Anolis lizards are the most diverse tetrapod clade on the planet, with over 400 species occurring in the neotropics. Despite being charismatic and well known, the natural history of many Anoles is highly understudied. Cusuco National Park (CNP) supports 13 distinct species of Anole lizards, four of which are endemic to Honduras. These sympatric species must avoid both inter- and intra-specific competition. Anoles may do this by partitioning their niches with regards to their diurnal active locations and their nocturnal sleeping sites. This project aims to determine the degree of habitat specificity in CNP’s Anoles, investigating how their niches are separated in terms of their diurnal active locations and nocturnal sleeping sites. Data collection involves conducting visual encounter surveys (day & night) for the most common species of Anole lizards using the pre-established network of transects in CNP. When encountering individuals, data is collected on anole morphology (body size, condition, sex, etc.), behaviour (activity, orientation, etc.) and micro-habitat use (i.e. height above ground, perch substrate, dimensions, etc.). The collection of such data will allow conclusions to be made on species interactions, behaviour, ecology and niche preference; seeking to form an understanding of how these synoptic species avoid competition in nature.
If you would like to do a dissertation or thesis with us but your university hasn’t started dissertation planning or the project selection process, that’s no problem. You can cancel your expedition with zero cancellation charges up until the 15th of April of if you provide documentation from your university saying that they won’t support completing a dissertation project with us.
The cloud forests of Central America are some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world, their unique microclimates supporting large numbers of species found nowhere else on the planet. Unfortunately, these cloud forests are also amongst the most threatened ecosystems globally, facing great pressures from habitat loss, climate change, hunting, and disease.
Cusuco National Park in Honduras is a classic example of an extraordinarily unique ecosystem that is also under great environmental pressure. The Opwall survey teams have worked here since 2003 and have recorded so many species (including 42 new to science) that the Park is now listed as one of the top 50 most irreplaceable protected areas in the world (based on a review of 173,000 sites worldwide). Unfortunately, this biodiversity is also at risk from a multitude of threats. As well as supporting an extremely active research program (with >140 research papers published to date), the datasets collected by the Opwall teams are also being used to underscore the global importance of the Park, supporting large conservation grant applications that will be necessary to secure the future of this completely unique, yet highly imperilled, cloud forest ecosystem.
Most of our volunteers fundraise for their expedition costs. Find out more.
Climate
In the cloud forest of Cusuco National Park it can get warm in open areas (temperatures up to 20 degrees Celsius) but much cooler in the shade of the forest. Overnight the temperature can drop below 10 degrees Celsius at higher altitudes. It rarely rains in the morning but it regularly rains late in the afternoon and overnight.
Fitness level required
Medium – High. You will need to hike from camp to camp for up to 5 hours over steep terrain with your backpack.
Creature comforts
Facilities in Cusuco are very basic (tents, hammocks, river showers, basic trench toilets). There is no cell phone signal in Cusuco National Park and very limited satellite internet available through a communal laptop at Base Camp.
Find out all about how you could fundraise for an expedition.
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More information on how the dissertation/thesis projects run within Opwall and what you will need to do
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