Using noninvasive monitoring in eastern Honduras, researchers found that small mammals, not large wildlife like tapirs, drive cassava crop loss, highlighting the need for evidence-based, wildlife-friendly solutions.
Today, 29th June, marks the International Day of the Tropics, a day that reminds us of why understanding tropical ecosystems matters for both wildlife and the communities that depend on them. This new study from the Honduran Mosquitia is a perfect example.
A new study from the Honduran Mosquitia shows how simple, non-invasive technology can help solve one of the most common challenges in wildlife conservation: identifying the species actually responsible for crop damage. The full detailed results have been published in the open-access peer-reviewed journal Neotropical Biology and Conservation.
Across tropical landscapes, people living near forests often share the same concern: wildlife entering agricultural fields and feeding on crops. In many cases, these interactions can generate tension between local communities and conservation efforts, particularly when threatened species are perceived as the main culprits.
Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii) recorded from one of the trap cameras. Credit to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
In the Indigenous Miskitu community of Mavita, in eastern Honduras, local people have long reported losses in their cassava (Manihot esculenta) fields, locally known as yucales. Most residents believed that the damage was caused by Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii), an endangered species and the largest terrestrial mammal in Central America. They also suspected that pacas (Cuniculus paca) and armadillos (Dasypus mexicanus) were contributing to crop losses.
But was the tapir really responsible?
To answer this question, researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) installed camera traps equipped with solar-powered motion-activated LED lights around a 10-hectare cassava field located within a mosaic of Caribbean pine forest and tropical rainforest in the Honduran Mosquitia.
Location of the motion-sensor light installed in the cassava field of Mavita, within the Mosquitia region of eastern Honduras, highlighting nearby communities (Mavita and Rus Rus) and the surrounding forest matrix based on the 2018 ICF land-cover classification. Credit to Turcios-Casco et al., 2026
The goal was to document which mammals were actually visiting the crops and evaluate whether these light systems could eventually help reduce crop losses.
Following the evidence
Over two months of monitoring, the cameras recorded seven mammal species, including tapirs, ocelots, jaguarundis, agoutis, opossums and rabbits.
Contrary to local perceptions, the species most frequently detected interacting with cassava crops was not the tapir, but the Honduran cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus hondurensis) – a species that locals did not even know occurred in their plantations. The cameras also found no evidence that armadillos or pacas were feeding on the cassava.
Meanwhile, tapirs were present in the area, but appeared far less frequently than expected.
Many conservation conflicts begin with assumptions. Without evidence, it is easy to blame large and conspicuous animals. Camera traps allowed us to identify which species were truly interacting with the crops and helped us separate perception from reality.
On the #InternationalDayOfTheTropics , here’s a story that shows why understanding tropical ecosystems matters. 👇 📸What if the culprit wasn’t who we thought? Using noninvasive monitoring in eastern Honduras, researchers found that small mammals, not large wildlife like tapirs, drive cassava crop loss, highlighting the need for evidence-based, wildlife-friendly solutions. 📗Read the full study in Neotropical Biology and Conservation open-access journal: https://doi.org/10.3897/neotropical.21.e187958 👉Or check out our blog for more insights from the lead author and researcher, Manfredo Turcios-Casco: https://blog.pensoft.net/2026/06/25/camera-traps-reveal-the-true-culprit-behind-crop-damage-in-honduras/ @Wildlife Conservation Society #tapir#fyp
Correctly identifying the species involved in crop damage is more important than it might seem.
Across Latin America, wildlife is often persecuted after being blamed for agricultural losses. In Honduras, Baird’s tapir has historically faced retaliatory hunting in areas where farmers perceive it as a threat to their crops.
When damage is incorrectly attributed to threatened species, conservation efforts can be undermined while the actual source of the problem goes unaddressed.
The study highlights how non-invasive monitoring can provide communities and conservation practitioners with reliable information before management decisions are made.
Technology for coexistence
The project also tested the use of solar-powered motion-sensor lights, sometimes referred to as “silent technology,” as a tool to monitor and potentially deter wildlife activity.
Researchers found that different species reacted differently to the lights. Tapirs tended to show stronger behavioral responses, while rabbits often continued moving through the area despite illumination. These findings suggest that no single deterrent works for every species and that mitigation strategies should be tailored to local ecological conditions.
Solar-powered LED motion-sensor light interacting with female Tapirusbairdii (A), male Tapirusbairdii (B), and Sylvilagushondurensis (C). Credit to Turcios-Casco et al., 2026
More importantly, the technology proved valuable as a diagnostic tool, helping researchers understand not only which species were present, but also when they were active and how they responded to human-made stimuli.
Conservation begins with understanding
Solar-powered LED motion-sensor light interacting with Leoparduswiedii (above) and Didelphismarsupialis (below). Credit to Turcios-Casco et al., 2026
The forests of the Honduran Mosquitia harbor some of the most important wildlife populations remaining in Central America. Yet the long-term conservation of these species depends not only on protecting habitat, but also on fostering coexistence with local communities.
