Epigenetics and homosexuality

A recent paper by Bill Rice, Urban Fridberg, and UTK EEB faculty member Sergey Gavrilets, proposes that epigenetic factors, the switching on or off of genes by factors other than other genes, may lead to homosexuality. This work arises from a working group at the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS), which is on the UT Knoxville campus. For more information, see the press release and the original article.

Search for EEB Head

HEAD – DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (http://eeb.bio.utk.edu) at the flagship campus of The University of Tennessee in Knoxville is seeking a senior colleague for the position of Professor and Head. We are interested in a visionary individual able to lead a department that is already rich in potential to become one of the top EEB departments in the world. Candidates should evidence effective leadership and have a record of excellence in teaching and research in any area of ecology and evolutionary biology or related field.

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is dynamic with ambitious plans for future growth in all aspects of our scholarship. There is already much collaboration both among the 27 current faculty and 60 graduate students and with nearby scientists and mathematicians associated with the National Institute of Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, Oak Ridge National Lab, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The University of Tennessee is a faculty-friendly campus (http://provost.utk.edu/faculty-friendly/) and supports dual-career couples.

Applicants should currently hold or be eligible for promotion to the rank of Professor. The successful applicant will be expected to have achieved an internationally renowned research program, as well as to possess real insights into undergraduate and graduate teaching, administering a department and interacting with other university units. The Knoxville campus of  the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates who have the ability to contribute in  meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University.

To apply, please send the following in a single pdf-formatted document to mander16@utk.edu: (1) a cover letter that includes a vision statement for the head’s leadership role in the growth of an EEB department, a statement of teaching philosophy/experience and current research interests, and the names and contact information for three referees; (2) a CV; and (3) copies of three publications. Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2012 and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated starting date is August of 2013.

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admissions without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Eligibility and other terms and conditions of employment benefits at The University of Tennessee are governed by laws and regulations of the State of Tennessee, and this non-discrimination statement is intended to be consistent with those laws and regulations.

In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, The University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the University.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexualorientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED), 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, telephone (865) 974-2498 (V/TTY available) or 974-2440. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.

Gavrilets' work on monogamy featured in Slate

UTK Distinguished Professor Sergey Gavrilets' work on the evolution of monogamy, published in PNAS, has been featured in an article in the online magazine Slate. In his model, low-ranked males begin providing resources to females, who begin selecting them rather than higher-ranked males. Such behavior then becomes optimal for males higher and higher up the hierarchy.

Bats go where the food is

A recent paper in PLOS ONE by dept. head Gary McCracken and colleagues, including former UTK EEB grad students Veronica Brown and Paula Federico, as well as UTK postdoc Melanie Eldridge, analyzed insect DNA in bat feces. Their work suggests that bats change foraging locations to match prey abundance. It also supports previous researchers' findings that bats contribute substantially to agriculture, providing services that can amount to 12% of the value of a crop.

Abstract: 
The role of bats or any generalist predator in suppressing prey populations depends on the predator's ability to track and exploit available prey. Using a qPCR fecal DNA assay, we document significant association between numbers of Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) consuming corn earworm (CEW) moths (Helicoverpa zea) and seasonal fluctuations in CEW populations. This result is consistent with earlier research linking the bats' diet to patterns of migration, abundance, and crop infestation by important insect pests. Here we confirm opportunistic feeding on one of the world's most destructive insects and support model estimates of the bats' ecosystem services. Regression analysis of CEW consumption versus the moth's abundance at four insect trapping sites further indicates that bats track local abundance of CEW within the regional landscape. Estimates of CEW gene copies in the feces of bats are not associated with seasonal or local patterns of CEW abundance, and results of captive feeding experiments indicate that our qPCR assay does not provide a direct measure of numbers or biomass of prey consumed. Our results support growing evidence for the role of generalist predators, and bats specifically, as agents for biological control and speak to the value of conserving indigenous generalist predators.

