The experience takes place on the Pacific Mexican Coast during the summer. Modest accommodations are centered within Costa Careyes during the rainy season. This rainy season is greatly desired by field biologists because it marks the beginning of a very dynamic mating season for many animals. As a result the organismal diversity observed during this time is dramatic.

The purpose of this field course is to provide a "hands-on" learning experience in rare and endangered habitats, unfamiliar to North American residents. Examples of habitats visited include Tropical Deciduous, Semi-Deciduous, and Manzanillera Forest, Mangrove Swamps, Grassy Wetlands [Carrizal], and Xerophilous Scrub. Students are able to take information covered in the classroom and apply it to an actual field research project. As a result, students learn how to balance conservation efforts with scientific inquiry in a region continuously challenged by human impact.

Long Term Core Field Projects:

Current

Title: A survey of the symbiotic marine invertebrates known to colonize sea turtles nesting in Teopa Beach, Jalisco, Mexico.

Title: Frequency and distribution of sea turtle nests on three beaches of the Jalisco Coast, Mexico.

Future

Title: Understanding the life history and population genetics of the sea turtles nesting on Teopa Beach, Jalisco, Mexico.

Principal Investigators:

Theodora Pinou, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Western Connecticut State University, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, 181 White Street, Danbury, CT 06810

Alejandro Pena-Deniz, M.S. Naturalist and Zoologist, Servicios de la Sur, AC, Jalisco, Mexico.

Eric Lazo-Wasem, Senior Collections Manager in Invertebrate Zoology, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University

• Kimberly DeQuatro Designed a small walking tour through the Careyes Hotel gardens that focused on aspect dominant flowering plants. This was graciously received and published by Starwood Hotels Inc.
• Kathy Casella Compared putative pollinators for two cactus species.
• Melissa Salgado Looked at the diversity of invertebrate epibionts found clinging to nesting sea turtles.
• Benjamin Harvey Looked at the spatial distribution of two species of cactus in two different coastal localities.
• Jeff Firman Looked at the frequency of Phorid fly parasitism in leaf cutting ants.
• Erica Forneret Compared the invertebrate diversity of mangrove swamps and inter-tidal rock ledges.

• Andrew Hamilton compared epiphytic habitats.
• Brendan O'Sullivan studied bird call diversity.
• Margaret Aiken researched foraging patterns of Hemidactylus frenatus.
• Taylor Larson monitored Crocodile populations along the Jalisco coast.
• Damon Nakamura researched sea turtle nesting behavior.
• Laura Smolowe examined the attitudes among locals regarding Sea Turtle egg poaching.
• Ricardo Ayala Barajas, director of the field station (IBUNAM Estacion de Biologia at Chamela).
• Michelle Lee examined shell selection in hermit crabs.
• Lance Ching examined the behavior of American Crocodile hatchlings.

See a articles about this program in the Spring 2003 Yale Environmental News (page 27), and the Fall 2004 Yale Environmental News (page 15)