What surprised me most was discovering that the species most frequently blamed by local people was not the one causing most of the crop interactions.
expressed Manfredo Turcios-Casco
This study demonstrates that effective conservation starts with understanding what is actually happening on the ground. Sometimes the evidence confirms what people already suspect. And sometimes it reveals that the animal everyone blamed was innocent all along.
Acknowledgments This article was produced by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), with technical support of the community of Mavita and the financial support from the Fondo para el Manejo de Áreas Protegidas y Vida Silvestre (FAVPS) and the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF), funded by UK International Development. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the UK Government.
Original source
Turcios-Casco MA, Jolon-Morales MR, Padilla B, Scott E, López CM (2026) From forest mosaics to yucales: noninvasive monitoring untangles mammal–crop interactions in eastern Honduras. Neotropical Biology and Conservation 21(2): 173-188. https://doi.org/10.3897/neotropical.21.e187958
A 23-year camera-trap study across Bolivia & Peru recorded 594 events of the elusive short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis), shedding light on its ecological behaviour and relative abundance.
For decades, the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis) has been considered one of the least-known carnivores in Latin America, and potentially one of the least-known canids in the world. Because of its highly secretive nature, acute hearing, and strong sense of smell, this cryptic creature has successfully avoided people, leaving biologists with very few direct sightings in the wild. However, a new study published in the open-access journal Neotropical Biology and Conservation now offers insights into the life of this mysterious Amazonian predator.
The Power of Remote Sensing
Photo of the short-eared dog caught on a camera trap from Bolivia. Credit to G. Ayala & M.E Viscarra.
According to the study‘s lead author Robert Wallace, the turning point in their understanding of the ghost dog came with the advent of remote sensing. When researchers first started capturing pictures of the species with camera traps back in 2001, they knew they were onto something special and envisioned a comprehensive publication.
Over the span of nearly 25 years, scientists systematized 500 distributional records across Bolivia and conducted 34 intensive camera-trap surveys. These surveys took place across the lowland regions of Bolivia and Peru, primarily in the Greater Madidi-Tambopata and Llanos de Moxos Biocultural Landscapes.
Accumulating 594 independent photographic events, this monumental effort represents the largest collection of confirmed short-eared dog records anywhere within the species’ distribution. The lead author highlighted that this research is a:
Wonderful example of how conservation technology and remote sensing – in this case the intensive use of camera traps – can provide substantial data on one of the least known species of the Amazonian rainforests.
Unveiling the Ghost
Short-eared dog from a trap camera in Bolivia. Credit to G. Ayala & M.E Viscarra.
What exactly does this ghost dog look like? The camera traps revealed a unique physical profile: a dark, dense coat ranging from blackish gray to reddish-brown, a large head with very small and rounded ears, short legs, and a long, bushy tail. Intriguingly, the species even boasts partially webbed paws, a trait that is completely unique among Amazonian canids.
The biggest surprise, however, wasn’t its appearance.
The most surprising aspect of the results was that despite being an almost mythical beast, short-eared dogs are much more abundant than we had imagined.
noted the researchers.
While they are by no means a common species, their camera-trap capture rates and an estimated density of 15 individuals per 100 square kilometers suggest they are not as rare as scientists once feared. The results allowed for the researchers to determine that the short-eared dogs are more abundant than larger carnivores like jaguars, though less abundant than medium-sized carnivores like ocelots. The study also highlighted a small aspect of these canids’ behavioral ecology: they are primarily diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day, with their activity peaking between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
A Forest Specialist in Need of Protection
So, where are these ghost dogs hiding? The data points to intact forests. The short-eared dog is a true forest specialist, showing a strong preference for terra firme – upland forests away from rivers. This specialized, dense habitat requirement is a primary reason for the species’ reduced visibility to humans.
Because their survival is intricately tied to continuous, intact forest cover, the conservation of the short-eared dog depends heavily on the creation and effective management of protected areas. The study found that the relative abundance of short-eared dogs was noticeably higher in national protected areas and Indigenous territories that overlap with these protected zones, compared to unprotected areas.
The most important management strategy is the protection of Amazonian forest canopy for which the creation and effective management of protected areas is the most important element, in combination with the sustainable management of Indigenous territories.
the researchers explained.
While we now know that this elusive canid is secretly thriving in the deep forests of Bolivia and Peru, its future relies entirely on our ability to protect its home.
Original source:
Wallace RB, Ayala G, Viscarra M, Porcel Z (2026) Unveiling the ghost: short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis) distribution, activity patterns, habitat use, relative abundance, and occupancy in Bolivia. Neotropical Biology and Conservation 21(1): 49-66. https://doi.org/10.3897/neotropical.21.e183324
After 20 years without any visual proof, photos now published in the Neotropical Biology and Conservation journal confirm the survival of the cryptic Cozumel dwarf fox.
We at Pensoft Publishers, asked Travis Bayer, the founder of Pathos Wildlife, several questions about his work with one of the world’s most mysterious carnivores, namely the Cozumel Dwarf Fox from Cozumel Island, Mexico.
In this Q&A, Travis takes us behind the scenes of his study to discuss what first motivated him to track this cryptic species, what they currently know of its fragile conservation status, and the urgent measures needed to protect it from extinction.
