The Crees Foundation for Manu Newsletter

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🔎 RESEARCH PROGRAMME

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES AND CLEARING THE PATH FOR RESEARCH

M.Sc Joseph Oakley - Research Coordinator

March has been a relatively quiet month at the Manu Learning Centre Biological Field Station (MLC), with the region still under the influence of the rainy season. Although this season can limit our activities, there is always plenty to keep us busy. Participating in the biological surveys and searching for the diverse animal species is often the highlight of our research, but it would not be possible without the essential task of maintaining the forest trails.

With over 18 kilometres of trails at the MLC, ensuring they are clear and safe requires constant effort. This often means clearing debris with a machete, especially in the rainy season when heavy rains and storms bring down branches and trees, obstructing our paths.

Bamboo is one of the biggest challenges we face in the forest. When cut, bamboo becomes incredibly dangerous, with razor-sharp edges and a tendency to swing rapidly due to the release of tension. To mitigate risks, we prioritize safety by training our staff in proper cutting techniques and ensuring they use protective equipment. With these precautions in place, our team tackled one of the areas of the MLC most notorious for becoming blocked - the bamboo forest. After hours of hard work and care, we successfully cleared a path through this dense area, which will hopefully remain open for several months, allowing us to continue our surveys uninterrupted. Although it was physically demanding, the team thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.

As always, we remain committed to maintaining a safe and accessible environment for our research and conservation efforts, and we look forward to the next month of exciting discoveries and challenges.

📚EDUCATION PROGRAMME

THE FLIGHT OF DRADGONFLIES A REVOLUTIONARY IDEA

Sharon Urbina Valle - Junior Field Associate

For centuries, humans have dreamed of soaring through the skies.

Throughout history, many have attempted this, resulting in both successes and failures.

But where does the idea of flying come from?

If it weren’t for birds, mammals, and flying insects, we might never have conceived of the idea. We have simply tried to imitate nature, which for thousands of years has achieved what we one day dreamed of.

This month, we had several presentations, one of which was particularly interesting. It focused on dragonflies—flying insects of the order Odonata—characterised by their compound eyes, elongated bodies, and two pairs of long wings.

This educational presentation focused on the mechanics of the wings of these incredible insects, which have inspired many companies to develop micro aerial vehicles (MAVs), because dragonflies perform extremely complex maneuvers.

Each wing moves independently.

The front wings move at a different speed from the rear wings, enabling them to reach speeds of up to 98 km/h. Odonata is subdivided into Anisoptera (dragonflies, with robust bodies and eyes closer to each other) and Zygoptera (damselflies, with slender bodies and separated eyes), which differ anatomically but also in the structure of their wings.

Studies in aerodynamics have found a protein called resilin, which gives them flexibility. Another analysis focused on the wing-beat cycle, unique to this group. This cycle consists of four movements, movements that would not be possible without resilin. It is fascinating how physics merges with biology to understand movements that seem simple at first glance but are complex when analysed.

Odonates are well-studied in aerodynamics for the design of small aerial vehicles like drones or large ones like helicopters. These vehicles can mimic the anatomical structure of these insects or the biophysics behind their flight.

Small animals like dragonflies may seem insignificant, but we have learned that by looking closely, we might be facing a great source of inspiration for a revolutionary new invention, just as we have achieved in conquering the skies. This is just one of the many informative presentations we regularly deliver to interns, staff, and participants in the Education Programme at the MLC.

🐍STORY OF THE MONTH (MLC)

THE LARGEST MUSSURANA EVER RECORDED AT CREES FOUNDATION FOR MANU

Marisol Flores Flores - Junior Field Associate

This month, we had a remarkable encounter during one of our daily walks in the forest. Just 200 metres from camp, we came across the largest Clelia clelia (commonly known as Mussurana) ever recorded at the MLC. This individual measured almost 3 metres in length!

Unfortunately, when we found it, it was already dead, lying in a pond while being consumed by bullet ants and termites.

However, there were no visible signs of external damage, leading us to believe that it had not been killed by another animal.

Aside from the impressive size of this individual, this species has other fascinating characteristics.  Mussuranas change colour throughout their life stages. As juveniles, they have a black head with a yellow band around the neck, while the rest of their body is red. As adults, their entire body, including the head, turns black or grey.

Clelia clelia primarily preys on other snakes, including venomous vipers, but it can also consume lizards, snails, and small rodents. When hunting, it delivers a series of bites before wrapping around its prey and constricting it. In some cases, the prey may still be alive when it is consumed.

Studies suggest that this species may have some resistance to the venom of certain snake species. It has even been proposed that its blood serum could be used to develop an antivenom. While it may seem intimidating due to its large size, this species is beneficial to have around human settlements, as its diet of snakes may reduce the risk of venomous snake bites to humans.

WE CAN INCREASE OUR IMPACT ON THE CONSERVATION OF MANU TOGETHER

Do you know someone passionate about nature, conservation, and scientific discovery? This conservation internship could be the perfect opportunity for them!