Mercedes Foster

• Ph.D. University of South Florida, Tampa (1974). Biology
• M.A. University of California, Berkeley (1965). Zoology, minor Botany
• B.A. University of California, Berkeley (1963). Zoology

Current research interests: (1) Social behavior and ecology of Neotropical birds, with emphasis on the evolution of lek behavior, and the ecology of avian frugivory, and seed dispersal; (2) Ecology of migrating and wintering nearctic birds; (3) Biodiversity studies, particularly the development of standard methods for measuring and monitoring biodiversity of different groups of organisms; (4) Conservation biology of birds.

Journal Article

• Foster, Mercedes S. 2021. "Male Aggregation in Dwarf Tyrant-Manakins and What It Tells Us about the Origin of Leks." Integrative and Comparative Biology, 61, (4) 1310–1318. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icab011.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 2014. "Can fruit pulp meet the calcium needs of tropical frugivorous passerines during reproduction?" Journal of Tropical Ecology, 30 79–88. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467413000643.
• Laurance, William F., Carolina Useche, D., Rendeiro, Julio, Kalka, Margareta, Bradshaw, Corey J. A., Sloan, Sean P., Laurance, Susan G., Campbell, Mason, Abernethy, Kate, Alvarez, Patricia, Arroyo-Rodriguez, Victor, Ashton, Peter, Benítez-Malvido, Julieta, Blom, Allard, Bobo, Kadiri S., Cannon, Charles H., Cao, Min, Carroll, Richard, Chapman, Colin, Coates, Rosamond, Cords, Marina, Danielsen, Finn, De Dijn, Bart, Dinerstein, Eric, Donnelly, Maureen A. et al. 2012. "Averting biodiversity collapse in tropical forest protected areas." Nature, 489 290–294. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11318.
• Brooks, Daniel M., O'Neill, John P., Foster, Mercedes S., Mark, Todd, Dauphine, Nico, and Franke, Irma J. 2009. "Avifauna of the Pongos Basin, Amazonas Department, Peru." Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 121, (1) 54–74. https://doi.org/10.1676/07-160.1.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 2008. "Potential effects of arboreal and terrestrial avian dispersers on seed dormancy, seed germination and seedling establishment in Ormosia (Papilionoideae) species in Peru." Journal of Tropical Ecology, 24 619–627. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467408005439.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 2008. "Freeze-Frame Fruit Selection by Birds." Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 120, (4) 901–905. https://doi.org/10.1676/07-122.1.
• Doucet, Stephanie M., McDonald, David B., Foster, Mercedes S., and Clay, Rob P. 2007. "Plumage development and molt in Long-tailed Manakins (Chiroxiphia linearis): Variation according to sex and age." The Auk, 124, (1) 29–43. https://doi.org/10.1642/0004-8038(2007)124[29:PDAMIL]2.0.CO;2.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 2007. "Winter behavior and ecology of the Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) in Peru." Ornitologia Neotropical, 18, (2) 171–186.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 2007. "The potential of fruit trees to enhance converted habitats for migrating birds in southern Mexico." Bird Conservation International, 17, (1) 45–61. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270906000554.
• Foster, Mercedes S. and Delay, L. S. 1998. "Dispersal of mimetic seeds of three species of Ormosia (Leguminosae)." Journal of Tropical Ecology, 14 389–411.
• Foster, Mercedes S. and Terborgh, John W. 1998. "Impact of a rare storm event on an Amazonian forest." Biotropica, 30, (3) 470–474.
• Grissell, E. E. and Foster, Mercedes S. 1996. "A new Bephratelloides (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) from seeds of Cymbopetalum (Annonaceae) in Mexico." Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 98, (2) 256–263.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1995. "For Want of a Nail." Defenders, 70, (3) 40.
• Greenberg, Russell S., Foster, Mercedes S., and Marquez, L. 1995. "The role of white-eyed vireos in the dispersal of Bursera Simaruba fruit." Journal of Tropical Ecology, 11 619–639.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1993. "Research, Conservation, and Collaboration - the Role of Visiting Scientists in Developing-Countries." The Auk, 110, (2) 414–417.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1993. "A spouse employment program." Bioscience, 43 241–242.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1993. "A Spouse Employment Program." Bioscience, 43, (4) 241–242.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1993. "A Question of Jobs - the 2-Career Couple." Bioscience, 43, (4) 237–237.
