Cuban Archipelago Research Articles

Writing Islands: Space and Identity in the Transnational Cuban Archipelago, by Elena Lahr-Vivaz

Writing Islands: Space and Identity in the Transnational Cuban Archipelago, by Elena Lahr-Vivaz

Coral Reef Water Microbial Communities of Jardines de la Reina, Cuba.

Globally, coral reef ecosystems are undergoing significant change related to climate change and anthropogenic activities. Yet, the Cuban archipelago of Jardines de la Reina (JR) has experienced fewer stressors due to its geographical remoteness and high level of conservation. This study examines the surface and benthic reef water microbial communities associated with 32 reef sites along the JR archipelago and explores the relationship between the community composition of reef microorganisms examined using bacterial and archaeal small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (16S rRNA gene) sequencing compared to geographic, conservation/protection level, environmental, physicochemical, and reef benthic and pelagic community features. Reef nutrient concentrations were low and microbial communities dominated by picocyanobacteria and SAR11 and SAR86 clade bacteria, characteristic of an oligotrophic system. Reef water microbial community alpha and beta diversity both varied throughout the archipelago and were strongly related to geography. Three sites in the western archipelago showed unique microbial communities, which may be related to the hydrogeography and influences of the channels linking the Ana Maria gulf with the Caribbean Sea. Overall, this work provides the first extensive description of the reef microbial ecology of the Caribbean's 'Crown Jewel' reef system and a framework to evaluate the influence of ongoing stressors on the reef microorganisms.

Projected wind and waves around the Cuban archipelago using a multimodel ensemble

Projected wind and waves around the Cuban archipelago using a multimodel ensemble

Land-cover change in Cuba and implications for the area of distribution of a specialist's host-plant.

Changes in land cover directly affect biodiversity. Here, we assessed land-cover change in Cuba in the past 35 years and analyzed how this change may affect the distribution of Omphalea plants and Urania boisduvalii moths. We analyzed the vegetation cover of the Cuban archipelago for 1985 and 2020. We used Google Earth Engine to classify two satellite image compositions into seven cover types: forest and shrubs, mangrove, soil without vegetation cover, wetlands, pine forest, agriculture, and water bodies. We considered four different areas for quantifications of land-cover change: (1) Cuban archipelago, (2) protected areas, (3) areas of potential distribution of Omphalea, and (4) areas of potential distribution of the plant within the protected areas. We found that "forest and shrubs", which is cover type in which Omphalea populations have been reported, has increased significantly in Cuba in the past 35 years, and that most of the gained forest and shrub areas were agricultural land in the past. This same pattern was observed in the areas of potential distribution of Omphalea; whereas almost all cover types were mostly stable inside the protected areas. The transformation of agricultural areas into forest and shrubs could represent an interesting opportunity for biodiversity conservation in Cuba. Other detailed studies about biodiversity composition in areas of forest and shrubs gain would greatly benefit our understanding of the value of such areas for conservation.

Presence of the smalltooth sawfish in the Cuban Archipelago

Presence of the smalltooth sawfish in the Cuban Archipelago

Taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of mollusk death assemblages in coral reef and seagrass sediments from two shallow gulfs in Western Cuban Archipelago.

Mollusk death assemblages are formed by shell remnants deposited in the surficial mixed layer of the seabed. Diversity patterns in tropical marine habitats still are understudied; therefore, we aimed to investigate the taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of mollusk death assemblages at regional and local scales in coral reef sands and seagrass meadows. We collected sediment samples at 11 sites within two shallow gulfs in the Northwestern Caribbean Sea and Southeastern Gulf of Mexico. All the shells were counted and identified to species level and classified into biological traits. We identified 7113 individuals belonging to 393 species (290 gastropods, 94 bivalves, and nine scaphopods). Diversity and assemblage structure showed many similarities between gulfs given their geological and biogeographical commonalities. Reef sands had higher richness than seagrasses likely because of a more favorable balance productivity-disturbance. Reef sands were dominated by epifaunal herbivores likely feeding on microphytobenthos and bysally attached bivalves adapted to intense hydrodynamic regime. In seagrass meadows, suspension feeders dominated in exposed sites and chemosynthetic infaunal bivalves dominated where oxygen replenishment was limited. Time averaging of death assemblages was likely in the order of 100 years, with stronger effects in reef sands compared to seagrass meadows. Our research provides evidence of the high taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of mollusk death assemblages in tropical coastal sediments as result of the influence of scale-related processes and habitat type. Our study highlights the convenience of including phylogenetic and functional traits, as well as dead shells, for a more complete assessment of mollusk biodiversity.

