2025
Killer whales ( Orcinus orca ) are highly versatile predators, but their trophic ecology in the Eastern Tropical Pacific remains poorly understood. In this study, we present the first documented cases of killer whales preying on whale sharks ( Rhincodon typus ) in Ecuadorian and Panamanian waters.
Photo: Katherine Nicolalde
2023
One of the fundamental objectives of ecology is to study the relative importance of ecological, evolutionary, and stochastic processes in determining the structure of local communities. Many studies have focused on taxonomic diversity, paying relatively little attention to other dimensions of biological diversity, such as phylogenetic and functional diversity. Little is known about how these dimensions relate to each other and the ecological processes that influence their variation. In this study, we characterized these three dimensions of biodiversity in 14 primate communities from different ecosystems in Ecuador to understand the possible mechanisms responsible for their assembly. The results show that coastal communities are taxonomically less diverse than those in the Amazon and present different functional groups. On the other hand, phylogenetic diversity is higher in Amazonian communities, showing a tendency toward overdispersion (high MPD (MPD = mean pairwise phylogenetic distance) and low PSC (degree of relatedness between coexisting species). This indicates a possible influence of biological factors, such as competition, on community assembly. In all three dimensions, climatic variables were the most significant predictors of community structure, while vertical forest structure contributed significantly to variation in the phylogenetic dimension. The high functional diversity reported in this study highlights the importance and vulnerability of this group and the ecosystems it inhabits. Macroecological studies, such as the one presented here, allow for a better understanding of community structure and provide important information for the development of conservation strategies.
2023
Este trabajo se llevó a cabo tras tres meses de rescate de fauna silvestre en una zona inundable del lago San Marcos, Parque Nacional Cayambe-Coca, provincia de Pichincha, Ecuador. El objetivo fue identificar, capturar y reubicar la mayor cantidad de especies de mamíferos no voladores que pudieran verse afectadas por la expansión del lago San Marcos, con el fin de minimizar el impacto en estas poblaciones. La reubicación se realizó en zonas seguras y con las mismas características ecosistémicas del lugar de extracción. La guía se creó como un instrumento que permite un primer acercamiento al conocimiento de las especies de mamíferos no voladores en esta importante localidad, contribuyendo así a la conservación de la diversidad genética y, con ella, a la diversidad funcional de los ecosistemas donde habitan estas especies: arbustivo, herbáceo, páramo inundable y bosque alto montano, este último uno de los más amenazados del país por diversas actividades antrópicas, por lo que esta información podría complementarse con estudios más detallados en el futuro.
Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on a Bat Population in an Indigenous Community in the Ecuadorian Andes
2022
The COVID-19 pandemic has had enormous consequences, primarily on human health and the economy, but it is also important to highlight its impact on nature conservation. One of the animal groups most affected by the current situation is bats, as the media has erroneously associated them with the transmission of this virus. After a visit in August 2020 to a cave located in a seasonal ravine near the Tocagón Alto community, San Rafael de la Laguna, Imbabura, Ecuador, the loss of a population of Peruvian Anoura was determined. This was due to bonfires set inside this speleological site due to the reluctance to use bats brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of May 2022, this cave remains uninhabited by the bats under study, and there is no evidence of recolonization by possible survivors.
Estimation of population size and habitat use of Pristimantis unistrigatus (Gunther, 1859) (Anura: Strabomantidae) in an urban green area of Quito - Ecuador
2022
Green areas in large cities can harbor significant biodiversity, providing refuge for diverse native taxa whose adaptive dynamics in response to demographic changes are interesting to explore. An important group in urban green areas are amphibians, indicators of the current state of an ecosystem. We focused on the Quito green frog Pristimantis unistrigatus to understand its ecology within a green area of the city. We used a capture-recapture method by photo-identification in November 2015 and January 2016 on the campus of the Central University of Ecuador. Using the Petersen population estimator, we estimated a population of 1,749 individuals and a population density of 40 individuals per hectare.
Bioacoustic analysis of the humpback whale song (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the marine area of Machalilla National Park and the Canta Gallo Reserve between 2017 and 2018.
2020
La descripción del canto de Megaptera novaeangliae, población Pacifico sudeste (stock G) en los años 2017 y 2018, detalló la estructura general e identificó su dinámica. Se analizaron cuatro grabaciones cada año, la mitad cuantitativamente, la otra mitad cualitativamente, las unidades del canto se midieron para utilizar herramientas estadísticas que confirmaran su clasificación. Se diferenciaron ocho unidades, seis y cinco para cada año, tres compartidas. El 2017 presentó ocho frases y el 2018 cinco. Cada año mostró una estructura general similar, tres temas, uno marcaba el comienzo y dos se intercalaban varias veces. Se comparó los espectrogramas con otros estudios de la misma población, la unidad C fue la más conservada por las frecuencias bajas y armónicos que le dan un mayor alcance; la H y F fueron también comunes, con amplitudes mayores, y la E con frecuencias altas, favorece su difusión en aguas poco profundas. La unidad C estaba presente en otras poblaciones. Esta información es un aporte importante para la comprensión de la especie y tiene implicaciones socioeconómicas y en su conservación.
