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Social Biology of Insects - IBB Breakfast Club Seminar Series

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IBB Breakfast Club Seminar Series

Michael Goodisman, PhD - Associate Professor, School of Biology

"Social Biology of Insects" 

Abstract

 Biological complexity has increased through a series of major evolutionary transitions.  One of the most recent transitions occurred when individually reproducing organisms came together to form integrated social groups.  The transition to sociality is best exemplified by the social insects, such as ants, social bees, social wasps, and termites.  Social insects have been ranked as ‘among the greatest achievements of organic evolution’ because of the extraordinary levels of cooperation.  In addition, social insects have been extremely successful ecologically.  In this presentation, I will introduce the life history strategies and evolutionary significance of social insects.  I will then discuss aspects of research within my group aimed at understanding the molecular basis underlying sociality, the nature of selection in social systems, the breeding biology of social animals, and the process of self-organization in social groups.  

The IBB Breakfast Club seminar series was started with the spirit of the Institute's interdisciplinary mission in mind. The goal of the seminar series is to highlight research taking place throughout the institute to enable the IBB community to further collaborative opportunities and interdisciplinary research. Faculty are often asked to speak at other universities and conferences, but rarely present at their home institution, this seminar series is an attempt to close that gap. The IBB Breakfast Club is open to anyone in the bio-community.

Continental breakfast and coffee will be served.

 

Status

  • Workflow Status:Published
  • Created By:Colly Mitchell
  • Created:04/13/2011
  • Modified By:Fletcher Moore
  • Modified:10/07/2016

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