Is there evidence of convergent displacement of characters in the release calls of Cuban species of the genus Peltophryne (Anura: Bufonidae)?

Abstract Anuran release calls are produced by females and males in response to mating attempts by other males. The efficiency of the release signal to initiate dismount ensures that amplexus is not prolonged, avoiding exposure to predation and increasing the time available for breeding opportunities. Convergent character displacement of release calls may facilitate interspecific communication. In this contribution, we described and compared the release calls of sexually active males of four endemic species of Cuban toads of the genus Peltophryne in allopatric and sympatric conditions, exploring possible evidence of convergent displacement in areas of sympatry. One of these species, Peltophryne peltocephala, is widely distributed in the Cuban archipelago, with contact areas with two other species of large toads. Convergent character displacement requires that the allopatric character states of the species are significantly different from each other, and the sympatric character states are not significantly different. Although significant differences were detected between pairs of different species, in terms of duration of call sequence, call duration, interval between calls and dominant frequency, we did not find a robust pattern consistent with the expected pattern of convergent displacement of acoustic characters. Almost all call variability of allopatric populations fell inside the variability of sympatric populations.

On a ~210 t Caribbean coastal boulder: The huracanolito seaward of the ruins of the Bucanero resort, Juragua, Oriente, Cuba

AbstractCoastal boulder deposits (CBDs), named huracanolitos in Cuba, found along rocky shores, result from storms, tropical cyclones or tsunamis. Despite being important indicators for coastal hazard assessment, determining the mode of emplacement of CBDs (storm/hurricane or tsunami) is not easy. We present, for the first time in English, data about CBDs along the shores of the Cuban Archipelago. More specifically, we focused on a CBD, that is, to our knowledge, the largest one ever described on Cuba Island. Located on a low‐lying coral reef terrace on the SE shore of the island, the reefal limestone CBD is emplaced seaward of the ruins of the Bucanero resort. The resort was built in 1989, endured hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Dennis (2005) and, in October 2012, was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. As observed on Corona and Landsat satellite images since 1962, the CBD was not moved, neither by hurricane Flora (1963) nor Sandy (2012), both associated with important storm surges and powerful swells. We determined the CBD volume with open‐source structure from motion photogrammetry as 82.6 m3. Then, we estimated from a sample its density as 2550 kg/m3. Finally we calculated its weight as 210.6 tons. We calculated the minimum flow velocity responsible for the emplacement of the CBD 33 ± 2 m inland—6.83 ± 0.54 m/s and 7.26 ± 0.51 m/s. Such flow velocities are compatible with those of both tsunamis and hurricanes. Because of the greater frequency of hurricanes than tsunamis in the area, we propose that a tropical cyclone generated the extreme surge and wave that emplaced the Bucanero CBD. Such CBDs demonstrate that on Cuba's south coast, we can expect marine flooding exceeding the flooding during the major hurricanes of recent decades.

Writing Islands: Space and Identity in the Transnational Cuban Archipelago by Elena Lahr-Vivaz (review)

Writing Islands: Space and Identity in the Transnational Cuban Archipelago by Elena Lahr-Vivaz (review)

Tibouchino longifoliae-Sticherion bifidi alliance in rainforest on metamorfics rocks

By using Braun Blanquet methodology Tibouchino longifoliae - Sticherion bifidi was studied restricted to the banks made with bulldozer during the build of roads in Sierra del Purial and Maquey geological formations rocks in the more rainy zone of the Cuban archipelago. Generally it is found between 30 to 80 degrees slopes over schists banks of ferralitics soils. They are secondary meadow, composed for the immediate secondary communities generally rich in ferns, the greatest number of species that make up this alliance are heliophilous. Three assocciations were found Nephrolepido biserratae - Bidentetum pilosi, Pitirogrammo calomelani - Rhytidophylletum exserti and Stichero bifidi - Gleichenelletum pectinatae that are subassociations and variants. Weather is tropical with rainfalls between 1200 and 2500 mm.

