We are very glad to invite you to the upcoming scientific seminar of the Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen. The seminar will take place on Thursday May 18 2023 at 12:00 CEST, in the Life Sciences Building of the University of Debrecen, room F.201.
Immune function as a physiological mechanism of trade-offs in ecology and evolution
Arne Hegemann (Lund University)
Short abstract: One of the most fundamental assumptions in ecology and evolution is the existence of trade-offs, i.e. resources invested in one trait cannot be invested in another trait. Understanding trade-offs is crucial because any prediction in ecology, evolution and conservation biology inevitably needs to consider trade-offs. To be able to unveil trade-offs and improve predictions in life-history, functional and evolutionary ecology as well as population development or speciation processes, we need to identify the mechanism underlying crucial trade-offs. In my talk, I will provide evidence from my own work on birds and fish that immune function, which is crucial for survival but also incurs costs, is a main mechanism underlying.