The 50th Anniversary Meeting - Confex

133 Pages·2013·1.75 MB·English

The 50th Anniversary Meeting
AssociAtion for tropicAl Biology And conservAtion (AtBc)
orgAnizAtion for tropicAl studies (ots)
Scientific Program
Monday, June 24 – Thursday, June 27
WorkShoPS, BuSineSS meetingS & Plenary SeSSionS
Saturday, June 22 – Friday, June 28
Scientific field triPS B y the otS BiocurSoS Program
Thursday, June 20 – Sunday, June 30
1
tABle of contents
atBc•otS 2013 Program and organizing committees 3
introduction and Welcome (by the Program chairs) 6
about atBc and otS 7
Supporting academic institutions 9
general information 10
instructions for Presenters 14
floor Plans and maps 16
exhibits and displays 20
Schedule Overview 26
Plenaries, Special events and meetings 30
Scientific Program Schedule 40
author index 134
2
coMMittees
ATBC•OTS 2013
progrAM And orgAnizing co MMittee
KAORU KITAJIMA / Program Chair / University of Florida, USA
CARLOS GARCIA-ROBLEDO / Program Co-chair / Smithsonian Institution, USA
RAKAN (ZAK) ZAHAWI / Program Co-chair / Organization for Tropical Studies, Costa Rica
scientific progrAM c oMMittee
Ellen Andresen / Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
Gerardo Avalos / Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; The School for Field Studies, USA
Robin Chazdon / University of Connecticut, USA
Roberto Cordero / Universidad Nacional
Rodolfo Dirzo / Stanford University, USA
Pierre-Michel Forget / Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, France
José Manuel Fragoso / Stanford University, USA
Carol Horvitz / University of Miami, USA
Jorge Jiménez / MarViva, Costa Rica
W. John Kress / Smithsonian Institution, USA
Erin Kuprewicz / Organization for Tropical Studies, Costa Rica
Susan Laurance / James Cook University, Australia
Adrián Pinto / University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Tom Ranker / University of Hawaii, USA
Luitgard Schwendenmann / Auckland University, New Zealand
orgAnizAtion coMMittee
Liana Babbar / Organization for Tropical Studies, Costa Rica
Rafael Celis / ProDesarrollo Internacional, Costa Rica
Julie Denslow / Tulane University, USA; OTS 50th Anniversary Chair
Gerardo Jiménez Arce / University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Elizabeth Losos / Organization for Tropical Studies, USA; OTS President & CEO
Tueyni Mwampamba / Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México
Pia Paaby / Organization for Tropical Studies, Costa Rica
Pia Parolin / University of Hamburg, Germany
Minor Porras / Organization for Tropical Studies, Costa Rica
Braulio Vílchez / Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Costa Rica
3 ATBC•OTS 2013
committeeS
officers And councilors
AssociAtion for tropicAl Biology
LÚCIA G. LOHMANN / President / University of São Paulo, Brazil
RICHARD CORLETT / Past President / Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Garden, China
SUSAN LAURANCE / President Elect / James Cook University, Australia
W. JOHN KRESS / Executive Director / Smithsonian Institution, USA
ELLEN ANDRESEN / Secretary / Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, México
KAORU KITAJIMA / Treasurer / University of Florida, USA
Biotropica EDitor
Jaboury Ghazoul / ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Biotropica associatE EDitors
Marielos Peña-Claros / Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Emilio Bruna / University of Florida, USA
WEBsitE EDitor
Pierre-Michel Forget / Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, France
councilors
2011-2012
– William A. Hoffmann / North Carolina State University, USA
– Tuyeni Mwampamba / Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
– Claudia Romero / University of Florida, USA
– María Uriarte / Columbia University, USA
2012-2014
– Simon Lewis / University of Leeds, UK
– Vojtech Novotny / Institute of Entomology, Czech Republic
– Marisol Toledo / Instituto Boliviano de Investigación Forestal, Bolivia
– Peter Zuidema / Wageningen University, The Netherlands
2013-2015
– Christopher Baraloto / INRA, French Guiana
– Karina Boege / Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
– Sophie Calmé / Université de Sherbrooke, Canada
– Stefan Schnitzer / University of Wisconsin, USA
AtBc conservAtion coMMittee
Jose Fragoso Carlos Roberto Fonseca
Alan Andersen Toby Gardner
Rhett Butler Simon Lewis
Norbert Cordeiro Tuyeni Mwampamba
Christopher Dick Pia Parolin
ATBC•OTS 2013 4
committeeS
atBc consErvation committEE activitiEs
CARBoN oFFSETS
Since 2007, ATBC annual meetings aim to offset the large amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are associat-
ed with various aspects of these meetings, particularly international travels of delegates. Your contribution will
support a regional carbon-offset project where the annual meeting takes place each year. Please make sugges-
tions to the Conservation Committee about potential projects that aim to not only offset carbon, but also help
biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource use, and the well-being of local people. The Conservation
Committee will also appreciate comments for improving our efforts toward a “carbon-neutral meeting”. If you
have not contributed to carbon offsets during your online registration, you can still make a cash contribution at
the ATBC booth.
