The Upper Pliocene Hopegate Formation has been the least attractive limestone unit for paleontological investigation in the Cenozoic of Jamaica due to its extreme lithification and dolomitization, despite the scientific appeal of it being a rare example of a Pliocene raised reef in the Caribbean. Preservation of invertebrate macrofossils is commonly moldic. Hitherto, few named macrofossils from the unit have been published. New and extensive exposures of the Hopegate Formation have become available since 2002 as the main north coast road has been re-engineered in central north Jamaica. Echinoids were previously unknown from this formation, but at least seven taxa are now recognized, namely, Eucidaris tribuloides (Lamarck), Echinometra viridis A. Agassiz, regular echinoids spp. indet., Echinoneus sp. cf. E. cyclostomus Leske, Schizaster sp. cf. S. doederleini (Chesher), Meoma? sp. and Brissus sp. cf. B. unicolor (Leske). The identifiable genera are typical of modern shallow water environments of the Caribbean. With the exception of Meoma? and Brissus, these nominal genera have also been identified from the coeval Bowden Formation, a deeper water deposit with a mixed allochthonous/autochthonous echinoderm fauna. In contrast to the Bowden Formation, which has yielded numerous fragmentary, but well preserved, echinoderm specimens, the Hopegate Formation has yielded only rare, poorly preserved echinoid tests and rarer fragments.

Experimental manipulations of root competition on naturally established seedlings were conducted across canopy openness and soil depth gradients in a selectively-logged, semideciduous forest on limestone-derived soils in southeastern Mexico. We studied the relatively shade intolerant mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla, Meliaceae) and shade tolerant ramón (Brosimum alicastrum, Moraceae). Both species are ecologically and economically important canopy trees that respond differently to selective logging, hurricanes, and fires on the Yucatan Peninsula. The canopy openness gradient used in the experiment was created by low-intensity selective logging operations. The responses of naturally occurring seedlings of both species growing within 20–30 cm deep circular trenches were examined over a 19-month experimental period. Trenching resulted in increased relative growth in diameter, stem length, and number of leaves of Swietenia compared with controls, but had no effect on Brosimum relative growth or on seedling survival of either species. There was no significant interaction between increased light availability and trenching on Swietenia seedlings, perhaps because of their larger size in gaps. Trenching effects on Swietenia were not greater during the dry season, suggesting that surface trenching affected growth during transitions between seasons. Contrasting responses of Swietenia and Brosimum seedlings to changes in soil and light environments point to the need for diversity in silvicultural practices in seasonally-dry tropical forests such as the community-managed forest examined in this study.

The dispersal and survival of seeds are two of the main factors limiting forest regeneration in tropical pastures of anthropogenic origin. Here we report on the quantity, diversity, and predation rates of seeds dispersed by birds in a pasture in northern Puerto Rico. From May through August of 2009, we sampled the bird-generated seed rain under isolated trees and shrubs in the pasture using seed traps. The pasture was adjacent to a fragment of secondary forest that served as the source of seeds. The seed traps collected 3,844 seeds (including pieces) belonging to 28 plant species, with five species accounting for 78.6 percent of the sample. Predation of seeds —calculated as the ratio of seed fragments to intact seeds- was detected in eleven plant species, with some species suffering significantly higher predation rates than others. For example, seeds of Cissampelos pereira and Casearia Sylvestris experienced low predation (<0.3), while the majority of seeds from Cordia polycephala and Erythroxylon brevipes where predated (>0.6). Predation rates where in an inverse relationship with the density of seed deposition and with seed size across species. The physical evidence on the seed traps (i.e., seed coat fragments, fecal samples) points to rodents as the main agents of seed predation. We conclude that post-dispersal seed predation by rodents can serve as an important ecological filter that could shape the early community dynamics of forest recovery in abandoned Puerto Rican pastures.