• Foster, Mercedes S. and Aguilar, R. 1993. "Primer registro de Eumopos underwoodi (Molossidae) de Costa Rica." Brenesia, 39-40 179–180.
• Foster, Mercedes S., Jenkinson, M. A., and Allen, A. 1993. "The Tools of the Trade - Library Enhancement in Developing-Countries." Bioscience, 43, (8) 556–563.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1992. "The international component of managing biological diversity." Transactions of the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, 57 321–329.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1992. "Tent Roosts of Macconnell Bat (Vampyressa-Macconnelli)." Biotropica, 24, (3) 447–454.
• Jenkinson, Marian A. and Foster, Mercedes S. 1992. "The Latin American Library Enhancement Project (LALEP)." CBE Views: Official Publication of the Council of Biology Editors, 15 71–74.
• Reynolds, Robert P. and Foster, Mercedes S. 1992. "Four New Species of Frogs and One New Species of Snake from the Chapare Region of Bolivia, with Notes on Other Species." Herpetological Monographs, 6 83–104. https://doi.org/10.2307/1466963.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1991. "Los saltarines y sus estraordinarios sistemas sociales de leks." Boletín SAO (Sociedad Antioqueña de Ornitología), II, (4) 5–14.
• Willard, David E., Foster, Mercedes S., Barrowclough, George W., Dickerman, Robert W., Cannell, Peter F., Coats, Sadie L., Cracraft, Joel L., and O'Neill, John P. 1991. "The Birds of Cerro de la Neblina, Territorio Federal Amazonas, Venozuela." Fieldiana.Zoology, 65 1–85.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1990. "Factors Influencing Bird Foraging Preferences among Conspecific Fruit-Trees." The Condor, 92, (4) 844–854.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1990. "Review of: No Woman Tenderfoot, by H. Kofalk." Wilson Bulletin, 102 562–563.
• Foster, Mercedes S. and Cannell, P. F. 1990. "Bird Specimens and Documentation - Critical Data for a Critical Resource." The Condor, 92, (2) 277–283.
• Foster, Mercedes S., Lopez, H. N. E., and Escobar, M. E. 1989. "Observations of a Nest of Red-Crowned Ant-Tanagers in Paraguay." Journal of Field Ornithology, 60, (4) 459–468.
• Beehler, Bruce McP and Foster, Mercedes S. 1988. "Hotshots, Hotspots, and Female Preference in the Organization of Lek Mating Systems." American Naturalist, 131, (2) 203–219.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1987. "Feeding Methods and Efficiencies of Selected Frugivorous Birds." The Condor, 89, (3) 566–580.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1987. "Delayed Maturation, Neoteny, and Social System Differences in 2 Manakins of the Genus Chiroxiphia." Evolution, 41, (3) 547–558.
• McDiarmid, Roy W. and Foster, Mercedes S. 1987. "Additions to the reptile fauna of Paraguay with notes on a small herpetological collection from Amambay." Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment, 22, (1) 1–9.
• McDiarmid, Roy W. and Foster, Mercedes S. 1987. "Cocoon formation in another hylid frog, Smilisca baudinii." Journal of Herpetology, 21, (4) 352–355.
• Burns-Balogh, Pamela S. and Foster, Mercedes S. 1986. "A new species of Sacroglottis (Orchidaceae) from Paraguay." Selbyana, 1986, (9) 189–190.
• Burns-Balogh, P., Robinson, Harold E., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1985. "The capitate-flowered epiphytic Spiranthinae (Orchidaceae) and a new genus from Paraguay." Brittonia, 37, (2) 154–162.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1985. "Social Organization and Behavior of the Swallow-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia caudata." National Geographic Society Research Reports, 18 313–320.
• Burns-Balogh, Pamela S. and Foster, Mercedes S. 1984. "A new species of Sacroglottis (Orchidaceae) from Paraguay." Selbyana, 1984, (7) 359–360.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1984. "Jewel Bird Jamboree." Natural History, 93, (7) 55–&.
• Smith, Alan R. and Foster, Mercedes S. 1984. "Chromosome numbers and ecological observations of ferns from El Tirol, Paraguay." The Fern Gazette, 12 321–329.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1983. "Disruption, Dispersion, and Dominance in Lek-Breeding Birds." American Naturalist, 122, (1) 53–72.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1983. "Training Biologists and Resource Managers in Lesser Developed-Countries." Interciencia, 8, (5) 289–293.