Capromys pilorides (Rodentia: Echimyidae)

Abstract Capromys pilorides (Say, 1822), Desmarest’s hutia, is one of the world’s largest rodents; body mass of adults typically exceeds 3 kg. It occurs only on Cuba, although fossil remains from the late Quaternary Period have been found on the Cayman Islands. Capromys pilorides is widely distributed throughout the Cuban archipelago where it occurs at elevations from sea level to 1,200 m. Capromys pilorides can be terrestrial or arboreal depending on habitat and has a generalist phytophagous diet. It forms social groups and has a polygynous mating system. The conservation status of Capromys pilorides was most recently assessed in 2008, and it is currently listed as “Least Concern” (LC) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List of Threatened Species.

Predation on a White-throated Clawed Gecko (Gonatodes albogularis fuscus) by the Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) in Cuba

Substantial biodiversity declines, alterations in ecosystem functioning, and high monetary expenditures associated with the management, are among the main negative effects of biological invasions (Diagne et al. 2021). Invasive alien species, i.e. species that have successfully been introduced, established and spread beyond their native range, are expected to increase in number and impact worldwide as a result of international trade and climate change (Fournier et al. 2019; Diagne et al. 2021). Invasive species is the fourth most prevalent threat for world´s reptiles (Cox et al. 2022). Of the 21 reptiles that were brought to Cuba in the last several centuries, nine species have successfully colonized and are now considered invasive (Borroto-Páez et al. 2015), with three of them being house geckos of the genus Hemidactylus. The Tropical House Gecko (H. mabouia) is native to central Africa (Henderson and Powell 2009) and currently can be found in several areas around Cuba with populations appearing to increase rapidly (Díaz 2014), especially in urban areas. These large geckos (adult snout-vent length [SVL] = 61–75 mm) are mainly associated with human habitations, where they hide in cracks and other refuges. They feed mainly on insects, but other arthropods and even small vertebrates can be taken (Albuquerque et al. 2013; Lamb et al. 2021). The White-throated Clawed Gecko, Gonatodes albogularis fuscus is another lizard considered as an invasive species in Cuba by some authors (Borroto-Páez et al. 2015) and possibly native by others (Chaves et al. 2022). This species can be found in several sites around the Cuban archipelago living as a human commensal in houses, gardens, parks, and plantations (Díaz 2008). This diurnal gecko can reach 40 mm SVL (Schwartz and Henderson 1991) and the only known predator in Cuba is the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus; Bello 2000). Although the first introduced reptiles probably arrived to Cuba in the early 16th Century with the beginning of the slave trade (Borroto-Páez et al. 2015), little information has been published about the interactions among invasive reptile species and about the relations with the Cuban native reptiles (e.g. Armas and Iturriaga 2017; Borroto-Páez and Reyes 2019). In this note, we document interactions between two invasive lizard species and comment about possible negative effects of Hemidactylus mabouia on sympatric geckos living in human habitations. On 2 August 2020 at 1201 h, we found an adult individual Hemidactylus mabouia (about 75 mm SVL) swallowing an adult male Gonatodes albogularis fuscus (about 20 mm SVL). The observation was in a house´s courtyard in the residential neighborhood named Los Olmos in Santiago de Cuba city, Cuba. The predation event occurred on a wall, ca. 178 cm above the ground, the predator had captured the prey head-first and only the rear legs and tail were hanging from its mouth (Fig. 1).

Habitats diversity and MPA regulations are insufficient in promoting healthy coral reef fish assemblages in Punta Francés National Park (Cuba)