At least 33 native species of marine mammals have been documented from the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR). For many of these species, the waters of the region serve as primary habitat for critical activities that include feeding, mating and calving. However, relatively little remains known about their biology, life history, distribution and behavior, particularly also around the windward Dutch islands (Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten). In this study we compiled 84 marine mammal records for the waters of these islands, comprising 9 previously published records and 75 new records. A total of eight distinct species are documented, six of which are cetaceans. In comparison to the leeward Dutch islands (Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire), documented strandings are few. Results suggest that whereas beaked whales and Bryde's whale are more common around the leeward Dutch islands, humpback whales are more common around the windward Dutch islands. This study concludes that more dedicated efforts are needed to better document and understand cetacean composition, seasonality and use of the both the windward and leeward Dutch Caribbean maritime territories. Such initiatives should help further clarify any potential regional differences as well the underlying causes thereof. Several nations, including the USA, the Dominican Republic and France, have established marine mammal sanctuaries in their Caribbean waters. Declaring the Dutch EEZ as a marine mammal sanctuary would be a valuable contribution to the conservation of marine mammals in the region.

Numerous Virgin Islands plants have become rare or extinct over the last 200 years due to cultivation, development, and introduction of exotic species. St. John endemic Solanum conocarpum (Solanaceae) has fewer than 200 known individuals currently extant in the wild. DNA fingerprinting with RAPD PCR was used to assess the population genetics of S. conocarpum and congener S. polygamum. In addition, controlled crosses were performed to determine whether the plant was self-incompatible. Finally, seedlings were outplanted and monitored to (1) restore small populations and (2) compare performance of individuals from the largest and smallest populations of the species. Population genetic analysis revealed that species level diversity in S. conocarpum remains high, but that virtually all diversity is confined to a single population. The crosses performed indicated that the species is completely selfincompatible. While seedlings from the smallest population performed poorly in the greenhouse by comparison with plants from the large population with higher genetic diversity, both groups performed equally well in the field over a three-year period. The species' high level of overall diversity and ability to survive even when diversity is reduced suggest that prospects for conservation are good. In order to ensure the survival of the species, all populations should be brought up to sizes large enough to allow outcrossing, and ex-situ conservation should be employed.

The clavate boring Teredolites Leymerie is produced in wood by teredinid bivalves and occurs at various sites in the Cenozoic of the Antillean region. Most commonly, the enclosing lignic substrate rots away and preservation relies on the calcareous lining, an organic mold of the bioerosive structure. Teredolites longissimus Kelly and Bromley from the (probably Middle) Eocene of the Ceru di Cueba Formation of Curaçao is unusually well preserved and intertwined tubes occur in life associations in a calcareous sandstone matrix. The waterlogged, enclosing wood presumably sank to the seafloor and was buried. As it rotted away, sand slipped into the void and held the T. longissimus tubes in place.

Discolored (chemically discolored) foraminiferal tests have long been known to occur in shallow-water, silici-carbonate sediments of the Caribbean, but their distributions and environmental significance have been little studied. To address this, nineteen sediment samples were collected from the shoreline around St. Kitts (<1 m), eleven from nearby coral reefs (6 – 27 m below sea level) and one from a shipwreck, the River Taw. Three species and one species-group were examined in detail: Amphistegina gibbosa, Archaias angulatus, Asterigerina carinata and Peneroplis spp. (= P. carinatus P. proteus). Discolored specimens were either gray or brown. The percentage of this group of species discolored per sample was calculated, as was the percentage of each species discolored per sample. The percentage of discolored miliolids was consistently greater than that of rotaliids. The mean percentage of discolored specimens along the shoreline exceeded that on the reefs, suggesting that discolored specimens have potential as a proxy for palaeodepth. It was, however, greatest around the River Taw. High percentages mark areas with either low rates of sediment reworking or high levels of iron and manganese associated with the chemical alteration of tests. Observations on the River Taw show that discolored foraminifera may be used to assess the impact of artificial reefs on marine ecosystems.

This review is based on the most recent taxonomic classification of extant Cuban Crinoidea. Existing material in natural history collections in Cuba was analyzed in detail and accurately reflects species presence. The crinoid literature was also reviewed. Several previously unpublished observations of species found in waters off Cuba have also been included. This paper provides the most up to date description of the Cuban crinoid fauna. Habitat, distribution, depth range and localities in Cuba are reported for each species. Collection codes for available specimens are included when known. The work describes a total of 33 species (plus two subspecies) in 20 genera and 10 families representing three of the four living orders of the Class Crinoidea.

