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3.1. F. W. GAIGE Research in the Biology of the Maya Area conducted by the Museum of Zoology of University of Michigan in cooperation with Carnegie Institution of Washington YB 30:128–131, 1931 So little is known, relatively, about the biology of Central America that a considerable amount of exploration will be necessary from the first to determine the species of animals and plants to be found in each biotic province and the relative abundance of the forms involved. At present the composition of the fauna and flora is inadequately known, while the distributional ranges of species is most vague. Data of this sort are of fundamental nature for more advanced studies in animal and plant biology; such knowledge is essential to any understanding of the history of the evolution and migrations of the faunas and floras in the area. Central America has served as a passageway for many North American groups of plants and animals to enter South America and for some South American groups to reach North America. Biogeographically, then, the region is a most significant and important 3.0. Environment 203 district. The present fauna and flora are a complex and little understood mixture of North and South American elements. Explorations and biological reconnaissances over the region must be made, the data and specimens studied both for the area directly involved and in comparison with contiguous regions. The results can not fail to be of importance and real significance. Much attention and study must be given to the ecologic relationships of the various animal and plant species, and the major ecologic communities will have to be determined for each of the biotic provinces considered .Aknowledgeof’theinfluenceoftypesofcover, thatis,jungle,temperateforest,savannah,etc.,theavailability of water, and the many other environmental factorsontheoccurrencesofthevariousspeciesis highly important. The periodic changes in the abundance of T H E C A R N E G I E M A Y A 204 ENVIRONMENT certain species, a common phenomenon in arctic and temperate regions, should be investigated for the tropics and where found given detailed study. The ecology of Central America is almost unknown. Certain biologistshaveexpresseddoubtastowhetherecologiccom munities comparable to those of the temperate regions can be found in tropical jungles, or at least distinguished as such. This is a fruitful field of investigation which can be profitably undertaken in a coordinated and continuous program with assurance of a solution . Studies of this sort can be adequately carried on where permanent field headquarters allow the concentration and protection of the necessary apparatus throughout the year. Surprisingly little is known of the life histories and habits of the animals of the region. Even the major forms, such as the birds and mammals, present a great number of problems of the highest interest, while the smaller ones, insects, shells and various other invertebrates present almost endless lines of research. Some of these animals will undoubtedly be found to be reservoirs or carriers of tropical diseases of importance to man and animals, some of importance, harmful or beneficial , to agriculture. Studies in embryology, breeding , and nesting habits, periods of incubation, methods of life in all phases must be made and will supply new data on forms and to regions previously little known and understood. In connection with the studies on parasites and diseases which are carried by certainanimals,specialattentionmustbegiventodetermination of the distribution, abundance and ecology of the species serving as secondary hosts or carriers. Of high scientific importance will be the determination of the occurrence and effectiveness of the adaptations in the various species of animals and plants to theenvironmentunderwhichtheylive.Numerouspresumedadaptationshavebeendescribedandsuggested for many tropical organisms, but little actual information is available as to whether these and other characters of structure and behavior are of real advantage to the species in its environment. Detailed experimental workismostdesirableinconnectionwithproblemshere. Another problem of high importance for study in the field is that of the ability of various species, including man, to become acclimated to tropical environments . A knowledge of the factors in the environment whichareresponsibleforthedifficultywhichthewhite race encounters in attempting to maintain itself in the tropics would be of great use. Some light may well be thrown on this relationship by observation of some of thespeciesofloweranimalsandbycarefullycontrolled experimentation with them. Here again are problems which could well be attacked with the facilities affordedbythepermanentandadequatefieldheadquar ters available. One of the important objectives of the biological work will be to determine the relationships which primitive man had with the native plants and animals and his effect upon them. The interpretation of data collected will fall upon both...

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