Virtual visit tour now available!
Now you can get a better idea what our Ecophysiology and Stable Isotope labs look like. Soon the remaining laboratories can be available as well. Don't forget EcoGenes has helped improving or implementing most of the laboratories at the EBD-CSIC.Virtual visit tour to the EBD-CSIC laboratories available soon!
We are working to make virtual visits to the EBD laboratories ready in a few days. The 360º virtual visits are an effective method of bringing people, for instance, something so distant as labs of a research institute.
New publication within EcoGenes Project!
The article "Combining food web and species distribution models for improved community projections" (Ecology and Evolution, doi:10.1002/ece3.843), proposes a combined approach that points toward a promising direction for modeling the spatial variation in entire species interaction networks. Rudolf Rohr and colleagues used a plant-herbivore (butterfly) interaction dataset to demonstrate that models that combined food web and species distribution approach are able to improve species distribution and community forecasts.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
In the article "Estimating the tolerance of species to the effects of global environmental change" (Nature Communications, 4, Article number: 2350 doi:10.1038/ncomms3350), Rudolf Rohr and colleagues look into species' tolerance to the effects of global environmental change. Article preview here.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
Rudolf Rohr contributed on the statistical part of the article "Are phenological patterns of ballooning spiders linked to habitat characteristics?", Journal of Arachnology, 41(2):126-132. 2013. You can have a look at Gilles Blandenier et al. here.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
Fran Ramirez and colleagues studied the potential role of calcium in constraining egg synthesis in the Audouin's Gull. This observational study suggests that Ca may have a role in modulating the intra-clutch pattern of egg size variation typical of this gull species. The article "The role of calcium in constraining egg synthesis in the Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii" -Canadian Journal of Zoology, 10.1139/cjz-2013-0016 has been first published online.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
The article "The importance of landscape and spatial structure for hymenopteran-based food webs in an agro-ecosystem" -Journal of Animal Ecology (2013) DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12103- describe results from experimental wildflower strips in a fragmented agricultural landscape. Forest habitats within agro-ecosystems are a reservoir of beneficial insect populations. Rudolf Rohr and colleagues conclude that in order to increase the diversity and abundance of pollinators and biological control agents and to favour a potentially stable community of cavity-nesting hymenoptera in wildflower strips, more investment is needed in the conservation and establishment of forest habitats. Abstract available at Yvonne Fabian et al.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
The establishment and invasion success of plants is a key issue in ecology and evolution. In the very beginning of the experiment, species characteristics were the most important factors, however after 3 years, biotic interactions such as herbivore resistance and responses to shading and competition, revealed as the most important drivers of success or failure. Species traits, fine-tuned by environmental factors, determine success or failure of alien and native plants in temperate grasslands. Rudolf Rohr is one of the author of "Determinants of plant establishment success in a multispecies introduction experiment with native and alien species" PNAS (2013) doi: 10.1073/pnas.1300481110. Abstract available at Anne Kempel et al.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
Laura Gangoso and colleagues have published in the Conservation Letters a new article, where they propose a win-win solution concerning the virtually disappeared mutualism in human-vulture relations. The abstract of "Reinventing mutualism between humans and wild fauna: insights from vultures as ecosystem services providers" is available at Laura Gangoso et al.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
The report from the EcoGenes meeting "Global change in the Mediterranean: Learning from experiences worldwide" November 2012, Seville, Spain is available in the journal BioEssays. Laura Gangoso, Rocio Marquez-Ferrando and Francisco Ramirez are the EcoGenes hired researchers responsible of this article that has been first published online 6 March 2013. Understanding phenotypic responses to global change. DOI: 10.1002/bies.201300019 New publication within EcoGenes Project!
