This beautiful artwork made by Yun-Kae Kiang for the study illustrates the abundance of lanternfishes and other pelagic animals recovered at the Piña site. Love the cookie-cutter shark - we find a lot of their teeth at the site

We found that more than 96% of the otoliths recovered from the Piña site belonged to the family Myctophidae - the lanternfishes - demonstrating that the Miocene Caribbean waters were highly productive in contrast to the oligotrophic Caribbean today

We named 4 new fishspecies: Chiloconger aflorens, Dasyscopelus inopinatus, Malakichthys schwarzhansi, and Hoplostethus boyae. This one after Brigida de Gracia, Ngäbe fossil fish expert who has contributed greatly to understanding Panama's natural history. Her nickname is Boya, hence the species name

The site is remarkable for many reasons, but the density of otoliths in the sediments really stands out. They are so abundant they are clearly visible as you walk over the wave-cut platform...

Try this: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/.... Hope it works

Here in the tropics, climate "disruption" can upend predictable processes that coastal communities rely on. There are many regionally-important upwelling zones across the tropics. All need better monitoring and climate predictions. Great collaboration with @mpic.de.‬ OA! www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

More than 95% biomass of Panama's fisheries comes from the Pacific coast and the #1 largest export of Panama is sea food. Upwelling is economically critical for Panama and its people. Is this a one-off or a vision of the future? Photo: Steve Paton/STRI

It appears the culprit was dramatically reduced wind patterns—74% fewer northerly winds with much shorter duration when they did occur. Just not enough to kick-start the upwelling...

We analysed long term records of temperature and wind in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry using the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's long term monitoring program data. Here's to institutional monitoring!

This seasonal upwelling is driven by the trade winds, and it brings cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface. Year on, year out it has predictably supported ocean life and fisheries for millennia. The cooling waters also protect coral reefs from heat stress. Photos: Natasha Hinojosa and Steve Paton

Paywalled? Grab the pdf here: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ig0x2...

Paywall? Get the pdf here: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4tf47...

Joint first author: @erinmdillon.bsky.social plus other lovelies, including @gobyone.bsky.social @kt-cramer.bsky.social @jonscibulski.bsky.social @mattleray.bsky.social and others.