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SICB 2001 Annual Meeting - List of Symposia


The 2001 SICB Annual meeting in Chicago will feature 15 symposia covering a wide range of topics. Many of them have webpages posted on the SICB website. A brief look at each is given below.


    Thursday, January 4

  • Vibration as a Communication Channel.

    • Communication is a "hot" topic in behavioral circles today and one aspect of communication that is just now being explored by behavioral ecologists is vibration. This symposium will bring together for the first time scientists and engineers who are studying vibration in communication. Organized by Peggy Hill for DAB and DNB.

  • Starting from Fins: Parallelism in the Evolution of Limbs and Genitalia.

    • One implication of parallelism is that the genetic material on which a given set of selective pressures act is more likely to be the same in a case of parallelism than in convergence. This symposium will examine parallelism in two major evolutionary transitions, from paired fins to limbs and from an unpaired fin to genitalia in disparate metazoans. Organized by Eduardo Rosa-Molinar and Ann Burke for the new Division of Evolution and Developmental Biology.

  • Motor Control of Vertebrate Feeding: Function and Evolution.

    • The study of muscle activity during vertebrate feeding has exploded in the last 15 years, with virtually every major vertebrate group being examined, and a number of hypotheses being generated. This symposium will synthesize recent studies to re-evaluate these hypotheses. Organized by Michael Alfaro and Anthony Herrel for DVM.

  • Ontogenetic Strategies of Invertebrates in Aquatic Environments.

    • Aquatic organisms are subject to selection from a variety of environmental factors to which they respond during development. This symposium will bring together phsiologists and ecologists to better understand the resulting ontogenetic strategies seen in diverse invertebrates. Organized by Guy Charmantier and Donna Wolcott for The Crustacean Society, DEE and DIZ.


    Friday, January 5

  • Stress: Is it more than a Disease? A Comparative Look at Stress and Adaptation.

    • Over the past two decades there has been increasing interest in the neurobiology and endocrinology of the stress response in vertebrates. The goal of this two-day symposium is to examine the phylogenetic diversity of the endocrine stress response and explore mechanisms of adaptation from a comparative perspective. Organized by James Carr and Cliff Summers for DCE and DNB.

  • Molecules, Muscles, and Macroevolution.

    • Recently functional morphologists have included modern tools such as high-speed imaging and electromyography to quantify animal behavior and muscle activity patterns. This symposium intends to present innovative research that extends beyond "traditional" functional morphology. Organized by Miriam Ashley-Ross, Alice Gibb, and Lara Ferry-Graham for DVM, DCPB, and DEDB.

  • Plant and Animal Physiological Ecology, Comparative Physiology/Biochemistry, and Evolutionary Physiology: Opportunities for Synergy.

    • Plants and animals have distinct phylogenetic heritages and often interact with the environment in fundamentally different ways. Speakers in this symposium have been asked to examine common issues of environmental variation, stress, or adaptation from the plant or animals perspective to promote synthetic discussion. Organized by Martin Feder, Steve Hand, Jim Coleman, Vince Gutschick, and Arnold Bloom for the Section on Physiological Ecology of the Ecological Society of America, DCPB and DEE.

  • The "Lesser-known" Protostome Taxa: Evolution, Development, and Ecology.

    • Many of the lesser-known protostome taxa, such as onychophorans, rotifers, nematomorphs, and kinorhynchs are becoming important for testing hypotheses of animal phylogeny, and it timely to re-examine what is currently known about them. That is what this symposium intends to do. Organized by Jim Garey for DIZ, DEDB, DSEB, and the American Microscopical Society.

  • Science, Entertainment, and Teaching: Bringing Cutting Edge Biology to the Public and Teaching Community.

    • This imaginative symposium will combine for the first time research biologists and creative artists in the entertainment industry with the goal to highlight biological content in entertainment vehicles, novel teaching techniques, and scientific data of compelling use to both the entertainment and teaching professions. Organized by Stuart Sumida and Elizabeth Rega for DVM.


    Saturday, January 6

  • Stability and Maneuverability.

    • Mechanisms of stability and maneuverability in animals are concerned with both the physiology and mechanics of moving. This two-day symposium will bring together physiologists, morphologists, engineers, and mathematicians to seek common solutions. Organized by Frank Fish and Bob Full for DVM and DCPB.

  • Integrative Aspects of Epithelial Structure and Function.

