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Characterizing juvenile blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) nursery areas in the Galapagos: new methods and understandings

Publications

A recent study conducted on San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos, successfully identified nursery areas of the blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) using drones as the primary tool. This research compared the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with traditional methods such as gillnets, revealing that drones allow for significantly higher and non-invasive detection of juvenile sharks in […]

Characterizing juvenile blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) nursery areas in the Galapagos: new methods and understandings Read More »

Mapping Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) in the Central and South American Pacific: Existing knowledge and data needs

Publications

Chondrichthyans, a class of aquatic vertebrates (sharks, rays, and chimaeras), are facing a global extinction crisis driven by overfishing, habitat degradation, climate change, and pollution. Of the approximately 1,250 species studied, more than one third (37%) are at risk of extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, making this group the second most threatened among vertebrates. There is limited biological and ecological information available on chondrichthyans, which hinders the identification of critical habitats. As a response, the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) approach was developed a tool designed to map essential areas for the life cycle processes of these species.

Mapping Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) in the Central and South American Pacific: Existing knowledge and data needs Read More »

Assessment of feeding patterns of the mottled scorpionfish (Pontinus clemensi) in the Galápagos Marine Reserve

Publications

The Spotted Scorpionfish (Pontinus clemensi) is a species of high economic, ecological, and cultural value in the Galápagos Islands. In recent years, it has gained relevance in the artisanal fisheries of the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR) due to the overexploitation of traditional species such as bacalao (Mycteroperca olfax) and camotillo (Paralabrax albomaculatus). As a result, its presence in local markets and its consumption within the community have increased. Additionally, it is one of the main prey items in the diet of the Galápagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki), underscoring its importance in ecosystem dynamics. However, there is limited information about its trophic ecology. Understanding its diet is essential for evaluating its ecological role and for developing sustainable fishery management strategies.

Assessment of feeding patterns of the mottled scorpionfish (Pontinus clemensi) in the Galápagos Marine Reserve Read More »

Exploring stress and morphology in two songbird species across urban, agricultural, and natural habitats on San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos

Publications

This study analyzed how land use changes affect two bird species in the Galápagos: the small ground finch (Geospiza fuliginosa) and the yellow warbler (Setophaga petechia aureola). The goal was to understand whether habitat alterations, caused by urbanization and agriculture on human-populated islands, affect their size, weight, and levels of the hormone corticosterone, which is linked to stress.

Exploring stress and morphology in two songbird species across urban, agricultural, and natural habitats on San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos Read More »

Health assessment of blue-footed boobies (Sula nebouxii excisa) determined by hematology, biochemistry, blood gases, and physical examination in the galápagos islands

Publications

The blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii excisa) is an iconic and endemic species of the Galápagos Islands. While its behavior and reproductive biology have been widely studied, little is known about its health in the wild. This type of information is essential to understand how environmental factors may impact its well-being, especially in the context of climate change and declining prey availability. The recent study aims to provide baseline health data that can support conservation strategies.

Health assessment of blue-footed boobies (Sula nebouxii excisa) determined by hematology, biochemistry, blood gases, and physical examination in the galápagos islands Read More »

Changes in marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) heart rates suggest reduced metabolism during El Niño events

Publications

The marine iguanas of Galápagos (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) have the ability to lower their heart rate to conserve energy—an adaptation developed to cope with El Niño events. During these periods, warmer ocean temperatures reduce algae, their main food source, threatening the survival of the world’s only marine lizard.

Changes in marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) heart rates suggest reduced metabolism during El Niño events Read More »

Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Opportunistic Predation Events on Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

Publications

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are known as one of the ocean’s most versatile predators, yet their behavior in tropical waters remains a mystery. This study documents, for the first time, orca attacks on whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in Ecuador and Panama, providing valuable insights into their hunting strategies in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). Understanding these events is key to expanding knowledge about this predator’s dynamics in the region.

Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Opportunistic Predation Events on Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Read More »

Genomes of Galápagos Mockingbirds Reveal the Impact of Island Size and Past Demography on Inbreeding and Genetic Load in Contemporary Populations

Publications

The species inhabiting oceanic islands have been fundamental in the study of evolution. Due to their isolation, these populations tend to have smaller sizes and lower genetic diversity compared to their mainland relatives. This can lead to negative effects such as the accumulation of harmful mutations and inbreeding (mating between genetically related individuals), which threatens their survival. The Galápagos mockingbirds (Mimus spp.) represent an ideal case to analyze the relationship between the size of the island they inhabit and genetic variations in their populations.

Genomes of Galápagos Mockingbirds Reveal the Impact of Island Size and Past Demography on Inbreeding and Genetic Load in Contemporary Populations Read More »

Health status and morphometrics of Galápagos magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens magnificens) determined by hematology, biochemistry, blood gas, and physical examination

Publications

The magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens; MFB) is a seabird found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In the Galápagos Islands, the endemic subspecies Fregata magnificens magnificens inhabits the archipelago. This study presents, for the first time, the hematological and blood biochemical values of this population in the region.

Health status and morphometrics of Galápagos magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens magnificens) determined by hematology, biochemistry, blood gas, and physical examination Read More »

Canine vector-borne parasites in the Galapágos

Publications

Endemic species of the Galápagos Islands are vulnerable to newly introduced pathogens, often transmitted through invasive hosts. One example is invasive parasitic arthropods, whose evolutionary success is linked to their association with domestic animals present in the archipelago. This interaction poses a significant risk, as these parasites can switch hosts and facilitate pathogen transmission between domestic and wild species.

Canine vector-borne parasites in the Galapágos Read More »

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In 2022, the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) and the broader UNC & USFQ Galapagos Initiative will celebrate its 10th Anniversary. We are proud to announce the World Summit on Island Sustainability scheduled to be held on June 26–30, 2022 at the Galapagos Science Center and the Community Convention Center on San Cristobal Island.

The content of the World Summit will be distributed globally through social media and results documented through papers published in a book written as part of the Galapagos Book Series by Springer Nature and edited by Steve Walsh (UNC) & Carlos Mena (USFQ) as well as Jill Stewart (UNC) and Juan Pablo Muñoz (GSC/USC). The book will be inclusive and accessible by the broader island community including scientists, managers, residents, tourists, and government and non-government organizations.

While the most obvious goal of organizing the World Summit on Island Sustainability is to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the GSC and the UNC-USFQ Galapagos Initiative, other goals will be addressed through special opportunities created as part of our operational planning of the World Summit.

For instance, we seek to elevate and highlight the Galapagos in the island conservation discourse, seeking to interact with other island networks in more obvious and conspicuous ways to benefit the Galapagos Islands, the UNC-USFQ Galapagos Initiative, and the world. We will seize the opportunity to further develop the I2N2 – International Islands Network-of-Networks. Further, we wish to highlight and emphasize multiple visions of a sustainable future for the Galapagos Islands and we cannot do this alone. Therefore, engaging the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Tourism, the Government Council of Galapagos, the Galapagos National Park, and local Galapagos authorities, including government and non-government organizations and local citizen groups, is imperative.

The Galapagos Science Center on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos

Borrowing from Hawaii’s and Guam’s Green Growth Program and the Global Island Partnership, we wish to examine existing global programs that emphasize island sustainability and their incorporation into life, policies, and circumstances in the Galapagos Islands. We will also seek to enhance our connections with the institutional members of our International Galapagos Science Consortium and expand the Consortium through the recruitment of other member institutions. We will also work to benefit islands and their local communities by working with citizen groups as well as important NGOs who seek to improve the natural conditions in the Galapagos and diminish the impact of the human dimension on the future of Galapagos’ ecosystems.

Lastly, we will use the World Summit to benefit UNC & USFQ and our constituencies through a strong and vibrant communication plan about the World Summit, creating corporate relationships as sponsors, identifying funding goals through donors, and benefiting our study abroad program for student engagement in the Galapagos Islands. We plan to develop and issue a Galapagos Sustainability Communique after the World Summit that includes the vision and insights of all its participants for a sustainable Galapagos with applicability to global island settings.

We are eager to hear your perspective and have you join us at the World Summit on Island Sustainability!