Research in Puerto Rico
Research in Puerto Rico is conducted in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF), also known as the Caribbean National Forest, a site in NSF's Long-Term Ecological Research. Research (LTER) network. Research from the Willig Lab focuses on the effects of disturbance events on population and community dynamics of animals, especially snails, walking sticks, and bats. Current research investigates the responses of terrestrial snail populations (Caracolus, Gaeotis, Nenia, Polydontes) and communities to hurricanes and anthropogenic landuse patterns. It is primarily situated on Long-Term Forest Dynamics Plot (9 hectares) at El Verde Field Station. In addition, we have been studying the responses of local populations of a number of bat species (i.e., Stenoderma, Artibeus, Monophyllus, Erophylla) to these disturbances.
El Verde Field Station in Puerto Rico |
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Some of the terrestrial snail species from the Luquillo Experimental Forest. (Caracolus to the left and Polydontes below) |
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A common walking stick (Lamponius portoricensis) in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (nymphal male to the left, adult female to the right). |
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Please contact steven.presley@uconn.edu or michael.willig@uconn.edu if you have questions, comments, or corrections. Unless otherwise indicated, figures, tables, and images that appear on this page may not be used, reproduced, copied, or posted elsewhere, for any reasons, without permission. |