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Recent Submissions
A review of the leafhopper genus Scaphytopius (Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) from Costa Rica with descriptions of sixteen new species
(2025) Arias Paco, Andrés Esteban; Godoy Cabrera, Ivania Carolina
The genus Scaphytopius is a group of leafhoppers widely distributed in the Americas with phytoplasma vector species. A possible vector of phytoplasmas has been found in Costa Rica, but the taxonomy of the group has been little studied in Central America. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the taxonomy of the genus in Costa Rica, based on the main entomological collections of the country. We found sixteen new species, and nine species that are new records for the country. We also provide a key for the identification of the twenty-nine species present in Costa Rica.
Análisis de la evolución de las relaciones diplomáticas bilaterales entre Costa Rica y la Santa Sede: trayectoria histórica, estado actual y oportunidades de fortalecimiento
(2025-09) Badilla Ardón, Didier; Umaña Vargas, Jorge
El Vaticano y su representación oficial, la Santa Sede, han jugado un papel muy importante a nivel mundial y actualmente continúan teniendo una gran relevancia como actor dentro de la comunidad internacional. Las relaciones con la Santa Sede aún son de importancia para Costa Rica en tanto se declara como un Estado con religión oficial católica. En 1852 la recién fundada República de Costa Rica, buscando reconocimiento a nivel internacional, suscribió un Concordato con la Santa Sede en donde se establecía la naturaleza de las relaciones entre ambos Estados, pero este fue derogado en 1884. En el año 2010, el gobierno de doña Laura Chinchilla intentó establecer un nuevo concordato con esta, pero el gobierno siguiente suspendió ese proyecto. A pesar de la relevancia de las relaciones diplomáticas entre ambos Estados, no se cuenta con investigaciones actuales sobre este tema específico. Siendo el Estado costarricense oficialmente católico, el conocimiento de sus relaciones con la Santa Sede y sus acuerdos bilaterales es de suma importancia para promover futuras estrategias de política exterior al respecto. En esta investigación se analizará de manera general, la historia de las relaciones diplomáticas de Costa Rica con la Santa Sede y acuerdos bilaterales. A la vez, estudiará retos y oportunidades de dichas relaciones y permitirá comprender mejor el contexto socio político histórico para poder dirigir más eficazmente las políticas en materia diplomática con el Vaticano a futuro.
Environmental conditions and carbonate chemistry variability influencing coral reef composition along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica
(2025) Sánchez Noguera, Celeste; Lange, Ines D.; Cortés Núñez, Jorge; Jiménez Centeno, Carlos; Wild, Christian; Rixen, Tim
Coral reef development is influenced by a wide variety of factors, including temperature, salinity, nutrient concentrations, and carbonate chemistry. Studies focusing on physicochemical drivers of coral reef distribution and composition in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) are scarce, and carbonate chemistry and nutrient data for this region are limited. This study measured coral reef composition and physicochemical parameters along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, over a one-year period at three locations: Santa Elena and Matapalo in the north, and Parque Nacional Marino Ballena in the south. Our results show high seasonal and spatial variability of physicochemical conditions with significant differences mainly explained by inorganic nutrient concentrations, with driving processes also having a strong influence on the variability of carbonate chemistry parameters.
Coastal upwelling is the main driver of the seasonal variability in Santa Elena. Comparison of seasonal dissimilarity within locations confirms the presence of a geographical gradient, with stronger influence of the upwelling in Santa Elena relative to Matapalo, where several parameters displayed a lower seasonality and a carbonate system that supports reef development throughout the year. Conversely, in Marino Ballena the river discharges during rainy season exerted a strong control on the seasonal variability. The integrated analysis of coral reef composition and physicochemical parameters suggests that in addition to inorganic nutrients carbonate chemistry also plays a key role in coral distribution. Analyzing the spatial distribution of the main reef builders provides insights into the species-specific tolerance to varying conditions. Pavona clavus is widely distributed in both the northern and southern locations, suggesting that this massive coral is very tolerant to the high variability of physicochemical conditions. The dominant corals in the north (Pavona gigantea and Pocillopora spp.) are highly tolerant to nutrient-enriched cold waters with low aragonite saturation, while one of the main reef-builders in southern locations (Porites cf. lobata) cope better with low salinity, low aragonite saturation and low light intensity caused by river discharges. Understanding the preferences of individual coral species at our study locations can shed light on the environmental factors driving coral reef distribution in other locations of the ETP.
Gestión del talento humano docente en la UCR: reclutamiento y selección del personal docente
(2021-09-27) Kikut Valverde, Lorena; Zamora Serrano, Evelyn
Se describen los resultados obtenidos en cada una de las actividades llevadas a cabo con respecto a la selección y contratación del personal docente interino de la UCR.
Citizen science for the ecosystemic restoration and biological monitoring of the Ocotal coral reef, Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica
(2025-09-30) Solano González, María José; Alvarado Barrientos, Juan José; Rodríguez Troncoso, Alma Paola; Suleiman Ramos, Samuel
Sea-citizens: assessing the participation of citizen scientists in marine biology research. Citizen science (CS), in marine environments, provides stakeholders with valuable data for conservation and integrated coastal management. To overview components of marine biology CS projects, research topics and citizens participation— we review peer-reviewed articles published from 2009 to August 2023. A total of 445 scientific papers were analyzed. This review identified an increase in the publication through the years, in regions and countries who have a favorable context— including financial, institutional, and social involvement—to support such programs. 75 % of the studies lasted a maximum of eight years, with groups that range between 1 to 19 843 citizens, supported by academics and digital platforms. The human capital makes possible to conduct projects predominantly related to spatiotemporal patterns of biological groups; however, other research topics were addressed. The access and attractiveness of the ecosystems may have influenced the surveyed ecosystems, since coastal areas and reefs were the most extensively studied. Citizen scientists predominantly conducted fieldwork, yet other roles were less frequent, but still relevant. In all cases, authors pointed to the relevance of CS research in conservation outcomes. CS initiatives should be seen as a complement to traditional surveys, not a replacement. Marine CS programs present perks that exceed the cost reduction of data collection, it is a way of repaying the historical debt that science has with local communities while encouraging a framework of social participation in environmental issues.
Citizen science: pathway for coral reef restoration in Ocotal Bay, Costa-Rican north pacific. Coral reefs are facing a worldwide crisis. To promote public participation in restoration efforts, we established a citizen science program in Ocotal Bay, North Pacific of Costa Rica— aimed to restore and monitor the degraded reef. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a citizen science approach, using the biological parameters and volunteers’ social insight as indicators. Artificial structures filled with Pocillopora spp. fragments were placed. Volunteers and academics monitored the substrate composition and fish community. Surveys were conducted to profile the volunteers’ social values. In two years, 63 activities were carried out. Volunteers reported seven substrates, with significant differences in the substrate composition, compared to academic evaluations. They recorded 12 out of 20 fish species documented in the restoration area, which showed changes due to the active restoration. Protocols refreshment and sustained participation seem to be influencing the monitoring efficiency. Despite the bleaching event caused by the increase in the sea surface temperature, healthy coral cover almost duplicated its area throughout the study. Volunteers are motivated by idealistic incentives and cultural ecosystem services from coral reefs. Ensuring long-term sustainability requires addressing other values. Volunteers' knowledge was positively correlated with marine sports experience and commitment to the project, suggesting that skilled volunteers are more likely to properly apply protocols. The concepts of coral restoration and citizen science are well understood, but their knowledge is restricted to their experience. Engaging communities in coral reef conservation efforts is necessary to contribute with resilient reefs that are able to overcome current and future conditions.