Biosciences Seminar Series - Autumn 2017
23 November 2017 - 1pm - Zoology Museum
Marine megafaunal extinction
Dr Catalina Pimiento
Museum für Naturkunde - Berlin, Germany
from: www.sharkopedia.discovery.com
Abstract
Millions of years ago, an 18 meters shark (Megalodon) used to live in all oceans of the world. How did this shark achieve such a large size? When, how and why did it become extinct? In this seminar, I will be talking about the answers to these questions, which not only provide insights into the role of apex predators in Deep Time, but which lead us to uncover a previously unrecognized extinction event that not only affected Megalodon, but also the global marine megafauna. In contrast with the effects of the extinction of small organisms like invertebrates, this extinction event resulted in an important erosion of functional diversity, leaving communities highly vulnerable to future extinctions, like the one we are facing today. Our next step is therefore to assess the extent of the loss of functional diversity as a consequence of the current extinction crisis, which is particularly affecting large marine vertebrates.
My work, however, is not only about research questions. Science education and public outreach are an important component of my agenda and I will be sharing those with you as well.
Hope to see many of you - everyone most welcome to attend!
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| from: www.sharkopedia.discovery.com |
Millions of years ago, an 18 meters shark (Megalodon) used to live in all oceans of the world. How did this shark achieve such a large size? When, how and why did it become extinct? In this seminar, I will be talking about the answers to these questions, which not only provide insights into the role of apex predators in Deep Time, but which lead us to uncover a previously unrecognized extinction event that not only affected Megalodon, but also the global marine megafauna. In contrast with the effects of the extinction of small organisms like invertebrates, this extinction event resulted in an important erosion of functional diversity, leaving communities highly vulnerable to future extinctions, like the one we are facing today. Our next step is therefore to assess the extent of the loss of functional diversity as a consequence of the current extinction crisis, which is particularly affecting large marine vertebrates.
My work, however, is not only about research questions. Science education and public outreach are an important component of my agenda and I will be sharing those with you as well.
My work, however, is not only about research questions. Science education and public outreach are an important component of my agenda and I will be sharing those with you as well.
Hope to see many of you - everyone most welcome to attend!
For the list of forthcoming seminars see here
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