GEOLOGY AND TERRESTRIAL FLORA AND FAUNA OF CAYOS-COCHINOS, HONDURAS

We conducted brief (3-5 day), preliminary surveys of the geology and t errestrial flora and fauna of Cayos Cochinos, Honduras over a three mo nth period (March-May) in 1995. Our descriptions focused on Cayo Cochi no Pequeno which is a fully protected island in the Reserva Biologica Cayos Cochinos, a recently created Honduran national park. Bird and ma mmal surveys complemented previous studies of the avian, reptile and a mphibian vertebrate faunas. The species composition and distribution o f plants and insects are described for the first time. The checklist o f (160) vascular plant species includes all the common forest plants a nd a characterization of the different vegetation types. Insect divers ity was low on Cayos Cochinos and representatives of nine families wer e collected. Fifteen species of amphibians (n=2) and reptiles (n=13) h ave been previously reported on the islands. We noted 43 species of bi rds on the main islands and adjacent small cays. Two small colonies of Brown Pelicans on Cayo Cochino Pequeno represent the first breeding r ecord for the species on the Caribbean coast of Honduras. A small grou p of Royal Terns breeding on Cayo Gallina, a sand cay close to Cayo Co chino Pequeno, provide the first confirmation that this species is nes ting in Honduras. We collected eight species of mammals and observed t wo more, one of which is a certain record (Agouti paca), while the oth er (Marmosa sp.) requires verification. The six bat species recorded w ere common at the time of our survey, some with extremely high densiti es (capture rates) relative to mainland populations. Our report closes with management and research recommendations for Cayos Cochinos.