The importance of managing exotic invasive plants

UTK EEB grad student Sara Kuebbing was recently featured in a podcast by the Ecological Society of America. See more information at The importance of managing exotic invasive plants.

Evolution and Bullying

UTK Distinguished Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Mathematics Sergey Gavrilets recently published a paper in PNAS on the evolutionary origins of egalitarianism.  It shows why individuals may be selected for interfering in a conflict between a bully and a victim on the side of the victim.

Abstract:
The evolutionary emergence of the egalitarian syndrome is one of the most intriguing unsolved puzzles related to the origins of modern humans. Standard explanations and models for cooperation and altruism—reciprocity, kin and group selection, and punishment—are not directly applicable to the emergence of egalitarian behavior in hierarchically organized groups that characterized the social life of our ancestors. Here I study an evolutionary model of group-living individuals competing for resources and reproductive success. In the model, the differences in fighting abilities lead to the emergence of hierarchies where stronger individuals take away resources from weaker individuals and, as a result, have higher reproductive success. First, I show that the logic of within-group competition implies under rather general conditions that each individual benefits if the transfer of the resource from a weaker group member to a stronger one is prevented. This effect is especially strong in small groups. Then I demonstrate that this effect can result in the evolution of a particular, genetically controlled psychology causing individuals to interfere in a bully–victim conflict on the side of the victim. A necessary condition is a high efficiency of coalitions in conflicts against the bullies. The egalitarian drive leads to a dramatic reduction in within-group inequality. Simultaneously it creates the conditions for the emergence of inequity aversion, empathy, compassion, and egalitarian moral values via the internalization of behavioral rules imposed by natural selection. It also promotes widespread cooperation via coalition formation.

It has also garnered widespread press coverage:

Los Angeles Times: Evolution stands up to bullies

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-stop-bullying-20120813,0,7921942.story?track=rss

Health: Fight the Power: Standing Up to Bullies Benefits Us All

http://news.health.com/2012/08/13/standing-up-to-bullies-benefits-society-study-suggests/

Knoxville New Sentinel: Science and bullying: Why we are programmed to help others

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/aug/13/science-and-bullying-why-we-are-programmed-to/

Tennessee Today: UT, NIMBioS Study Finds Bullies Squelched When Bystanders Intervene

http://www.utk.edu/tntoday/2012/08/13/ut-nimbios-study-bullies-squelched/

Decoded Science "Egalitarian Drives as a Response to Bullying"

http://decodedscience.com/egalitarian-drives-response-bullying/16799

Discover Magazine: Against the Übermensch 

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2012/08/against-the-ubermensch/

Examiner.com: Bullying intervention is genetically evolutionary 'right thing to do’

http://www.examiner.com/article/bullying-intervention-is-genetically-evolutionary-right-thing-to-do

United Press International: Fighting bullies pushed evolution

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2012/08/14/Study-Fighting-bullies-pushed-evolution/UPI-73181344980881/?spt=hs&or=sn

Piteå-Tidningen (Sweden): Thus arose the sense of equality

http://www.pitea-tidningen.se/nara_dig/artikel.aspx?ArticleId=7081886

French Tribune: Standing against Bullying is in Genes 

http://frenchtribune.com/teneur/1212863-standing-against-bullying-genes

Folha de S. Paulo (Brasil): O altruísmo egoísta

http://teoriadetudo.blogfolha.uol.com.br/2012/08/14/o-altruismo-egoista/

Korea Herald: Fighting bullies pushed evolution

http://view.koreaherald.com/kh/view.php?ud=20120815000175&cpv=0

Московская правда (Russia): Математик открыл эволюционные корни чувства справедливости человека

http://www.mospravda.ru/news/13068/

РИА Новости (Russia): Математик открыл эволюционные корни чувства справедливости человека

http://www.ria.ru/science/20120813/722911416.htm

bigmir.net (Ukrain):   Чувство справедливости развилось у человека в ходе эволюции - математик
http://techno.bigmir.net/discovery/1523403-Chyvstvo-spravedlivosti-razvilos-y-cheloveka-v-hode-evolucii---matematik

Study on teaching highlighted by Science

Recent work by grad student Denise Kendall and assistant professor Beth Schussler was selected as an Editors' Choice by Science. 