DECLARATioNS
Since 2007, the ATBC Conservation Committee has worked with local scientists to release a declaration at each
annual meeting highlighting key conservation issues that are most relevant to the country and region where the
meeting is taking place. Please join the open discussion on June 23 after the opening plenary to provide your
input to the ATBC Conservation Committee and help promote awareness and support for local scientists.
q
Acknowledgements
Peer review of abstracts was conducted by members of the Scientific Program committee,
and by the following individuals: david B. clark, deborah a. clark, douglas futuyma,
carlos de la rosa, terry erwin, orou gaoue, Bette loiselle, helene muller-landau, and Pia Parolin.
We also acknowledge Patricia Sampaio, antonio crespo, gerardo celis, guiselle castro, illeana coto,
cathleen lemoine, helenia Salazar for their contributions to various aspects of meeting preparation,
as well as all student volunteers. Special thanks to gabriela hernandez who was responsible for
all meeting design needs, and to conference exchange for the development of a customized
online system for the preparation of the meeting program and registrations.
We appreciate the financial contributions from chris davidson, Sharon christoph and other
individual donors in support of student participation at atBc and our carbon-offset effort,
and lubee Bat conservancy for support of Bacardi award.
5 ATBC•OTS 2013
introduction

w
elcome to ATBC•OTS-2013, a meeting to celebrate five decades of scientific research and educa-
tion fostered by ATBC and OTS. We are grateful to Costa Rica and its academic institutions for
their support from the founding of ATBC and OTS through today. The idea of a joint 50th anni-
versary celebration was hatched several years ago by W. John Kress (ATBC Executive Director, 1999-current)
and Elizabeth Losos (OTS President and CEO and ATBC Secretary 2002-2009). The planning for the event was
initiated by Julie Denslow (OTS 50th Anniversary Chair, and also ATBC Executive Director, 1989-1998) in late
2011. We acknowledge their exceptional contributions that have helped both organizations thrive as important
players in tropical biology research, education and conservation. More importantly, we acknowledge the many
scientists who founded the two organizations, and those who have kept them going. We are pleased that some
of these long-timers are present at this meeting to share their perspectives. We have much to learn from them as
we search for the future direction of tropical biology as a research discipline in the coming 50 years.
The beauty and complexity of biologically diverse tropical nature continues to motivate many of us to work in
the tropics just as it did 50 years ago. Yet nature’s gifts to the tropics, including its biodiversity, extraordinary
evolutionary legacy, and unparalleled environmental services, are threatened more than ever by human activ-
ities in this globally interconnected world. What can we do better, or differently, to conserve what we love as
tropical biologists? How should we share our scientific understanding to inform the society at large? In what
area should we focus more of our efforts? Perhaps, the general public has finally come to appreciate the value
of tropical nature more than ever. If so, how can scientists contribute to the formulation of wise policies that
balance nature conservation with the demands for food, water and energy from the 7.1 billion people that now
reside on this planet? We are at a pivotal moment as atmospheric CO2 concentration skyrockets beyond the un-
precedented benchmark of 400 ppm, and tropical forests and coral reefs are plunged into rapid climate changes
that present so many unknowns. How can advances in basic and applied scientific research in the tropics, along
with new technological discoveries, help humanity navigate through this uncertain time and leave these evolu-
tionary and ecological treasures for the next generation? How can we bridge natural sciences, social sciences,
economic theories and pedagogical innovations to develop effective intervention strategies for the conservation
of biodiversity in the tropics? There is likely not one right answer that can address what the world confronts
today; instead, we should embrace the diversity of views and opinions that are put forth, as much as we cherish
the biological diversity around us.
