For the first time, SCBI geneticists have sequenced the genome of a vertebrate: A Hawaiian honeycreeper
Today’s hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.)
E. Emperatriz Gamero is currently a fellow at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Center for Conservation Genomics, where she conducts lab work for her master’s degree. Her research aims to propose a phylogenetic hypothesis about the origins of the endemic and critically endangered Margarita capuchin, and its divergence from mainland capuchins. She hopes to examine longstanding questions about specific versus subspecific status of the species based on their colonization of Margarita Island. Gamero’s projects include:
Today’s hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.)
Nearly one-third of all amphibian species globally are at risk of going extinct. While the global amphibian crisis is the result of habitat loss, climate change and pollution, the deadly amphibian chytrid fungus plays a large role in the frogs‘ disappearances.
Today’s hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.)
Elin Videvall is a postdoctoral researcher at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Center for Conservation Genomics. Videvall works with birds and malaria parasites on the islands of Hawaii. She uses genomics, transcriptomics and population genetics to better understand how endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers respond to introduced malaria disease.
Today’s hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.)
struggle to reproduce naturally and maintain healthy population sizes and a diverse gene
Today’s hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.)
For four years, the Reptile Discovery Center’s Asian water dragon female lived alone. Then, while examining eggs as part of a study, animal keepers made a shocking discovery—one was fertile! How could a female lay a fertile egg without a mate? They turned to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) for an answer to the mystery: parthenogenesis.
Today’s hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.)
At Kids’ Farm, visitors can see cows, alpacas, hogs, donkeys, goats, chickens and fish.
Today’s hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.)
Male wire-tailed manakins form long-lasting, cooperative relationships, and scientists are researching how hormones shape these social networks.
Today’s hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.)
UPDATE: David Wildt passed away on January 15, 2020. His obituary is available here.
Today’s hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.)
Figuring out the sex of a porcupine can be a difficult task. They aren’t always easy to handle, and when they are young they show no sexual dimorphism.
Today’s hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.)
