A Canary for Climate Change Pages 6-14 Researchers Find a Strong Correlation Between Northern Hemisphere Seabird Diversity and Environmental Stressors

FALL 2014 VOLUME 6 No. 3 www.nescent.org

Newsletter of the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, an NSF-funded collaborative research center operated by Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University.

IN THIS ISSUE: RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Research Highlights 1, 15

Director’s Letter 2

Call for Proposals 3

Coming Soon 3,5

In the Media 5

New Publications 5

New Awards 14

10 years of NESCent

A special look back at a remarkable decade of Seabirds like puffins and auks are especially sensitive to climate and environmental shifts research, outreach and PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS collaboration at NESCent. A canary for climate change Pages 6-14 Researchers find a strong correlation between Northern Hemisphere seabird diversity and environmental stressors

odern-day puffins and auks have long Next proposal Texas at Austin examined 28 extinct species in Mbeen recognized as environmental indi- addition to 23 living species. Whereas previ- deadlines cator species for ongoing faunal shifts, and fos- ous research focused primarily on surviving sil records now indicate that ancient relatives members of the alcid family, this study was able Dec. 1: Short-term visitors, were similarly informative. Researchers have to paint a more comprehensive picture of their journalists-in-residence found that puffins and auks may have been at evolution. The findings, which were just pub- Feb. 1: Summer 2015 their most diverse and widespread levels during lished online at the Journal of Avian Biology, graduate fellows (off-site) a relatively warm period of Earth’s history. The support a connection between the diversification April 1: Fall 2015 graduate results also explain how past extinctions have of wing-propelled diving seabirds and major fellows (off-site) shaped the geographic distribution and popula- climatic events. Such environmental conditions For more information, see tion size of existing species. also appear to have influenced the physical traits page 3 or visit nescent.org/ Authors Adam Smith of the National Evolu- observed in existing alcids like dovekies, murres, science/proposals.php tionary Synthesis Center (NESCent) in Durham, murrelets, puffins, auklets and auks. N.C., and Julia Clarke of the University of see CLIMATE CHANGE, p16 2 | FALL 2014 FALL 2014 | 3