We welcome all tropical biologists and conservation scientists that have gathered at this special meeting to
share their scientific findings, communicate with each other, and contribute to the synthesis of perspectives.
We hope that you will all enjoy every minute of this meeting that is packed with scientific sessions and special
events and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked with us to make this
meeting possible, especially those who have served in the scientific and organization committees.
Kaoru Kitajima, Ph.D. Carlos García-Robledo, Ph.D. Rakan (Zak) Zahawi, Ph.D.
Program chair Program co-chair Program co-chair
ATBC•OTS 2013 6
introduction
ASSOCIATION FOR TROPICAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(ATBC)
ATBC was founded as the Association for Tropical Biology (ATB) on July 6, 1962 to promote research and to
foster the exchange of ideas among biologists working in tropical environments. After official incorporation as a
non-profit organization in 1963, ATB started regular publications and academic symposia to build global networks
of tropical biologists and conservationists. Since 1969, ATB has published BIOTROPICA, a high-impact journal
of global readership which features peer-reviewed articles and reviews on ecology and evolution of biological and
functional diversity in tropical environments, as well as issues critical for conservation of tropical biodiversity. This
reflects the work of our membership: a network of scientists with a strong desire to balance conservation of
biological diversity with human welfare in the tropics.
From the Executive Director, W. John Kress and the President, Lúcia G. Lohmann
Fifty years ago a group of several dozen dedicated tropical researchers came together to form the
first professional society dedicated to understanding tropical biodiversity and ecosystems. Today
this small number has grown to thousands. As a participant in this fifty-year anniversary meeting of
the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation, you are contributing to one of the most im-
portant and largest international gatherings of professional researchers dedicated to furthering our
appreciation and knowledge about the tropics. We welcome you to Costa Rica, where many of us
received our earliest experiences and training in the field in tropical biology. This meeting promises
to be a milestone for both ATBC and OTS in our work to promote research, education, and commu-
nication in tropical biology and conservation. We hope that you will take this opportunity to help
us further these goals.
dr. W. John Kress dr. lúcia g. lohmann
7 ATBC•OTS 2013
introduction
ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES (OTS)
OTS was built by a strong foundation of people – researchers, students, conservationists and natural history
enthusiasts sharing an intense desire to understand, study, and protect the natural world in the tropics. Over the
past 50 years, OTS has trained generations of students through its field courses, at both the graduate and under-
graduate levels. It also has helped natural resource managers become better park managers, public policy-makers
understand the conservation issues in the tropics, and community leaders address local environmental prob-
lems. Today, OTS continues to develop its legacy not only in Costa Rica, but also in other tropical regions as
far-reaching as Kruger National Park, South Africa.
From the President and CEO, Dr. Elizabeth Losos and OTS 50th Anniversary Chair,
Julie Denslow
On behalf of the Organization for Tropical Studies and our 50+ member institutions, we are delighted
to welcome you to a very special joint meeting with the ATBC celebrating our 50th birthday. OTS
has grown out of the shared belief between US and Costa Rican universities, research institutes,
and museums in the critical importance of understanding how tropical ecosystems work, how trop-
ical organisms have evolved, and how they interact with one another. Our founders recognized that
central to developing this understanding is the encouragement, education, and support of graduate
and undergraduate students. Our courses have not only trained thousands of students, they have be-
come models for field-based learning around the world. Our three field stations in Costa Rica foster
ground breaking, high-tech research as well as natural history questions from faculty and students
alike. They also have contributed to the growth of Costa Rica’s leadership in conservation, ecotourism,
and research. When OTS was founded in 1963, a paucity of understanding of tropical environments
and the species found there dominated scientific discourse. Today the tropics are central to our
understanding of global change, evolution, and the spread of infectious diseases. This week you will
hear the latest breaking results of tropical research from around the world. We are delighted that
you are bringing your own ideas to this dialog and happy to welcome you to an exciting week. We
hope you take advantage of the opportunities scheduled ahead to reflect on where we have been and
to talk with some of the folks who have brought us this far.
