LETTER: FROM GEOSITES TO KARST LANDSCAPES: ROBERTO GUTIÉRREZ DOMECH IN MEMORIAM Y asmani CEBALLOS IZQUIERDO 1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v54i1.14128 Roberto Gutiérrez Domech (1947–2024) was a distin- guished Cuban geologist, karstologist, speleologist, and paleontologist whose extensive work significantly ad- vanced the understanding and preservation of Cuba’s geological heritage (Gutiérrez-Domech, 2010; Gutiér- rez-Domech et al. 2005, 2007, 2011a, 2011b; Gutiérrez- Domech and Rivero Glean, 1999; Pantaleón-Vento et al. 2011, 2013). Born in Havana on January 14, 1947, Gutié- rrez Domech dedicated his life to the study of geosites and karst landscapes, leaving an indelible mark on the scientific community. Gutiérrez Domech’s journey into the natural scienc- es began early in life, marked by a deep fascination with the geological formations that define the Cuban land- scape. He pursued higher education in Geography and graduated in 1977. His academic focus evolved toward karst topography and speleology—the study of caves— shaping a career that would make him synonymous with the study and protection of Cuba’s unique geological fea- tures. Throughout his career, Gutiérrez Domech held sev- eral key positions within Cuban scientific institutions. He spent more than two decades conducting paleontological and applied geological research at the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources and the National Enterprise of Applied Research, before becoming a senior researcher and head of the Department of Paleontology and in the Mario Sánchez Roig Museum at the Institute of Geology and Paleontology of Cuba. He also served as an associate professor at the Enrique José Varona Higher Pedagogical Institute. His leadership extended beyond these institu- tions, playing a pivotal role in the development of signifi- cant scientific works both in Cuba and internationally. In addition to his academic and professional roles, Gutiérrez Domech was a key figure in the scientific community as the founder of the Martel Speleological Group, the Cuban Speleological Society, and the Cuban Geological Society, where he held leadership positions. His influence extended to more than 60 scientific arti- cles and co-authorship of books, solidifying his legacy in the fields of geology, karstology, geography, and pale- ontology. As a prolific author, one of his most notable works is Minigeografía de Cuba (Gutiérrez-Domech and Rivero Glean, 1997), which offers a comprehensive exploration of the island’s diverse geological features. This book has become an essential resource for students and research- ers seeking to understand Cuba’s natural landscapes. In karstology, Gutiérrez-Domech made countless contribu- tions, both through fieldwork and written works, dissem- inating knowledge about Cuba’ s unique geological forma- tions (Acevedo-González and Gutiérrez-Domech, 1974a; Gutiérrez-Domech, 1998a, b, 2010; Gutiérrez-Domech and Farrah Pascual, 1967; Gutiérrez-Domech and Mar- tínez-Salcedo, 1998; Gutiérrez-Domech and Barriento- Duarte, 2001; Iturralde-Vinent and Gutiérrez-Domech, 1994, 1998). One example of this is an article published in this very journal (Gutiérrez-Domech et al. 2015). His studies on the development of karstification in the Cor- dillera de Guaniguanico (Pinar del Río), western Cuba, provided valuable insights into the region’s geological evolution (Acevedo-González and Gutiérrez-Domech, 1974a). He also conducted extensive research on cave systems such as the Majaguas-Cantera cave system in Pi- nar del Río, which has become a benchmark for speleo- logical studies in Cuba and beyond (Acevedo-González 1 Calle 40, #2702 e/27 y 29, Madruga, Mayabeque Cuba Received/Prejeto: 24. 12. 2024 ACTA CARSOLOGICA 54/1, 119-123, POSTOJNA 2025 and Gutiérrez-Domech, 1974b, 1976b). Additionally, he studied the karst landscapes of the Cayajabos (Madruga, western Cuba) area and its geomorphology, further ex- panding the understanding of these unique formations (Gutiérrez-Domech and Rivero-Reyes, 1975a, 1975b). Over the course of his career, Gutiérrez Domech also made remarkable contributions to Cuban pale- ontology, documenting numerous significant and rare discoveries, including microforaminifera, ammonites, Campanian-Maastrichtian decapods, and Cenozoic rays (Furrazola-Bermúdez, et al. 1998; Gutiérrez-Domech, 1966, 1967, 1968; Gutiérrez-Domech et al, 1977a, b; Itur- ralde-Vinent et al. 1998; Oliva-Martín et al, 2017; Vega et al., 2024). Among his most guarded treasures was the holotype of the Cuban pterosaur Cacibupteryx caribensis, which he meticulously preserved at the institute, under- scoring his role as a custodian of Cuba’s paleontological heritage. His particular interest in the Madruga region was shared with the author, with whom he engaged in fruitful discussions about the Madruga Formation. This same interest led him to return to Madruga a few years ago, alongside the author of this work, to relocate an out- crop at the Aguacate Quarry where a fossil turtle had been discovered decades earlier (Fig. 1). Following this visit, he also shared valuable information about the fo- raminifera from the quarry. In 1981, he published a very interesting report in the journal Voluntad Hidráulica, describing two large ‘di- nosaur’ bones discovered in western Cuba—findings of considerable importance to the paleontological record, had they been confirmed (Gutiérrez-Domech, 1981). Al- Figure 1. Roberto Gutiérrez-Do- mech collecting geological samples from a large limestone block at the Aguacate Quarry, Madruga, west- ern Cuba (c. 2020). This fieldwork effort, undertaken alongside the author, aimed to relocate and doc- ument a fossil turtle site originally discovered decades earlier. Figure 2. Unpublished photograph of a block containing fossil bone fragments reported by Roberto Gutiérrez-Domech in 1981, discov- ered in western Cuba. These bones, later lost, were tentatively at- tributed to Late Jurassic dinosaurs; however, the absence of physi- cal material precludes definitive verification of their taxonomic identity. Images and historical context were generously shared by Gutiérrez-Domech. YASMANI CEBALLOS IZQUIERDO 120 ACTA CARSOLOGICA 54/1 – 2025 though the fossil material was later lost and cannot be evaluated, I was fortunate to access unpublished photo- graphs of the specimens and firsthand historical infor- mation, kindly shared by Gutiérrez-Domech himself (Fig. 2). Another controversial discovery was a supposed dinosaur bone from the Santa Cruz River, of which the author retains an old photograph (Fig. 3); this specimen too remains unassessable. Beyond his academic achievements, Gutiérrez Do- mech was a dedicated educator. He mentored countless students and professionals, inspiring a new generation of scientists committed to the study and conservation of geological heritage. His methodologies for diagnos- ing and classifying geosites have been adopted in various conservation initiatives, ensuring the lasting protection of Cuba’ s unique geological features. His advocacy for en- vironmental conservation underscored his belief in the intrinsic value of preserving natural landscapes for future generations. The passing of Roberto Gutiérrez Domech marks a sig- nificant loss for the geological and speleological com- munities. His life’s work—from the meticulous study of geosites to the exploration of karst landscapes—has left an enduring legacy that continues to enrich the scientific understanding of Cuba's natural history. As we reflect on his contributions, we honor his memory by continu- ing the pursuit of knowledge and the preservation of the natural world he so passionately advocated for. 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