Field Inclusive Experience Reflection : María José (Majo) Navarrete Méndez
“In my own experience, I have encountered discouraging comments suggesting I could not participate in long expeditions due to concerns about menstruation, which wrongly portrayed me as a burden to the team.”
BY MARIA JOSE (MAJO) NAVARRETE MENDEZ
I’m María José (Majo) Navarrete, an Ecuadorian biologist and herpetologist. I consider myself a naturalist by passion, a conservationist by conviction, and a biologist by a complex mixture of curiosity, hard work and chance. Currently, I am a Ph.D. candidate, conducting research under the mentorship of Professor Rebecca Tarvin in the Integrative Biology department at the University of California, Berkeley.
My research primarily focuses on investigating the origin and evolution of chemical defenses, specifically guanidinium alkaloids, in the critically endangered neotropical toads of the genus Atelopus. Guanidinium alkaloids, such as Tetrodotoxin (TTX) and TTX-analogs, are potent neurotoxins that can induce paralysis and, in high doses, fatality in the organisms that consume them. Surprisingly, these toxic compounds have been identified in a very diverse and disparate range of terrestrial and marine organisms, including pufferfish, octopuses, flatworms, crabs, and amphibians. Being frogs and salamanders, they are the only terrestrial vertebrates known to harbor guanidinium alkaloids and use them as a defense against predators. Interestingly, the presence of guanidinium alkaloids in such distantly related organisms raises a crucial question regarding the evolution of these compounds across species. It is improbable that the pathway for TTX and TTX-analogs synthesis independently evolved in these divergent taxa. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that the production of TTX in amphibians, as in marine organisms, likely involves the recruitment of toxin-producing symbiotic bacteria. This intriguing finding suggests that, despite substantial genomic differences, a collaborative relationship between hosts and symbionts can yield similar adaptations.
Some species of Atelopus are known to possess TTX and unique TTX-analogs seen nowhere else in nature. However, only 13 of the 99 species have been assessed for toxicity, and 9 of these are from Central America. In contrast, the vast diversity of Atelopus occurs in South America, with 65 species in Ecuador and Colombia alone. Additionally, Atelopus species can be found from sea level to 4000 m elevation, constituting one of the most interesting systems to study the symbiotic origin, evolution, and ecological roles of the presence of guanidinium alkaloids.
The diverse array of habitats where Atelopus are found has led to a challenging, but very fun fieldwork expeditions for both me and my team. I’ve been fortunate to work in a wide range of ecosystems, from the Andean Páramo to the Pacific and Amazon lowlands, all in pursuit of these precious toads. These expeditions have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of ecosystems and have taught me the importance of always considering natural history when exploring more theoretical questions.
One of the most profound experiences during my fieldwork has been the chance to witness my grandma’s stories come to life through my own eyes. Among the species I study, there is one, Atelopus ignescens, that was thought to have gone extinct since the last individuals were seen in the 1990s. This once abundant species had vanished within a few decades. While I never had the opportunity to see it, my grandmother did. She used to tell me stories about people having to tread carefully to avoid squashing the toads underfoot. Then, in 2016, a population of this species was reported again from the very same region where my grandma had seen them many years ago. Seeing this population for the first time filled me with gratitude, as it felt like a second opportunity to work towards the conservation of Atelopus and amphibians in general. Although I couldn’t physically bring my grandma to the field, I arranged a video call with her to share a glimpse of those beloved toads once more. This experience made me realize that fieldwork not only constitutes an integral part of my research and defines my identity as a scientist, but also is the means by which I connect with my roots, gaining insight into who I am and where I come from. It offers me the opportunity to immerse myself in diverse ways of life and build connections with the local people who coexist with the forest and the toads.
Moreover, through fieldwork I have come to acknowledge that my abilities and expertise alone wouldn’t have been and will never be enough without the assistance and encouragement from friends, colleagues, mentors, and, significantly, the local communities who have played a crucial role in the expedition’s accomplishments. It is the synergistic work of many people and the diversity of ideas and backgrounds that has contributed to the success of all my field trips. The Field Inclusive Research grant provided me with the opportunity to reciprocate the invaluable expertise, knowledge, and contribution of one of my local guides and collaborators during our expedition as we searched for Atelopus coynei and A. longirostris in the beautiful montane forests of the western Andes of Ecuador. I am firmly convinced that as researchers, we have the capacity to serve as catalysts for engaging local communities in research, conservation initiatives, and political decisions regarding habitat management.
In my opinion, a mega-diverse region, like Ecuador, needs mega-diverse efforts and different approaches in order to be studied comprehensively. Sadly, many minoritized groups in academia have historically faced exclusion from fieldwork and research opportunities. In my own experience, I have encountered discouraging comments suggesting I could not participate in long expeditions due to concerns about menstruation, which wrongly portrayed me as a burden to the team.
Fortunately, along my academic journey, I have also found mentors and colleagues who have opened doors and spaces for me to learn and grow as a field biologist and scientist. Inspired by these people and guided by the most valuable ethics my parents and grandparents instilled in me – namely, nonconformity and a strong work ethic for making a difference – I am committed to fostering a positive, diverse, and inclusive academic culture that encourages creativity in research.
María José (Majo) Navarrete (she/her) is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Berkeley, and was one of two recipients of a 2023 Field Inclusive Research Grant.
Credit: Julio César Carrión