The exceptional behaviour of an insular long-distance migratory species such as the Eleonora's falcon, has been published by Laura Gangoso and colleagues: Gangoso et al. (2013) Ecological Specialization to Fluctuating Resources Prevents Long-Distance Migratory Raptors from Becoming Sedentary on Islands. PLoS ONE 8(4): e61615. Doi 10.1371/journal.pone.0061615 This article reveals the existence of important trade-offs associated with ecological specialization that may become particularly relevant in the present context of global change. The paper is freely available here.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
Adrian Brennan has published the results of a study conducted on hybridization in Evolution (Brennan et al (2013) The population genetics of sporophytic self-incompatibility in three hybridizing Senecio (Asteraceae) species with contrasting population histories. Evolution. Doi 10.1111/evo.12033). One of the main results is that self-incompatibility was shown to promote enhanced hybridization and gene flow across the hybrid zone between the two species of Senecio native to Sicily (S. aethnensis and S. chrysanthemifolius). This article is first published online: 14 JAN 2013. The abstract can be seen here.Prof. Robert G Clark participates in a round table at EBD-CSIC.
After the "Global Change in the Mediterranean" symposium, Robert Clark from Environment Canada met EBD-CSIC PhD students to talk about his own research career and give advice on how to move forward in the complicated world of science. The meeting took place at EBD-CSIC on 20 November 2012.JPG)
New publication within EcoGenes Project!
"Adapting to a Changing World: Unraveling the Role of Man-Made Habitats as Alternative Feeding Areas for
Slender-Billed Gull (Chroicocephalus genei)" is the last article published by Francisco Ramírez and colleagues. They present a case study conducted at the Natural Area of Doñana (SW Spain) where long-term remote sensing and stable isotope analyses were combined to unravel the effect of variations in availability of natural food resources on reproductive performance of a Slender-billed Gulls (Chroicocephalus genei), and the role of two adjacent, anthropogenic systems (a fish farm and saltmines) as alternate feeding areas. The publication can be seen here. A new official call for application opens today, 18 October 2012
A vacancy for a new postdoctoral has become available after resignation of our colleague Dr. Eaaswarkhanth Muthukrishnan due to personal reasons. We look for an experienced researcher that can use microarray-based SNP analyses and genome-wide sequencing for the study of natural populations to address ecological questions such as mechanisms underlying adaptive variation or the development of reproductive barriers. Successful candidates will be expected to participate in the diffusion and support of genomics in the centre. People with a broad range of skills and diverse scientific backgrounds are encouraged to apply.If your profile fits the definition, please apply for the position following the instructions found at the Official Call. Deadline 25 October.
New publication within EcoGenes Project!
Adrian Brennan has published in Tropical Plant Biology the paper "Genomic Resources for Evolutionary Studies in the Large, Diverse, Tropical Genus, Begonia" 2012, DOI: 10.1007/s12042-012-9109-6. Authors have used genus Begonia as a model for evolutionary study in tropical herbaceous plants, producing data that represent a powerful new set of molecular genetic tools. Published online: 2 October 2012. The abstract can be seen here.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
"Trophodynamics of inorganic pollutants in a wide-range feeder: The relevance of dietary inputs and biomagnification in the Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis)" is the publication soon to appear in Environmental Pollution (172 (2013) 235-242) resulting from the collaboration of Francisco Ramirez and the University of Barcelona. The article is first published online
New publication within EcoGenes Project!
Adrian Brennan presented a poster at The Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution Meeting in Dublin, from 23 to 26 June 2012: "Population genetic structure of genome-wide SNP variation in wild Arabidopsis thaliana from the Western Mediterranean region". Arabidopsis thaliana, the small, shortlived, selfingweed is an important model system for population genetics and molecular ecology. Adrian Brennan and colleagues present a population genetic study focused on new A. thaliana samples from Morocco, at the southern edge of thier native range, providing an important step in improving the knowledge about the worldwide population genetic structure of this species.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
Rocio Marquez-Ferrando is coauthor of this scientific paper that focus on the habitat restoration following toxic spills in a Mediterranean habitat. Despite the severity of the mine accident, this long-term study suggests a swift recovery of the bird community, due to the rapid restoration of habitat availability and the resilience of the birds. Ontiveros, D. et al. "Recovery of the Bird Community after a Mine Spill and Landscape Restoration of a Mediterranean River" (Restoration Ecology, July 2012 vol. 20, 4. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-100X.2012.00887.x). Article first published online : 8 JUL 2012EcoGenes Researcher Eaaswarkhanth Muthukrishnan's new achievement
Eaaswarkhanth Muthukrishnan has been selected as the EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER of WebmedCentral plus, an Open access Biomedical publisher using post publication peer review system from United Kingdom.Congratulations!
