will be databased by our research
group. This collection will provide better access to information on Caribbean insect species to
researchers and students not only in Puerto Rico but also in the Mainland since digitized data will
be placed on our web site.
24
UPR-ITES computer server. It is used to maintain the "Tropical Plant Ecology and Evolution
Laboratory page and an introductory Page on The Mona Project Web Page". On the first page
potential students and researchers will be able to get information on the PI (E. Melendez-
Ackerman), her laboratory activities, funding opportunities and other relevant information. The
second web page provides general information on one of the CREST funded project and its main
collaborators. We are currently developing links for students, opportunities for involvement, and
relevant links such as publicly available data on the project, collaborating agencies, contact
information etc. Expected databases to be placed in this server will include (but will not be limited
to) a digital photo collection of Mona Island Plants, climate data and, annual censuses of
permanent plots. It will also provide a better visibility for the CREST-program as well as
collaborating departments, programs, institutions and agencies (i.e Institute for Tropical
Ecosystem Studies, The Biology Graduate Program at UPR, NSF-CREST CATEC) will facilitate
the goals of the program including, faculty development, student training, dissemination of
information to the public.
The UPR-Humacao computer server. It will house daily micro-climatic data as well as web page
of Dr. Denny Fernandez. This data is site dependent can be linked to organismal data collected
at permanent points. This data can be used to look at correlations of spatio-temporal changes
between climate and organismal/ecosystem responses. Remote access to these types of data
will provide scientific information that may be useful to individual researcher not necessarily
realted to the project as well as facilitate cross-site collaborations among research groups
through data exchanges.
The Microbial Observatory laboratory. This laboratory is part of a NSF project awarded to Dr.
Lilliam Casillas of UPR-Humacao. The facilities are designed mainly to process microbiological
materials from salt marshes, sediments and water. The CREST personnel will use the light
microscopy equipment, with an state-of-the-art digital photography system, to obtain
photomicrograph of plant epidermis replicas. These photomicrographs will serve as a reference
graphic tool to identify the plants in the stomach and feces. The photomicrograph will be available
through the web to the scientific community. This material will serve for research (identification of
plant species) and educational (botany and plant anatomy) purposes. Forensic investigations
may benefit from these photomicrographs.
Electromicroscopy Lab. Located at UPR-Humacao and directed by Dr. Carmen Hernandez, is
available for research activities of the local faculty. The CREST personnel will be using the
scanning electron microscope (SEM) to obtain surface microphotographs of those plant species
with rough and hairy epidermis, when the replica procedure is not effective. The photomicrograph
25
will be available through the web to the scientific community. This material will serve for research
(identification of plant species) and educational (botany and plant anatomy) purposes. Forensic
investigations may benefit from these photomicrographs.
High Performance Computer Facility Server. Located at UPR-Central Administration Facilities in
the northern part of UPR Botanical Garden, it will be used as the main platform for web
collaboration and data depository.
I.10 Plans for future collaborations with other Centers.
There are plans for research collaboration with the CREST Center for Forest Ecosystem
Assessment from Alabama A & M University as both CATEC and CFEA share similar research
interests. Dr. Elvira Cuevas is already part of the scientific external advisory committee. Dr.
Fraser, Director of CFEA has invited Dr. Cuevas to visit Alabama A&M and present a seminar.
There are plans for researchers and students exchange between the two Centers. We also
established collaboration with CREST RESSACA by accepting two graduate students to
participate in the GIS course in Puerto Rico. There are plans to give another course next year
and CEA-CREST in California State University, Los Angeles will also be invited to participate.
There are also plans to prepare a Symposium for 2006 where CREST-CATEC, CEA-
CREST (California State University) and CREST-RESSACA AND CREST-CFEA will jointly
participate. The Directors of the four Centers are planning a partnership based on their common
interests, e.g. the effect of climate change on ecosystem dynamics. The GIS course and the joint
symposium will further the interaction and integration of the four Centers. These are the first steps
towards the development of a research alliance where mutual benefits will be enhanced.
II. ACTIVITIES AND FINDINGS
II.1. ACTIVITIES:
Thrust area 1: Molecular ecology, evolution and genetics. Component 1: Demography and
population biology of Hawksbill turtles.
For 2004-2005, the Mona Island Hawksbill Turtle project achieved several milestones,
accomplishing all of our major objectives. The research team was led by Carlos E. Diez, Robert
P. Van Dam (in water work and ecology), Ximena Velez (nesting and in-water molecular analysis)
and CREST-CATEC investigators W. Owen McMillan, with the assistance of Durrell D. Kapan.
The following was accomplished: (1) Continued extensive in-water surveys of adult and juvenile
hawksbill turtles on the foraging and breeding grounds around Mona and Monito Islands. In all,
26
156 turtles were captured for tagging and measurement, of which 98 were recaptures tagged by
us within the study area in previous years. (2) Retrieved DNA samples from 20 male, 34 female
and 109 juvenile hawksbill turtles during the 2004 breeding season. (3) Collected and processed
216 tissue (blood and skin) samples from hawksbill hatchlings representing 4 different focal nest
from the same female. (4) Deployed five satellite transmitters on as many adult hawksbills and
tracked all five animals from the Mona breeding area back towards their foraging grounds, at 8 to
380 km from Mona Island. (5) Conducted beach surveys of hawksbill nesting activity from August-
December 2004, with a record number of nests (926) encountered during the 4 month survey
period. (6) Continued and expanded beach temperature transects on key nesting areas of Mona
Island, using dataloggers to record sand temperatures at nest depth for assessing the sex-ratios
of hatchlings produced in light of temperature-dependent sex determination in hawksbills. (7)
Secured additional funding ($52,000) from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and
$12,000 from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enhance field and molecular studies on hawksbill
turtles on Mona. (8) Began molecular characterization (both mtDNA and microsatellites) of adult
hawksbill and hatchling turtles.