• Foster, Mercedes S. and McDiarmid, Roy W. 1983. "Nutritional Value of the Aril of Trichilia cuneata, a Bird-Dispersed Fruit." Biotropica, 15, (1) 26–31.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1982. "The research natural history museum: pertinent or passe?" The Biologist, 64 1–12.
• Foster, Mercedes S. and Fitzgerald, L. A. 1982. "A Technique for Live-Trapping Cormorants." Journal of Field Ornithology, 53, (4) 422–423.
• Foster, Mercedes S. and McDiarmid, Roy W. 1982. "Study of aggregative behaviour of Rhinophrynus dorsalis tadpoles: design and analysis." Herpetologica, 38, (3) 395–404.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1981. "Cooperative behavior and social organization of the Swallow-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia caudata)." Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 9 167–177.
• McDiarmid, Roy W. and Foster, Mercedes S. 1981. "Breeding Habits of the Toad Bufo coccifer in Costa Rica, with a Description of the Tadpole." Southwestern Naturalist, 26, (4) 353–363.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1978. "Total frugivory in tropical passerines: a reappraisal." Tropical Ecology, 19 131–154.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1977. "Ecological and Nutritional Effects of Food Scarcity on a Tropical Frugivorous Bird and its Fruit Source." Ecology, 58, (1) 73–85. https://doi.org/10.2307/1935109.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1977. "Odd Couples in Manakins: A Study of Social Organization and Cooperative Breeding in Chiroxiphia linearis." American Naturalist, 111, (981) 845–853. https://doi.org/10.1086/283218.
• McDiarmid, Roy W., Ricklefs, Robert E., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1977. "Dispersal of Stemmadenia donnell-smithii (Apocynaceae) by birds." Biotropica, 9, (1) 9–25,illust.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1976. "Nesting biology of the Long-tailed Manakin." The Wilson Bulletin, 88 400–420.
• Foster, Mercedes S. and Timm, Robert M. 1976. "Tent-Making by Artibeus jamaicensis (Chiroptera: Phyllostomatidae) with Comments on Plants Used by Bats for Tents." Biotropica, 8, (4) 265. https://doi.org/10.2307/2989720.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1975. "The Overlap of Molting and Breeding in Some Tropical Birds." The Condor, 77, (3) 304–314. https://doi.org/10.2307/1366226.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1975. "Temporal patternsof resource allocation and life history phenomena." Florida Scientist, 8 129–139.
• McDiarmid, Roy W. and Foster, Mercedes S. 1975. "Unusual sites for two Neotropical tadpoles." Journal of Herpetology, 9, (2) 264–265.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1974. "Rain, Feeding Behavior, and Clutch Size in Tropical Birds." The Auk, 91, (4) 722–726. https://doi.org/10.2307/4084724.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1974. "A Model to Explain Molt-Breeding Overlap and Clutch Size in Some Tropical Birds." Evolution, 28, (2) 182–190. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.1974.tb00739.x.
• Foster, Mercedes S. and Johnson, Ned K. 1974. "Notes on Birds of Costa Rica." The Wilson Bulletin, 86, (1) 58–63.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1971. "Plumage and Behavior of a Juvenile Gray-Headed Kite." The Auk, 88, (1) 163–166. https://doi.org/10.2307/4083970.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1969. "The Eggs of Three Species of Mallophaga and Their Significance in Ecological Studies." The Journal of parasitology, 55, (2) 453. https://doi.org/10.2307/3277435.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1969. "Synchronized Life Cycles in the Orange-Crowned Warbler and Its Mallophagan Parasites." Ecology, 50, (2) 315–323. https://doi.org/10.2307/1934858.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1967. "Molt cycles of the Orange-crowned Warbler." The Condor, 69 169–200.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1967. "Pterylography and Age Determination in the Orange-Crowned Warbler." The Condor, 69, (1) 1–12. https://doi.org/10.2307/1366367.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1965. "An early reference to the technique of owl calling." The Auk, 82 651–653.