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been implemented on coral reefs as management and conservation tools since coral reefs provide significant ecological and economic values. For instance, Punta Francés National Park (PFNP) constitutes one of the most pristine marine environments in the Cuban archipelago, where recreational SCUBA diving has long been the most important activity. The goods and services provided by this area, the gaps in its biodiversity knowledge, and the putative effect of the MPA, prompted this research aims (1) to characterize reef fish assemblages in the coral reef of Punta Francés and (2) to test the hypothesis that PFNP hosts more abundant and diverse fish assemblages than the adjacent non-protected reef due to the higher habitat heterogeneity and protection level inside the PFNP. We have organized the analysis into four parts: (1) taxonomic and functional variation of fish assemblages; (2) potential factors influencing fish assemblage structure; (3) representativeness of species with special concern; and (4) functional redundancy analysis. The study was carried out from 2011 to 2014 in three reef habitats (reef crest, reef slope, and spur and groove), both inside and outside the PFNP. We found no differences in species and functional composition of fishes between areas with different protection levels. However, reef fish assemblages depended heavily on habitat type, demonstrating the importance of reef slope and reef crest habitats. No strong mangrove-seagrass bed-coral reef connection was evident for the ichthyofauna reported to use mangroves and seagrasses as nurseries. Low biomass and abundance of predatory species and fish families important to conservation is a concerning outcome. Some functional traits were represented by only one or very few species across the entire area, which likely compromised ecological function in the system. The most distressing issue was the non-consistent differences found between protected and non-protected areas, suggesting the necessity of reviewing the management objectives for reef fishes in PFNP and a clear need to update its management plan and perhaps its boundaries.

Psicoballet: Five Decades of its Creation

Dr. Georgina Fariñas García, head of the UNESCO Psicoballet Group, is the creator of this genuinely Cuban treatment method, which has transcended the geographicalcultural borders of the Cuban archipelago, which saw it born and grow in the 1970s century. Since its inception, Psicoballet had the unconditional support of the prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso (1920-2019), director of the National Ballet of Cuba (BNC), Cultural Heritage of the Nation, and honorary member of the International Dance Council, and Drs. Abelardo Ramirez (1938-2002), Vice Minister of Public Health, Eduardo Bernabé Ordaz (1921-2006), founding director of the Psychiatric Hospital of Havana, and Eusebio Leal Spengler (1942-2020), historian of Havana.

Wave exposure and temperature drive coral community structure at regional scale in the Cuban archipelago

Wave exposure and temperature drive coral community structure at regional scale in the Cuban archipelago

Temporal behavior of air and sea surface temperature in a marine protected area of Cuba

The Cuban Archipelago -particularly its coastal zones- is exposed to Global Warming. The rise of air and sea surface temperature value is a good indicator of its consequences to biodiversity. Air temperature was measured using an Automatic Meteorological Station at the Jardines de la Reina National Park between 2016 and 2017. Sea surface temperature was measured using temperature data loggers twice in the years 2000 (January and September) and 2016 (from January to June) in coral, mangrove and seagrass habitats. Air and sea surface temperature satellite data of the same studied sites were analyzed in the period 2003-2017 using in situ measurements. Results showed that all temperature values were similar to those reported in similar studies in Cuba and the Caribbean, and that extreme values were within the tolerance ranges previously reported for the studied habitats. Air temperature did not have a significant trend; however, sea surface temperature had a significant increase (0.01 °C) during the studied period. These results show the great influence of the Caribbean Sea over the marine waters and climate of this area. A combined monitoring system was proposed using in situ data logger measurements and satellite data temperature analysis to watch this important marine reserve of the Caribbean Region

Disentangling diversity patterns in Cuban scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones)

The assembly of communities is often viewed as a process involving the dispersal of species from a regional pool. An oceanic island provides a unique opportunity to test such a hypothesis and many others related to the patterns and processes behind biodiversity. Our aim was to investigate the patterns of scorpion diversity in the Cuban archipelago, using biotic and abiotic variables and their interactions as explanatory features. We use biotic and abiotic variables related to vegetation, climate and topography characterize the landscape of the Cuban archipelago. In this way, we analyze the patterns of beta diversity of the scorpions, verifying the effects of the variables alone and together. Scorpion fauna of the Cuban archipelago comprises 61 species, grouped into nine genera and two families: Buthidae and Diplocentridae. The interplay between biotic and abiotic variables explained scorpion species composition, especially when spatial predictors were considered. Climatic and spatial predictors affected scorpion beta diversity in terms of richness difference. These patterns are discussed emphasizing the role of biotic and abiotic environmental features and their interactions on the mechanisms of scorpion biodiversity generation and maintenance in Cuban archipelago.

