Feb 10 , 2012 . Saindon, Justin P. How much gene flow is required to impede adaptation at a species range-edge? An artificial selection Drosophila model. Friday Philosophicals, 2011-2012
A weekly seminar series run by the Ecology & Evolution group, allowing graduate students and others to present their research in a collegial environment. All talks are 20 mins in length, followed by 5-10 minutes of questions, answers and open discussion from the floor. Typically, two speakers will present on a given day. The Friday Philosophicals is an excellent opportunity to learn the rough and tumble of giving scientific talks, gain feedback from faculty and peers - give feedback to your fellow presenters – and, above all, learn about the unity and diversity of life.
For incoming students, the Friday Phils provides an excellent forum to present your proposed research in the form of hypotheses, experimental design and intended use of field, lab or analytical techniques. For outgoing students, the forum is ideal for summarizing your key findings and explaining their broader significance.
Attendance is required of graduate students in the E&E stream, and guests are welcome, including visitors to the department and aspiring undergraduates. The seminar series represents Part 2 (Communication) of BIO 9100y/9150y. Although occasional absences are expected, consistent absence is considered poor form and may result in a grade of ‘Unsatisfactory’ with implications for funding eligibility. Should you go? Yes! Your fellow grad students will appreciate your support – as you will theirs. Besides, its just fun!
A Brief History of the Friday Philosophicals - Thanks to authors Paul Handford and Jack Millar.
Friday Philosophicals run every Friday in Kresge Building Room 203. Seminars are at 3:30pm. Social afterwards begins around 4:30 in the Grad Club.
***PRESENTERS, PLEASE READ THE INTRUCTIONS*** - click here!
Next Seminar:
Febraury 10, 2012
Saindon, Justin P. How much gene flow is required to impede adaptation at a species range-edge? An artificial selection Drosophila model.
Degree being sought: MSc
Supervisor: Sinclair, Brent J.
Climate change is rapidly altering abiotic conditions at species range-edges and many organisms will have to shift their geographic ranges to accommodate the new conditions. However, gene flow can limit a species’ range by swamping the ability of a species to adapt to local conditions. An estimate of the amount of gene flow required to inhibit local adaptation has not been experimentally investigated. I use laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster under selection for desiccation resistance and quantify adaptation, as well as the physiological response to selection, in range-edge populations subject to migration from the core population. Preliminary results indicate my methods of selection were successful, but there was no response of gene flow on adaptation as measured by survivorship to the selection pressure.
Previous Winter Semester 2012 Seminars:
February 03, 2012
Colin Hayward, Ecological implications of stomach specialization: a comparison of Jamaican fruit eating bats
Supervisor: Brock Fenton
Degree being sought: M. Sc
Specialized stomach morphology can lead to important consequences in the dietary strategies of frugivorous animals. Food passage times and dietary selection are two such characteristics determined by these adaptations. This can easily be observed in sympatric New World leaf-nosed bats such as Ariteus flavescens, Artibeus jamaicensis, and Glossophaga soricina. Although these species all eat fruit, they exhibit different stomach morphologies and dietary strategies. Ariteus flavescens, a very poorly understood endemic Jamaican species, purportedly has skeletal muscle in its stomach walls leading to a unique feature within the mammalian class. Through fecal analysis and feeding experiments I will examine the food passage times relative to the diet and roosting preference of each species to determine the biological and ecological implications of each strategy.
Helene LeVasseur-Viens, Evaluating the morphological factors that affect mating success
MSc candidate
Supervisor: Amanda Moehring
The lock and key model has long been used as an explanation for highly divergent male genitalia in sister species. Although it initially seems intuitive, much controversy surrounds the model as it is difficult to test. The sibling species Drosophilia simulans and D. mauritiana have long been suspected to be a prime example of the lock and key model as the only apparent morphological difference between them is the male genital arch, but little evidence has been previously reported on its validity. The purpose of my study is to investigate what role morphological factors play on the reproductive isolation of these two species, therefore determining if the lock and key model is a viable explanation for species isolation.
January 27, 2012
Kaylin Liznick, Changes in sediment inputs and trophic status and their relation to mercury bioaccumulation in Lake Erie, Ontario
Supervisor: Dr. Brian Branfireun
Degree: Candidate for M.Sc.
Regional atmospheric mercury emissions have been declining since the late 1970s, and although organismal concentrations of mercury are expected to decrease concurrently, the bioavailability of mercury in some areas is complicated by many factors. Continuing research in one such area, Lake Erie, has revealed a recent (post-1990) rising of mercury concentrations in its top predatory fish. The purpose of my study is to examine the trophic changes in the lake resulting from introduced benthic invasive species, determining the role they play in mercury bioaccumulation in higher organisms. I will also be monitoring mercury levels in biotic and abiotic samples after storm and sediment re-suspension events to determine the role of these occurrences in lake-wide mercury cycling.