Beachrock formations on Loggerhead Key in Dry Tortugas National Park, USA are an important nursery for many juvenile reef fishes. Wide variations in temperature are common in these areas and can markedly influence fish metabolism and thermal tolerance. We determined routine resting metabolic rate and temperature quotient (Q₁₀) at 24 and 32°C. Thermal tolerance (measured as critical thermal maximum, CTmax) was also measured for sergeant major (Abudefduf saxitilis) and cocoa damselfish (Stegastes variabilis) acclimatized to beachrock nursery temperatures. Sergeant majors occupied shallow rockpool margins that experience rapid, extreme temperature changes. These fish exhibited relatively low metabolic rates, reduced Q₁₀ values (2.40), and relatively high levels of temperature tolerance (CTmax = 40.0°C). Cocoa damselfish selected deeper, more thermally stable rockpool areas. These fish had higher metabolic rates, were more sensitive to temperature increase (Q₁₀ = 2.84), and were less tolerant of high temperatures (CTmax = 38.6°C) than sergeant majors. Metabolic and temperature tolerance adaptations of juvenile sergeant majors and cocoa damselfish allow these fishes to exploit a variety of microhabitats found in beachrock areas on Loggerhead Key.

Trees, ground flora and epiphytes were surveyed across 81 sites on Little Tobago Island, Trinidad and Tobago. Micro-climatic and edaphic parameters were measured at each site. Cluster analysis was used to identify possible vegetation groups. Ordination and logistic regression analysis were used to detect environmental gradients and to describe the influence of the environmental variables on individual plant species. One hundred and sixteen species were found on the island, of which 101 were recorded in this survey. The vegetation community was dominated by native species with individuals of the tree species Coccothrinax barbadensis, Guapira fragrans, Bursera simaruba, and Diospyros inconstans accounting for 66% of all trees surveyed. The sites were classified into five cluster groups based on species composition. One group consisting of 3 sample sites was dominated by the exotic species Bambusa vulgaris and had a significantly different structure due to the multi-stemmed clump habit of the species. No spatial pattern was identified in the distribution of abiotic variables across the island which contributed to the lack of spatial pattern in the distribution of individual plant species. The species found in this survey largely matched those found by Beard in 1944 with a couple of exceptions which may be due to misidentifications in 1944 or decline in species due to disturbance by stochastic events such as hurricanes.

Cabo Cruz, Southeastern coast of Cuba, is an important site for queen conch development. Within the Desembarco del Granma National Park, a conch fishery is practically non-existent. Research was carried out in 2010 during three climatic periods (rainy, dry and cold front) at three zones (Farito, Guafe, and Laguna) in order to determine density and population structure of the queen conch. Population density varied from 247 ind.ha^-1 at Guafe in the rainy period, to 1767 ind.ha^-1 at Farito in the dry one. Conch population displayed an aggregated distribution in all zones and seasons. The highest density was detected during the dry season (1395 ind.ha^-1) and the lowest in the rainy season (647 ind.ha^-1). Siphonal lengths (SL) and the lip thickness (LT) of 1836 conchs were measured; the SL varied from 87 to 286 mm. An analysis of LT showed that 73% of conchs had a completely formed lip, but they measured less than 200 mm SL, which represents the minimal fishing size in Cuba. Apparently, the conch population at Cabo Cruz is made up by small conchs, with a gradual increase in weight and lip thickness, as they develop into “dwarf” conchs. The dwarf population is probably related to density dependence. A revision of the protected area management plan is suggested, focused on conchs and its sustainable use.

The queen conch, Strombus gigas, is a highly valued fishery resource in the Caribbean basin, historically second only to the spiny lobster. Currently listed in Appendix II of CITES, historical surveys from the U.S. Virgin Islands have documented wide-spread reductions in population densities. Habitat use and movement patterns of queen conch differ by size and maturity status, making it important to identify areas and habitat types that can play a role in the recovery of this species. We tracked long-term movements and spatial distributions of conch in St. John, USVI, using visual surveys coupled with mark-and-recapture techniques. Juvenile conch exhibited the smallest mean home range (95% contour) and core area (50% contour) at 8470 m² and 2083 m², respectively, but had the largest aggregate home range (115,410 m²) and aggregate core area (55,055 m²). Transitional conch had the largest mean home range and core area at 18,203 m² and 4944 m², respectively, with an aggregate home range and core area of 113,147 m² and 59,067 m². Adults had an aggregate home range and core area of 65,045 m² and 29,178 m², with a mean home range and core area of 14,987 m² and 3929 m². Adults exhibited the highest daily movement rate at 11.36 m per day, with juvenile and transitional conch having similar rates of 4.66 m per day and 3.44 m per day, respectively. Multiple recapture events of tagged conch showed an ontogenetic shift in habitat use as maturing individuals moved from shallow seagrass habitats into deeper-water macroalgae plains.

