Masters Candidate in Biology
206 Dickinson Hall
Museum Road & Newell Drive
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 273-1821
Email: pimientoc@ufl.edu
Research Interests
My interests are in the fields of marine biology and paleontology; with emphasis in the study of sharks. I am interested in their migrations routes, population ecology, development, paleoecology and conservation. I would like to approach these issues mainly with telemetry using satellite and acoustic devices to track their movements and paleoecological studies using data from fossils reconstruct the ecosystems.
I’m also interested in Science Education in biology and distribution of scientific information to kids through the web. I propose to develop a bilingual web site especially for kids where they can discover about fossil sharks from Panama. I plan to develop this web site in an engaging kid-friendly way. There kids will learn in a fun way and they will become skilled at scientific concepts through inquiry.
Current Research
Primary Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bruce J. MacFadden
The Panama isthmus was formed about 3.1-2.8 million years ago. It is a narrow strip of land that separates the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Before the isthmus arose, the two oceans coexisted in that area forming the Central America Seaway. The fossil record indicates that in the past, different shark species inhabited this seaway. Several changes in oceanographic conditions associated with the geologic processes of the formation of the isthmus had different effects in shark fauna. I am updating the fossil record of sharks from the Gatun Formation in Panama and comparing the taxa found with previous studies and with similar faunas in the Caribbean. By the use of the fossil data collected, I would like to know: what was the effect of the Panamanian Isthmus uplift on the shark fauna? How did sharks (especially Carcharocles megalodon) used this extinct environment in the past? Was this doorway used as part of their migrations routes and how the closure of this affected sharks populations current distribution?
Previous Research
Occurrence, size and sexes of the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) population in Isla Contoy National Park,
Quintana Roo, Mexico
For my undergraduate thesis research project, I conducted a descriptive study of the whale shark population occurring in Isla Contoy
National Park, in the Mexican Caribbean where R. typus is observed every summer. During four months of field work, I counted whale
sharks in order to evaluate the existence of a peak in their abundance.
I determined maturity proportions based on measurements of their
sizes and established sex proportions based on the direct observation of their genital structures underwater.
For more information visit:
Whale sharks in Isla Contoy, Mexico.
Whale shark tagging in Las Perlas Archipelago, Panama
I undertook research at The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), Panama, at the
Remote Sensing and Telemetry Lab., under the advisement of Dr. Hector Guzman; our area of interest was Las Perlas Archipelago on the
Pacific side of the Republic of Panama. This area is highly used by fisheries and recently there has been great interest to develop large
scale tourism affecting the ecosystem of the fauna living in the area. With this particular study, we intend to track the movements of
20 whale sharks using 10 satellite tags (7 SPLASH and 3 PAT) and 10 acoustic tags. We wanted to know where the whale sharks go and what
drives their movements; this data will help inform and guide efforts towards the conservation of this species through the establishment
and maintenance of marine protected areas such as in Las Perlas. With this research we hope to improve knowledge of whale sharks’ ecology
and demographic connectivity throughout the region.
Sea turtle survey in Las Perlas Archipelago, Panama
I also collaborated with Dr. Guzman in a research project at our area of interest (Las Perlas Archipelago), where we identified sea turtle nesting
areas within the archipelago; identified the particular species that nest there; and we tracked the migration routes 4 sea turtles using
satellite tags (SPOT5). With this project, we hope to generate information to focus protection efforts which will help conservation for
this endangered species, through the establishment of protected areas in popular fishing zones.
Published Abstract
Pimiento, C. 2008. Sizes and sexes of the whale shark in Isla Contoy, Mexico. 2nd International Whale Shark Conference, Holbox, Mexico (Poster presentation).
Science Education Outrearch Projects
Pimiento, C. and Guzman, H. Whale sharks in Panama Guide. Brochure to be given to the public. In progress.
Semminars and Lectures
August 2007: XII Smithsonian Talk of the Month: The Whale shark: The Biggest Fish on earth. Hotel Melia, Colon, Panama.
July 2006: How to study whale sharks? Mexico and Panama research. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia.
Popular Media Coverage
August 18, 2007. La Prensa: Shark or whale? (Tiburón o Ballena?).
September 3, 2007: Panama America: A big fish in trouble (Un gran pez en aprietos).