For the upcoming year we will: (1) Continue in-water surveys to assess the remigration or
persistence frequency of adult male hawksbill turtles at Mona. This work will also allow us to
gather addition DNA samples from previously unmarked male turtles and to better estimate the
size of the male breeding populations. (2) Continue nesting survey and monitor hatching success
on focal beaches on Mona. (3) Complete molecular analyses of male and female hawksbill turtles
for stock assessment. (4) Complete molecular analyses of multiple paternities in hawksbill turtles.
Thrust area 1: Molecular ecology, evolution and genetics. Component 2: Reproductive Biology of
the Mona Rock Iguana.
For the 2004-2005 field season, the Mona Island Iguana Project achieved most of its targeted
milestones and objectives. This research is collaboration between biologists at the Puerto Rican
Department of Natural Resources (DRNA) and scientists (W. Owen McMillan and Alberto Sabat)
and students (Nestor Perez and Keysa Rosas) at the University of Puerto Rico.
The following was accomplished:
(1) Captured and collected key biological information (including tissue samples for genetic
analysis) on over 150 adults iguanas and 272 hatchlings. All animals were sexed, measured
[snout-vent-length (SVL), length tail and body mass] and multi-tagged (i.e. internal pit-tags,
external mark using color beads, and removing dorsal spines in specific combinations). In
addition, we have recorded information on basic health status (blood smears and fecal samples
of internal parasites and external survey of ectoparasites), phenotypic traits (tail breaks, missing
27
toes and missing spines) and have collected hard tissue (spines) and blood of all individuals.
Moreover, we have re-captured and obtained key data on survival, growth rates, and dispersal
information of some captive raised hatchling iguanas that were released into the wild after being
in captivity for 36 months.
(2) Radio-collared and obtained territory information for 30 adult iguanas in three locations.
Locations were chosen based on differences in human disturbance and habitat type. For all focal
animals, we have gathered extensive (more than 20 GPS localities for each animal/period)
information on home range across three time periods in 2003 and 2004 (March, June-July and
October-November). During our survey, we recorded the activity of the iguana and its body
temperature (using an infrared thermometer), as well as, basic environmental variables (air
temperature, humidity).
(3) Tracked 22 females to their nesting grounds and collected information on clutch size and
hatchling success in our three study areas on Mona across two reproductive seasons. All
offspring hatchlings of those females were measured (SVL, tail length and body mass), sexed by
using sex probes, tissue sampled and marked with pit-tags. Half of these hatchlings are kept in
captivity as part of the DRNA’s “Headstart” Program.
(4) Further developed genomic resources for iguanas. We added a new graduate student Keysa
Rosas to the project in January. She is now trained in basic molecular techniques and she has
begun optimize microsatellite loci from our two “enriched” microsatellite libraries and recently
published loci for the Cuban iguana.
For the upcoming year we will:
(1) Finalize relational database for the Mona Island Iguana Project. A “beta” version of the
database is now complete and we are currently adding field information. The database is
designed to link basic biological information with emerging genetic data.
(2) Complete manuscript describing the basic demographic and biological parameters of the
Mona iguana population. Data has been collected and a first draft of the manuscript is complete.
Expected date of submission is July 2005.
(3) Submit NSF Dissertation Improvement Grant for Nestor Perez (Nov 2005).
(4) Produce detailed habitat maps of 42 adult territories identified in the three study areas. We
will use GIS to quantify variables including land cover (vegetation, rock/sand forest/shrub) and
human disturbance (exotic plants cover, and artificial feeding spots). Other information (plant
vegetation and diversity, food availability, and shelter density) will be collected by field transects.
Food availability will be determined as the proportion of food plants consumed by iguanas with
respect to the total plant abundance and diversity in the area
28
(5) Focus radio-telemetry efforts on mid-size iguanas that we have identified in the wild or that will
be released as part of the “Head-Start” program. These data are critical to estimate territoriality,
reproduction, and survival in this size class of individuals
(6) Complete manuscript describing territoriality and movement of adult iguanas across three
different habitat types. The key territory data is mostly complete and the landscape data (i.e.
information on habitat characteristics) will be collected by November. We expect a first draft of
the manuscript by January and the final version to be submitted by March 2006.
(7) Obtain DNA fingerprints for all adults capture on Mona Island. Loci characterization is
proceeding more rapidly with the addition of Keysa Rosas. We expect to have obtained
multilocus genotypes for all individuals by September 2005. These initial data will provide key
information on effective population size, possible small-scale genetic structure, and historical
demographic parameters.
(8) Examine microsatellite fingerprints of hatchlings collected over the past two years and use this
information to test the extent of monogamy and polygamy of the Mona iguana. We will complete
initial screen of our sample archive by December 2005 and the final dataset will be complete by
February 2006.
(9) Published a manuscript describing basic genetic structure and historical demographic
parameters of the Mona Island. Draft of the manuscript will be completed by April 2006 and the
manuscript will be submitted by June 2006.
Thrust area 1: Molecular ecology, evolution and genetics. Component 3: Metapopulation Biology
of Riparian Orchids: Laboratory work over this period was focused on the development of an
enriched microsatellite library. Genomic Identification Services has recently completed the library
and we proceed with the development of highly polymorphic markers. These markers will be key
for estimating gene flow among focal populations. We have continued to collect data in the field
on the dynamics of the metapopulation, including extinction and recolonization and population
dynamics and recolonization. We have now completed six years of field research. We (Drs.
