Symbiosis dominates in the tropical rainforest...

How do mycorrhizae proliferate amongst the leaf litter "above" the tropical soils? While lichen species richness is high, why do the individual lichens appear to remain small in size? How are termite paunch microbiota different from more temperate zone species? How do mid- and high-canopy orchid epiphytes come in contact with the appropriate fungi for germination? How do the leaf-eating hoatzins transfer their symbionts to the following generations? These and so many other symbiosis-themed questions emerged from the recent excursion by members of the International Symbiosis Society to the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the remote northwest Amazon of eastern Ecuador.

The eleven-day experience during the relatively "dry" season in January started with six hours of traveling from the town of Coca east of Quito. Most of the journey moved along the Naupo and Tiputini rivers via motorized canoe. The great abundance and diversity of organisms at the Tiputini Station region is partly due to its remoteness, with no roads or villages nearby. The Station is adjacent as well to the massive Yasuni National Park, wherein most of the human inhabitants are the ancient protectors (but increasingly threatened) of the forest, the Waorani.

The ISS group included mycologists Häkan and Inger Wallander of Lund University, Sweden and Katarzyna Turnau of Jagiellonian University, Poland; biologist and termite expert Betsey Dyer of Wheaton College, USA; Ari Friedland, a doctoral student in molecular biology at Boston University; and myself (Douglas Zook, biologist and science educator at Boston University). All agreed that this tropical forest region is a symbiosis paradise.

There is both a great need and opportunity at Tiputini for symbiosis study. Since the Station's inception more than ten years ago unde the administrative leadership of the Universidad de San Francisco/Quito with collaboration from Boston University's Center for Ecology and Conservation Biology (CECB), important research on primate behaviors, bird disperdal and habits, amphibian diversity, and a wide range of other themes have resulte din numerous publications. The National Geographic Society and the National Science Foundation have been involved, particularly with the unique Camera Project, a program directed by John Blake of the University of Missouri at St. Louis, which uses remote still cameras placed throughout the region to dramatically reveal the vast diversity and behaviors of megafauna at Tiputini. Botanical, protistan, mycological, and microbial studies have been relatively rare. I think the symbiosis research community can help pave the way, in so doing promote both knowledge and conservation of this globally-significant biome.

Indeed, geo/eco-studies continue to emphasize the significance of the tropical rainforest as crucial havens (gene banks) for diversity, for its significance as a carbon dioxide sink, and its involvement with global temperature regulation through albedo effects and water cycle contributions. The Tiputini region, however, has its threats, not only from the human habits leading to world climate changes, but through petroleum companies currently operating near regions of biological treasure. Their spread and impact can be greatly minimized if there is steady visitation by researchers and students from around the world. Also, the International Symbiosis Society based at Boston University will be working closely with the Tiputini Biodiversity Station and the Boston University CECB in establishing a Tiputini Support Group to raise funds for special projects that promote the conservation mission of the Station.

I encourage other members to participate in future low-cost ISS-organized excursions to Tiputini or to contact me on how you can go there, visit, and conduct research or bring a group on your own. Special appreciation goes not only to my wonderful colleagues who participated in this excursion, but to the terrific host staff of the Station as led by Station Manager Rene Torres.

• The new issues of Symbiosis features numerous contributed papers to the recent international Ficus-wasp meetings. The contents can be accessed here and here. You can subscribe by accessing the journal page in the menu at this web site or by accessing the Symbiosis Journal web site, http://www.symbiosisjournal.com.

• New Symbiosis Journal web site! Balaban Publishers has initiated a web site devoted to the revitalized Symbiosis Journal as edited by David Richardson of St. Mary's University, Halifax, Canada. The site features table of contents listings from recent and current issues, directions for article submissions, and a listing of the editorial board, and related information. Please access it at: http://www.symbiosisjournal.com.

• With the next ISS Congress now set for the August of 2009 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison (USA), it is not a bad idea to periodically check their symbiosis research group web site, http://www.cals.wisc.edu/symbiosis/ This is a highly active research center in the field under the guidance of Heidi Goodrich-Blair. In fact, you may want to be on their list to receive their e-newsletter, Symbiosis News. E-mail Alicia at amcramer@wisc.edu.