Pensoft (P): What motivated your and your team to conduct research?
Travis Bayer (TB): Cozumel sits along the Great Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest reef system on Earth and one of the world’s most renowned scuba diving destinations. I first visited the island back in early 2023 to experience it for myself. At the core of my career as a biologist and conservationist is a lifelong love and fascination for animals, which is why I always look up the native wildlife and try to see them wherever I go.
That is when I had found out about Cozumel’s incredible level of endemism, higher than any other island in Mexico. Above its biodiverse waters lie terrestrial ecosystems hosting dozens of species and subspecies found nowhere else on Earth. Even more fascinating is three of them being dwarfed mammalian carnivores: the pygmy raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus), dwarf coati (Nasua nelsoni), and Cozumel fox (Urocyon sp.).
This is quite unusual given carnivores are generally less likely to become dwarfed or persist on small, resource-limited islands because of their space and energy requirements. Yet on Cozumel, this pattern occurs across multiple species.
I naively thought I might encounter the fox if I searched hard enough, but I ultimately returned home without seeing one. However, the question of whether they still persisted never really left my mind.
I turned my curiosity into an investigation, scouring scientific literature for every recorded mention of the Cozumel fox. The only physical evidence of its existence came from subfossil bones excavated from Mayan archaeological sites. These 500-to-1,500-year-old adult bones were 60-80% smaller than mainland foxes, suggesting they have been evolving in isolation for at least 5,000 to 13,000 years. This warrants a distinct species designation, yet without modern evidence, the Cozumel fox remains scientifically undescribed and legally unprotected.
The consensus of their critically endangered or possibly extinct status comes from generalized surveys documenting the other carnivores, which failed to detect the fox. While no field study has everdetected the fox, I found that none have ever targeted them specifically.
Previous camera trap studies used general baits like sardines and cat food, which heavily attract a broad range of species such as the omnivorous raccoons and coatis. Extremely rare animals also often require broader coverage, longer deployment times, and targeted placement in remote habitat, making study design crucially important. This is when I decided to turn my interest into action, and began planning the first-ever systematic, targeted survey in search of the Cozumel fox.
A scenic view of Laguna Colombia State Reserve, one of the largest remaining protected natural areas on Cozumel. The reserve is the site of historical Cozumel fox sightings recorded in 1995 and 2001, as well as the area where the first photographic evidence of the species was captured by author Rafael Chacón. As a result, it is currently considered some of the most likely remaining habitat for the Cozumel fox.
Shortly after, the ultimate driving force for our motivation surfaced: in September 2023, the first-ever photographs of a living Cozumel fox were uploaded to iNaturalist by Rafael Chacón, Director of Conservation and Environmental Education for La Fundación de Parques y Museos de Cozumel (FPMC). For a species many believed extinct, seeing those images was surreal. It proved the fox was still out there, and the urgency to protect it skyrocketed.
The first photograph ever captured of a Cozumel fox (Urocyon sp.), uploaded to iNaturalist in September, 2023. For a species long thought to be possibly extinct or at best extremely rare, this record provided the first visual confirmation that the fox was still persisting on the island. Credit to Rafael Chacón.
We established a partnership to launch a dedicated camera trap survey. When I asked Rafael what motivated him, he told me:
“Photographing the Cozumel gray fox was a very special moment because it represents one of the island’s unique endemic species. Capturing these images helps create awareness about its presence and the importance of protecting its habitat. What motivates me to continue is the responsibility to help future generations understand and value Cozumel’s biodiversity.”
Formally publishing these photographs in Neotropical Biology and Conservation changed this from an anecdotal sighting into a permanent scientific record. Species cannot be protected if their existence remains contested or overlooked. We hope this work lays the foundation for future research, conservation planning, and official taxonomic recognition.
Full-body photograph of adult male Cozumel fox following release in Laguna Colombia State Reserve. Photo credit to Rafael Chacón.
Side profile of the Cozumel fox. Photo credit to Rafael Chacón.
Full-body photograph of adult male Cozumel fox following release in Laguna Colombia State Reserve. Photo credit to Rafael Chacón.
P: You describe the species’ conservation status as “likely critical.” What are the biggest threats to the Cozumel fox today?
TB: The biggest challenge is that we still know almost nothing about its population size, distribution, or ecology. That uncertainty makes effective conservation incredibly difficult, and the lack of a formal taxonomic description limits our ability to implement legal protections.
Spatial distribution of dwarf fox records across land use and vegetation types on Cozumel. The red dot outlined in black indicates the location where the fox was photographed in September 2023. White stars denote historical dwarf fox sightings from 1984 and 1985 (Cuarón et al. 2004), and the black stars indicate recent sightings observed by the authors (R. Chacón, unpublished data 2025; Bayer and McGreal, unpublished data 2026). Credit to Bayer et al., 2026.
However, based on what we know about island ecosystems, several major threats stand out:
Habitat Loss & Fragmentation: Rapid development driven by tourism, cruise ship infrastructure, and expanding hotels places immense pressure on remaining natural habitats.