The Grenadine Islands in the southern Lesser Antilles have received relatively little attention by archaeologists compared to other regions of the Caribbean. However, research over the last ten years on Carriacou, the largest and southernmost island in the Grenadines, has significantly improved our understanding of when these islands were settled in prehistory and subsequent cultural changes that occurred from ca. AD 400 to 1400. An extension of this research project into the smaller islands of Mustique and Union in May 2010 has now provided preliminary data with which Carriacou and other nearby islands such as St. Vincent and Grenada can be compared. Here we provide a description of the sites we investigated and present analysis of recovered archaeological remains through subsurface testing. This represents the first concerted effort by archaeologists since the 1970s to investigate the Grenadines and also reports a new site on Mustique known as Lagoon Bay. Results of this and previous research demonstrates that numerous villages developed in the Grenadines during the terminal Saladoid period and fluoresced shortly thereafter during the Troumassoid period (ca. AD 600 - 1300). Preliminary analysis of materials recovered, including pottery and mollusks, as well as several new radiocarbon dates, provide a framework for guiding future research at these sites, most of which are threatened by development, agricultural activities, and/or erosion.

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory's monitoring and mitigation program during an academic seismic study in April–June 2004 was the largest cetacean survey undertaken to date in the southeast Caribbean Sea. A total of 10,007 km (904 h) of visual observations occurred from the seismic vessel R/V Maurice Ewing and from the support vessel R/V Seward Johnson II. In addition, 7375 km (846 h) of passive acoustic monitoring for vocalizing cetaceans occurred from the Ewing via a towed 250-m hydrophone array. Approximately 1293 cetaceans in 46 groups were seen from the two vessels, and 78 acoustic detections were made. Nine cetacean species were identified of which the long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis), Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) were sighted most frequently. The striped dolphin (S. coeruleoalba), spinner dolphin (S. longirostris), pantropical spotted dolphin (S. attenuata), short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), and Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) were also identified during visual surveys. Only the sperm whale was positively identified by acoustic monitoring alone. At least 17 sperm whale detections (visual and/or acoustic) were made around the islands and atolls of the Venezuelan Archipelago near and beyond the 1000-m depth contour. Overall cetacean density in intermediate-depth water (100 to 1000 m deep) was five times greater than in deep (>1000 m) water. This study addresses previous data gaps on the occurrence of cetaceans in shelf and offshore waters across a wide area of the southeast Caribbean Sea in spring.

Fossil bats (Chiroptera) are rare in the Late Pleistocene sediments of the Red Hills Road Cave, parish of St. Andrew, Jamaica. Mandibles from this site include three species, all new to the Pleistocene of the island. Stenoderma rufum Desmarest, a frugivore, is the most common taxon. It is still extant in the more eastern Greater Antilles, but has been extirpated from Jamaica. Tadarida sp. cf. T. brasiliensis I. Geoffroy St.-Hillaire represents a taxon still widespread in the Greater Antilles; S. rufum and T. brasiliensis occur together in St. John at the present day. Chiropteran spp. indet. are known from incomplete mandibles and are, at best, morphologically distinct from the other two species at this site.

Much of the mangrove forests in the Caribbean have been impacted by human activities, and now they are projected to be negatively affected by sea-level rise especially where they are constrained on the landward side by built development, or starved of sediment. This study assessed the status and trends of mangrove forests in Trinidad and Tobago so that response to human induced changes and climate changes can be determined. Mangrove forests in Trinidad and Tobago were mapped between 2008–2010 using high resolution satellite imagery (2000–2007), geographic information systems (GIS) technology and extensive ground-truthing surveys. Their sizes were determined. In Trinidad, mangrove coverage was estimated at 7,532 ha on the west coast, 1,132.8 ha on the east coast, 481.3 ha on the south coast, 0.3 ha on the north coast and 222.9 ha in Tobago. Mangrove coverage was higher than anticipated, perhaps because of inaccuracies in historical data and in some cases because of re-growth following past disturbances. While some mangrove forests are negatively impacted by land-use changes and erosion, there are instances where forests have overgrown freshwater marshes, or are expanded onto mudflats.