Kapan, Tremblay and Melendez-Ackerman) have presented posters and talks on colonization
and extinction rates at local and international conference. A poster on population density effects
in orchids was presented at an international meeting during june 2004. We have also submitted
two papers dealing with the ecological components of the metapopulation (Biological
Connservation & Folia Geobotanica) With six years of data on metapopulation dynamics we are
starting to get stabilization and consistency in the parameters and patterns appear to be
consistent consequently we can feel confident that we have true metapopulation.
In the coming year, we will 1) Develop a database of plant tissue, 2) Perfect genomic DNA
extraction techniques, 3) Test and optimize available microsatellite resources for the orchid of
which we already have two microsatellites functioning and amplifying well. 4) Continued data
29
collecting of population dynamics in the field. 5) Collect data on the spatial distribution of the
metapopulation structure; and 6) Collect data on light environment of the individual populations.
Thrust area 2: POPULATION ECOLOGY: Effects of exotic species on native insular biotas.
Component 1: Effects of exotic ungulates on the native vegetation of Mona Island Reserve,
Puerto Rico
Some aspects of this project were on track to achieve second year goals but not others.
1. Biological reference collections of Mona Island vegetation for Plant
Ecology studies. These collections include: a) a voucher collection of dry specimens of all Mona
Island species to be deposited at the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Herbarium (UPRRP).
To date 251 have been collected and processed; b) a digital replica of the voucher collection to
be worked through the digitalization project of the UPRRP-Herbarium which is part of "The Virtual
Herbarium Project" of the New York Botanical Garden and is funded by the Mellon Foundation.
To date 814 labels have been processed for 251 species out of 400 that are expected.
Processed data has been delivered to NYBG information system staff for publication at their web
site; c) a digital collection of epidermal tissue of all species in Mona Island. This collection will be
helpful at identifying microscopic samples of plant tissue in ongoing studies of ungulate diets. To
date, the collection has 1529 micrographs for 153 species (more species will be added as it is
possible). d) a collection of digital photos of seeds/fruits of all plant species of Mona. The need of
this collection was not determined a priori but rather preliminary results from one of the studies
pointed out to the need of such collection. e) Proposal to the Biotic Surveys and Inventories
Program - In spite of monthly sampling for over a year, completion of reference collections is slow
and is taking a considerable amount of human resources from the rest of the project activities.
Yet, such collections are needed for the proposed ecological studies and more than ever it is
important to have a complete survey to understand the current status of Mona Island's flora as
Management Plans for the Island are currently being developed. The PI (E. Melendez) will seek
NSF funds (Biotic Surveys and Inventories Program- Jul, 2004) to finish the collections in
collaboration with Dr. James D. Ackerman.
2. Permanent transects for biodiversity studies at Depression Forest sites in
Mona Island. Three 250 m transects were established between November 2002 and July 2003
and baseline data has been collected for a number of parameters including 1) tree species at
fixed points (GIS marked) along the transect, plant species composition and herbivory detection
at the understory, reproductive and herbivory phelonogy at the canopy level around these points,
canopy light environment by analysis hemispherical digital photos of canopy cover, continuous
measurements of temperature and relative humidity and presence and absence of feces of the
three large herbivore species (goats, pigs, endemic iguana). Three studies are currently have
been developed around these transects. The first one directed by Dr. Denny Fernandez looks at
30
the extent of spatial heterogeneity and patterns of plant diversity and canopy structure (analyzed
with hemispherical photos) of depression forest communities. Data management and image
processing has been completed. Data analyses are still underway and manuscript preparation
and submission should be completed by the end of the summer of 2005. The second project is
co-directed by D. Fernandez and E. Melendez-Ackerman in collaboration with G. Gonzalez-IITF.
This project will look for patterns of association between vegetation biodiversity, plant community
structure and microenvironment within the context of depression and platform forest types in
Mona Island. For the vegetation analyses two additional transects were set up in platform forest
sites in October 2003. A total of six transects (three in depression forests and three in platform
forests) are now established. Data has been quality checked and transformed to PCORD format
and analyses are underway. Environmental data will include several parameters: air
temperature, relative humidity, soil ph, soil % water content, soil depth, C and organic matter
content, macronutrients). Soil samples were collected in October of 2003. Processing and
analyses of soil samples is in progress under the direction of G. Gonzalez - IITF. Forest
structure data includes analyses of hemispherical photographs taken at along the transects (102
photos). A student will be hired during the summer to perform the required image transformations
(in photoshop) prior to analyses. The third project directed by Dr. Elvia Melendez-Ackerman
looks at the relationship between indicators of herbivory (vertebrates and insects) activity with
spatial and temporal vegetation traits at the understory and canopy levels. Monthly data collection
in permananent transects (4) will be extended to July 2005 to be able to include a full year of
monthly censuses for these sites. Data Management for this censuses is in progress and
includes quality checks and transformation of montly census data for canopy and understory
censuses into PCORD format (finished up to January 2004 census), collection for monthly
censuses will be extended begin management through monthly censuses that are expected to
take place for at least a year and a lower frequency census scheme on the second year
depending on the data results. Data collected includes plant diversity and density at the
understory level at permanent points, vertebrate activity though presence and absence of fecal
samples at these points, plant phenology, herbivory (vertebrates and insects), recruitment,
leafing, fruiting and flowering. All three studies will provide a general characterization of the
forest habitat of depression forest sites, information on the potential interplay between
microclimate parameters and herbivore activity on plant density, composition as well as
information on which plant species (native and otherwise) may be more susceptible to the action
of herbivores at this site. See abstracts below for preliminary results.
3. Stomach samples of feral ungulates for diet studies. We have finished the processing and
analyses of stomach samples of goats and pigs for studies of the plant diets of these animals.