The Coastal Highway: Cozumel has one major highway looping the island that cuts directly through critical transition zones between coastal and interior habitats. Wildlife-vehicle collisions occur at alarming rates. This poses a massive threat to carnivores who need to move freely to maintain genetic connectivity, find resources, and adapt to seasonal water availability.
Introduced & Invasive Species: Free-ranging domestic dogs compete for resources and introduce deadly disease risks to a small, isolated population. Concurrently, invasive predators like boa constrictors, margays, and ocelots create intense pressure through competition and direct predation. The growing abundance of introduced margays and ocelots is a relatively recent, alarming concern.
Climate Change & Rarity: As a low-lying Caribbean island, Cozumel is highly vulnerable to intensifying hurricanes and storm surges. Because the fox population is already so small, they are inherently vulnerable to genetic bottlenecks and random catastrophic events.
P: What conservation measures could be undertaken to help protect the species?
TB: The most urgent priority is establishing a long-term research and monitoring program focused specifically on the fox. Before we can implement meaningful protections, we must understand exactly where they survive, how many are left, and what habitats they depend on.
A deceased dwarf coati (Nasua nelsoni), one of Cozumel’s three endemic carnivores, found along the coastal highway after a vehicle collision. As this road cuts through critical habitat transitions, wildlife-vehicle collisions remain a major conservation concern, particularly for species that depend on landscape connectivity between coastal and interior ecosystems.
To achieve these goals, we must prioritize mitigating road mortality by installing dynamic speed feedback signs to slow highway traffic and improve habitat connectivity. Additionally, we need to manage invasive and domestic animals through responsible pet ownership, sterilization programs, and the removal or relocation of invasive predators like margays to minimize disease and predation risks. Finally, because conservation is a collective responsibility, we must foster robust community involvement and public awareness to educate residents and visitors about the Cozumel fox, thereby securing the local support and cooperation vital for these measures to succeed.
Captured during the most recent camera trap deployment on Cozumel, this image documents a Margay (Leopardus wiedii), an introduced carnivore on the island. Its presence adds to growing concerns about non-native and expanding predator populations, and their potential to intensify competition and predate on Cozumel’s endemic wildlife.
P: Are there any other comments or insights from this research that you think might be of particular importance to the broader public?
TB: One of the most important takeaways from this research is that species can quietly disappear without the world even realizing they are gone. It had been over 20 years since the last anecdotal report of the fox, and almost 30 years since the last confirmed sighting. The Cozumel fox likely represents an ancient island lineage that has evolved in isolation for thousands of years, yet until recently there was no photographic evidence that it was even still alive.
“Their life depends on you. Drive with caution.” A message displayed on author Rafael Chacón’s vehicle, serving as a reminder that Cozumel’s wildlife shares the same roads. Vehicle collisions remain a significant source of mortality on the island, making public awareness a key part of conservation efforts.
We often think extinction is something dramatic and obvious, but in reality it can happen gradually and silently, especially for rare species living in remote or understudied habitats. By the time enough data exists to confirm a severe decline, it may already be too late. That is part of what makes documentation like Rafael’s photos so important. It should serve as a reminder of how much biodiversity can still remain overlooked, even in places visited by millions of people every year.
Close up photo of the Cozumel fox. Photo credit to Rafael Chacón.
The rediscovery of the fox isn’t a conservation success story yet, but it is a second chance.
In collaboration with Pathos Wildlife and the FPMC, we are currently conducting one of the largest camera trap surveys ever done on the island. Ultimately, we hope this work moves the Cozumel fox from a little-known, uncertain presence to a protected, well-understood key part of Cozumel’s ecosystems. This project demonstrates that conservation is often most urgent when certainty is lowest, and that uncertainty itself should be our call to action.
We are incredibly grateful to Travis Bayer for giving us a closer look at his and his team’s vital conservation work on the island. To read the formal scientific record and documentation of these historic sightings, check out the recently published paper in Neotropical Biology and Conservation.
Citation:
Bayer TD, McGreal MA, Chacón D. AR (2026) First photographic evidence of an insular dwarf fox (Urocyon sp.) on the island of Cozumel, Mexico. Neotropical Biology and Conservation 21(2): 123-129. https://doi.org/10.3897/neotropical.21.e187967
What do brain morphology and sensory structures tell us about the evolutionary adaptations between catfish that live on the surface and those that live in caves?
Cave fauna fascinates young and old alike. Deep within the karst systems of Chapada Diamantina, Brazil, lives one of the world’s most diverse groups of cave-dwelling fish.
In fact, Brazilian cavefishes are the richest troglobitic (cave-dwelling) ichthyofauna worldwide, boasting 13 different genera. While the surface world is teeming with life, the subterranean realm, or the hypogean habitat, demands a very specific set of skills to survive.
The research, conducted by Thalia Rodovanski (from the Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Brazil) and her team, was published in Subterranean Biologyand took a closer look at the Copionodontinae, a subfamily of primitive catfishes.
Shallow water pool in Igatu. Photo credit to Maria Elina Bichuette.
Building on previous findings regarding the aggressive (agonistic) nature of Copionodontinae species, the researchers used this behavioral foundation to investigate how their physical and sensory structures have evolved in response to their environment.
