The diverse Piper genus (Piperaceae) is used as a model system for a variety of ecological studies, including work done by Dyer at La Selva on tritrophic interactions (i.e., plant [Piper] – caterpillar – parasitoid). It’s also economically important – we grind the dried fruit or seed to produce pepper.
Here is a flower spike of a common species in Cahuita –I have no clue which – and a spider with stabilimentum that was often present with patches of Piper.
Boa leads a group of four Spaniards on a tour in Cahuita National Park…. I tagged along and got an opportunity to snorkel at Cahuita’s famed reef for free.
This Polychrotid is a non-native to Costa Rica but is extremely common in parts of the Caribbean coast. It’s native to various Caribbean islands, such as Puerto Rico and Hispanola, and this one was caught outside Cahuita. The males not only develop a large, colorful dewlap, but also a crested tail, giving it the species epithet cristatellus. It’s fairly large and relatively distinctive in shape, similar to Norops capito.
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