The work was done in coordination with the DNRE and taking advantage of their hunting season
31
that lasted from January to March of 2003. Final sample size was more than adequate for goats
(N = 85). We are continuing to increase our sample size for pigs to N = 10 in the 2005 hunting
season which is still ongoing. Data analysis for goat diets during the hunting season has been
completed and a manuscript is being prepared. Results show marked temporal changes in the
diet composition by goats and that these changes may be dictated by plant preferences as well
as changes in plant community composition. Forbs, grasses and plant taxa where harsh
secondary compounds are frequent seem to be less common in the goat diets. Carla Cortes, an
undergraduate student, was in charge of most of the plant identification and presented the results
in the 2004 Annual AIBS Meetings. She received the Minority Scholar Award for her poster
presentation. Results will be presented in the next SCB (Society for Conservation Biology) in
Brazil as part of a symposium on Biological Invasions. We have selected 25 species for
bromatological analyses to help determine potential interspecific differences in plant nutritional
values and presence of secondary compounds.
4. Study on differential nutritive values of plant species. The results from the previous study
allowed us to identified a list of potential candidate plant species to further investigate if and why
some species that may be most and least susceptible to consumption by goats. In January
2005, we collected 30 species of plants for bromatological analysis to determine potential
differences in nutritive values or plant secondary chemistry. Initial plant processing (leaf material
grinding) is underway. We are also in the process of contacting laboratories for quotes on
different types of analyses. Laboratory analyses should be completed by summer 2005. This
study is led by Dr. Denny Fernandez. The nutrient analyses will be done in collaboration with Dr.
Ernesto Medina of the Plant eco-physiology laboratory, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones
Cientificas in Caracas, Venezuela.
5. Set up of Meteorological Station. A meteorological station for Mona Island was completed
recently (Feb 2005) and not as expected previously (May 2004). There were logistic difficulties
in the transportation of equipment to Mona and within Mona Island due to the remoteness of its
final location and heaviness of equipment. Transportation of equipment to Mona Island was
completed in the summer of 2004. Initial transport and set up to the final location within the island
(at the center of the island near two of our permanent transects) was achieved in February 2005.
Final set up (calibration and programming) is scheduled to occur in April of 2005. The permits for
satellite transmission of data are being requested by D Fernandez. The station should provide
continuous data on temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed
and direction as experienced in the center of the Island. These data will be invaluable for
determining the extent by which variability in climate is related to our focal biological responses.
CREST researchers as well as the scientific community in general will be able to access these
32
data through our web pages. The DNRE personnel has offered to help with the monitoring of the
station once it is completely running.
6. Insect Biodiversity at depression forest sites - We set up a seven month study to characterize
insect biodiversity at three of our permanent transects (two depression and one platform forest
sites) and to study the relationship between herbivore diversity and plant composition (started in
Jan 2004). This study is co-directed by E. Melendez-Ackerman and Miguel Garcia and will
include various collaborators (see collaborative projects). Malaise and pitfall traps have been set
up at 3 of the four permanent transects (9 points - for a total of 9 malaise traps and 36 pitfall
traps) and insects are collected monthly from each collection site. Three graduate students, six
undergraduates have worked in sample processing and the construction of an entomological
collection. Two of those students are constructing a database for the collection in Lucid3 that will
allow the construction of entomological keys. Student training in insect identification has been
slow due to the lack of keys for local insects. Four students will present preliminary results in two
upcoming local scientific meetings in March, 2005 (PRISM an Symposium in Undergraduate
Research at UPR-Rio Piedras). Reference collection and resulting keys will be available for
students and researchers interested in tropical dry forest insects especially within the Caribbean
Region.
Thrust Area 2: Population Ecology, Component 2: Effects of an introduced visitor, Africanized
bee, on reproductive success of the endangered tree species Goetzea elegans.
During the past year we carried out studies to determine if pollination success of different visitors
of Goetzea elegans. One main objective is to determine whether the Bananaquit (Coereba
flaveola --a native bird) and the exotic Honeybee (Apis mellifera) pollinate G. elegans, an
whwther there is difference in their effectiveness. The set up to investigate these questions
involves the use of cultivate trees established within the grounds of the Puerto Rico Botanical
Garden and in the largest wild population known for the species. Both, the Bananaquit and the
Honeybee are common residents of the Botanical Garden, thus the whole pollination system can
be assessed ex situ. To test pollination, flowers were bagged the night before anthesis (to
prevent pollen contamination of the stigma before performing observations), and were then
unbagged and presented to the visitors. Flowers were bagged again after they were visited. A
visit was considered a successful pollination event if the flower set fruit. Besides presenting
flowers to visitors, we performed different types of manual pollinations (e.g., outcrossing pollen,
doing self pollination, etc.) to compare fruit set under different types of pollination. Preliminary
results show that both species are capable of performing pollination, and that the honey bee is
more efficient perfoming pollination. This result is similar to other studies in which the exotic
honeybee exceeds native pollinators in their performance. We have increased and processed
additional tissue samples for AFLP studies in order to assess the genetic diversity of wild
33
populations of G. elegans. On the Africanized bee front we have demonstrated in repeated
testing with different genotypes reduced defensiveness of this population in PR. As a first
approach to reasons behind reduced defensiveness we have examined maternal and genomic
DNA patterns, using RFLPs for known polymorphic loci. We demonstrated exclusive African
mtDNA but a high percentage of European genomic DNA markers in the Puerto Rican population.
Currently we are examining mating behavior and male behavior as explanations for this unique
population genetic structure. We are also examining ecological reasons that may enhance
reduction in defensiveness of Africanized bees on an island. We have experiments planned to
test a trade-off between defense and foraging activities. We also started utilizing microsatellites
for fine-grain population genetics analysis of the Africanized bees in Puerto Rico.