Book

• Foster, Mercedes S. and Johnson, Ned K. 2017. The Annual Cycle and Natural History of a Subtropical Atlantic Forest Avifauna in Paraguay. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press. In Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 648. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.19436696.648.
• McDiarmid, Roy W., Foster, Mercedes S., Gueyr, Craig, Gibbons, J. Whitfield, and Chernoff, Neil. 2012. Reptile Biodiversity: Standard Methods for Inventory and Monitoring. Berkeley, California: University of California Press.
• Mueller, Gregory M., Bills, Gerald F., and Foster, Mercedes S. 2004. Biodiversity of Fungi: Inventory and Monitoring Methods. Amsterdam;Boston: Elsevier Academic Press.
• Wilson, Don E., Cole, F. Russell, Nichols, J. D., Rudran, Rasanayagam, and Foster, Mercedes S. 1996. Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Mammals. Washington, DC and London: Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Heyer, W. Ronald, Donnelly, Maureen A., McDiarmid, Roy W., Hayek, Lee-Ann C., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1994. Measuring and monitoring biological diversity: standard methods for amphibians. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington and London.
• Woodman, Neal, Jenkinson, Marian A., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1994. Latin American Research Libraries in Natural History: A Survey. 2nd ed. Chicago, Illinois: Council of Biology Editors.
• Buckley, P., Foster, Mercedes S., Morton, Eugene S., Ridgely, R., and Buckley, F., editors. 1985. Neotropical Ornithology. Washington, D.C.: American Ornithologists Union. In Ornithological monographs, 36.

