Jaime Collazo, PhD (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Advancing Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for High Elevation and Endangered Lowland Coquí Frogs in the U.S. Caribbean
Amphibians in the US Caribbean, like the well-known coquí frog, are particularly vulnerable to human-caused climate change. Coquí frogs are represented by 17 species across Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands and include several mountainous and coastal species that are threatened by extreme heat and drying, loss of coastal freshwater marshes through saltwater intrusion, or both. Over the...
Webinar: Climate Adaptation Science to Support Amphibian Conservation in the U.S. Caribbean
View this webinar to learn more about a climate-informed adaptation strategy for vulnerable species in the Caribbean.
Informing Conservation Management Decision-Making at Coastal National Wildlife Refuges
Coastal National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) provide a myriad of beneficial services, including buffering storm surge, improving water quality, supporting commercial fisheries, and providing habitat for imperiled wildlife and plants. Yet in the last century, coastal ecosystems in the eastern U.S. have been severely altered by human development activities as well as sea-level rise and more...
Assessing Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems in the Southeastern U.S.
The southeastern U.S. contains a unique diversity of ecosystems that provide important benefits, including habitat for rare wildlife and plants, improved water quality, and recreation opportunities. Understanding how climate change will affect these ecosystems is vital for knowing how best to protect them and the services they supply. The goal of this project was to assess the climate...
SERAP: Assessment of Climate and Land Use Change Impacts on Terrestrial Species
Researchers from North Carolina State University and the USGS integrated models of urbanization and vegetation dynamics with the regional climate models to predict vegetation dynamics and assess how landscape change could impact priority species, including North American land birds. This integrated ensemble of models can be used to predict locations where responses to climate change are...
SERAP: Modeling of Global and Land Use Change Impacts
The Southeastern United States spans a broad range of physiographic settings and maintains exceptionally high levels of faunal diversity. Unfortunately, many of these ecosystems are increasingly under threat due to rapid human development, and management agencies are increasingly aware of the potential effects that climate change will have on these ecosystems. Natural resource managers...
Abundance, occupancy and habitat data recordings for Coqui Llaneros near Caño Tiburones; Arrecibo, Puerto Rico Abundance, occupancy and habitat data recordings for Coqui Llaneros near Caño Tiburones; Arrecibo, Puerto Rico
The Coquí Llanero (Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi) is one of twelve remaining species of Eleutherodactylus frogs endemic to Puerto Rico. They are known only from three isolated populations separated from each other by ~30 km: Caño Tiburones, Arecibo; Sabana Seca, Toa Baja, and Carolina. These frogs are cultural icons and hold prominent roles in the energy flow of the island’s tropical...
Local Demographic Rates of Four Eleutherodactylus Frogs in Puerto Rico, 2017-2019 (ver. 1.1, January 2025) Local Demographic Rates of Four Eleutherodactylus Frogs in Puerto Rico, 2017-2019 (ver. 1.1, January 2025)
We estimated the effect of microhabitat and microclimatic factors on occupancy, abundance and reproduction of four species of Eleutherodactylus frogs (E. wightmanae, E. brittoni, E. antillensis, E. coqui). Data consist of presence-non/presence data (binary), and physical (abiotic) and habitat (biotic) covariates collected at each of 48 survey stations (2017) and 35 (2018) along two...
Physiological Analysis of Eleutherodactylus Specimens in West-Central Puerto Rico, 2021-2022 Physiological Analysis of Eleutherodactylus Specimens in West-Central Puerto Rico, 2021-2022
Amphibians are vulnerable to extinction owing, partly, to altered physiological processes induced by projected global warming and drying. Understanding the mechanisms behind their responses is essential to formulate adaptation strategies for their conservation. Puerto Rico harbors 15 endemic Eleutherodactylus frogs considered vulnerable to extinction due to poor vagility and sensitivity...
