Shakira G. Quiñones-Lebrón

Morigenos - Slovenian Marine Mammal Society

The biogenetic law posits that the ontogeny of an organism recapitulates the pattern of evolutionary changes. Morphological evidence has offered some support for, but also considerable evidence against, the hypothesis. However, biogenetic law in behavior remains underexplored. As physical manifestation of behavior, spider webs offer an interesting...

Dolphins of Bocas del Toro are known to change their communication signals when interacting with dolphin‐watching boats. In this study we examine the role of engine noise, calf presence, and behavior on the emission rate of whistles. Whistle emission rate was measured in groups where calves were and were not present and while interacting and not in...

Though not uncommon in other animals, heterospecific mating is rarely reported in arachnids. We investigated sexual interactions among four closely related and syntopical African golden orbweb spiders, Nephila inaurata, N. fenestrata, N. komaci, and N. senegalensis. In two South African localities, female webs were often inhabited by heterospecific...

Selection pressures leading to extreme, female-biased sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in spiders continue to be debated. It has been proposed that males of sexually size dimorphic spiders could be small because gravity constrains adult agility (locomotor abilities). Accordingly, small males should achieve higher vertical climbing speeds and should be...

The role of developmental plasticity in the evolution and maintenance of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) has recently received more attention. We experimentally investigated the effects of genetics (pedigree), social cues, and food availability on developmental time and adult male size in Nephilingis cruentata, an extremely female-biased sexually size...

The ideal free distribution (IFD) theory predicts that individuals are free to move among habitat patches and distribute among them “ideally,” in order to maximize individual evolutionary fitness. Size and quality of habitat patches then should directly impact the number of individuals occupying them, and connectivity of habitat patches likely play...

Introduction: The rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) inhabits oceanic waters of tropical latitudes and exhibits philopatry in some oceanic islands. However, the species has been observed in shallow coastal waters in a few areas. Particularly in Central America, the rough-toothed dolphin has been reported by occasional records and strandings....

Adult body size, development time, and growth rates are components of organismal life histories, which crucially influence fitness and are subject to trade-offs. If selection is sex-specific, male and female developments can eventually lead to different optimal sizes. This can be achieved through developmental plasticity and sex-specific developmen...

Summary of PhD research presented at the first congress of Bioscience PhD students at the University of Ljubljana.

The bottlenose dolphins of Dolphin Bay, in the Archipelago of Bocas del Toro sustain the largest dolphin watching industry in Panama. Since the establishment of this project 10 years ago, we have observed a rapid and disorganized development of the tourism infrastructure and dolphin-watching (DW) activities. These activities continue to growth with...

Dolphins rely on whistles to identify each other and to receive and convey information about their environment. Although capable of adjusting these signals with changing environments, there is little information on how dolphins acoustically respond to different watercraft activities and if this response depends on dolphin behavioral state. Bottleno...

The bottlenose dolphins of Dolphin Bay, in the Archipelago of Bocas del Toro sustain the largest dolphin watching industry in Panama. Since the establishment of this project 10 years ago, we have observed a rapid and disorganized development of the tourism infrastructure and dolphin-watching (DW) activities. These activities continue to growth with...

Bottlenose dolphins are among the most studied cetaceans around the globe. Across its distribution there has been an increasing understanding of many aspects of their biology, however the lack of molecular studies is hindering adequate management planning regionally and locally. A recent study in the Caribbean has shown the existence of two forms a...

Coastal bottlenose dolphin populations are frequently in contact with humans and are targeted by dolphin-watching boats. In the past 10 years dolphin watching has become a popular and profitable tourist attraction in Panama. Profitable wildlife observation can mutually benefit humans and wild animal populations, resulting in successful conservation...

Coastal bottlenose dolphin populations are frequently in contact with humans and are targeted by dolphin-watching boats. In the past 10 years dolphin watching has become a popular and profitable tourist attraction in Panama. Profitable wildlife observation can mutually benefit humans and wild animal populations, resulting in successful conservation...