Article abstract: Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) are used extensively as instructors in higher education, yet their status and authority as teachers may be unclear to undergraduates, to administrators, and even to the GTAs themselves. This study explored undergraduate perception of classroom instruction by GTAs and professors to identify factors unique to each type of instructor versus the type of classes they teach. Data collection was via an online survey composed of subscales from two validated instruments, as well as one open-ended question asking students to compare the same class taught by a professor versus a GTA. Quantitative and qualitative results indicated that some student instructional perceptions are specific to instructor type, and not class type. For example, regardless of type of class, professors are perceived as being confident, in control, organized, experienced, knowledgeable, distant, formal, strict, hard, boring, and respected. Conversely, GTAs are perceived as uncertain, hesitant, nervous, relaxed, laid-back, engaging, interactive, relatable, understanding, and able to personalize teaching. Overall, undergraduates seem to perceive professors as having more knowledge and authority over the curriculum, but enjoy the instructional style of GTAs. The results of this study will be used to make recommendations for GTA professional development programs.

Hunting for aliens

UTK EEB PhD student Sara Kuebbing was recently featured in the Knoxville News Sentinel for her work as part of the Tennessee Exotic Plant Pest Council. She uses an iPad app to identify and track species that are invading the US from elsewhere, typically after introduction by humans. Such species can dramatically affect functioning of ecosystems: examples in the United States include kudzu, zebra mussels, and pythons.

EEB grad students and NIMBioS staff meet with Se. Corker staff

(From left) Kelly Sturner (NIMBioS), Jessica Bryant (EEB), and Emily Austin (EEB) met with Hunter Bethea, a legislative assistant of Sen. Corker.

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB) Department graduate students Emily Austin and Jessica Bryant along with Kelly Sturner, NIMBioS Education & Outreach Coordinator, were invited to visit the office of U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) to talk about NIMBioS’ and EEB’s involvement in the USA Science & Engineering Festival. The group spoke with Hunter Bethea, legislative assistant to Corker, about how participation in federally-supported science education and outreach programs, such as NSF research experiences for undergraduates and Department of Energy education programs, led them to pursue science careers, and now inspire them to give back through participating in science outreach.

EEB/NIMBioS at USA Science and Engineering Festival

Sarah Wood, undergraduate in the Classen lab, teaches elementary students how to measure plant traits.

The USA Science and Engineering Festival on April 28 and 29 in Washington, DC brought the excitement of science to people from around the country. EEB and NIMBioS teamed up and presented two booths in the festival. Emily Austin and Jessica Bryant, Classen lab graduate students, taught Science Fest attendees about fungal decomposition of wood using decaying logs in terrariums. Sarah Wood, an undergraduate in the Classen Lab, and Kelly Sturner, education and outreach coordinator in NIMBioS, taught visitors about intra- and inter-specific variation in Solidago plants by having them measure stem and leaf traits. Both booths encouraged observations, data collection and graphical analysis. Many Science Fest attendees were families with elementary or middle school-aged children, but several teachers were there to pick up science project ideas for their classrooms. In all, an estimated 300,000 people left the event having learned at least one thing: science is exciting!

Dan Simberloff elected to National Academy of Sciences

Photo from http://www.tipsconf.ca/

Gore Hunger Professor of Environmental Science Dan Simberloff (see also Wikipedia entry), a member of the EEB department, was recently elected to the National Academy of Sciences. According to the NAS website:

"Members are elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership is a widely accepted mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive....

"The NAS membership totals approximately 2,200 members and 400 foreign associates, of whom approximately 200 have received Nobel prizes."

There are only eight other National Academy of Sciences members in Tennessee, only one of whom was elected in the past decade. Dr. Simberloff is the only current faculty member from any University of Tennessee campus in the Academy.