Filter Total Items: 91
Being loud to find a quiet bird: Surveying a secretive tropical avian species Being loud to find a quiet bird: Surveying a secretive tropical avian species
Secretive birds are hard to detect, and thus, likely underestimated when surveyed, potentially preventing measures to protect them. We identified a sampling period and method that would yield the most reliable estimates of population numbers of the secretive Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo (Coccyzus vieilloti). We addressed these objectives by comparing point counts (passive) and playback...
Authors
Kenneth X. Rodriquez-Rivera, Alberto R. Puente Rolon, Jaime A. Collazo
Applying portfolio theory to benefit endangered amphibians in coastal wetlands threatened by climate change, high uncertainty, and significant investment risk Applying portfolio theory to benefit endangered amphibians in coastal wetlands threatened by climate change, high uncertainty, and significant investment risk
The challenge of selecting strategies to adapt to climate change is complicated by the presence of irreducible uncertainties regarding future conditions. Decisions regarding long-term investments in conservation actions contain significant risk of failure due to these inherent uncertainties. To address this challenge, decision makers need an arsenal of sophisticated but practical tools...
Authors
Mitchell J. Eaton, Adam Terando, Jaime A. Collazo
Postrelease survival of Eleutherodactylus coqui: Advancing managed translocations as an adaptive tool for climate-vulnerable anurans Postrelease survival of Eleutherodactylus coqui: Advancing managed translocations as an adaptive tool for climate-vulnerable anurans
Translocating amphibians to alternative, suitable habitat is a climate adaptation strategy aimed at minimizing the risk of extinction due to projected global warming and drying. Projected conditions could undermine their physiological performance, and thus survival and reproduction. Translocations minimize risks of extinction by increasing spatial redundancy across climate-resilient...
Authors
Rafael Chaparro, Ana C. Rivera-Burgos, Mitchell J. Eaton, Adam Terando, Eloy Martinez, Jaime A. Collazo
High-quality, chromosome-level reference genomes of the viviparous Caribbean skinks Spondylurus nitidus and S. culebrae High-quality, chromosome-level reference genomes of the viviparous Caribbean skinks Spondylurus nitidus and S. culebrae
New World mabuyine skinks are a diverse radiation of morphologically cryptic lizards with unique reproductive biologies. Recent studies examining population-level data (morphological, ecological, and genomic) have uncovered novel biodiversity and phenotypes, including the description of dozens of new species and insights into the evolution of their highly complex placental structures...
Authors
Danielle Rivera, James B. Henderson, Athena W. Lam, Nathan J. Hostetter, Jaime A. Collazo, Rayna C. Bell
Multiple records of the introduced parthenogenetic Smooth-scaled Tegulet, Gymnophthalmus underwoodi Grant 1958, in Puerto Rico Multiple records of the introduced parthenogenetic Smooth-scaled Tegulet, Gymnophthalmus underwoodi Grant 1958, in Puerto Rico
The introduction of invasive species to islands can be devastating to local biota. While many invasive species’ successful colonization of new habitats can be attributed to features like high fecundity or low mate selectivity, parthenogenetic species pose a unique threat in their ability to reproduce asexually at high rates. The Smooth-scaled Tegulet (Gymnophthalmus underwoodi), first...
Authors
Danielle Rivera, Jan P. Zegarra, Alberto R. Puente-Rolon, Nahíra Arocho-Hernandez, Nathan J. Hostetter, Jaime A. Collazo, Rayna C. Bell
Bee species richness through time in an urbanizing landscape of the southeastern United State Bee species richness through time in an urbanizing landscape of the southeastern United State
Compared to non-urban environments, cities host ecological communities with altered taxonomic diversity and functional trait composition. However, we know little about how these urban changes take shape over time. Using historical bee (Apoidea: Anthophila) museum specimens supplemented with online repositories and researcher collections, we investigated whether bee species richness...
