<p><strong>After an exhaustive search for the creepy-crawlies living in a small patch of Panama's rain forest, researchers have discovered that the entire 6,000-hectare forest could harbor up to 25,000 arthropod species. </strong></p><p>Dawn Frame and Alexey Tishechkin, researchers with<a href="http://www.ibisca.net/"> Project IBISCA-Panama</a>—supported by the <a href="http://www.stri.si.edu/">Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute</a>—stand in a crane gondola so that they can capture insects feeding on flowers in the forest canopy.</p>
Insects on High
After an exhaustive search for the creepy-crawlies living in a small patch of Panama's rain forest, researchers have discovered that the entire 6,000-hectare forest could harbor up to 25,000 arthropod species.
Dawn Frame and Alexey Tishechkin, researchers with Project IBISCA-Panama—supported by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute—stand in a crane gondola so that they can capture insects feeding on flowers in the forest canopy.
Pictures: Surveying Rain Forest Arthropods
A new survey of rain forest arthropods finds their diversity tied to plant diversity.
DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.