Thrust area 3: Landscape ecology: Multimodality in body size: an integrative approach to
understand the effect of land-use change on tropical animal assemblages.
The proposed research had three main components: 1) the collection of field data on birds
(Colombia) and amphibians (Puerto Rico) in order to obtain estimates on fluctuating asymmetry
and body size. 2) the consolidation of two databases through literature reviews on body size of
Colombian birds and Caribbean amphibians. Through the development of the project, a third
group of organisms was included, represented by butterflies of the Caribbean, and Puerto Rico in
particular. 3) the development of quantitative tools to detect multimodal patterns in the distribution
of biological variables and to describe landscape complexity. The first component is almost
completed (75%), remaining some few visits to the field in Puerto Rico and also lab
measurements based on specimens/structures collected in the field or housed in collections
worldwide. The second component is mostly completed (80%) and we need to undertake a last
literature review to identify endangered species in both regions. The third component is
underway (30%). The UNM team has identified some tests and approaches that could be used to
statistically identify multimodal distributions in biological variables. The UPR-RP team is working
towards rewriting the code of a program that used an alternative method for identifying
multimodal distributions in body size of organisms. This is in collaboration with Dr. Paul Marples.
In addition, the UPR-RP team is writing the code to analyze digital elevation models (and other
kind of surface data) to describe landscape structure. This is in collaboration with Dr. Fernando
Lozano at the Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia.
In addition to the research goals, subproject III will serve as the seed to establish the Large-Scale
Ecology Lab at UPR-RP. Three important components include having a GIS Specialist,
establishing minimum computer facilities, and the renovation of the Lab. Of these, two and three
are supported through CREST. The GIS Specialist was hired. The computer facilities involve
mostly the help of a system administrator to establish an intranet network that makes use of a
server obtained through setup funds. As the CREST system administrator is hired the computer
34
related facilities will be up and running. Meanwhile, we are getting help from other sources within
the University.
II.2: Outstanding accomplishments
Thrust area 2, component 1: “Effects of exotic ungulates on the native
vegetation of Mona Island Reserve, Puerto Rico”
The following abstracts of presentations summarize preliminary results up to-date.
A) Characterization of the plant diet of introduced pigs and goats in Mona Island Reserve,
Puerto Rico. Elvia Meléndez-Ackerman, Carla Cortés, José Sustache, Susan Aragón, Mariely
Morales, Miguel García, Denny S. Fernández, 2004.
Feral goats are one of the most common and impending threats to the biodiversity of island biotas
and are among the 100 most damaging exotic species world-wide. Introduction of these animals
to Mona Island, a dry forest reserve west of the islands of Puerto Rico occurred 500 years ago by
Spanish settlers. While some data suggests that these animals may affect plant communities in
the island, a detailed characterization of the diet of these animals is lacking. Current management
of goat populations include a four-month hunting season coordinated by the Department of
Natural Resources and the Environment of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. We used this
management strategy to directly characterize their diets. This information is valuable to identify
plant species that are most susceptible to goat herbivory. So far, 87 stomachs have been
collected and analyzed for this purpose. Of the 400 species on Mona, 88 were present with an
overall percentage of woody (trees, shrubs, lianas) and herbaceous species (herbs and vines) of
53% and 47% respectively. Common species included the endemic orchid (Pshychilis
monensis), the endangered cactus Harrisia portoricensis, two vines (Galactia dubia and
Centrosema virginianum) and two woody species [Capparis flexuosa and Capparis
cynophallophora]. Families known to produce toxic secondary compounds were
underrepresented. Diet composition was associated to time of stomach collection but not to age
or sex of goats using multivariate analyses. The combined results suggest that there are
temporal changes in goat diets perhaps associated to changes in plant preferences. Such
changes suggest that our sampling most likely underestimates the number of species eaten by
these animals at the reserve.
B) Effects of Introduced Goats and Pig in Mona island. E. Melendez-Ackerman, M. Garcia,
Jose Sustache, Mariely Morales, S. Aragon. 2004. International Institute for Tropical Forestry.
These are preliminary results on the study of vegetation responses to the exclusion of feral
herbivore in two depression forests (Indio-Farallon ad Empalme I)sites in Mona Island. Exclusion
at these sites were originally created to known protect nesting sites of the endemic Mona Iguana .
35
There are two exclusion plots per site with adjacent control plots of equal areas that represent
two treatments (control and fenced) plots with two replicates (hereafter blocks) each per site. All
individuals above 1cm dbh were recorded (marked and identified to species level). The results
presented here concentrated on data that addressed whether or not there were differences in a
number of species diversity indicators (i.e. number of individuals (= richness), number of species)
between fenced and experimental plots after several years of exclusion? Since exclusions at
different depression sites were established at different times data for each depression site was
analyzed separately. In both cases control and fenced plots had had different initial values, thus
rather than testing a hypotheses of mere differences between control and experimental plots
through time we tested whether or not there were shifts in the relative values of species diversity
indicators such that in fenced plots changes in these values were more positive than changes in
control plots if any. Results showed that there were relative reductions in the number of species
in control relative to fenced plots in three of four plots, these reductions were not accompanied by
an over all reduction in the number of individuals (i.e. higher mortality) in control plots as
expected by a hypothesis of overall detrimental effects of goats and pigs on plant survival. On
the contrary since the reduction in the number of species in control plots is accompanied by an
increased in the number of individuals, these reductions are likely to be the result of differential
mortality of species in fenced plots accompanied by changes in the dominance relations among
plant species in control plots relative to fenced plots. Surprisingly, the number of individuals in
fenced plots was less than that of individuals in control plots. Such outcome could be expected if
these have positive effects on the germination of some plant species (i.e. by nutrient additions
though defecation) or by ecological release of plant species that may be less preferred by these
animals. Future studies will look at plant nutritional characteristics and soil properties in relation
to animal diets and activity indicators to explore these possibilities even further. Also, we are
currently analyzing data on understory effects of herbivore exclusion to examine the potential
mechanisms of plant density/diversity changes at these sites.