By comparing surface-dwelling (epigean) species such as Copionodon pecten, C. lianae, and G. rodriguesi with their cave-bound cousin, Glaphyropoma spinosum, the researchers undertook the task of uncovering how these fish transitioned from the sunlit rivers to the pitch-black cave riverine systems.
Specifically, they did this by measuring the brain morphology and sensory structures such as barbels, eyes and counted pores of the lateral canal system on the head.
Shallow water pools in Igatu. Photo credit to Maria Elina Bichuette.
Researcher in a cave system in Igatu. Photo credit to Maria Elina Bichuette.
The curious findings
One of the most striking finds involved the genus Glaphyropoma. While the cave-dwelling G. spinosum shows classic troglomorphisms (adaptations for life in constant darkness), such as reduced eyes and a loss of skin pigment, the researchers found something surprising: even the surface-dwelling species in this group showed eye asymmetry and reduction.
Copionodon pecten. Photo credit to Maria Elina Bichuette.
Based on this, the researchers hypothesized that the asymmetry in the eyes is a plesiomorphic character (an ancestral trait) of the genus, rather than a feature developed in response to the specific habitat of each species. This pre-existing condition likely favored the colonization of hypogean (underground) habitats by G. spinosum.
In other words, Glaphyropoma already had a tendency toward reduced eyes. Instead of evolving small eyes because of the cave environment, they likely had them from the start. This is known as exaptation: a trait that originally evolved for one function (or no function at all) and was later co-opted for a new, different purpose, in this case, better suited for the dark.
Glaphyropoma spinosum. Photo credit to Adriano Gambarini.
As you can imagine, seeing in pitch black is quite hard. Therefore, these species had to rely on their other senses. The study found that the cave-dwelling G. spinosum has a longer telencephalon than its relatives. This is significant because it is the part of the brain responsible for navigating through chemical cues, creating mental maps (spatial memory), and participating in social interactions. Interestingly, the mesencephalon (the vision-processing center) hasn’t shrunk significantly yet, suggesting that these fish are still in the middle of their evolutionary transition.
The researchers concluded that while G. spinosum shows clear cave-specialized traits, many of these features are shared by its surface-dwelling cousins.
However, because of a lack of specimens of G. rodriguesi, the only known epigean species of the genus, which occurs sporadically in caves, it is not yet possible to definitively conclude if the sensory troglomorphisms detected in this study are related to taxonomic identity or the habitat itself.
Ultimately, such research is key to understanding more about the complex life of the highly specialized species that inhabit these fascinating environments.
Original source:
Rodovanski T, Bichuette ME, Cetra M, Mattox GMT (2026) The influence of subterranean habitats in the sensorial and brain morphology of hypogean and epigean Copionodontinae catfish (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae). Subterranean Biology 55: 27-42. https://doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.175751
Bridging 40 years of otter science and global eco-volunteering, Projeto Lontra and Estuarine Management and Technologies invite research for a topical collection.
This call is a natural evolution of a story that began in January 1986. On the wild shores of Peri Lagoon in southern Brazil, my father and I stood beneath the canopy of the Atlantic Forest and dreamed aloud: What if we could protect this place by protecting its most elusive guardian, the Neotropical otter?
Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis). Photo credit to Projeto Lontra and Instituto Ekko Brasil
Swimming neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis). Photo credit to Projeto Lontra and Instituto Ekko Brasil
That dream became Projeto Lontra. For forty years, we have walked these shores not as distant scientists, but as neighbors, listening to the water, reading the spraints, and learning from fishers who’ve known these lagoons longer than any journal has existed.
But conservation cannot be a solitary act. And so, in the early 2000s, a quiet revolution began. People of all ages from France, Germany, and beyond started arriving, not as tourists, but as eco-volunteers through different international organizations, such as Cybelle Planète. They came not to “save” us, but to stand with us.
Eco-volunteers installing a trap camera inside an otter cave. Credit to Projeto Lontra and Instituto Ekko Brasil
This is the heart of our partnership: reciprocity, not rescue.
More Than Volunteering. A Model of Shared Stewardship
Cybelle Planète does not sell travel; rather, it cultivates responsibility. Their volunteers spend weeks living alongside our team, collecting spraints at dawn, mapping latrines, teaching in local schools, and planting native trees. They return home not just with photos, but with data that feeds into global assessments, and with a transformed understanding of what it means to care for a shared planet.
As one Cybelle Planète coordinator once told me:
We don’t promote travel. We promote responsibility.
This ethos mirrors our own. In Brazil, conservation has too often been framed as a deficit, something we lack, something others must fix. But Projeto Lontra has always believed that local knowledge is expertise and long-term presence is data. Our 40-year dataset, born from patience, not satellites, is proof.
Eco-volunteers from Australia and New Zealand. Credit to Projeto Lontra and Instituto Ekko Brasil
Playing with the otters. Credit to Projeto Lontra and Instituto Ekko Brasil
Eco-volunteer at an expedition. Credit to Projeto Lontra and Instituto Ekko Brasil
Now, this partnership takes on new scientific weight as a cornerstone of the Scientific Journal Estuarine Management and Technologies and its Topical Collection “Otters as Bioindicators of Estuarine Health.” But rather than spotlight methods or metrics, we want to spotlight people and the relationships that make science meaningful.
