Chromis fish swim among coral in the Indo-Pacific along
with a lemon damsel. They may be threatened by higher water temperatures.



Fish living near the equator will not thrive in the warmer oceans of the future.

According to an international team of researchers, the rapid pace of climate change is threatening the future presence of fish near the equator.

“Our studies found that one species of fish could not even survive in water just three degrees Celsius warmer than what it lives in now,” says the lead author of the study, Jodie Rummer from the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University.

Ms. Rummer and her colleagues studied six common species of fish living on coral reefs near the equator. She says many species in this region only experience a very narrow range of temperatures over their entire lives, and so are likely adapted to perform best at those temperatures.

This means climate change places equatorial marine species most at risk, as oceans are projected to warm by two to three degrees Celsius by the end of this century.

“Such an increase in warming leads to a loss of performance,” Ms. Rummer explains. “Already, we found four species of fish are living at or above the temperatures at which they function best.”

The team measured the rates at which fish use oxygen, the fuel for metabolism, across different temperatures, at rest and during maximal performance. According to the results, at warmer temperatures fish lose scope for performance. In the wild, this would limit activities crucial to survival, such as evading predators, finding food, and generating sufficient energy to breed.

Because many of the Earth’s equatorial populations are now living close to their thermal limits, there are dire consequences ahead if these fish cannot adapt to the pace at which oceans are warming.

Ms. Rummer suggests there will be declines in fish populations as species may move away from the equator to find refuge in areas with more forgiving temperatures.

“This will have a substantial impact on the human societies that depend on these fish,” she said.

A concentration of developing countries lies in the equatorial zone, where fish are crucial to the livelihoods and survival of millions of people, including those in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

In an era of rapid climate change, understanding the link between an organism and its environment is crucial to developing management strategies for the conservation of marine biodiversity and the sustainable use of marine fisheries, say researchers.

“This is particularly urgent when considering food security for human communities, said Ms. Rummer.”

The study appears in Global Change Biology.


Outsourcing firm planning
new building with more jobs


The Results Companies, an outsourcing firm, said Tuesday that it was expanding its contact center in Heredia. 

The growth will include over 350 new job opportunities and allow The Results Companies to accommodate current and future client growth needs for their largely Fortune 500 client base. The new center construction will expand the current facility by over 16,000 square feet and include an additional 325 seats, an employee lounge and six administration offices.  The expansion is due to be completed in early March with new employee training targeted to begin on March 3.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be part of the Heredia community.  This expansion, only weeks after our grand opening, simply reinforces our belief that Costa Rica will be instrumental in our future success delivering the exemplary service our partners and their customers have come to expect from The Results Companies,” said Heather Johll, vice president of account operations.      

The Results Companies is currently accepting applications for customer service and support positions through the Web site at www.CareersAtResults.com/Heredia.

With over 8,500 employees in 15 locations in the United States, Philippines and Latin America, The Results Companies’ expertise extends beyond call centers.  The firm says it is experts in representatives, analytical technologies, brand fulfillment and creating strategic advantages for clients.


Patrol car bashed in Pavas
in pursuit of stolen vehicle


Drunks driving in a stolen car would be well advised to avoid crashing into a police car.

But the Fuerza Pública said that is what happened early Tuesday.

Police said two men in a vehicle were being chased because the car had been reported stolen. The car with the suspects whacked into the rear of a patrol car. That happened about 1 a.m. in Pavas.  The chase continued until the vehicle finally was stopped and the two men detained.


Road work beginning today
on Interamericana, Ruta 1


The nation's road agency said that there will be work on Ruta 1, the Interamericana highway starting today between Cañas and Limonal.

The bulk of the work will be putting down asphalt, and there may be some delays, said the Consejo Nacional de Vialidad.