New publication within EcoGenes Project!
In the article "Colonizing the world in spite of reduced MHC variation", Laura and colleagues show that the impoverishment of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which harbours the most polymorphic vertebrate genes, has not constrained the ecological radiation and flourishing of falcons worldwide. The early view of the online version of the article published by Laura Gangoso et al. on the Journal of Evolutionary Biology (May 16 2012, doi: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2012.02529.x) is available clicking its cover.
New publication within EcoGenes Project!
The online version before print (May 23 2012, doi: 10.1098/rspb.2012.0327) of the Proc. R. Soc. B "Phylogeny versus body size as determinants of food web structure" is now available at R.E Naisbit et al.In this article, Rudolf Rohr and colleagues directly compare the influence of phylogeny and body size on food web architecture. Using data from 13 food webs, they confirm the importance of both factors, although the domain of phylogeny in most networks highlights the echo of evolutionary history through current food webs, with implications for theoretical models and conservation priorities.
A report on EcoGenes published in International Innovation
The International Innovation Journal has recently published a comprehensive article on EcoGenes (Environment. April 2012). In the report "Fighting back against climate change" the coordinator Juan José Negro outlines why EcoGenes has the potential to make great strides in the field of climate change research. International Innovation is the leading global dissemination resource for the wider scientific, technology and research communities, dedicated to disseminating the latest science, research and technological innovations on a global level. More information and a complimentary subscription offer to the publication can be found at: www.researchmedia.eu.
New publication within EcoGenes Project!
The Epub of March 20 2012 of Biological Reviews published a new article by Rudolf Rohr and colleagues, where they review how phylogenetic information has been used to identify better the key components of species interactions with their biotic and abiotic environments, to determine the relationships between diversity and ecosystem functioning and to establish good biodiversity management practices in the face of global change. Read more at the online version: N. Mouquet et al. Ecophylogenetics: advances and perspectivesNew publication within EcoGenes Project!
A new article by Rudolf Rohr and colleagues has been accepted for publication in New Phytologist 2012 May;194(3):859-67. Epub 2012 Mar 12: "Alien plant species with a wider global distribution are better able to capitalize on increased resource availability". Read more: Dawson W, Rohr RP, van Kleunen M, Fischer M.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
In the article "Diversity protects plant communities against generalist molluscan herbivores" published in Ecology and Evolution (first published online 31 Aug 2012. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.359) by Rudolf Rohr and colleagues, where they studied wildflower strips in farmland landscapes. Results highlight the importance of plant biodiversity as protection against generalist herbivores. Have a look here to know more.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
Rudolf Rohr co-authored "Anthropogenic disturbance as a driver of microspatial and microhabitat segregation of cytotypes of Centaurea stoebe and cytotype interactions in secondary contact zones". Ann Bot (2012) 110 (3): 615-627. DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcs120. The authors investigated microspatial and microhabitat distribution, life-history and fitness traits, flowering phenology, genetic relatedness of cytotypes and intercytotype gene flow (cpDNA and microsatellites) in six mixed-ploidy populations in Central Europe of Centaurea stoebe complex (Asteraceae). The results highlight the importance of non-adaptive spatio-temporal processes in explaining microhabitat and microspatial segregation of cytotypes. You can read more here.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
Eaaswarkhanth Muthukrishnan and his colleagues has published in PLoS ONE the article "Genetic Affinities of the Central Indian Tribal Populations". The paper has been published on February 29, 2012 and it is freely available online at: Sharma G. et al. 2012EcoGenes Researcher Eaaswarkhanth Muthukrishnan has been awarded to attend two international conferences
Eaaswar has been invited as a foreign guest scientist for the International Genetics Conference, "The Genetics of the Peoples of Africa and the Transatlantic African Diaspora" to take place in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA on March 19 and 20, 2012. His visit is sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health National Institutes of Health, USA. Besides, he has been selected for Junior Investigator Travel Award to present a poster at the "Sixth International Conference on Environmental Mutagens in Human Populations" in Doha, Qatar during March 26-29, 2012. Title: "Lactase persistence variants as markers to study human demographic movements in the light of animal domestication and milk culture".Congratulations!
