Explorations in Biology - BIOL 560
Tropical Ecology of Vertebrates in Costa Rica
Offered every other year by
Carlos A. Iudica and Jack R. Holt
The Department of biology offers every fall an upper
level course BIOL 308-309 (VNH) to all Junior and
Senior students in Biology and Ecology. Typically, students take either the lecture portion (BIOL
308) and/or the lab BIOL 309. The lab offers 12-14 three-hour classes (mostly) in the field. I am
in charge of these two classes and I group the field labs following the evolutionary sequence of
vertebrates, but also taking into account the seasonal changes in the air temperature in the
area (central PA). In that way, I work with poikilotherms (animals that their body temperature
depend on the environment temperature) first (fish, amphibians and reptiles) and then, as fall
progresses and the average air temperature goes down, we study, observe, capture and handle
birds and mammals. This scheme works fine in central PA with the only caveat that the
diversity in central PA is very low (compare with that of Costa Rica) and the students cannot see
examples of many taxa that we cover during the lectures. It is for this reason, that in order to
enhance the educational experience of our SU students I developed an alternative lab for BIOL
308 in Central America.
This course will be offered under the name of Explorations in Biology (BIOL 560) “Tropical
Ecology of Vertebrates in Costa Rica”, every other year during Spring Break, leaving late in the
evening of the Thursday before the beginning of Spring Break and returning late on the second
Saturday of the break. I am working with a local travel agency and will keep the final cost per
student as low as possible.
Tentative Schedule of BIOL 560 (Tropical Ecology of Vertebrates in Costa Rica) at SU
2015 Spring Semester (February 27- March 7)
Costa Rica is a tropical country and everybody should check government recommendations (see
CDC website http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/costa-rica.aspx ). We will require that
all students are up-to-date with their Tetanus shot prior to travel.
During the Spring semester, we will have two meetings prior to the trip (a) and one after the
trip (b): -a) Second week of classes and Sixth week of classes; and -b) Last week of classes. The
exact days will be defined later.
During the trip, you will be visiting one of the remaining biodiversity “hot spots” on earth. You
1|B I OL 5 6 0
will observe many unique animals and plants. We will have books that will help you identify
many of those organisms (but you are free to bring your own books, ask us for suggested titles).
The same books that you will have in Costa Rica are available now at our SU Library. Our guides
will also be able to help you with identifications. Make sure you have a good field notebook or
journal (nalgene, all-weather “rite in the rain”, etc.) and several pencils to take notes. Mark a
place in the back of your journal where you can keep track of what you see. Have separate
pages for different Classes of animals. When you see a new animal, write down its name,
where you saw it, and the date. Take several pictures if possible. You will be graded on the
completeness of your list. There will be some species that we will expect to see in everyone’s
lists. Other species will only appear on the lists of those who have been most observant and
most diligent in finding out the names of the plants and animals that we see. We may provide
you with loupes; however, we expect that you will bring your own binoculars and cameras for
observing and recording many of the living things that you encounter.
- TEAM ASSIGNMENT
A report combining all major vertebrate taxonomic classes (fish, herps, birds and mammals)
should include:
-location of every individual observed on a map (lat/long)
-activities (methodology and results)
-list of species (common and scientific name, authority), 3 peer reviewed citations about each
species (at least 1 from the last 4 years), taxonomic and biogeographic information,
conservation status, etc.
Deadline for the report: week 11th spring 2015
- INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT
Travel Journal (text, pictures, maps, drawings, tables, figures, etc.) with a minimum of 2 full (all
text) pages per day of travel including:
-One entry per day with comments about cultural diversity
-One entry per day with comments about animal diversity
-One entry per day with comments about plant diversity
Deadline to submit your Journal: week 12th spring 2015
Your journal will serve as a permanent record of what you saw and did while you were in Costa
Rica. It will include a variety of things: a recounting of what we did each day, personal remarks
and reactions, observations about the ecology of the areas we visited and the organisms we
saw, as well as notes, drawings, interesting facts, etc. Thus, it will be much more than just a
personal diary. It must also demonstrate what you saw and learned on the trip. You will be
graded on the content and quality of your writing, especially scientific observations – how
2|B I OL 5 6 0
observant you were and how well you applied what you learned in the classroom to practical
experiences that you had. You should take some time every evening to write in your journal.
Don’t think that you can neglect your journal for several days, and then remember everything
that you saw and did! During our stay in Costa Rica you will have some time every day to think
and take notes. Get into the habit of doing this every time you have a chance.
- ALL CLASS ASSIGNMENT
Meeting after the trip (14th week spring 2015) all teams will prepare and present a “combined”
Power Point Presentation in class (30-40 minutes max.). This is the last class. No final.
- PERSONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TRAVELING GROUP
This subjective grade will be based on several things. These things are:
-Participation in group activities: all group activities are mandatory, unless we have excused
you from them.
-Contribution to group efforts: From time to time, there may be chores to be done. In
particular, while we are traveling there will be luggage to unload and other necessary tasks. If
that happens, we expect everyone to help out. Do not just rely on our guides or other people
to do the work. We need to work together to make sure that everything gets done quickly and
efficiently.