Voices of the Collaboration
To truly reflect the spirit of this alliance, we invited key voices to share their vision:
Nosso papel não é promover viagens, mas cultivar a responsabilidade – de longo prazo, recíproca e fundamentada na confiança entre os atores locais da conservação e os cidadãos internacionais.
(Our role is not to promote travel, but to foster responsibility – long-term, reciprocal, and grounded in trust between local conservation actors and international citizens.)
We are reminded that research and materials produced outside traditional commercial or academic sectors can be just as important.
For over 30 years, the Bulletin has amplified voices from the Global South that commercial journals overlook. Projeto Lontra’s legacy reminds us that grey literature is often golden and that true bioindicator science grows from the ground up.
Dr. Arno Gutleb, IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
A Call to Join the Movement
Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis). Photo credit to: Projeto Lontra and Instituto Ekko Brasil
This isn’t just a story about otters. It’s about a new way of doing conservation:
Municipalities can use tools like the Otter Health Index (OHI) to monitor their estuaries without million-dollar labs.
Researchers can contribute to a truly global bioindicator framework that centers tropical species.
Eco-volunteers can join hands-on programs that generate real data while fostering cross-cultural understanding.
And everyone – scientist, student, and citizen – can engage with the “Otters as Bioindicators” Topical Collection to help shift the narrative from extraction to exchange, from hierarchy to humility.
Because in the end, the otter teaches us this: ecosystems are woven from connection. So too must be our efforts to protect them.
Guest blog post by Manfredo A. Turcios-Casco, José G. Martínez-Fonseca, and Bruce Miller
Honduras has officially documented, for the first time, the presence of Cormura brevirostris—a little-known bat species from the Emballonuridae family, recognizable by a unique vocal pattern of three short calls that rise in frequency. The discovery was made through acoustic monitoring in the remote La Moskitia region of eastern Honduras, an area with historically limited research on bats.
Cormura brevirostris. Photo by José G. Martínez-Fonseca
The confirmation comes from two field expeditions carried out between December 2024 and May 2025 in the community of Mavita and within the Warunta Conservation Area, both located in the department of Gracias a Dios. These sites form a mosaic of forests, river corridors, and natural clearings that support specialized and disturbance-sensitive wildlife.
Unlike traditional methods that rely on capturing bats, the identification of Cormura brevirostris was achieved solely through its vocalizations. The acoustic signatures recorded in the field showed clear and consistent patterns that distinguish the species from other bats in the region, allowing for confident confirmation through manual review and comparison with verified acoustic libraries.
During the early stages of processing, some automated systems misidentified the calls as belonging to the genus Molossus. A more detailed examination of call characteristics corrected these misclassifications and verified the presence of Cormura brevirostris. This finding highlights both the power of acoustic monitoring and the importance of expert validation, as automated models alone can produce misleading results.
A composite of two recorded sequences of the verified calls of Cormura brevirostris from Gracias a Dios department, Honduras. The ones on the left display multiple species in the recording; the red boxes isolate the calls from those of Molossus molossus . On the right is another sequence recorded in the absence of other species. Frequency of the knee (Fc) as a log scale is the Y axis (kHz), and the time between pulses is on the X axis, shown in compressed mode with the interpulse times visually removed. Image by Bruce Miller
C. brevirostris is the only species in its genus and is believed to be primarily crepuscular, favoring forest edges and open spaces within lowland tropical rainforest environments. Although past distribution maps and regional checklists hinted at the species’ potential occurrence in Honduras, no confirmed records existed until now.
This new record expands the known range of the species by more than 160 km to the north and raises the number of bat species documented in Honduras to 115. Beyond its scientific significance, the discovery showcases acoustic monitoring as a valuable tool for detecting rare or elusive species in remote, understudied landscapes.
Cormura brevirostris. Photo by José G. Martínez-Fonseca
The finding was made possible thanks to collaboration between researchers, conservation organizations, and local communities. In Mavita, the involvement of the Miskitu community and the Apu Pauni project—focused on protecting forests and emblematic wildlife such as the scarlet macaw—has indirectly contributed to the conservation of other species, including bats. The study was supported by the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF), the Protected Areas and Wildlife Fund (FAPVS), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and local partners.
The results highlight the importance of strengthening scientific research and community-based conservation in La Moskitia, a strategic region within the Mesoamerican Great Forests, currently threatened by deforestation, illegal cattle ranching, and wildlife trafficking.
Research article:
Turcios-Casco MA, Martínez-Fonseca JG, Miller B (2025) Listening northward: first evidence of Cormura brevirostris (Wagner, 1843) (Emballonuridae, Chiroptera) in Honduras. Check List 21(6): 1262-1270. https://doi.org/10.15560/21.6.1262
In our paper, we describe how a species known to be gentle and shy can initiate serious fights with conspecifics and how agile and aggressive these gentle giants of the Neotropical forests are capable of being.
Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii) adults fighting in an aguada of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Southern Mexico.
We conducted our research in the amazing site of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, a protected area in Campeche State in Southern Mexico in the heart of the Maya Forest, a forest shared by Mexico, Guatemala and Belize.
In this forest, jaguars, tapirs and herds of white-lipped peccaries roam the forest floor while spider and howler monkeys make their way across the forest canopy, all surrounded by Mayan temples hidden in the trees.
Rafael Reyna-Hurtado.
My research over the last 20 years has been based in ungulates (mammals with hooves). I became passionate about tapirs after I met them for the first time in the tropical forest of Campeche. As a kid who grew up in central Mexico, I never imagined that a creature of that size and weight was still alive and moving silently in the tropical forest of my country.
The gentle and shy behaviour of tapirs has been confirmed by my main research technique: camera traps. For 10 years we have recorded many tapirs visiting ponds at night, walking and sniffing in silence, at a slow pace, and usually in the late hours of the night (before midnight), or the early hours of the day (after 4:00 am).
Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii) female whistling under searching behaviour in an aguada of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Southern Mexico.
Our camera traps always showed tapirs walking silently, slowly and stopping many times to listen and smell for danger. So imagine my surprise when, in the dry season of 2024, one camera showed us 97 videos of tapirs involved in serious fighting, running, chasing, biting each other and whistling for almost two weeks. It changed our perception of tapirs’ behaviour. Yes, they can be gentle, shy animals, but when challenged they can transform into extreme fighters!
Our research also shows that some specific places, like the water ponds of Calakmul, locally named “aguadas”, are not only sources of water for wildlife during the dry season, but also serve as so-called “social arenas”, sites where animals socialise with conspecifics and acquire information on predators. The role of “aguadas” as social arenas for tapirs make these sites a priority for conservation.
Camera trap image of two Baird’s tapirs (Tapirus bairdii).
Knowing the secret behaviour of a shy, rare and endangered animal is a privilege that amazes me anytime I am in the forest, or when I check our camera traps. It is a feeling of being witness to behaviours and ecological relationships that have not changed for thousands of years.
The information is also very valuable for conservation purposes. Places like Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, where animal and plant communities are still in their original composition, are very rare. We must preserve such places as they show us the interesting relationships between animals and plants that have existed for thousands of years and that are key to the survival of these species. We must learn and work together to keep these sites untouched and allow tapirs to be shy and calm, or, from time to time, become serious extreme fighters!
Original source
Reyna-Hurtado R, Huerta-Rodríguez JO, Rojas-Flores E (2025) Extreme fighting and vocalisations in Tapirus bairdii: observations from aguadas of Calakmul, social arenas for the species. Neotropical Biology and Conservation 20(1): 67-78. https://doi.org/10.3897/neotropical.20.e143760
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Guest post by Monika Lipińska, academic editor and contributing author of Biodiversity Research in Central America.
Central America, a region brimming with ecological richness and diversity, presents a unique and complex tapestry of life. From its dense tropical forests and majestic mountain ranges to its vibrant coastal ecosystems and intricate freshwater networks, Central America is a biological treasure trove. The region’s varied habitats support an incredible array of species, many of which are endemic and face critical conservation challenges.
Biodiversity Research in Central America is a special issue in the open-access journal Neotropical Biology and Conservation, consisting of articles that highlight the breadth and depth of contemporary research across this biodiverse region. Each article sheds light on different aspects of the flora and fauna, offering insights into the ecology, behavior, and conservation of various species and ecosystems. The research presented here not only enhances our understanding of Central America’s natural wealth but also underscores the urgent need for effective conservation strategies to preserve it.
The articles
Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) Breeding Effort and Productivity for Seasonal Tropical Forests on the Central Mexican Pacific
The opening article examines the reproductive ecology of ocelots in a specific tropical forest, providing valuable data on their breeding success and the environmental factors that influence it.
New Records of Neogale frenata and Potos flavus from Sierra Madre de Oaxaca, Mexico
New occurrences of these elusive species are documented, expanding our knowledge of their distribution and highlighting the importance of ongoing field surveys.
New Records of Two Marsupials (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) and Conservation Notes from Southern Mexico
Researchers present new findings on marsupial species, offering critical insights into their habitats and the conservation challenges they face in this region.
The Amphibians and Reptiles of Cusuco National Park: Updates from a Long-Term Conservation Programme
Years-long conservation efforts in Cusuco National Park, Northwest Honduras, are detailed in this article, showcasing the dynamic changes and conservation successes in this biodiverse area.
Trophic Ecology and Trophic Niche Overlap of Two Sympatric Species of Rhamdia (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from Northeast Oaxaca, Mexico
Exploring the dietary habits and ecological relationships between these catfish species, this article contributes to our understanding of aquatic ecosystems.
Ants in the Clouds: A Preliminary Checklist of the Ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) Fauna of a Honduran Cloud Forest Ecosystem, Featuring a Key to Country Genera
In this article, the diverse ant fauna of a cloud forest is cataloged, providing a foundation for future ecological and taxonomic studies.