Sixty eight species of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Jamaica are listed along with information on year of collection, collection sites, depository, morph, host, predators, parasitoids, ant attendants and Caribbean distribution. This includes 14 new records for the island and one new species.

Descriptions of defensive behaviors used by Neotropical harvestmen are rarely based upon direct observations of encounters between individuals and syntopic predators. In this study, we investigated the defensive responses exhibited by five harvestman species from Costa Rica in interactions with ctenid spiders (Cupiennius spp.), whip spiders (Phrynus pseudoparvulus), onychophorans (Epiperipatus sp.), and centipedes (Scolopendra sp.). We also observed interactions between harvestmen and a non-predatory invertebrate, the millipede Nyssodesmus python. In 64 encounters, ctenid spiders consumed 11 harvestmen, including eight Prionostemma sp., two Cynorta marginalis, and one Eupoecilaema magnum. The most frequent defensive behavior exhibited by harvestmen was fleeing. Other behaviors included aggression (striking with leg II), bobbing, leg autotomy, lying flat, and thanatosis. Prionostemma exhibited the most variable responses, especially in the presence of ctenid spiders. In addition to the lab-based experiment, we report some field observations of arthropod predation upon harvestmen in Costa Rica. Predators include two species of ctenid spiders (Cupiennius spp.), scorpion (Centruroides limbatus), solifuge (Ammotrecha stolli), mantid (Liturgusa annulipes) and ants.

We describe for the first time the day roost of the rare Lichonycteris obscura, a small specialized nectarfeeding bat that shows seasonal movements. Roosts were easily accessible cavities at or under fallen trees. As these structures occur frequently on slopes along streams, they are widely distributed, somewhat predictable and may be easily found by migrating bats. The use of such very common structures for roosting permits these small nectar-feeding species the seasonal access to areas with only temporarily high nectar resource availability.

Records of whale sharks in the Caribbean are relatively sparse. Here we document 24 records of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus Smith 1882) for the Dutch Caribbean, four for the windward islands of Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten, and twenty for the southern Caribbean leeward islands of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. The results suggest a higher abundance of whale sharks in the southern, leeward part of the Dutch Caribbean, likely associated with seasonal upwelling-driven productivity known for the southeastern Caribbean area. A bimodal seasonal pattern as documented for Venezuela was not as pronounced in our findings for the Leeward Dutch Caribbean and whale sharks were recorded in 9 months of the year. In the Windward Dutch Caribbean all (4) records so far were for the winter months of December-February. Most records involved large and solitary animals in contrast to areas elsewhere suspected of being nursery habitat. According to local sources, whale sharks were most often associated with feeding tunas and sea surface swarms of crab megalopae.

We examine the relationship between the distribution of manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) and noise produced by an electric power plant in Jobos Bay, Puerto Rico. Ambient power plant noise levels in decibels (dB) and the presence/absence as well as sounds of manatees were recorded in seven habitat types from June 14 through July 21, 2010. The distribution of manatee appears to be associated with environmental noise levels because the majority of sightings were in the habitats with less noise.

The family Sternophoridae Chamberlin, 1923 is recorded for the first time from Cuba, based on several samples of Garyops depressus Banks, 1909. The specimens are described and morphometric data and geographical distribution in Cuba are given.

The Puerto Rican ground lizard (Ameiva exsul) was first documented on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands in 2006. The species is native to Puerto Rico, the northern U.S. Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands, and was purportedly transported to St. Croix with a shipment of goods. Ameiva exsul has since become established in a northcentral neighborhood of St. Croix, from which we collected six specimens. Analyses of their gastrointestinal tracts demonstrated they had consumed vertebrates and invertebrates. In particular we documented a Sphaerodactylus sp. gecko, and eggs of the endemic anole, Anolis acutus, as prey of A. exsul. The potential for establishment of A. exsul on offshore cays where the only populations of the St. Croix ground lizard (Ameiva polops) exist is a serious conservation concern, as it may prey on and compete for resources with this critically endangered endemic species.