[Genetics] Extra Seminar Wednesday

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 14:22:25 +0300

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Hello
Sylvia Cremer who is a Marie Curie fellow is Koos Boomsma's Lab in 
Copenhagen will be visiting me this week. She will give a talk on her 
work.  The title and abstract is below. The work contains both genetical 
and ecological (parasitology) data so should be of wide interest. Sylvia's 
background can be seen here 
http://www.bi.ku.dk/staff/staff-vip-details.asp?ID=94

The talk is at 12.15 in Pt302. On the afternoon of the 15th we will have a 
Barbecue in the Animal House (Zoo) from 4pm onwards. This is also for 
Marianne Elias who  is leaving Oulu at the end of June and myself who is 
leaving Oulu at the end of July (though I will definitely come back for 
visits).

Hope to see you at the talk and at the Barbecue.

Kiitos

David

Origin of the invasive garden ant, Lasius neglectus

Lasius neglectus is the newest discovered pest ant species, and is only 
known to exist the last 15 years. Due to its cold resistance, it is the 
only pest ant in Northern Europe and has successfully established at least 
50 populations in this short period.

Because no native populations of this species are known so far, we try to 
determine its geographic and phylogenetic origin. Traditional methods for 
taxonomy are difficult to apply since Lasius neglectus is morphologically 
extremely similar to other Lasius species (leading to its name). We 
therefore combine morphological and phylogenetic methods with a 
chemotaxonomic approach.

Not only the species origin, but also the origin of "invasive characters" 
is poorly understood in L. neglectus and other invasive ants, which all 
share a major transition in social organisation: a complete loss of 
territorial aggression (unicoloniality). We try to approach this problem by 
studying the genetic population structure and chemical communication of L. 
neglectus and its closest, non-invasive relative, L. turcicus.

             Finally, it is discussed how the capacity to avoid disease 
infection and transmission could contribute to the high success of this new 
invasive species.

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David Hughes
Department of Biology
University of Oulu
90014 Oulu
Finland
Ph: + 358 8 5531791
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David Hughes
Department of Biology
University of Oulu
90014 Oulu
Finland
Ph: + 358 8 5531791
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Hello 
Sylvia Cremer who is a Marie Curie fellow is Koos Boomsma's Lab in
Copenhagen will be visiting me this week. She will give a talk on her
work.&nbsp; The title and abstract is below. The work contains both
genetical and ecological (parasitology) data so should be of wide
interest. Sylvia's background can be seen here
<a href="http://www.bi.ku.dk/staff/staff-vip-details.asp?ID=94" eudora="autourl">
http://www.bi.ku.dk/staff/staff-vip-details.asp?ID=94 
</a>The talk is at 12.15 in Pt302. On the afternoon of the 15th we will
have a Barbecue in the Animal House (Zoo) from 4pm onwards. This is also
for Marianne Elias who&nbsp; is leaving Oulu at the end of June and
myself who is leaving Oulu at the end of July (though I will definitely
come back for visits). 
Hope to see you at the talk and at the Barbecue. 
 
Kiitos 
David 
 
Origin of the
invasive garden ant, Lasius neglectus 
Lasius neglectus is the newest discovered pest ant
species, and is only known to exist the last 15 years. Due to its cold
resistance, it is the only pest ant in Northern Europe and has
successfully established at least 50 populations in this short period.
 
Because no native populations
of this species are known so far, we try to determine its geographic and
phylogenetic origin. Traditional methods for taxonomy are difficult to
apply since Lasius neglectus is morphologically extremely similar
to other Lasius species (leading to its name). We therefore
combine morphological and phylogenetic methods with a chemotaxonomic
approach. 
Not only the species origin, but also the origin of “invasive characters”
is poorly understood in L. neglectus and other invasive ants,
which all share a major transition in social organisation: a complete
loss of territorial aggression (unicoloniality). We try to approach this
problem by studying the genetic population structure and chemical
communication of L. neglectus and its closest, non-invasive
relative, L. turcicus. 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Finally, it is discussed how the capacity to avoid disease infection and
transmission could contribute to the high success of this new invasive
species.&nbsp; 
 
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********************************************************************************************************************************************************************* 
David Hughes 
Department of Biology 
University of Oulu 
90014 Oulu 
Finland 
Ph: + 358 8 5531791 
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************* 
 
 
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************* 
David Hughes 
Department of Biology 
University of Oulu 
90014 Oulu 
Finland 
Ph: + 358 8 5531791 
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************* 
 
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