New publication within EcoGenes Project!
Isabel Martínez Cano is the first author of "Dispersal limitation and spatial scale affect model based projections of Pinus uncinata response to climate change in the Pyrenees". This article has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication in the Global Change Biology, though at the moment only online version is available:Isabel Martínez et al. 2012
New publication within EcoGenes Project!
The conclusions of the first meeting of EcoGenes "Genetics and Genomics in Wildlife Studies" have been published online in BioEssays on 5 JAN 2012, before inclusion in an issue (Volume 34, Issue 03, March 2012). Among the authors of "Genetics and genomics in wildlife studies: Implications for ecology, evolution, and conservation biology", three of the hired researchers.Fernando Cruz et al. 2012
New publication within EcoGenes Project!
Adrian Brennan, the first author of this paper, is one of the hired experienced researchers working at EBD-CSIC. The authors investigated rapid evolution in S. squalidus by analyzing patterns of the phenotypic and genotypic differentiation alongside Sicilian Senecio. Considerable differentiation was observed for 22 molecular genetic markers examined that was probably the result of drift during the introduction population bottleneck event and subsequent rapid invasive population growth. Some but comparatively less differentiation was observed for 20 quantitative traits than for the molecular genetic data indicating that phenotypic evolution shows relatively more constraints. These results inform our understanding of evolution following hybridization."Molecular genetic and quantitative trait divergence associated with recent homoploid hybrid speciation: a study of Senecio squalidus (Asteraceae)". Heredity (2012) 108, 87-95; doi:10.1038/hdy.2011.46Brennan et al. 2012
EcoGenes supports attendance at a workshop in Budapest
Dr. Manuela Forero, EBD staff researcher in charge of the newly established Stable Isotope Laboratory, attended a workshop in Budapest (Hungary) on November 16-18, 2011. This workshop was organized to discuss thoroughly the use of a software created by the US Geological Survey to substantially improve the organization of the database generated by DELTA V, the automated Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer recently acquired through the EcoGenes project.
New publication within EcoGenes Project!
Rudolf Rohr and colleagues published in Ecology 92: 2183-2189. 2011 the article "Phylogenetic signal in predator-prey body-size relationships" where they show show that the general body-mass relationship conceals significant variation associated with both predator and prey phylogeny. Read More: Naisbit, RE; Kehrli, P; Rohr, RP; Bersier, LF.New publication within EcoGenes Project!
The hired researcher Rocío Márquez-Ferrando is the first author of this paper, which suggests that part of the continental Black-tailed Godwit population (Limosa limosa limosa) remains in Europe instead of migrating to their traditional W African non-breeding quarters. "Could Doñana, SW Spain, be an important wintering area for continental Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa limosa?" Wader Study Group Bull 118(2) 2011. Márquez-Ferrando et al. 2011First paper published within EcoGenes Project!
The first author, Laura Gangoso was supported by EcoGenes during the writing of this paper. She is one of the hired experienced researchers that are now working at EBD-CSIC. "MC1R-dependent, melanin-based colour polymorphism is associated with cell-mediated response in the Eleonora's falcon". J. Evol. Biol. (2011) 1-9.Gangoso et al. 2011
You can now see the list of people hired under EcoGenes at the Participants page
The list of researchers finally selected for the research contracts has been published (13th April)
They should be arriving witin the next few days to formalize their contracts and start their work between us. Welcome to all of them!!Official document
Call open for technical assistant
If you want to apply for the position of technical assistant of the EcoGenes project please follow the instructions that you can find at the official callYou can download the application forms from here (Contract nº1)
The deadline is 30th of March 2011!!
If you need any help with the process please contact coordinacion@ebd.csic.es
The final list of applicants for research contracts has been published
If no administrative delay occurs, the selected candidates will be contacted before EasternOfficial document
Urgent!! Provisional list of applicants!!