Authors
Selina A. Ruzi, Elsa Youngsteadt, April Hamblin Cherveny, Jessica Kettenbach, Hannah K. Levenson, Danesha Seth Carley, Jaime A. Collazo, Rebecca E. Irwin
Science and Products
Advancing Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for High Elevation and Endangered Lowland Coquí Frogs in the U.S. Caribbean
Amphibians in the US Caribbean, like the well-known coquí frog, are particularly vulnerable to human-caused climate change. Coquí frogs are represented by 17 species across Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands and include several mountainous and coastal species that are threatened by extreme heat and drying, loss of coastal freshwater marshes through saltwater intrusion, or both. Over the...
Webinar: Climate Adaptation Science to Support Amphibian Conservation in the U.S. Caribbean
View this webinar to learn more about a climate-informed adaptation strategy for vulnerable species in the Caribbean.
Informing Conservation Management Decision-Making at Coastal National Wildlife Refuges
Coastal National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) provide a myriad of beneficial services, including buffering storm surge, improving water quality, supporting commercial fisheries, and providing habitat for imperiled wildlife and plants. Yet in the last century, coastal ecosystems in the eastern U.S. have been severely altered by human development activities as well as sea-level rise and more...
Assessing Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems in the Southeastern U.S.
The southeastern U.S. contains a unique diversity of ecosystems that provide important benefits, including habitat for rare wildlife and plants, improved water quality, and recreation opportunities. Understanding how climate change will affect these ecosystems is vital for knowing how best to protect them and the services they supply. The goal of this project was to assess the climate...
SERAP: Assessment of Climate and Land Use Change Impacts on Terrestrial Species
Researchers from North Carolina State University and the USGS integrated models of urbanization and vegetation dynamics with the regional climate models to predict vegetation dynamics and assess how landscape change could impact priority species, including North American land birds. This integrated ensemble of models can be used to predict locations where responses to climate change are...
SERAP: Modeling of Global and Land Use Change Impacts
The Southeastern United States spans a broad range of physiographic settings and maintains exceptionally high levels of faunal diversity. Unfortunately, many of these ecosystems are increasingly under threat due to rapid human development, and management agencies are increasingly aware of the potential effects that climate change will have on these ecosystems. Natural resource managers...
Abundance, occupancy and habitat data recordings for Coqui Llaneros near Caño Tiburones; Arrecibo, Puerto Rico Abundance, occupancy and habitat data recordings for Coqui Llaneros near Caño Tiburones; Arrecibo, Puerto Rico
The Coquí Llanero (Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi) is one of twelve remaining species of Eleutherodactylus frogs endemic to Puerto Rico. They are known only from three isolated populations separated from each other by ~30 km: Caño Tiburones, Arecibo; Sabana Seca, Toa Baja, and Carolina. These frogs are cultural icons and hold prominent roles in the energy flow of the island’s tropical...
Local Demographic Rates of Four Eleutherodactylus Frogs in Puerto Rico, 2017-2019 (ver. 1.1, January 2025) Local Demographic Rates of Four Eleutherodactylus Frogs in Puerto Rico, 2017-2019 (ver. 1.1, January 2025)
We estimated the effect of microhabitat and microclimatic factors on occupancy, abundance and reproduction of four species of Eleutherodactylus frogs (E. wightmanae, E. brittoni, E. antillensis, E. coqui). Data consist of presence-non/presence data (binary), and physical (abiotic) and habitat (biotic) covariates collected at each of 48 survey stations (2017) and 35 (2018) along two...
Physiological Analysis of Eleutherodactylus Specimens in West-Central Puerto Rico, 2021-2022 Physiological Analysis of Eleutherodactylus Specimens in West-Central Puerto Rico, 2021-2022
Amphibians are vulnerable to extinction owing, partly, to altered physiological processes induced by projected global warming and drying. Understanding the mechanisms behind their responses is essential to formulate adaptation strategies for their conservation. Puerto Rico harbors 15 endemic Eleutherodactylus frogs considered vulnerable to extinction due to poor vagility and sensitivity...