Thrust area 2, component 2: Effects of an introduced visitor, africanized bee, on
reproductive success of the endangered endemic tree species Goetzea
elegans.
1. Determined that C. flaveola is not a robber of nectar, and is a pollinator of the rare tree
Goetzea elegans,
2. Apis mellifera carries out pollination, this being the first documentation of the exotic Honeybee
pollinating an endangered species in Puerto Rico.
3. Honeybee is showing same pollination efficiency of native pollinator.
4. Field work in G. elegans wild population has allowed the rediscovery of another rare tree in the
area (Erythrina eggersii)
36
5. All feral honey bees in Puerto Rico are Africanized 6. Africanized honey bees in Puerto Rico
are not "killers", they demonstrate lower defensiveness, similar to European honey bees
7. Africanized honey bees in Puerto Rico are maternally of African decent but do have high
genomic contribution from European bees.
These combination of results suggest that invasive species may change in the places they
enter and also they may be beneficial in preserving native species, a result contradicting
the paradigm of exotic species being deleterious to native species.
II.3. Educational and human resource related accomplishments
All CREST-CATEC activities are geared towards the development of human resources in
science at the postdoctoral, graduate, undergraduate, and pre-college levels. As the Center is
based in PR, a predominantly Hispanic region and in a predominantly Hispanic university system,
all our efforts will benefit this group.
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
Dr. Elvira Cuevas participated in two local TV programs. One in Telemundo on April related to
the ecosystems of the recently abandoned Naval Base Roosevelt Roads. This program was part
of a series during Earth Week nd its objective was to make the public aware of the important and
rare natural ecosystems that had been preserved, and the real threat due to future development
of the areas. The second one was made by Geoambiente, a very well known local producer of
documentaries related to conservation and environment. This program was related to the dwarf
mangrove area located in Roosevelt Roads and its importance as a capsule of paleoclimatic
change. The program will air in July 2005. Dr. Cuevas also gave a talk on mangroves in the fifth
grade at Parkville School in Guaynabo, PR.
Dr. Elvira Cuevas was a member of the Masters’ thesis committee of Simón Aristiguieta, a
graduate student from the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology of UPR-Rio
Piedras. This collaboration is part of the intra campus interdisciplinary development that is part of
the objectives of CREST-CATEC. Mr. Aristiguieta defended his thesis “ Bibliometric study of the
scientific production of Venezuela from 1994- 2000 indexed in the Science Citation Index” in April,
2005.
2. Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources/U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service: Dr. Santiago´s main research project under CREST revolves
around the reproduction and genetics of a Federally Endangered species,
37
Goetzea elegans. After performing the experimental phase on pollination,
plant material propagated will be used for recovery activities outlined by the
Fish & Wildlife Service. Some of the the activities will include the
establishment of ex situ populations of G. elegans in protected lands. In
addition, the proposed research on genetic diversity of G. elegans will provide
these agencies baseline data on genotypes that of top conservation priority.
Dr. Jorge Ortiz: Judge at the 2005 Science Fair of the Colegio Santa María de Camino in Trujillo
Alto, Puerto Rico on 2 March 2005.
Dr. Jorge Ortiz: Organized a visit of the Gamma Sigma Delta Agriculture Honor Society from the
UPR-Mayaguez Campus to El Verde Field Station. About 15 members visited the El Verde Field
Station and took a tour to the existing research sites in the forest where past and current projects
were explained.
Dr. Jorge Ortiz: Taught a stream ecology workshop for science teachers in June 2004 in the Rio
Tanamá, Arecibo. The workshop was sponsored by the Alacima Program at UPR.
II.4 . Development of human resources
CREST-CATEC subsidized researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students presentations
in Congresses and symposia. We also supported student’s attendance to short courses in which
they train in methodology related to their research fields. We also provided financial support for
visiting researchers that have presented seminars, conferences, short courses, participated in
symposia, and established interactions for possible collaborations with members of CREST-
CATEC. The effort has been highly successful with and increased attendance and presentations
of both graduate and undergraduate students and researchers and in Congresses and
Symposia.
CREST-CATEC provided support for the following activities:
a) partial subsidies for four undergraduate students to attend and make presentations.
b) partial or total subsidies for graduate students for presentations in congresses and symposia
c) partial subsidies for eight graduate students to participate in national and international courses.
d) Seven research fellows presented their research findings in congresses and symposia both
nationally and internationally.
38
e) Subsidized 12 visiting researchers that provided seminars, conferences, short courses,
participated in students’ graduate committee meetings andestablished interactions for possible
collaborations with members of CREST-CATEC
CREST-CATEC also fostered graduate student research by providing research grants based on
the relevance and merit of their proposed research. We provided research grants for four
graduate students from the department of Biology: Two students received the first grants: Neftalí
Ríos, working with the problem of land use change and its effects on anphibian and
herpetofaunal biodiversity ($6000), and María Fernanda Barberena, working with the effect of
plant biodiversity on the downstreams effects of ecosystems dynamics: soil fauna composition
and dynamics ($10000). María Fernanda is working on thrust area 4: ecosystems ecology. This
year two more students received research grants: Marcela Zalamea - MS who works with soil
biota and nutrient dynamics under decomposing wood - $2,000, and Filipa Godoy - PhD on
Microbes and antimicrobials in fermentative digestion - $10,000.
