Wednesday 10 April 2019

Biosciences Seminar Speaker 11 April 2019

Biosciences Seminar Series - Spring 2019
11 April 2019 - 1pm - Zoology Museum


Adaptation in a changing world: human influences on evolution

Dr Kiyoko Gotanda

Our Biosciences Seminar Series resumes for the spring term with a talk by Dr Kiyoko Gotanda from the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge. Kiyoko is an evolutionary and behavioural ecologist, who works at the interface between ecology, evolution and behaviour, with a special interest in understanding the patterns and causes of the origin of biological diversity.


Abstract
Evolutionary biology studies the origins of biodiversity, how it evolved and, importantly, how it is maintained. In today's world, patterns of selection (and therefore evolution) are being altered by humans, strongly influencing the generation and maintenance of biodiversity. Humans can alter evolution and adaptation through a variety of mechanisms. For example, the increase in urbanization (development of villages, towns, and cities) has a strong effect on ecological and evolutionary processes. Another example is the introduction of non-native predators, an impact known to be closely correlated with local extinction events. Here, I present examples of humans altering selective pressures, and what the consequences of this are.  


Hope to see many of you - everyone most welcome to attend!


For the list of forthcoming seminars see here

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