Morphological, hydrodynamic and sedimentary characteristics of the Northeastern coast of Cuba

The absence of the marine platform, the presence of emerged and submerged terraces with tide notches on its front face and the increase in the number of beaches constituted by terrigenous sands towards the east end of this coastal stretch are the main geomorphological features that characterize the northeastern coast of Cuba. The lower rocky terrace is the best represented type of coastline on the Northeastern coast, exposed to the direct action of ocean waves. Considering the inland coast, mangroves are the most abundant type of coast and occupy most of the bays on this coastal stretch. From the hydrodynamic point of view, the highest wave heights of the north coast of Cuba take place there. In addition, the biggest tidal range of the Cuban archipelago is recorded. From the sedimentary point of view, these beaches have a greater amount of fragments of mollusks and corals and fewer fragments of calcareous algae than the other beaches of the Cuban archipelago. These beaches, unlike the other beaches of Cuba, show cumulative processes at the end of winter and early spring, with a maximum accumulation in April, while eroding at the beginning of autumn, with maximum values in the months of September and October. Keywords: Coastal characteristic, beach, genesis sand, Northeastern coast of Cuba.

The Cuban staircase sequences of coral reef and marine terraces: A forgotten masterpiece of the Caribbean geodynamical puzzle

The emerged sequences of coral reef and marine terraces of the Cuban Archipelago have been recognized since the end of the 19th century but with noticeable exceptions, their bio-constructions and/or deposits are not dated. The northern Caribbean islands and associated archipelagos are located in a left-lateral strike-slip tectonic setting, at the boundary between the North America and Caribbean plates. Cuba is the only landmass located on the American Plate directly adjacent to this transform fault zone. Quantifying upper Pleistocene coastal uplift is thus key to elucidate the recent vertical deformation of the Caribbean geodynamic puzzle with regards to the active tectonic segmentation of this area. We compiled bibliographic data and present new measurements concerning the Cuban sequences of coral reef and marine terraces; maximum elevations, minimum number of successive strandlines and elevation of the lowermost terrace. The Cuban Archipelago exhibits five main uplifting coastal stretches separated by subsiding areas, with at least 23 emerged staircase sequences of coastal terraces. At four sites, the lowest coral reef terrace has been previously correlated to the Last Interglacial Maximum (MIS 5e, 122 ± 6 ka). At nine sites, we extended the morpho-stratigraphy to derive Upper Pleistocene apparent and eustasy-corrected uplift rates. Alongshore Cuba, MIS 5e coastal terraces and associated shoreline angles occur at elevations ranging from 7 m to 40 m, yielding eustasy-corrected uplift rates ranging from 0.06 ± 0.01 mm.yr−1 (NW Cuba) to 0.33 ± 0.01 mm.yr−1 (SE Cuba). More than 400 km northward of the transform fault, eustasy-corrected uplift rates (0.13 mm.yr−1) suggest that the whole Cuban Archipelago is affected by the North America/Caribbean plate motion, with a partitioned compressive component resulting in block tectonics with tilting controlled by regional faults.

The Never Spoken Poignant Connection Between Cuban Tree Snails and Carpentry/Crafts/Art: the case of Polymita and Liguus

The extinction of endemic Cuban tree snail colonies are shown to be directly caused by habitat fragmentation due to deforestation. Hardwood extraction and exploitation started in the 16 th century and has steadily increased throughout the Cuban archipelago. This article is the first investigation into the connection between overexploitation of natural resources by local communities and the extinction of Cuban tree snail colonies. The authors have compiled a list of 345 hardwood trees species, many of which have been clear cut and over used by Cuban farmers, carpenters, artists and crafts people. Of those hardwood tree species, 84 species are known to be host plants for endemic Cuban Liguus and Polymita tree snails. Since the late 1960s, there has been an accelerated demand for hardwood for traditional craftworks. That demand became more aggressive after the opening of the country to international tourism in the 1990s. This desire for exotic hardwoods has endangered both the precious hardwood tree species and the endemic tree snail species that inhabit them. It is our hope that with the development of field guides on endemic Cuban hardwood tree species that educators can raise awareness of this issue while discouraging unmanaged or uncontrolled harvesting of these hardwoods in Cuba. Encouraging artists and crafts people to create miniature wood sculptures could be an alternative sustainable solution.