Kichwa botanical ethnomedicine from Anaconda Island, Ahuano, Napo Ecuador
2019
The Amazon region is home to the largest number of indigenous groups in the country, where the Kichwa occupy a large part of the territory. Despite the fact that several ethnobotanical studies have been carried out reporting their different uses, it is still necessary to learn more about the wealth of knowledge regarding the vegetation used for medicine. The Anaconda Island sector, between the Napo and Arajuno rivers, is considered a risk zone due to the change in the dynamics of the Napo River, which causes the island to flood from time to time, partially covering it. This event influences the daily lives of the Kichwa in the area and possible changes in the vegetation. With this background, for six years (2013 - present), through empirical observation tours, all the vegetation for medicinal purposes on Anaconda Island was recorded, which was then cultivated on a Kichwa farm owned by the Canelos family, as their own initiative due to its importance in preventing and combating diseases. Following these activities, a total of 56 species of medicinal plants were documented. This number corresponds to 30 botanical families, of which the Araceae, Fabaceae, Piperaceae and Solanaceae families are the most used (5.36% each). The number of uses per plant has an average of 1.5 + -0.84 (1-5). The most used part of the plants identified in this case are the leaves with 51.8% (n = 29) and the least used is the peel with 1.8% (n = 1). With respect to the habit, herbs are those that register the highest use with 32.1% (n = 18). The most common preparation method is infusion, followed by cooking with 26.8% (n = 15) and 25% (n = 14) respectively. Kichwa knowledge of ethnomedicine on Anaconda Island is rich and diverse, as the plants used by the Canelos family can prevent and treat approximately 43 health conditions, improving their lifestyle and that of the community. With all this, the contribution made focuses on the continuity of traditional medicinal knowledge and its revaluation so that it can be passed on to future generations, who are gradually suffering from cultural deterioration.
Report of Melanomys caliginosus (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in the diet of Bothrops asper (Squamata: Viperidae) in the northwestern foothills of the Andes, Chitoa, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador.
2019
The presence of the brown rice mouse Melanomys caliginosus (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in the diet of the Bothrops asper snake is reported for the first time in Ecuador. An adult female of the asper snake was found recently killed by workers in the sector during an exploration of the forest of Hacienda El Mirador in the Chitoa Sector, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. Two healthy individuals of Melanomys caliginosus were recorded in its stomach, a juvenile male and a pregnant adult female.
2018
Bats are a group perceived negatively throughout much of the world, primarily due to their appearance and some of their habits. This ethnobiological study aims to establish perceptions of bats among the Otavalo indigenous community of Tocagón, identifying the species present in a nearby cave and establishing knowledge, attitudes, and actions. It also evaluates the information by classifying it by demographic data to establish the ideal population for an environmental education program, by proposing an index. To this end, 336 interviews were conducted with demographic information, data on basic knowledge of bats, management and perceptions of their ecological role, and association with other entities, as well as photographic perception. In parallel, sampling was conducted in an artificial cave within the community, where the Peruvian Anoura Tschudi was identified, a nectarivorous species that can be affected by the community's negative attitudes. The results obtained from the index show that general perceptions are positive-low. This is due to the fact that there is little knowledge about the ecological role of these animals, and they are associated with mythical elements of darkness and bad omens, although the characteristics of their habitat are frequently known and they are mostly correctly related to mammals. Only the demographic categories of age and occupation presented significant differences, with older adults and bricklayers showing low negative index values. Since general perceptions are not entirely positive, it is recommended to implement homogeneous education programs that take into account age and occupation categories for their design.
2018
Perception is an aspect that is constantly changing depending on the era, ancestral knowledge, and the stimulus to perceive oneself. It is important to understand the perceptions of people in indigenous communities such as the Tocagón community, as they represent a transition between ancestrally rooted knowledge and current knowledge. The population experiences migrations of young people who decide to leave for larger cities to study or change their rural life. The objective of this study is to gather accounts from community residents and the perceptions acquired through these experiences. The stories presented in this study are mostly negative, and, regardless of the age of the informants, the associated aspects of vampires, death, and demons have caused the population to express constant fear. In this community, low awareness of this group is observed, as most have been associated with old mice. This indicates the need for a participatory environmental awareness program, enriched with recreational activities that ensure the maintenance and transmission of appropriate information.