I am as fascinated by the ecological dynamics in 1m2 of tropical leaf litter as by those driving latitudinal gradients of diversity. Working on Barro Colorado Island in the Republic of Panama, my current research follows a host of macro- and micronutrients as they flow through the brown food web from soil dwelling fungi to army ants.
I achieved a Licenciatura degree in Biological Sciences in Quito, Ecuador. My past research included studies on morphological variability of vampire bats skulls and a small taxonomic review in the ant genus Leptanilloides. My current research interests aim to clarify the input of ants in natural communities and I am working on a taxonomic review of the ant genus Tatuidris using morphological and molecular data.
Natalie Clay, Ph. D. student
I am interested how resource availability, specifically essential nutrients like Na, C, N, P, etc. shape arthropod communities over nutrient gradients. My current research focuses on tropical litter arthropod communities and the role Na has in decomposition and in shaping the brown food web. I am currently also interested in the role of the pendant carton nest making ants in the genus Azteca as potential abundant and local nutrient sources.
Post Doc Dr. Leeanne Alonso
worked on the Ant Macroecology, and is now director of RAP surveys for Conservation International.
began our continuing canopy-litter studies, was the lead investigator on the gliding ant work, and has become a leading investigator in canopy entomology.He is now an assistant Professor at UArkansas-Little Rock
earned a M.S. on the Ant Macroecology project developing a morphometric picture of the ant communities. He is now a postdoc at North Carolina State, and the University of Arizona.
Mary Johnston
earned a M.S. working on the Brown Food Web project and explored how diversity of oribatid mites varied across tree species. She is now a Ph. D. student at the University of Texas.
