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Arthropod Species in Panama Rainforest

Panama has a large land and in this land you’ll not only enjoy the different sights like beaches and forests as you go on Panama tours, but you can also have a closer look on their animal species. 

In the most comprehensive and through studies done from the rainforests of Panama provides a new level of detail with regards of the variety and distribution of arthropod species from the soil to the forest canopy. There are about 6,000 estimated hectare forest hosts a total of around 25,000 arthropod species, 60% to 70% of which are likely to be previously unknown.

Most of the species existing on Earth are arthropods - an invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed appendages; such as insects, mites and spiders living in tropical forest. Researchers have struggled to quantify their abundance and diversity because of their small size, frequent movements, and inaccessible habitats. Due to massive collaborative effort involving 102 researchers from 21 countries was necessary to collect and identify arthropods from all parts of the San Lorenzo forest resources near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. In 2003-2004, the field team used 70 person or trap-years in sampling the rainforest canopy from a construction crane, on inflatable platforms, from hot-air balloons, climbing ropes and crawling along the forest floor to sift soil and trap and drag arthropods. As the result, the team sorted and identified 130,000 arthropods, to a total of more than 6,000 species.

By scaling up diversity values and conclude their known data, the researchers estimated the rainforest reserve harbors in excess of 25,000 arthropod species. That means for every species of vascular plant, the bird or mammal in this forest, you will find 20, 83 and 312 species of arthropods respectively. 
One of the most interesting findings was that more than half of all species could be found in a single hectare of the forest. This means that to determine the species variety of a tropical rainforest, it may not be necessary to sample massive areas. One hectare area is enough to get an idea of regional arthropod richness - provided that this total includes widely spaced plots representative of variation within the forest.

Another exciting finding was that the variety of herbivorous and non-herbivorous arthropods could be accurately predicted from the diversity of plants.

So next time you visit the place and plan your next Panama excursions, you can opt to take a scientific tour as to seeing the smallest life forms in their rainforests.

Saturday

About Gamboa Panama


The little town of Gamboa in Panama is a forty-minute drive away from Panama City, but unlike the latter, Gamboa feels just so remote due to the fact that it is closer to nature. This town is constructed by the Panama Canal Company in the early 1930s to provide shelter for the workers of the Panama Canal Dredging Division.


The Past

In the history Gamboa was built nearly in the former village of Sta. Cruz, were three miles the Chagres River was the town of Las Cruces. In 1855 after the completion of the Panama Railroad which ran near the Panama area, yet made no stops and no PR maps list any towns in its present location.

During canal construction Gamboa’s present day was built in 1911. The town was populated by “silver roll” workers and their dependents. Almost 700 initial settlers were previously lived in the construction areas between Gorgona and former towns of Tabernilla. Together with the towns first citizen, no Americans were counted.

Along 1914, Gamboa’s population decreased to 173 which consist of a police station, a four-family house, a two-family house and some old railroad box cars used by the house silver roll employees. 

After long years of studies and debates, Panama Canal Company moved its Dredging Division from the town of Paraiso to Gamboa in 1936. In 1933, due to the moving of Dredging Division to Gamboa, the population was 251, including just 10 Americans.

The Present

In present time Gamboa is still inhabited, but with a shadow of its old self. It remains the original headquarters of the Dredging Division of the Panama Canal Authority (formerly PCC).

The Dredging Division’s harbour is now used by light ferries to reach the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) facilities at Barro Colorado Island.

Caymans, iguanas, crocodiles and several hundred bird species are Gamboa’s residents. Gamboa is bordering to relevant tracts of undisturbed rainforest. The Pipeline Road is considered one of the best birding hikes in Panama.it is also one of the premiere bird watching sites in all of Central America.      

Image credit: www.elitemeetings.com

Panama Destination Highlights

Take a break, discover and experience all the breathtaking highlights of Panama; the Panama City, San Blas Islands, Chiriqui Highlands, Bocas del Toro and Panama Canal. 

Panama City 

Perfectly positioned along Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast which provides an easy access to several fascinating beaches where you can try their varieties of water sports, fishing and boating. In fact, the whole region is one of a family favorite destination not only with their beautiful beaches, hotels, its amusement parks and of course, the freshest seafood available anywhere. And don’t forget the historical town of Casco Viejo, a colonial style government buildings, museums including a Canal Museum and cathedrals. 

San Blas Islands

The San Blas offers a show of sights. Starting with the unbelievable seascapes, colorful reefs and islands which owned and operated by the Kuna Indians. Also the visitors can witness the glimpse of the culture with their continuous festivals and gatherings develop at villages. The tour includes the opportunities to go snorkeling to enjoy the beautiful reefs and variety of tropical fish in the shallow warm waters.

Chiriqui Highlands

A two hour drive from Panama’s northernmost city, David to visit the Panama’s highest peaks Baru volcano, and some of its longest rivers found only in Chiriqui Highlands. The cool climate is one of the main attraction welcoming the visitors from the hot and humid lowlands. One of towns with the best accommodation is Boquete with the great base for exploring the area, well-known for its orange and coffee plantations where you can learn about the coffee process. Enjoy your stay with the opportunities to go walking in the cloud forest, bird watching and white-water rafting. 

Bocas del Toro

Panama’s number one vacation spot between the archipelago of Bocas del Toro. Visiting key areas like Hospital Point, a whole day snorkeling or beachcombing and enjoy an outdoor lunch. Also try these scuba dive in bio-diverse waters or go kayaking. Tired of these whole day activities? Try to spend the night and relax at this lovely hotel, built on stilts above the water the Punta Caracol.

Panama Canal

Linking the Atlantic and Pacific which cuts right trough the Continental Divide, one of the world’s greatest shortcuts, the Panama Canal. Continue your trip to Portobello, with its lovely spot hides the historical fort where Francis Drake was killed.

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