The provisional list of applicants has been published!Excluded candidates can present additional documentation until 16/03/2011
official document
If you need any help with the process please contact coordinacion@ebd.csic.es
CSIC Opened the official call for applications!!
If you want to apply for any of the positions described below please follow the instructions that you can find at the
official call
You can download the application forms from here
If you need any help with the process please contact coordinacion@ebd.csic.es. The deadline is 8th of February 2011!!
VACANCIES!!
The EcoGenes Projects includes the contracting of 8 researchers in three different areas (PhD degree required). EBD-CSIC invites applications for eight research positions which will become available under the 7th Framework Programme- European Project ECOGENES "Adapting to Global Change in the Mediterranean hotspot: from genes to ecosystems". The jobs are in the framework of Genomics (2 positions), Ecological Modelling (3 positions, 1 with a more general profile for bioinformatics) and Ecophysiology (3 positions, two of them for avian physiology and one for stable isotope analysis). The characteristics of the offered positions, the scientists responsible of each area, and the candidate's profiles can be consulted below. Duration of the positions is 30 months/person, starting tentatively in spring-summer 2011. Successful candidates will be fully participating members of the relevant Department at Doñana Biological Station; they will be expected to participate in running projects, fundraising as well as dissemination and support in their respective areas of expertise. The salary level is very competitive (within Marie Curie standars).Interested candidates can contact the project coordinator (Juan José Negro coordinacion@ebd.csic.es). Send a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and a short (1-3 pages) description of past research accomplishments and future research plans.
POSITION DEFINITIONS
Researcher I. Genomics I. Genomics of non-model organisms
SCIENTIFIC HOST: Carles Vilá (carles.vila@ebd.csic.es)
DEFINITION: Recent technical advances in molecular genetics allow the study of large portions of the genome of one individual, instead of just a handful of genes/loci. This has greatly expanded our knowledge about the genome of a few model organisms. We expect that, in the future, these techniques will allow more powerful hypothesis testing on natural populations of poorly known species, overcoming some of the most common limitations of current studies on ecological and conservation genetics
CANDIDATE'S PROFILE: We look for an experienced researcher that can use microarray-based SNP analyses and genome-wide sequencing for the study of natural populations to address ecological questions such as mechanisms underlying adaptive variation or the development of reproductive barriers. Successful candidates will be expected to participate in the diffusion and support of genomics in the centre. People with a broad range of skills and diverse scientific backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Researcher II. Genomics II. Environmental effects on the transcriptome
SCIENTIFIC HOST: Xavier Picó (xpico@ebd.csic.es)
DEFINITION: The differentiation and the formation of new species can be driven not just by point mutations at protein-coding genes, but also by differences in gene expression. The development of genome-wide expression assays allows identifying genes that are important in generating phenotypic diversity across environmental gradients, or that can be related to adaptive radiations or to the generation of phenotypic diversity faster than expected from the rate with which point mutations occur.
CANDIDATE'S PROFILE: We want to recruit an experienced researcher that could use large-scale gene expression analyses across panels of related species to evaluate differences that could be related to adaptation and speciation. Our hope is to use this approach to identify genes responsible for selective divergence across species. Successful candidates will be expected to participate in the diffusion and support of genomics in the centre. People with a broad range of skills and diverse scientific backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Researcher III. Ecological Modelling I. Communities.
SCIENTIFIC HOST: Jordi Bascompte (bascompte@ebd.csic.es)
DEFINITION: Conservation of complex networks of species interactions: network robustness in the face of different drivers of global change. There is an urgent need to develop relevant theory at the community level to help in defining the conservation strategies that should be implemented in biodiversity hotspots, including the Mediterranean region. This theory includes models analyzing and identifying the critical thresholds in community resilience with the aim of optimizing conservation strategies. An experienced scientist will perform research incorporating ecological and evolutionary constraints to the current theory on complex networks at the community level. She/he will serve to obtain critical mass in the number of researchers specifically performing theoretical and modelling work and disseminate the need to generate theory and to improve our forecasting capacity to the overall scientific community of our institute by offering highly specialized training and supervision.