Book Chapter

• Foster, Mercedes S. 2012. "Appendix II. Websites of Interest." In Reptile Biodiversity Standard Methods for Inventory and Monitoring. McDiarmid, Roy W., Foster, Mercedes S., Guyer, Craig, Gibbons, J. Whitfield, and Chernoff, Neil, editors. 345–347. Berkeley, California: University of California Press. In Biodiversity Methods Handbooks.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 2012. "Dealing with Associated Data. Overview." In Reptile Biodiversity Standard Methods for Inventory and Monitoring. McDiarmid, Roy W., Foster, Mercedes S., Guyer, Craig, Gibbons, J. Whitfield, and Chernoff, Neil, editors. 51–52. Berkeley, California: University of California Press. In Biodiversity Methods Handbooks.
• Foster, Mercedes S. and McDiarmid, Roy W. 2012. "Appendix 1: Selected Institutions with Significant Collections of Reptiles." In Reptile Biodiversity Standard Methods for Inventory and Monitoring. McDiarmid, Roy W., Foster, Mercedes S., Guyer, Craig, Gibbons, J. Whitfield, and Chernoff, Neil, editors. 341–344. Berkeley, California: University of California Press. In Biodiversity Methods Handbooks.
• Foster, Mercedes S. and McDiarmid, Roy W. 2012. "Preparing Reptiles as Voucher Specimens: Overview." In Reptile Biodiversity: Standard Methods for Inverntory and Monitoring. McDiarmid, Roy W., Foster, Mercedes S., Guyer, Craig, Gibbons, J. Whitfield, and Chernoff, Neil, editors. 95–96. Berkeley, California: University of California Press.
• Foster, Mercedes S., McDiarmid, Roy W., and Chernoff, Neil. 2012. "Studying Reptile Biodiversity." In Reptile Biodiversity Standard Methods for Inventory and Monitoring. McDiarmid, Roy W., Foster, Mercedes S., Guyer, Craig, Gibbons, J. Whitfield, and Chernoff, Neil, editors. 3–5. Berkeley, California: University of California Press.
• McDiarmid, Roy W. and Foster, Mercedes S. 2012. "Reptile Biodiversitu: Where do we go from here?" In Reptile Biodiversity Standard Methods for Inventory and Monitoring. McDiarmid, Roy W., Foster, Mercedes S., Guyer, Craig, Gibbons, J., and Chernoff, Neil, editors. 335–340. Berkeley, California: University of California Press. In Biodiversity Methods Handbooks.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 2009. "Manakins and Me." In Tale Feathers. Howard, Jaqueline, editor. 153–160. New York: Universe.
• Bills, Gerald F. and Foster, Mercedes S. 2004. "Formulae for selected materials used to isolate and study fungi and fungal allies." In Biodiversity of Fungi. Standard Methods for Inventory and Monitoring. Mueller, Greg M., Bills, Gerald F., and Foster, Mercedes S., editors. 595–618. New York: Elsevier Academic Press.
• Wilkinson, Fiona A. and Foster, Mercedes S. 2004. "Institutions with significant collections of fungi or fungal allies and fungus-related websites." In Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity, Standard Methods for Fungi. Mueller, G. M., Bills, G., and Foster, Mercedes S., editors. 619–626. Elsevier Press.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 2003. "Preface (to the Russian translation)." In Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity. Standard Methods for Amphibians (Russian translation). Russian translation ed. Heyer, W. Ronald, Donnelly, Maureen A., McDiarmid, Roy W., Hayek, Lee-Ann C., and Foster, Mercedes S., editors. xv–xvii. Russia.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 2001. "Estacion Biologica Cocha Cashu: Panorama general." In El Manu y Otras Experiencias de Investigacion y Manejo de Bosques Neotropicales.. Rodriguez, Lily O., editor. 19–22. Cusco, Peru: Parque Ncional del Manu.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 2001. "Prefacio de la editoria de la serie sobre la traduccion." In Medicion y Monitoreo de la Diversidad Biologica. Metodos Estandarizados para Anfibios. Spanish language ed. Heyer, W. Ronald, Donnelly, Maureen A., McDiarmid, Roy W., Hayek, Lee-Ann C., and Foster, Mercedes S., editors. xxiii–xxv. Chubut, Argentina: Editorial Universitaria de la Patagonia.
• Dobson, A., Ralls, Katherine, Foster, Mercedes S., Soul‚, M. E., Simberloff, D., Doak, D., Estes, J. A., Mills, L. S., Mattson, D., Dirzo, Rodolfo, Arita, Hector T., Ryan, S., Norse, E. A., Noss, R. F., and Johns, D. 1999. "Connectivity: maintaining flows in fragmented landscapes." In Continental Conservation: Design and Management Principles for Long-Term, Regional Conservation Networks. Soul‚, M. and Terborgh, John W., editors. 129–170. Washington, D.C.: Island Press.
• Scott, J. M., Norse, E. A., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1999. "The Issue of Scale in Selecting and Designing Biological Reserves." In Continental Conservation: Scientific Foundations of Regional Reserve Networks. Soule, Michael E. and Terborgh, John W., editors. 19–37. Washington, DC: Island Press.
• Gannon, William L. and Foster, Mercedes S. 1996. "Recording Mammal Calls." In Measuring and Monitoring Biodiversity. 71–79. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Rudran, Rasanayagam and Foster, Mercedes S. 1996. "Conducting a survey to assess mammalian diversity." In Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Mammals. Wilson, Don E., Cole, F. Russell, Nichols, J. D., Rudran, Rasanayagam, and Foster, Mercedes S., editors. 71–79. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Samways, M. J., Stork, Nigel E., Cracraft, Joel, Eeley, H. A., Foster, Mercedes S., Lund, G., and Hilton-Taylor, C. 1995. "Scales, planning, and approaches to inventory and monitoring." In Global Biodiversity Assessment. 475–518. Cambridge, UK;New York: Cambridge University Press.