    • This symposium is a tribute to John E. Phillips who brought together three areas of research: epithelial structure, ion transport, and endocrinology. Organized by Tim Bradley and Mary Chamberlin for DCPB.

  • Living Together: The Dynamics of Symbiotic Interactions.

    • There are many types of symbioses at various taxonomic levels that are usually studied separately. This very broad two-day symposium will bring people together who work on many different systems, microbes, plants, and animals to foster symbiosis among the speakers. Organized by Mary Beth Saffo for DIZ and DAB as a Society-wide symposium.

  • Developing and Restructuring Science Curricula: A "How to" Symposium.

    • As education is widely touted by political candidates, it is generally recognized that technological breakthroughs have far outpaced science curriculum development and faculty training. This symposium is designed to provide a toolbox for those interested in science curriculum reform. Organized by Ali Whitmer for the Education Council.


    Sunday, January 7

  • Amphibian Metamorphosis.

    • This minisymposium will concentrate on molecular, evolutionary, and hormonal mechanisms controlling amphibian metamorphosis, as a model system for understanding how hormones orchestrate development. Organized by Jai Menon and Robert Denver for DCE.

  • Taking Physiology to the Field: Advances in Investigating Physiological Function in Free-Living Vertebrates.

    • Comparative and ecological physiologists have succeeded in describing numerous marvelous ways organisms are specialized for life in a variety of habitats. But most of this work has been done in the laboratory. This symposium explores how to proceed to looking at physiological function under natural conditions in the field. Organized by David Goldstein and Berry Pinshow for DCPB.




    The International Biodiversity Observation Year, 2001-2002


    Diana H. Wall and Gina A. Adams
    Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1499

    A year to focus global attention on biodiversity and the sciences that explore it is being planned for 2001- 2002 (Norris, 2000). The International Biodiversity Observation Year (IBOY) is an initiative of DIVERSITAS, the international program of biodiversity science sponsored by IUBS, SCOPE, UNESCO, ICSU, IGBP and IUMS.

    The IBOY is a window in time, for programs that examine biodiversity and its links to ecosystems and society, to communicate their findings and the importance of their work to a broad audience. Organizers hope that IBOY will generate the momentum, collaborations and public mandate required to advance international and integrated approaches to biodiversity research and conservation. For example, promoting coordinated, long-term, international biodiversity monitoring programs and new coalitions for swifter incorporation of scientific findings into the media, education and decision-making.

    Planning for IBOY began in 1997, as scientists increasingly recognized the need to integrate the different dimensions of biodiversity research, in order to understand the links between biodiversity and sustainable ecosystems and societies. They also perceived an urgent need to communicate what is already known about these links, to provide accurate, science-based information on how changes in biodiversity may impact daily living.

    An international Steering Committee, chaired by Diana Wall, and an Advisory Board of preeminent scientists and communicators, is directing IBOY towards its two primary goals, to:
    • Promote and integrate biodiversity science, advancing a holistic understanding of biodiversity
    • Educate the public about biodiversity, explaining the implications of biodiversity research and the opportunities for further discovery

    At the core of IBOY is a diverse portfolio of international research, informatics and education and outreach projects, addressing the questions: What biodiversity do we have and where is it? How is biodiversity changing? What goods and services does biodiversity provide? and How can we conserve biodiversity?

    Projects are participating in the IBOY at two levels:
    Core Projects - over 40 projects, across more than 50 countries. Core Projects are international and will have a peak of activity and products during 2001 or 2002. They will be the focus of the IBOY's publicity and synergistic activities.
    Approved Projects - are often smaller-scale projects. IBOY will highlight them through a web-based map and directory of biodiversity research and education projects occurring around the world in 2001 and 2002.

    IBOY does not fund projects, but will highlight them, provide opportunities for networking and cross-collaboration, and explain their significance to a broad audience. IBOY meetings will bring scientific disciplines together to advance integrated research and will build bridges between science, education and the media to improve transfer of science-based information on biodiversity into public and policy spheres. Other synergistic activities being planned include a television series and accompanying educational materials, media campaign, publications, webpages and participation in national biodiversity events.

