Research

Our research focuses mainly on the obligate mutualisms of acacia ants with the swollen-thorn acacias, and we aim to learn how the evolution of the association with the plant involves behavioral (individual or social) or morphological modifications. We are therefore also interested in learning about the organisms that can live with the defending acacia ants. Although we are fascinated by ants living on plants, we encourage people to pursue their own research question and we welcome studies in any kind of arthropods.

Team

Our lab combines behavioral, ecological, morphological and evolutionary approaches to understand animal behavior.

Featured publications

Amador-Vargas S., Wcislo W.T. 2021. Nestmate interference in acacia ants vary with colony size and task-specialization. Animal Behavior 181: 151–163. 

Gijsman, F., Gonzalez Y., Guevara M. & Amador-Vargas S. 2021. Short-term plasticity and variation in acacia ant-rewards under different conditions of ant occupancy and herbivory. The Science of Nature. 108(4):31. doi: 10.1007/s00114-021-01738-w.

Farji-Brener A.G.& Amador-Vargas, S. 2020. Plasticity in extended phenotypes: how the antlion Myrmeleon crudelis adjusts the pit traps depending on biotic and abiotic conditions. Israel Journal of Ecology and Evolution 66: 41–47.

Featured story

Roadkill

Understanding wildlife vulnerability to road networks

During three years, local scientist Dumas Gálvez drove along a road parallel to a rainforest looking out for dead vertebrates. He began driving along a road parallel to the Camino de Cruces National Park several times per week, and kept it up for three years, documenting any roadkill he encountered, except for amphibians. He drove mostly by rainforest, but also near suburban areas and the Panama Canal.

Featured video

Scientist stories: Dumas Gálvez, PhD

Dumas is one of several Panamanian scientists who discovered his passion for science at STRI. In his case, it was the tropical biology course offered by the Institute every year in the Gigante peninsula (part of the Barro Colorado Natural Monument) during his second year at the university. Although, he always carried that curiosity inside.

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