• Heyer, W. Ronald, Donnelly, Maureen A., McDiarmid, Roy W., Hayek, Lee-Ann C., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1994. "Essentials of Standardization and Quantification." In Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians. Heyer, W. Ronald, editor. 17–39. Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Heyer, W. Ronald, Donnelly, Maureen A., McDiarmid, Roy W., Hayek, Lee-Ann C., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1994. "Index." In Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians. Heyer, W. Ronald, editor. 351–359. Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Heyer, W. Ronald, Donnelly, Maureen A., McDiarmid, Roy W., Hayek, Lee-Ann C., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1994. "Literature Cited." In Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians. Heyer, W. Ronald, editor. 329–350. Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Heyer, W. Ronald, Donnelly, Maureen A., McDiarmid, Roy W., Hayek, Lee-Ann C., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1994. "Preface and Introduction." In Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians. Heyer, W. Ronald, editor. xvii–3. Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Heyer, W. Ronald, Donnelly, Maureen A., McDiarmid, Roy W., Hayek, Lee-Ann C., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1994. "Contents." In Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians. Heyer, W. Ronald, editor. v–viii. Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Heyer, W. Ronald, Donnelly, Maureen A., McDiarmid, Roy W., Hayek, Lee-Ann C., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1994. "Keys to a Successful Project." In Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians. Heyer, W. Ronald, editor. 41–73. Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Heyer, W. Ronald, Donnelly, Maureen A., McDiarmid, Roy W., Hayek, Lee-Ann C., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1994. "Glossary." In Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians. Heyer, W. Ronald, editor. 325–327. Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Heyer, W. Ronald, Donnelly, Maureen A., McDiarmid, Roy W., Hayek, Lee-Ann C., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1994. "Conclusions and Recommendations." In Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians. Heyer, W. Ronald, editor. 271–273. Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Heyer, W. Ronald, Donnelly, Maureen A., McDiarmid, Roy W., Hayek, Lee-Ann C., and Foster, Mercedes S. 1994. "Supplemental Approaches to Studying Amphibian Biodiversity." In Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians. Heyer, W. Ronald, editor. 143–182. Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1993. "Preservación de ejemplates con máximo contenido de información y resumen de investigaciones basadas en tales materiales." In Curación Moderna de Colecciones Ornitolóicas. Pliego, P. Escalance, editor. 3–14. American Ornithologists Union, WDC.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1985. "Pre-nesting cooperation in birds: another form of helping behavior." In Neotropical Ornithology. Buckley, Paul A., Foster, Mercedes S., Morton, Eugene S., Ridgely, Robert S., and Buckley, Frances G., editors. 817–828. Washington DC: American Ornithologists Union. In Ornithological Monographs, no. 36.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1983. "Chiroxiphia linearis (Bonaparte; Long-tailed Manakin)." In Costa Rican Natural History. Janzen, Daniel H., editor. 563–564. Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press.
• Foster, Mercedes S. and McDiarmid, Roy W. 1983. "Stemmadenia donnell-smithii (Huevos de Caballo, Cojones de Chancho)." In Costa Rican Natural History. 328–329. Univ. Chicago Press.
• Foster, Mercedes S. and McDiarmid, Roy W. 1983. "Rhinophrynus dorsalis (Alma de Vaca, Sapo Borracho, Mexican Burrowing Toad)." In Costa Rican Natural History. 419–421. Univ. Chicago Press.

Conference Proceedings

• Foster, Mercedes S. 1997. "Evolution of Lek Social Systems in Manakins: Alternative Models and Proofs." from Anais V Congresso Brasileiro de Ornitologia. 7–8. (UNICAMP, Campinas, Brasil) 1996-08-06. Campinas, Brasil: UNICAMP.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1997. "The Potential of Fruiting Trees for Habitat Enhancement." from Anais V Congresso Brasileiro de Ornitologia. 1–4. (UNICAMP, Campinas, Brasil) 1996-08-06. Campinas, Brasil: UNICAMP.

Book Review

• Foster, Mercedes S. 1983. [Book review] "A Bird Family. The Cotingas. David Snow." Science, 219, 281–282.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1977. [Book review] "The Web of adaptation, bird studies in the American Tropics by David W. Snow." The Auk, 94, 618–DO.

Abstract

• Foster, Mercedes S. 1981. "The displays and social behavior of the Blue-backed Manakin, Chiroxiphia pareola." Yearbook of the American Philosophical Society, 1980: 22.
• Foster, Mercedes S. 1978. "The displays and social behavior of the Swallow-tailed Manakin, Chiroxiphia caudata." Yearbook of the American Philosophical Society, 1997: 195 OP.