Thrust area 1:
1. Manuel Ramírez - completed his Master’s and is now a PhD in Dr. McMillan’s lab.
2. Jenny Acevedo - completed his Master’s and is now a technician in Dr. McMillan’s lab.
3. Karla Maldonado - received her Bachelor’s degree in December 2004 and is now a graduate
student in the Biology
4. Lournet Martínez Lopez - received her Bachelor’s degree in December 2004
5. Xaymara Serrano. received her Bachelor’s degree. Has four presentations. Applied to several
graduate schools in marine science. Accepted into University of South Florida, await notification
from other schools.
6. Willy Ramos Pérez. Applied to several undergraduate training programs (University of
California, John Hopkins, Harvard, Cornell, Rochester University) in biological sciences.
Accepted to most, will be doing fellowship research at Johns Hopkins)
Thrust area 2
1. José Fumero - PhD student. Obtained Masters degree in Biology and obtained travel funds to
attend pollination course in Bariloche-Argentina, December 2004 - March 2005
2. Sofia Olivero – Ethnobiology training in Costa Rica in the Summer of 2004. given by the
Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) and Duke University.
3. Paulina Calle - Undergraduate student. Presented her work at the Junior Techical Meeting
/PRISM2005 at UPR-Mayaguez. The title of her presentation was "Insect biodiversity in Mona
39
Island" with Vanessa Rodriguez. Her abstract titled' Vegetation mapping of mona Island reserve,
Puerto Rico using High Resolution Imagery was accepted for a symposium at the upcomming
SCB meetings next July 2005. She will receive her BSc in Environmental Science - University of
Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras in 2005.
6. Vanessa Rodríguez. Undergraduate student. Was accepted to participate in the REU Summer
Internship Program at RMBL Colorado. Presented her work at the Junior Techical Meeting
/PRISM2005 at UPR-Mayaguez. The title of her presentation was "Insect biodiversity in Mona
Island".
7. Bayrex Rosa. Finished his BSc in Wildlife Management and is now enrolled in a Masters
Program in Aquaculture in UPR-Mayaguez.
8. Chamary Fuentes. Received funds through the program "Increasing diversity at the annual
Botanical Society of America meeting," to attend the BSA conference in summer 2004. This
program is supported by the National Science Foundation (Undergraduate Mentoring in
Environmental Biology (UMEB). Graduated in 2004r with a degree in Biology and took a job at a
publishing company as a science book editor.
9. Carmen Zayas. Obtained Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management in December 2004 and is
currently doing an internship in GIS in Conservation at the Smithsonian National Park-CRC in
Virginia.
10. Vilmaliz Guzmán. Obtained Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management in December 2004 and
is currently doing an internship in GIS in Conservation at the Smithsonian National Park-CRC in
Virginia.
Thrust area 2, component 2:
1. Mr. Marcos Carballo, Master’s student, participated in two international meetings (ATBC and
ESA 2004) presenting his preliminary data. He plans to finish his degree next academic year
(2005-2006)
2. Bert Rivera Marchand, PhD student, published his MS thesis work, and is preparing two
publications from his data on Africanization of honeybees in Puerto Rico and Africanized bee
behavior. He has passed the proposal defense and is planning to finish his Ph.D. degree in
2006.
3. Other students supported by CREST, Devrim Oskay and Manuel Mercado, completed training
on artificial insemination of honey bee queens at the laboratory of Dr. Brian Smith, conducted by
Susan Cobey, expert in this technique essential for bee genetics studies.
40
Thrust area 3.
The most important accomplishment is the graduation of three students that participated in this
study: two M.Sc. (Johanna Delgado-Acevedo and Andres Cuervo) and one Ph.D. (Ling Xu)
students. Ms. Xu will start an academic position at James Madison University, Mr. Cuervo will
start a non-tenure track position for a year at the Universidad de Antioquia, and Ms. Delgado-
Acevedo is looking for opportunities at Conservation NGO’s.
Thrust area 4.
1. Debora Figueroa - received her MS in Water Resources Management, Indiana University.
Accepted to the PhD Program at University of New Hampshire.
2. Mayrení Colón - BS in Environmental Sciences, UPR Rio Piedras. Accepted at a graduate
program in Agronomy at UPR-Mayaguez
3. Yesika Fernandez - BS in Environmental Sciences, UPR, Accepted at a graduate program in
Environmental Health UPR
II.5 Curriculum Development:
- GIS-Conservation Course. In collaboration with Smithsonian National Zoological park -
Conservation Research Center, Front Royal, Va. CREST PI’s (E. Cuevas, E. Melendez-
Ackerman and D. Fernandez) collaborated with Drs. Catherine Christen and Peter Leimgruber on
a fellowship program to provide a course targeting an introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing
(one-week) and Conservation GIS training (one-week). The course is taking place in Puerto Rico
and is taught in Spanish with 5 instructors. Dr. Peter Leimgruber is overseeing course
development and serving as principal course instructor. CREST- RESSACA, Texas A&M
Kingsville University recruited and funded two fellowships for two latino students to attend this
course. Ms. Olga Ramos from USDAFS-IITF is participating as one of the lead instructors of the
program International Institute of Tropical Forestry. The course is being held from May 29 until
June 13, 2005 at Universidad Metropolitana in Rio Piedras, PR. It was originally to be held at the
Environmental Science Program at UPR- Rio Piedras but the student lockout and the subsequent
extension of the academic semester prevented it from being held there. Fifteen students are
taking the course.
Incorporation of research information in undergraduate courses. Dr. Denny Fernández is part of
the Wildlife Management program in UPR-Humacao and teaches regularly General Ecology,
Community Ecology and Plant Systematics for undergraduates. Dr. Elvia Melendez-Ackerman
teaches regurlarly General Ecology at UPR-Rio Piedras. Both have been incorporating in his
courses information on the background, design and results of this project. They have also used
41
their courses as platforms for student outreach. Both will continue developing course-context
activities about the main theme of this project: the effect of exotic species in native biota.