dr. elizabeth losos dr. Julie denslow
ATBC•OTS 2013 8
supporting institutions
universidAd de costA ricA (ucr)
http://www.ucr.ac.cr
Since its establishment in 1940, UCR has promoted academic freedom and the search for truth in many disci-
plines. The School of Biology (Escuela de Biología), located within the main campus of UCR in San Pedro was
established in 1957, and its herbarium, library, field stations, and Lankester Botanical Garden have supported the
research needs of many tropical biologists. The members of UCR-Biology have made strong contributions to
tropical biology and education, fostering international collaborative research and education activities, and also
provided critical support to the ATBC•OTS-2013 meeting.
universidAd nAcionAl de costA ricA (unA)
http://www.una.ac.cr
Established in 1973 with a main campus located in Heredia, UNA is a public higher education institution that
offers training in various fields of the humanities and sciences, with a special emphasis on promotion of sustain-
able development. Many UNA faculty and students in the tracks of Tropical and Marine Biology, Environmental
Science, Forestry, and Wildlife Conservation are engaged in a variety of research topics in tropical biology. UNA
supports several educational training workshops offered in conjunction with the ATBC•OTS-2013 meeting.
el tecnologico de costA ricA (tec)
http://www.tec.ac.cr

Created in 1971 as the second public university in Costa Rica, TEC specializes in training of professionals
in science and technological fields that contributes to integral and sustainable development. The scientific and
technological excellence of the TEC is known nationally and internationally. The School of Forestry Engineering
makes strong contributions to sustainable natural resources management. Members of the TEC, including many
student volunteers, have contributed significantly to the ATBC•OTS-2013 meeting.
university of floridA (uf)
http://www.ufl.edu

Since UF opened its doors to students in 1906 in Gainesville, Florida, USA, students and faculty of UF have been
actively engaged in education and research in a variety of research fields in the tropics, including biology, agri-
culture, forestry, ecology and sustainable development. UF is one of the seven founding members of OTS. The
Tropical Conservation and Development Program (TCD) housed in the Center for Latin American Studies, par-
ticipated by faculty and students from multiple units within the University, offers an internationally well-known
graduate certificate program.
9 ATBC•OTS 2013
generAl inforMA tion
REGISTRATION
The registration fee for each registrant covers:
– Attendance to all scientific sessions
– Events that do not require pre-registrations and additional fees
– Opening reception
– Coffee-break refreshments and lunch for four days
– Banquet and 50th Anniversary Jubilee Party, on June 27
On-line pre-registration for the entire meeting is required for all presenters in scientific sessions. Workshop
attendance is restricted to registrants, and may require additional fees. Guests to registered participants may
not attend any scientific oral or poster presentations, but they may sign up for field trips and attend banquet
with additional fees.
on-site registrAtion
On-site registration will open at noon on June 23, and will be available from 8 am to 5 pm between June 24 and
26. Registrants who completed registration in advance can pick up their program; name badge; lunch, recep-
tion, and final banquet tickets; and a meeting bag at the on-site registration table. Badges will be checked daily
at the entrance to the conference center at all scientific sessions. So, please do not leave your badge at the hotel!
Those who have not signed up in advance may register at the following rates, provided space is available. ATBC
will not refund any cancellations after May 31.
high income countrieS loW income countrieS
ATBC MEMBER STUDENT FULL MEETING ONE DAY FULL MEETING ONE DAY
yes no $450 $230 $300 $160
no no $520 $270 $340 $180
yes yes $280 $150 $220 $120
no yes $330 $170 $250 $130
country’S income-leVel claSSification follo WS the World Bank’S liSt:
High-income countries = High-income economies + High-income OECD members
Low-income countries = Low-income + lower-middle income + upper-middle economies
Scan thiS code
for the complete
World Bank list
of country incomes

ATBC•OTS 2013 10