    Diverse approaches to examining biodiversity are coming together for the IBOY and will deliver urgently needed biological information on the status and trends of biodiversity and ecosystems. Scientific voyages of discovery are exploring little-known habitats to describe their fauna and flora and its distribution. For example in a project called DIVA, Dr. Johann Wagele will lead a joint Spanish and German expedition to examine patterns of deep-sea biodiversity along a latitudinal gradient of the Atlantic Ocean, and Dr. Tom Illife is leading a world-wide effort to survey the fauna and flora of anchialine (inland, salt-water) caves. AmphibiaWeb, (http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/aw/), an interactive, web-based communication and database system, led by Dr. David Wake, will deliver information on status and trends of amphibian species and the ecosystems that they inhabit. Other projects are examining the functional diversity of ecosystems, such as a contribution from the FLUXNET network, directed by Dr. Dennis Baldocchi, that will measure the diverse metabolic patterns (CO2, energy and water fluxes) of ecosystems in response to environmental factors. Other projects are examining the ability of biodiversity to provide ecosystem goods and services. For example, LITUS, led by Dr. Magda Vincx and Dr. Jan Marcin Weslawski will survey beaches from the tropics to the arctic, assessing the impacts of tourism on their biodiversity and productivity. It will publish its findings as guidelines for the public and policymakers. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (http://www.ma-secretariat.org) (MEA), coordinated by Dr. Walter Reid, will publish a protocol for the first science-based assessment of the status of the world’s ecosystems and their abilities to meet future needs.

    We are still accepting proposals for projects and welcome your suggestions and comments for making IBOY a global success. More information on how to get involved, or details on existing projects, can be found at http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/IBOY. Or by contacting Dr. Diana Wall (IBOY Chair) or Dr. Gina Adams (IBOY Program Officer), Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1499, USA. Tel: +1 970 491 1984; Fax: +1 970 491 3945; email iboy@nrel.colostate.edu.

    References:
    Norris S. 2000. A Year for Biodiversity. BioScience 50(2): 103-107




    Relaunching Zoology - Call for Papers


    Zoology is a journal devoted to the publication of original research papers in comparative and organismic studies in animal science. After years of struggle for existence a new group of editors, a new ambitious advisory board, and a professional editorial office have guided Zoology through a rejuvenation process to regain its position as an internationally recognized journal of zoology. We can offer high scientific standards, short review time, and a guaranted publication time of three months after acceptance of a manuscript for publication. Color plates are available free of charge at the editor's discretion. An on-line version of Zoology is published simultaneously with the printed journal.

    For further information, aims and scopes, instructions for authors see our downloadable flyer in Portable Document Format (PDF) at:
    http://www.sicb.org/zoologyflyer.pdf
    or visit our webpage at:
    http://www.urbanfischer.de/journals/zoology
    or send a message to J. Matthias Starck at: zoology@pan.zoo.uni-jena.de

    Zoology - Editorial office
    J. Matthias Starck (Editor in Chief)
    Institute of Systematic Zoology and Evolutionary Biology
    University of Jena
    Erbertstrasse 1
    D-07743 JENA
    Germany

    phone:++ 49 - 3641 949155
    fax: ++49 - 3641 949152
    mailto: zoology@pan.zoo.uni-jena.de




    In Memoriam

    Ruth Turner

    Ruth Turner, a member of ASZ/SICB throughout her career, was a pioneer in the field of marine biodeterioration research and a world authority on the biology of marine wood borers, particularly the shipworms. She began her career as an accomplished ornithologist but switched to malacology after meeting William J. Clench, curator of molluscs at the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology in the early 1940's. In 1971 she became the first woman to dive in the research submersible ALVIN, as part of her pioneering experiments on the biological deterioration of wood in the deep sea. In 1976 she became Professor of Biology, curator in Malacology, at the Museum of Comparative Zoology. She was also a gifted self-taught scientific illustrator, as exemplified in her treatise A Survey and Illustrated Catalogue of the Teredinidae

    Ruth was an amazingly modest person, despite her many accomplishments, and devoted herself to helping others. Indeed, Ruth gave hardly a thought to advancing her own career. It seems that she spent at least half of her time writing letters of recommendation for other people. And she was continually putting people up at her house --even people she had never met-- if they were visiting for a meeting or coming for a few days to work in the Harvard museum. It wasn't in her to ever turn anyone down: If she had one position open in her lab and 2 people applying for it, she would divide the job in 2 and hire both people. In short, if you were interested in biology, she was always there for you. She also loved teaching: surely hundreds of students, from 5th graders to undergraduates to graduate students, can attest to her infectious enthusiasm about biology, and marine biology in particular. Her knowledge and great friendship will be missed.

    Jan A. Pechenik, Colleen Cavanaugh, Roger Mann