Dr. Jorge Ortiz co-developed and co-taught a new course in Limnology for advanced
undergraduate and graduate students. This course has both theoretical and laboratory
components with field sampling experiences. The enrolled students graded the class as excellent
with a 3.71 on scale from 1 to 4.
Dr. Ortiz taught an undergraduate course in Aquatic Resources (CINA 4157). Twenty three
students were exposed to the theoretical aspects of limnological research with emphasis on
structure and function of freshwater tropical ecosystems. The class included field trips to a
hydrologic stream gaging station, to several water intake structures and dams, and a visit to the
Humacao Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. The course was developed using Blackboard as
an electronic information dissemination tool among students.
Dr. Jorge Ortiz was Research mentor of ITES REU Program. An undergraduate student was
mentored last summer to study freshwater shrimp populations with an automated drifting larvae
water sampling technique. This student presented this project at a meeting of the American
Society for Limnology and Oceanography and is currently considering applying to the Graduate
School. I am currently starting mentoring of another student to study ecological aspects of urban
streams.
Collaboration with programs that promote the participation of women in sciences. Dr. Denny
Fernandez is a collaborator as mentor of the NSF-ADVANCE Institutional Transformation
program in UPR-Humacao. The program promotes the participation and advancement of women
in the natural and social sciences. Next semester Drs. Cuevas and Melendez-Ackerman will
participate as speakers in seminars for the program's participants (faculty and students).
Collaboration with programs that promote the development of human resources at the doctoral
level. Dr. Fernandez has been designated Science and Mathematics Faculty Mentor for the
McNair program at UPR-Humacao. The program helps students from first generation/low income
families to continue studies at the doctoral level.
Laboratory Open House - E. Melendez-Ackerman participated in the annual open house activity
sponsored by the Faculty of Natural Sciences which is designed to introduce early
undergraduates to research in science. A total of 15 students visited the lab and talked to Dr.
Meléndez-Ackerman and participating project staff about the Mona Project.
42
II. 6. Awards
Research Fellows:
Jorge Ortiz PI - Hydrology of the habitat of the endangered crested toad (Peltophryne lemur) in
Guánica, Puerto Rico - DNER-USFWS-Toronto Zoo ($43,326)
Tugrul Giray - President's Award Gordon Research Conference ($700)
Start-up Award NSF-EPSCOR- PR ($150,000)
Eugenio Santiago - Rare Plants of the Jaicoa Karst, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ($25,000)
Propagation of rare and endangered plant species of Puerto Rico, U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service ($22,000)
Distribution of rare and endangered plant species of the karst forests of the Río
Encantado, Department of Natural Resources and Environment ($30,000)
Conservation Assessment Grant for the Puerto Rico Botanical Garden”
(Assessments for the Herbarium and the living collections). Institute of Museum
and Library Services ($2,000)
Denny Fernández - Mini proposal for equipment: GPS, NSF-ADVANCE-UPR-Humacao ($12,000)
Owen McMillan - An evolutionary database for Heliconius, NSF, through the National
Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NEScent) ($35,000)
Students:
Elsie Rivera-Ocasio - PhD student. Received the Alliance for Graduate Education and theProfessoriate Pre-doctoral Fellowship (AGEP) - August 2004-July 2005
Colibrí Sanfiorenzo - Undergraduate student. Mellon Foundation Fellowship to attend semester
abroad program in Field Ecology in Costa Rica, August 2004
Yearim Gutierrez - 2005 Undergraduate Diversity at SSE Program to present at the 2005
Evolution Conference April 16, 2005
Xaymara Serrano: Summer Undergraduate Internship Research Program at University of Rhode
Island-School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI (6/04 to 9/04)
43
Minority Trainee Research Forum- National Abstract winner
Carla Cortés - Minority Scholar Award – for poster presentation at the 2004 Annual AIBS
Meetings
II.6. Summary of minutes of external advisory group meetings:
THE MEETING TO BE HELD IN MAY, 2005 HAD TO BE CANCELLED DUE TO THE STUDENT
LOCKOUT DURING THAT PERIOD.
III. Publication and Products
Submitted directly VIA CREST-WEB
IV. 1-3. Development of human resources
Submitted directly VIA CREST-WEB
IV.4. Summary table of NSF support by thrust area and other activities
Thrust Area 2004 -2005 2005-2006
MEEG $359,224 $355,344
PEG 298,804 322,977
LEG 154,806 158,469
EEG
44
During the reporting year 84% of CREST funds were spent, leaving 16% ($156,439) to remain
unobligated at the end of the current year. Non-federal matching funds were almost totally spent,
leaving 3.93% ($13,236) to remain unobligated for the following year.
IV.4 Level of complementary support for this year from collaborating institutions:
estimated dollar equivalent
The budget for the coming year stays the same as specified in the proposal. Supplemental
funding will be discussed with Dr. Santiago, NSF CREST Program Director.
NSF CREST
Other NSF
Other Federal
Government StateLocal
Government Industry University Other Total
Ecosystems 0 0 45,000 0 0 0 0 44,326 89,326
Individuals and Their Genes 359,224 194,220 122,771 192,000 0 0 0 83,683 951,898
Landscapes 154,806 100,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 254,806
Populations 298,804 334,854 49,000 0 0 0 0 14,450 697,108
Crest Administration 187,165 0 0 0 0 0 337,316 0 524,481
Education Coordinator 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Outreach and Knowledge Transfer Coordinator 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 999,999 629,074 216,771 192,000 0 0 337,316 142,459 2,517,619
