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The story of the Galapagos Islands, an archipelago so unique that it helped shape the foundations of modern biology, doesn’t end with its breathtaking landscapes and iconic wildlife. The research conducted there is making waves far beyond its shores.

UNC-Chapel Hill researchers Esteban Agudo, Isabel Silva, Savannah Ryburn and Salomé Jaramillo Gil spend several months a year in the Galapagos collecting marine life data. They are also members of the Bruno Lab, led by John F. Bruno, Chi Omega Distinguished Professor of Biology in the biology department in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences and the Galapagos Science Center.

Silva and her team conducted daily fishing trips from San Cristóbal Island, returning to the Galapagos Science Center at the end of each day, and went further afield on a five-day research excursion to collect fish fecal samples off Fernandina Island. Silva’s research focuses on understanding the critical role of ocean temperature in shaping the diets of various reef fish species, including parrotfish, which have unfortunately become scarce in many reefs today. These long-lived fish play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by grazing and regulating algae abundance.

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Story by Maya Wasik and Kelly Weaver, UNC Center for Galapagos Studies, Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025

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