Grad student awards

The following EEB students received awards from Biology (open to all UTK biology departments):

Hollaender Award

Phillip Hollingsworth

Science Alliance Award

Katie Stuble

Mariano Rodriguez-Cabal

M. Noelia Barrios-Garcia

Cokkinias Award

Romina Dimarco

Dr. Roland Bagby passes away

Dr. Roland Bagby, a professor emeritus of the former zoology department (now part of EEB), passed away on Monday, April 2. A memorial service is planned at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church at 7 pm on Thursday, April 12. For more information about Dr. Bagby, please see here. Links to some of his publications are here.

Bagby, R.M, A. M. Young, R. S. Dotson, B. A. Fisher, and K. McKinnon. 1971. "Contraction of single smooth muscle cells from Bufo marinus stomach" Nature 234: 351-352.

Bat Conservation International Scholarship to Jennifer Krauel

UTK EEB PhD student Jennifer Krauel (a member of the Gary McCracken lab) was awarded a Bat Conservation International Student Research Scholarship for her project "Linking bat and insect migratory behavior: Tadarida brasiliensis and their agricultural insect prey in Texas.

Joshua Birkebak earns NSF DDIG grant

PhD student Joshua Birkebak, a member of the Brandon Matheny lab, was awarded an NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant (DDIG) for his project, "Systematics, ecology, and evolution of the Clavariaceae (Agricales)". 

Public debate on warfare and evolution

As part of the Darwin Day events, co-sponsored by NIMBioS, there was a public debate about the role of warfare in fostering early social evolution. See below for a link to coverage of the debate, and for the audience vote results.

Public Debate: Was warfare a creative force in early social evolution?

Darwin Day in the press

Darwin Day Tennessee has been picked up in numerous media outlets. A selection so far:

• Knox News: Humphrey on the Hill
• The Republic, Columbus, Indiana
• VolunteerTV
• Tennessee Today
• WATE (TV station, Knoxville, TN)
• Jackson Sun, Jackson, TN
• The Tennesseean, Nashville, TN

Darwin Day events begin

Darwin Day Tennessee has begun its three days of festivities celebrating Darwin and the importance of his theory of evolution for science. The first event is a public outreach table, running over the next three days. There will also be lectures, a discussion, a teacher workshop, and many other events. See the Darwin Day Tennessee website for full information.

PNAS paper on extinction risk

Alison Boyer, Research Assistant Professor in the UTK EEB department, recently coauthored a paper in PNAS on the drivers and hotspots of extinction risk in marine mammals.

Abstract:
The world's oceans are undergoing profound changes as a result of human activities. However, the consequences of escalating human impacts on marine mammal biodiversity remain poorly understood. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identifies 25% of marine mammals as at risk of extinction, but the conservation status of nearly 40% of marine mammals remains unknown due to insufficient data. Predictive models of extinction risk are crucial to informing present and future conservation needs, yet such models have not been developed for marine mammals. In this paper, we: (i) used powerful machine-learning and spatial-modeling approaches to understand the intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of marine mammal extinction risk; (ii) used this information to predict risk across all marine mammals, including IUCN “Data Deficient” species; and (iii) conducted a spatially explicit assessment of these results to understand how risk is distributed across the world's oceans. Rate of offspring production was the most important predictor of risk. Additional predictors included taxonomic group, small geographic range area, and small social group size. Although the interaction of both intrinsic and extrinsic variables was important in predicting risk, overall, intrinsic traits were more important than extrinsic variables. In addition to the 32 species already on the IUCN Red List, our model identified 15 more species, suggesting that 37% of all marine mammals are at risk of extinction. Most at-risk species occur in coastal areas and in productive regions of the high seas. We identify 13 global hotspots of risk and show how they overlap with human impacts and Marine Protected Areas.

EEB Newsletter

The most recent version of the EEB Newsletter has appeared. You can download a PDF, submit items to the editor, or get an email subscription here.