Leslie Erdman, The effect of trophic level on stable hydrogen isotope ratios in bat fur
Supervisor: Brock Fenton
Co-supervisor: Fred Longstaffe
Degree: Master’s
Stable isotope analysis has become an important tool to study bat ecology. Stable hydrogen isotope ratios (δD) in particular can be very useful for determining if migration occurs and if so, at what distance bats migrate. Little is known, however, about the effect of trophic level on δD values in bat fur. Understanding the effect of trophic level on δD variation can help to refine our understanding of migration in bats as well as provide additional information about their diets. I will conduct stable isotope analyses on several bat species, both captive and wild, to determine if there is an effect of trophic level on the stable hydrogen isotope ratios in bat fur.
January 20, 2012
Bryana McWhirter, The Interactive Effects of Warming and Nitrogen Deposition on Tree Establishment in Temperate Old Fields
Degree being sought: MSc.
Supervisor: Hugh Henry
Old field habitats are increasing as areas previously utilized for agricultural production have been abandoned or converted into naturalized areas. With time and lack of disturbance, old fields develop into secondary forest communities. However, there is concern that predicted global changes in climate and nutrient deposition will alter the composition and dynamics of plant communities. Specifically, increases in temperature and nitrogen deposition may have an impact on the ability of woody species to germinate and compete with established grasses in old field environments. In this study, I will be examining the effects of increased temperature and nitrogen deposition on the survival, growth, and competitive ability of several early successional species commonly found in temperate old fields.
January 13, 2012
Philip Wilson , M . Sc . Candidate, Movement patterns and habitat selection by Long - tailed Ducks ( Clangula hyemalis ) overwintering at Lake Ontario , Ontario
Supervisor: Dr. Scott Petrie
Decisions to develop offshore areas of the Great Lakes with industrial wind turbines were preceded without adequate research on impacts to animal movements and migration. Planned development of industrial wind turbines throughout the lower Great Lakes may affect overwintering sea duck populations because of their placement in areas where ducks may forage and roost during winter. Movement patterns and habitat selection by animals are used to infer resource patch availability , habitat quality, estimate minimum space requirements , and evaluate the plasticity of individuals to habitat change. Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis), the most abundant sea duck overwintering at Lake Ontario, will be implanted with satellite transmitters to investigate environmental variables hypothesized to influence movement patterns and habitat selection in the nearshore and offshore habitats of Lake Ontario.
Michael Thorn, Chinook Salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Early Life History Survival within Three Great Lakes Tributaries
Degree being sought: MSc
Supervisor: Dr. Yolanda Morbey
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were first successfully introduced to the Great Lakes in the 1960’s. Since then, Chinook have colonized tributaries throughout the Great Lakes with variable success resulting in differential rates of fish production. The early life history (egg deposition-emergence) of Chinook salmon is associated with high mortality rates and can significantly influence fish recruitment rates. The Nottawasaga River, Sydenham River (both in Lake Huron), and Credit River (Lake Ontario) have very different recruitment rates and little is known about the underlying factors contributing to this difference. The purpose of my study is to investigate how maternal traits, egg quality, habitat quality and habitat quantity affect early life history survival in Chinook salmon and how this influences tributary recruitment rates in the Great Lakes.
Previous Seminars:
2012 Seminar Schedule:
I = Intro seminar; E = Exit seminar
Winter Semester |
|
|
Jan 13 |
Michael Thorn (I) MSc |
Morbey |
|
|
|
Jan 20 |
Philip Wilson (I) MSc |
Petrie / Guglielmo |
|
Bryana McWhirter (I) MSc |
Henry |
Jan 27 |
Lesie Erdman (I) MSc |
Fenton |
|
Kaylin Liznick (I ) MSc |
Branfireun |
Feb 3 |
Colin Hayward (E) MSc |
Fenton |
|
Helene Levasseur-Viens (E)MSc |
Moehring |
Feb 10 |
Justin Saindon (E) MSc |
Sinclair |
|
open |
|
Feb 17 |
Jen McDdonald (E) PhD |
Thorn |
|
Trinh Nguyen (I) PhD |
Moehring |
Mar 2 |
Rachel Hamilton (E) MSc |
Fenton |
|
Katie Millette (E) MSc |
Keyghobadi |
Mar 9 |
Chelsea Hicks (E) MSc |
Trick |
|
Lindsey Valliant (E) MSc |
Millar |
Mar 16 |
Nahed Mahrous (E) MSc |
Southam / Macfie |
|
Ashley Warnock (E) MSc |
Branfireun |
Mar 23* |
Friday Extra-Philosophical w. Prof Marc Ereshefsky |
University of Calgary |
Mar 30* |
End-of-Phils Annual Party |
Grad Club |
