SENVinar Series - School of the Environment

The Speaker:

I am a Professor of Evolutionary Biology in the Macroevolution and Macroecology group at the Research School of Biology at the Australian National University. My research focusses on connecting evolutionary processes across all levels of change, from the genome to the biosphere, and on developing new ways to answer challenging questions regarding the “tempo and mode” (pace and mechanism) of evolutionary change. I have extended this general approach to other evolving systems, specifically language and culture.

Abstract:

As he prepared to publish his “species book”, Darwin experimented with different possible titles, including “On the mutability of species”. His final title – On the Origin of Species – was criticised by later generations of biologists who claimed that Darwin did not address the formation of new species. Darwin saw diversification as continuous process of change that led to gradual divergence of lineages, rather than being driven by special speciation mechanisms. We now have the data (genome sequences) and the tools (phylogenetic analyses) to connect the generation of heritable variation (molecular evolution) to the diversification of lineages (macroevolution). Surprisingly, a positive relationship between mutation rate and species richness is a common pattern, providing some support for Darwin’s vision of variation driving continuous change and generating diversity.

Questions? Please email - senv.gsa@uq.edu.au

Venue

Zoom Meeting ID: 823 6609 3190

Room:

08-139 - Goddard Building, Learning Theatre

Professor Lindell Bromham - "On the mutability of species: combining molecular and macroevolutionary perspectives on the generation of diversity"

Venue