pattern of colonization of epiphytes on calabash trees (Crescentia alata HBK.) in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica

We examined the structure of the community of epiphytes growing on Crescentia alba trees in Santa Rosa National Park. Costa Rica. Four orchid species were dominant in this community, showing a distinct order of colonization of the calabash trees, with Oncidium cebolleta colonizing first, Encyclia cordigera second, Brassavola nodosa third, and Laelia rubescens fourth. We were unable to find any differentiation of the locations of these species based on the physical characteristics of the sites. It is hypothesized that the colonization pattern observed is due to the quantity of propagules produced by each species.