Pollination of Guatemalan Orchids – State of Knowledge
A review of current understanding and gaps in the study of orchid pollination, emphasizing the intricate relationships between plants and their pollinators.
Dispersal Capacity as Assessed by Distance-Decay Relationships is Lower for Aquatic Shredder Insects than Aquatic Non-Shredder Insects in a Neotropical River Network
The dispersal abilities of aquatic insects are compared in this paper, highlighting the factors influencing their distribution patterns.
Finally, this paper reviews the current knowledge of these important but often overlooked organisms, emphasizing their ecological significance and the need for further research.
Together, these articles represent a significant contribution to the field of biodiversity research in Central America. They underscore the importance of continued scientific exploration and conservation efforts to protect the rich natural heritage of this remarkable region. We hope that this special issue will inspire further research and action to preserve Central America’s biodiversity for future generations.
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After 22 years of relative obscurity, this research uncovers vital information about its distribution, phylogenetics, and potential conservation threats.
Porcupines of the genus Coendou are arboreal, herbivorous, nocturnal rodents distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. Most of what we currently know on them is restricted to species that occur near urban areas, and we still have a lot to learn about these fascinating animals.
Recently, a new study shed light on a very unknown neotropical porcupine species. Roosmalens’ dwarf porcupine (Coendou roosmalenorum) is the smallest porcupine species we know, with blackish monocolored bristles on the tail which confers a blackish color to it, but apart from its appearance, we didn’t know much about it until recently.
A preserved specimen of Coendou roosmalenorum.
“This species was described in 2001 and our paper is the first scientific report after this date, which means nothing was discovered about Roosmalen’s porcupine in a 22-year period,” says Fernando Heberson Menezes, the lead author of a study that was just published in the open-access journal ZooKeys.
“Before our research, we had only a morphological description of the species, with a little information about its distribution and natural history, and nothing about population ecology or conservation threats.”
Using DNA sequencing and exploring data on its occurrences, Fernando and his team were able to uncover new facts about the enigmatic animal.
Thanks to their study, we now know more about its distribution in the Madeira biogeographical province in the Amazon Forest. “With this information, we raised the hypothesis this species is endemic to Madeira Province, which is important for predicting where we can find this species and the possible threats affecting its population or its distribution,” says Fernando.
Distribution of Caaporamys roosmalenorum in Brazilian Amazonia. The new record (locality 1) is the southeastern most record for the species, from Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The darker gray area represents the Madeira Province sensu Morrone et al. (2022).
At the same time, they found Roosmalens’ dwarf porcupine at new locations in the Amazon rainforest, which suggests that its distribution in southern Amazonia is wider than suspected.
Their phylogenetic analysis – the study of the species’ evolutionary history and relationships with other species – confirmed that the species is a member of the subgenus Caaporamys . This is important, the researchers say, because the classification of the genus Coendou had been “historically chaotic” until the last few years.
The information in this study opens up numerous opportunities for further researching this species. “We can think of ways to answer very basic scientific questions such as ‘how does Roosmalen’s porcupine use space?’ or ‘what does it eat?’, some more advanced questions such as ‘how did it evolve?,’ or applied questions such as ‘what are the major threats for its conservation?,’ or ‘how can we use it as a model to know more about the health of the Amazon forest?’, says Fernando in conclusion.
Original source:
Menezes FH, Semedo TBF, Saldanha J, Garbino GST, Fernandes-Ferreira H, Cordeiro-Estrela P, da Costa IR (2023) Phylogenetic relationships, distribution, and conservation of Roosmalens’ dwarf porcupine, Coendou roosmalenorum Voss & da Silva, 2001 (Rodentia, Erethizontidae). ZooKeys 1179: 139-155. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1179.108766
Diversity and Wildlife Management: The legacy of PPG Biologia Unisinos was edited by former professors and students of PPG Biologia Unisinos, and features eight articles focused on the Neotropical region. Each study was conducted by the research teams of the program, or was only made possible with their help. It serves as a testament to the importance of the program.
On 21 July 2022, Unisinos, a private institution in southern Brazil, announced that it would discontinue 12 of its postgraduate programs, including PPG Biologia Unisinos. The program specialised in diversity and wildlife management and was the birthplace of the journal Neotropical Biology and Conservation in 2006.
Cover image for Diversity and Wildlife Management: The legacy of PPG Biologia Unisinos.
The closure of the programs was explained by Unisinos as a measure to maintain the university’s financial stability. However, this decision is widely seen as a significant setback for Brazilian research. It has disrupted the work of many professors and graduate students and is expected to have a noticeable negative impact on Brazilian research in the coming years.
“PPG Biologia Unisinos was a resilient postgraduate program with amazing professors that always did their best to keep the high quality of their research even when facing adversities such as budget cuts.
“We hope that this special issue helps raise awareness on the importance of biological research and encourages researchers from other institutions to defend their programs and advocate for more investment in biological research.”
Piter Boll, Neotropical Biology and Conservation’s editor-in-chief and former student of PPG Biologia Unisinos
Notable research featured in the issue includes a review of the management effectiveness of nature conservation units in southern Brazil, and a paper discussing the consequences of the program’s closure.
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