CANDIDATE PROFILE: Proven research experience in ecological modelling at the community level. The candidate should qualify for international excellence and provide a close link to our current empirical and experimental research programs.
Researcher IV. Ecological Modelling II. Populations.
SCIENTIFIC HOST: Eloy Revilla (revilla@ebd.csic.es)
DEFINITION: Generalized mechanisms buffering environmental changes produced by Global Change. Global change drivers produce changes in environmental variables that affect the dynamics of populations. The available theory in population biology does not recognize the existence of physiological, behavioural and population level mechanisms that systematically buffer the effect of environmental stochasticity on populations. Species specific conservation and management actions should consider the impact of those buffer mechanisms. The candidate will review the level of prevalence of those mechanisms across many different taxa, modelling the generalizations and their expected impact on population dynamics as a function of different life history, ecological and environmental traits. This researcher will also add critical mass to our capacity of performing theoretical and modelling work, instigating to generate theory and to improve the forecasting capacity of our institute by offering highly specialised training and supervision.
CANDIDATE PROFILE: Proven research experience in ecological modelling at population level. The candidate should qualify for international excellence and provide a close link to our current empirical and experimental research programs.
Researcher V. Bioinformatics.
SCIENTIFIC HOST: Eloy Revilla (revilla@ebd.csic.es)
DEFINITION: We are seeking to hire an experienced bioinformatician with a PhD in Science or Technology (e.g., Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Biology or similar), as support for our research lines. This researcher will analyse published information corresponding to other field studies. The job will involve collaboration with scientists at the Doñana Biological Station in the analysis of large data sets and computer simulations within the broad area of Complex Systems in Ecology. Experience with programming languages such as C and Python applied to large computers and clusters will be necessary and previous experience in the application of computing tools to Ecology or Evolutionary Biology will be welcome. Additional duties imply experience in running, maintaining and repairing work-station / computer clusters, as well as training and supervising technicians, PhDs and researchers.
CANDIDATE'S PROFILE: Expertise in the analysis of huge amounts of data at the fore-front of computing science and biological questions.
Researcher VI. Eco-physiology I. Migrating to the north or staying in the south: ecophysiology of over-summering.
SCIENTIFIC HOST: Jordi Figuerola (jordi@ebd.csic.es)
DEFINITION: Individuals of many shorebirds may stay in their non-breeding grounds without travelling north for breeding. The frequency of oversummering has increased in the last decades in the black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa). Potential reasons may involve climatic conditions and the increasing use of man-made habitats (rice-fields) and their interaction with individual's physiology. We aim to incorporate an experienced researcher to address the relationship between metabolic plasticity, immune capacity and exposure to pathogens in explaining over-summering in these species. The candidate will use an observational and experimental approach in coordination with the studies performed in the breeding grounds by our partners in the Netherlands.
CANDIDATE'S PROFILE: A researcher with experience in the study of bird ecology in the field and experiments under controlled conditions.
Researcher VII. Eco-physiology II. Comparative eco-physiology of range shifts.
SCIENTIFIC HOST: Jordi Figuerola (ordi@ebd.csic.es)
DEFINITION: We aim to incorporate a researcher to address the relationship between metabolic plasticity, immune capacity and exposure to pathogens in explaining the capacity of some species to maintain viable populations at the southern extreme of their distribution range. The candidate will use a comparative experimental approach comparing the responses of different species to changes in temperature.
CANDIDATE'S PROFILE: A researcher with experience in the measurement of metabolism in wild animals and the use of comparative methods.
Researchers VIII. Eco-physiology III. Stable isotopes in food webs.
SCIENTIFIC HOST: Manuela G. Forero (gforero@ebd.csic.es)
DEFINITION. Researcher with a large experience in experimental and ecological research on C, N, S and H stable isotopes in terrestrial and/or marine food webs. Excellent organizational skills and strong data analysis and writing skills. The research goals during the contract must be novel and the candidate be highly motivated in this field. In addition to the research duties, he/she will have a key role in the establishment and development of the new stable isotope laboratory. Training and supervising technicians, PhDs and researchers.
CANDIDATE'S PROFILE: Researcher with PhD in related research areas, experience as lab coordinator will be appreciated.