Filter Total Items: 91
Being loud to find a quiet bird: Surveying a secretive tropical avian species Being loud to find a quiet bird: Surveying a secretive tropical avian species
Secretive birds are hard to detect, and thus, likely underestimated when surveyed, potentially preventing measures to protect them. We identified a sampling period and method that would yield the most reliable estimates of population numbers of the secretive Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo (Coccyzus vieilloti). We addressed these objectives by comparing point counts (passive) and playback...
Authors
Kenneth X. Rodriquez-Rivera, Alberto R. Puente Rolon, Jaime A. Collazo
Applying portfolio theory to benefit endangered amphibians in coastal wetlands threatened by climate change, high uncertainty, and significant investment risk Applying portfolio theory to benefit endangered amphibians in coastal wetlands threatened by climate change, high uncertainty, and significant investment risk
The challenge of selecting strategies to adapt to climate change is complicated by the presence of irreducible uncertainties regarding future conditions. Decisions regarding long-term investments in conservation actions contain significant risk of failure due to these inherent uncertainties. To address this challenge, decision makers need an arsenal of sophisticated but practical tools...
Authors
Mitchell J. Eaton, Adam Terando, Jaime A. Collazo
Postrelease survival of Eleutherodactylus coqui: Advancing managed translocations as an adaptive tool for climate-vulnerable anurans Postrelease survival of Eleutherodactylus coqui: Advancing managed translocations as an adaptive tool for climate-vulnerable anurans
Translocating amphibians to alternative, suitable habitat is a climate adaptation strategy aimed at minimizing the risk of extinction due to projected global warming and drying. Projected conditions could undermine their physiological performance, and thus survival and reproduction. Translocations minimize risks of extinction by increasing spatial redundancy across climate-resilient...
Authors
Rafael Chaparro, Ana C. Rivera-Burgos, Mitchell J. Eaton, Adam Terando, Eloy Martinez, Jaime A. Collazo
High-quality, chromosome-level reference genomes of the viviparous Caribbean skinks Spondylurus nitidus and S. culebrae High-quality, chromosome-level reference genomes of the viviparous Caribbean skinks Spondylurus nitidus and S. culebrae
New World mabuyine skinks are a diverse radiation of morphologically cryptic lizards with unique reproductive biologies. Recent studies examining population-level data (morphological, ecological, and genomic) have uncovered novel biodiversity and phenotypes, including the description of dozens of new species and insights into the evolution of their highly complex placental structures...
Authors
Danielle Rivera, James B. Henderson, Athena W. Lam, Nathan J. Hostetter, Jaime A. Collazo, Rayna C. Bell
Multiple records of the introduced parthenogenetic Smooth-scaled Tegulet, Gymnophthalmus underwoodi Grant 1958, in Puerto Rico Multiple records of the introduced parthenogenetic Smooth-scaled Tegulet, Gymnophthalmus underwoodi Grant 1958, in Puerto Rico
The introduction of invasive species to islands can be devastating to local biota. While many invasive species’ successful colonization of new habitats can be attributed to features like high fecundity or low mate selectivity, parthenogenetic species pose a unique threat in their ability to reproduce asexually at high rates. The Smooth-scaled Tegulet (Gymnophthalmus underwoodi), first...
Authors
Danielle Rivera, Jan P. Zegarra, Alberto R. Puente-Rolon, Nahíra Arocho-Hernandez, Nathan J. Hostetter, Jaime A. Collazo, Rayna C. Bell
Bee species richness through time in an urbanizing landscape of the southeastern United State Bee species richness through time in an urbanizing landscape of the southeastern United State
Compared to non-urban environments, cities host ecological communities with altered taxonomic diversity and functional trait composition. However, we know little about how these urban changes take shape over time. Using historical bee (Apoidea: Anthophila) museum specimens supplemented with online repositories and researcher collections, we investigated whether bee species richness...
Authors
Selina A. Ruzi, Elsa Youngsteadt, April Hamblin Cherveny, Jessica Kettenbach, Hannah K. Levenson, Danesha Seth Carley, Jaime A. Collazo, Rebecca E. Irwin