{ leading research }
Margay Leopardus wiedii
“We envision it as a place where multiple cultures will meet, including the indigenous population and faculty and students from all over the world,” Arbogast said. Wildsumaco researchers regularly interact with local Ecuadorian citizens, and have collaborated extensively with scientific colleagues from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador and Sumaco NapoGaleras National Park. Although biological research will continue to expand in the area, the station was built with interdisciplinary collaborations in mind. The team hopes Wildsumaco will one day be a hub of research for students and faculty from fields such as social work, education, nursing, Spanish and more.
Tropical Climbing Salamander
Size ranges from a body length of 19 – 31 inches and tail length of 33 – 51 inches
Bolitoglossa sp.
Weight ranges from 5.7 – 8.8 lbs
Eats insects and other invertebrates
Eats small mammals (sometimes monkeys), birds, eggs, lizards, tree frogs and some vegetation
Just under half of the species in this genus have webbed feet ideal for swimming, while the rest have more elongated fingers and toes ideal for climbing and clinging to trees
Sometimes called the tree ocelot because of its excellent climbing ability. It is one of the only cat species with the ability to climb head-first down a tree.
Mouse Opossum Believed to be Marmosa murina Size ranges from a body length of 4.3 – 5.7 inches and tail length of 5.3 – 8.3 inches Weighs around 8.8 oz Eats insects, spiders, lizards, bird’s eggs, chicks and fruits Most commonly sighted near forest streams and human habitation
Size ranges from 45 – 200 mm depending on the species
Lanternfly Phrictus xanthopterus (male) Size around 40 – 50 mm Not a fly, but a planthopper “bug” (family Fulgoridae) Feeds and lays its eggs on the vegetation of tropical trees Most species have bizarre head ornamentation, the function of which is not clear. These hollow “snouts” were incorrectly thought to be luminous at night, the origin of the name “lanternfly.”
For further info: Biological station Facebook page: www.facebook.com/wildsumaco.bio.station Wildsumaco website: www.wildsumaco.com
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