Postgraduate Seminar Speakers 14th July 2016

Postgraduate Seminar Speakers 14^th July 2016

1pm - Zoology Museum (Wallace 129)

S P E A K E R   1

Sex and parasites in the mangrove: who is winning the arms race?

Waldir Filho

Pathogens are powerful selective agents implicated in maintaining genetic variation in host resistance.  According to the Red Queen hypothesis, this is because parasites exert frequency-dependent selection against common genotypes, favouring sexual reproduction and genetic variability. However, asexual or self-fertilising populations that persist despite low genetic diversity challenge the traditional idea that low variation should result in reduced ability to respond to pathogens and threat the long-term viability of populations. In order to test the relationship between outcrossing, inbreeding and fitness in mixed mating species, we have analysed the parasite loads and genetic diversity of K. hermaphroditus populations from three different mangroves in North East Brazil, and will be discussing the implications of few parasites and genetic diversity for the long term persistence of populations.

S P E A K E R   2

Biodiversity conservation in alpine aquatic ecosystems in Gran Paradiso National Park (Western Italian Alps)

Matteo Rolla

High elevation water ecosystems are sensitive to several local and global anthropogenic impacts such as climate change and long transport of atmospheric pollutants. Water exploitation, alien species introduction and local sources of pollutants also have strong impacts on the biodiversity of these sites. The Life+ BIOAQUAE project is focused on the conservation and restoration of alpine aquatic ecosystems in Gran Paradiso National Park. It consists of three main actions: 1) eradication of non-native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from four high altitude alpine lakes, 2) interventions to improve the quality of high altitude aquatic environments and 3) conservation actions to protect the marble trout (Salmo marmoratus). Special emphasis will be given to the eradication activities that propose a novel, low impact technique (the exclusive use of nets and