Biodiversity Research Seminar Series (BRS)
BRS Jean-François (Jeff) Doherty: Parasites: cryptic actors playing crucial roles
September 27, 2023, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Zoom recording:
Passcode: *M9ZMnSz
host: Ben Matthews
Title: Parasites: cryptic actors playing crucial roles
Abstract: Wherever free-living organisms exist, you are most likely to find highly specialised organisms that parasitise them. While the general reaction to parasites is fear or revulsion, and their presence can annoy any researcher wanting healthy animals, these hidden players offer a fascinating glimpse into a cryptic world that dominates other life strategies. Parasites are probably the most biodiverse mode of life on this planet, yet we are still far from understanding general patterns in their ecology and evolution. In this seminar, I will present evidence that parasites are integral parts of healthy ecosystems through complex interactions with their hosts, which lies at the core of my research on the ecology and evolution of host-parasite interactions and my current project on the manipulation of invertebrate hosts by parasitic hairworms (phylum Nematomorpha).
It will be possible to ask the speaker questions through the chat, Q&A function, or in person, and these will be moderated by the host. If you would like to meet with the speaker, you can contact him at jeff.doherty@ubc.ca.
Before the seminar, there will be cookies and coffee in the BRC atrium.