Centro Balear de Biodiversidad
Courses and Seminars
© Antoni Costa
Training
Participate in our free courses and seminars
The CBB organizes specialized courses and seminars on biodiversity, offering updated and practical training for researchers, students, managers, and professionals, promoting learning and knowledge transfer with top-level speakers.
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November 4-7, 2024
Functional diversity analysis course in R
Over the past two decades, the study of functional diversity (FD) in ecology has grown exponentially, significantly enhancing our understanding of biological diversity and its evolution across space and time. Nearly every subdiscipline of ecology now acknowledges the immense value that functional analyses of species and communities bring to the field. This growing interest has spurred the development of numerous methods to measure different facets of FD. However, these varied approaches have introduced terminological inconsistencies and confusion when selecting the most appropriate method for specific ecological questions.
In this course, we will explore the best and worst practices in FD analysis, with a particular focus on the BAT package in R—a powerful tool for assessing biodiversity.
teachers
Stefano Mammola (Italian National Research Council, Institute of Water)
when and where
04/11/2024 al 07/11/2024
9:30h a 16:30h
Edifici complex M2 (Carrer Blaise Pascal, 7, Parc Bit)
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September 24-27, 2024
Species distribution models course in R
This course is designed for students, researchers, and anyone interested in mapping the potential impacts of climate change on species distribution. Participants will learn to access species occurrence data from online biodiversity repositories like GBIF, download and visualise climate variable maps in GIS format, and explore ecological niche modelling (ENM) using R. The course covers programming fundamentals and introduces various algorithms used in ENM, providing the tools needed to deepen your understanding and apply these techniques effectively.
teachers
Sara Varela González (Universidad de Vigo)
Sofía Galván Arcones (Universidad de Vigo)
when and where
24/09/2024 to 27/09/2024
9h – 15h
Edifici complex M2 (Carrer Blaise Pascal, 7, Parc Bit)
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September 19, 2024
Seminar: Anatomy of an adaptive radiation: the red devil spiders of the Canary Islands
Adaptive radiations are a hallmark of island evolution. Oceanic archipelagos, which rise from the ocean floor and have never been connected to mainland areas, provide unparalleled opportunities for accidental colonizers to flourish and diversify. However, identifying the patterns and mechanisms driving species proliferation and ecological adaptation in the context of adaptive radiation is not always straightforward.
To address this, we combined molecular phylogenetic analysis, comparative genomics, geometric morphometry, and experimental testing to investigate the origins and diversification of the red devil spiders (genus Dysdera) in the Canary Islands. This genus comprises approximately 60 endemic species within this volcanic archipelago. Our phylogenomic data support a single origin of these endemic species (with one exception) and suggest that the ancestor colonized the archipelago during the early formation of the present-day islands. The single origin hypothesis is further reinforced by the significant reduction in genome size among island species, primarily due to the loss of repetitive elements.
Trophic specialization has been a key driver of diversification in these endemic species, as evidenced by multiple independent events of onychophagia and accelerated speciation in specialized lineages. Notably, our findings also suggest that the processes of speciation and ecological adaptation are largely independent. The red devil spiders provide one of the most compelling examples of island diversification, and the extensive genomic, morphological, and ecological data available make this system an invaluable model for studying the mechanisms that generate and sustain biodiversity over time.
speaker
Dr. Miquel Arnedo (Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat, Universitat de Barcelona)
when and where
19/09/2024
12:00h
Edifici complex M2 (Carrer Blaise Pascal, 7, Parc Bit)
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September 2-6, 2024
Introductory Course to Population Genetics Theory and RAD-seq Data Analysis
In this course, participants will learn the fundamentals of population genetics theory and how to apply it to infer population processes and species history. We will examine how patterns of genetic diversity change over time and the processes driving these changes. Additionally, we will analyze microevolutionary processes, their impact on species diversity, and how to reconstruct species histories. The goal is to understand how evolutionary processes generate patterns and changes that shape biodiversity over time and space.
The second module of the course will focus on one of the primary methods for investigating genetic diversity in populations with limited or no reference genomes: RAD-seq (restriction site-associated DNA sequencing). Over three days, participants will learn how to generate and analyze RAD-seq data and apply widely used population genetics methods.
teacher
Narjes Yousefi (University of Zurich)
Hans Kristen Stenøien (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)
when and where
02/09/2024 – 06/09/2024
9h – 16h
Edifici complex M2 (Carrer Blaise Pascal, 7, Parc Bit)
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June 26, 2024
Seminar: Why is taxonomy so important?
Taxonomy underpins all biological sciences, making accurate species identification essential. A species name enables access to various databases and literature sources, allowing researchers to retrieve valuable information about that species, such as its distribution, ecology, genetic data, and more. However, many species, particularly among invertebrates, remain undescribed. Taxonomy is not a static science, especially in marine environments, where reexamination of previously described species often reveals they are actually groups of species that can be distinguished through additional molecular and morphological characteristics.
It is crucial for taxonomists to collaborate closely with other biologists, both within and across institutions, nationally and internationally. Museum collections play a vital role in documenting biodiversity. Well-organized, database-driven collections are particularly important at the national level, helping to track changes in species distributions due to climate change or to differentiate between native and introduced species.
Taxonomy is at a critical juncture, as many museums face funding cuts, leading to a reduction in positions. This lack of funding discourages students from pursuing taxonomic research if they cannot envision a viable career path.
speaker
Dra. Pat Hutchings (Australian Museum)
when and where
26/06/2024
11:00h
Edifici complex M2 (Carrer Blaise Pascal, 7, Parc Bit)