-Punctuality: we have a lot of things to do and see while we are in Costa Rica. We do not need
to waste time waiting for one or two late people. If you need a wake-up call or a reminder to
get somewhere on time, just ask.
-Attitude: this can work for you or against you. Our hope is that everyone will be able to get
along and make each others’ trip more enjoyable, without a lot of fighting or complaining. Help
out people who need it. Share exciting discoveries. Organize fun activities. Make an effort to
make other people happy (or at least, not make them unhappy). If you do, in the long run it will
be a better trip for everyone.
-GRADING
Your grade in this course will be based on your travel journal, organismal report, final power
point presentation, and your personal contribution to the traveling group, weighted as follows:
journal
Organismal report
final presentation
Personal contribution
30% of final grade
30% of final grade
30% of final grade
10% of final grade
3|B I OL 5 6 0
Your final grade in BIOL 560 will be based on the following scale:
Above 93%: A
90% - 93%: A-
87% - 90%: B+
83% - 87%: B
80% - 83%: B-
77% - 80%: C+
73% - 77%: C
70% - 73%: C-
67% - 70%: D+
63% - 77%: D
60% - 73%: D-
Below 60%: F
Tentative syllabus for the 9-day (trip) class
Day 1, Friday, Feb. 27, 2015
From NYC (JFK, 9:30 a.m.) to SJO (4:02 p.m.) Travel by bus to Sarapiqui. Arrive at Tirimbina Rainforest
Center (TRC)
Time to write/think and dinner.
Overnight at Tirimbina Lodge.
Day 2, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015 – Conservation & Mammals
Breakfast at Lodge
AM walk around TRC and several “senderos”, observation of “tent” and perhaps “tent bats”, Cacao tour
Lunch at Tirimbina Lodge.
Early afternoon: Lecture about Costa Rica Protected Area System. Public & Private Conservation Efforts.
Later: preparation of field equipment (mist nets) and bait, set up mammal traps
Time to write/think and dinner at Tirimbina Lodge
Night: Talk (by expert) and field work: The Bats of Costa Rica (mist netting)
Overnight Tirimbina Lodge.
Day 3, Sunday, March 1, 2015 – Mammals & Herps
Breakfast at Lodge
AM: Field work - Processing mammal captures from last night. After working with captures, we will walk
to the Tirimbina Field Station (TFS). Our equipment and luggage will be transported. Swim in the river
followed by lunch at TFS.
PM: Introduction to field cams and setting up camera-traps
Time to write/think and dinner at TFS
Night: Talk (by expert) and field work: The Herps of Costa Rica
Day 4, Monday, March 2, 2015 – Fishes & rivers
Breakfast at TFS
AM: working with camera-traps (processing data) and using nets and traps, we will work on fresh water
fishes
Lunch at TFS
PM: Transport of people, equipment and luggage first to Lodge (to drop equipment/luggage) and then
to the boat ramp. Boat Trip on Sarapiqui River, observing vertebrates from the deck
Time to write/think and dinner at Lodge
4|B I OL 5 6 0
Overnight Tirimbina Lodge.
Day 5, Tuesday, March 3, 2015 – Volcan Arenal and across the continental divide
Breakfast at Lodge (very early) and early departure from TRC to the “Refugio de Vida Silvestre Curu” on
the Pacific side of CR, including a hike in Volcan Arenal National Park. Our hike takes us over a hardened
lava flow at the base of awesome Arenal Volcano. Hike a little further and be rewarded by views of
distant volcanoes and ocean (if the weather allows). Lunch on the way (probably in Fortuna)
At Curu we will be able to see abundant fauna, combining elements from mangroves, beach and dry pacific forest
Time to write/think and dinner at Curu
Overnight Curu.
Day 6, Wednesday, March 4, 2015 – Vertebrates on the Pacific I
Breakfast at Curu
AM Field Work: reef fish (snorkeling on the beach, observing and netting ocean and brackish waters’ fish
species)
Lunch at Curu
PM Field Work: beach and mangle (continue field work from the morning) including a walk to the
“Mirador”. Preparing equipment for night field work.
Time to write/think and dinner at Curu
Night walk, bats and other night mammals, mist netting
Overnight Curu.
Day 7, Thursday, March 5, 2015 - Vertebrates on the Pacific II
Breakfast at Curu
AM Field Work : walk in the dry forest
Lunch in Curu
PM Field Work: walk in the mangrove forest
Time to write/think and dinner at a local restaurant (Paquera) – ceviche! (not included)
Optional night walk
Overnight Curu.
Day 8, Friday, March 6, 2015 – the return begins
Breakfast at Curu
AM: morning to complete field observations (walks and swims)
Lunch at Curu
The afternoon will be for traveling back to San Jose
Dinner on San Jose area (not included)
Overnight in Millenium Hotel (or similar)
Day 9, Saturday, March 7, 2015
Breakfast at hotel, transportation to the Airport (12:27, LACSA #636).
Back to NYC (JFK) by 9:12 p.m.
5|B I OL 5 6 0