Lecture
Sergey Gavrilets
Distinguished Professor
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology,
Department of Mathematics, and National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Title:Models of speciation: where are we now?
Monday, May 16, 2016
Seminar Room, 3rd floor, Physics’ Dept.
Time: 13:00
Host: K. Lika
Abstract
Theory building is an integral part of biological research, in general, and of speciation research, in particular. Here, I review the modeling work on speciation done in the last 10 years or so, assessing the progress made and identifying areas where additional effort is required. Specific topics considered include evolutionary dynamics of genetic incompatibilities, spatial and temporal patterns of speciation, links to neutral theory of biodiversity, effects of multidimensionality of phenotype, sympatric and parapatric speciation, adaptive radiation, speciation by sexual conflict, and models tailored for specific biological systems. Particularly challenging questions for future theoretical research identified here are 1) incorporating gene regulatory networks in models describing accumulation of genetic incompatibilities; 2) integrating models of community ecology with those developed in speciation theory; 3) building models providing better insights on the dynamics of parapatric speciation; 4) modeling speciation in multidimensional ecological niches with mating preferences based on multidimensional mating cues and sexual characters; 5) linking microevolutionary processes with macroevolutionary patterns as observed in adaptive radiations and paleontological record; 6) modeling speciation in specific systems studied by empirical biologists; and 7) modeling human origins. The insights from dynamic models of speciation should be useful in developing statistical tools that would enable empiricists to infer the history of past evolutionary divergence and speciation from genomic data.
Time:
09:00
Location:
IMBB Heraklion
Description:
IMBB Retreat 21-22 May 2016
Dear all,
The IMBB retreat will take place in Heraklion 21 – 22 May with participation of the Biomedical Research Division in conjunction with the inauguration of the Ancient DNA lab on Friday 20 May. The retreat is aimed at bringing together all research groups to interact and discuss their research. All group leaders, post-docs and graduate students are expected to participate and technicians are encouraged to attend. There will also be information from the major facilities at IMBB and from Artemis Saitakis on exploitation of research knowledge.
Niki Kretsovali
e-mail: kretsova@imbb.forth.gr
Inga Siden-Kiamos
e-mail: inga@imbb.forth.gr