ABOUT NESCENT: COMING SOON NESCent is a scientific Comings and Goings research center dedicated to Letter from the director Darwin Day hits cross-disciplinary research in As NESCent winds down, we are very happy and a bit rueful that many of our evolution. The center’s the road again oday was a good day at NESCent. mantle. Envisioned as a localized entity colleagues have already transitioned into exciting new opportunities. We wish mission is to promote the I always think it’s a good day when that will focus on evolutionary medicine, synthesis of information, T them well (way to go!) and anticipate more bittersweet departures in the coming What: Darwin Day Roadshow concepts and knowledge to I learn something new, and today, Alex the center is still in a fledgling state, but months. address significant, emerging, Weiss, a short-term visitor from the its progress and promise (as discussed in When: February 2015 Jonathan Lombard has hopped across System Administrator David Palmer is or novel questions in evolu- University of Edinburgh gave a talk this issue) offer an optimistic view of the tionary science and its the pond to work as a Postdoctoral now the Linux Administrator on Duke’s Where: Coming to a state near you applications. NESCent on his research on future of evolution-focused research in Fellow in Thomas Richards’s lab at the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences. achieves this by supporting personality, well- North Carolina and beyond. University of Exeter. To celebrate its fifth anniversary, Postdoc Dan Ksepka is the new Cura- research and education Darwin Day Roadshow will do what it being, and health in Adam Smith is a John Caldwell Meeker tor of Science at the Bruce Museum in across disciplinary, institu- has done each February for the last humans, chimpanzees, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Field Mu- Greenwich, CT. tional, geographic, and This is NESCent’s legacy: four years: Hit the road to share the demographic boundaries. and other non-human seum of Natural History in Chicago. Providing an outlet for Jeff Sturkey has moved down Main excitement of evolutionary science primates. I learnt that with students, teachers, and the NESCent is a collaborative Kate Hertweck began teaching as an Street to Duke Medicine Development partnership between Duke a strong argument can unusually innovative ideas Assistant Professor at the University of and Alumni Affairs where he works as general public in communities around University, the University of be made that some posited by researchers from Texas-Tyler. the Special Events coordinator. the country, on the occasion of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Charles Darwin’s birthday. The ALLEN personality traits– for Communications Manager and Newslet- and North Carolina State the broadest reaches of Roadshow sends NESCent scientists, instance, subjective University, and is funded by the RODRIGO ter Editor/Writer Emeritus Robin Smith educators, and collaborators into K-12 National Science Foundation well-being and domi- evolutionary science. One now pens science stories at the Duke classrooms all across the US with a (award #EF-0905606). For nance– are essentially manifestations of former postdoc put it best Office of News & Communications. particular focus on small, rural more information about the same suite of genes. communities and those with high research and training opportu- when he compared the center numbers of under-represented nities at NESCent, visit www. If you’ve been to NESCent, you know to a “supercollider” for minority students to talk about nescent.org. of course that it is not unusual to have evolution research and career anthropologists giving talks, paleon- scientists: It makes remarkable CALL FOR PROPOSALS opportunities in science. SENIOR LEADERSHIP: tologists running working groups, and things happen. Allen Rodrigo, Director computational biologists hacking away The Roadshow has now visited Call for proposals thousands of students and teachers Susan Alberts at hackathons. Add to this mix a resi- Looking for support for a short-term across 22 different states, including Associate Director dent community that includes postdocs I invite you all to continue the projects of Science and Synthesis visit or science journalism project? settings as diverse as a middle school Todd Vision studying viruses, ocean biodiversity, and conceived, developed, and advanced here NESCent welcomes your proposals. on a Native American reservation in Associate Director of protein folding, and at times there is an at NESCent and to keep in touch. After We are looking for innovative ap- Arizona, a high school within a boys’ Informatics almost surreal quality to the conversa- all, the center may close, but NESCent proaches to outstanding problems correctional facility in West Virginia, Brian Wiegmann in evolutionary biology. Short-term and a school for student-patients at a tions that one overhears. has evolved into a self-sustaining com- psychiatric hospital in Massachusetts. Associate Director visitor proposals that have a clear of Education and Outreach This is NESCent’s legacy: Providing munity, and we have you to thank for it. There is no charge to teachers and interdisciplinary focus or involve schools to participate, and each host an outlet for unusually innovative ideas evolutionary concepts in nontradition- teacher receives an extensive STAY INFORMED posited by researchers from the broad- al disciplines are strongly encouraged. collection of evolution teaching Subscribe to the NESCent est reaches of evolutionary science. One Proposals for both awards last two resources. quarterly newsletter to receive former postdoc put it best when he weeks to three months; the deadline news about the Center, research and training opportu- compared the center to a “supercollider” is December 1. The success of the Roadshow is nities, and upcoming events. for scientists: It makes remarkable things illustrated by comments from host Comments, story ideas and We are also inviting graduate students happen. You can read his full reflection teachers. One said, “It made the photo contributions are at accredited North Carolina institu- whole school community aware of welcome. Please send and others in the special “10 Years of tions to apply for special Triangle corrections and suggestions the importance of evolutionary for future newsletters to NESCent” section of this special edi- Dr. Allen Rodrigo Graduate Fellowships in Evolutionary theory and its implications,” while Nicole Duncan at nicole. tion newsletter. In addition to the usual Director of NESCent Medicine. We seek applicants who are another added, “The resources [email protected]. interested in any field of evolutionary research stories and center news, we’ve helped me become updated on the science that is relevant to medicine, or To unsubscribe fill out our looked back over the past decade to fol- science surrounding the topics. online form at bit.ly/qIuEWu. to human or animal health. This Therefore, I created better lessons You can also visit NESCent on low up with past participants and share semester-long fellowship would be for my students.” Twitter, Facebook, and intriguing anecdotes. offsite, at the student’s host institu- YouTube. I am also excited to look forward, not tion. The deadline is February 1 for To find out more, including how to Writer/Editor: Nicole Duncan only to the many vibrant projects and Summer 2015 and April 1 for Fall 2015. apply to be a stop on the 2015 (919) 668-7993 version of the Roadshow, visit our [email protected] collaborations first realized at NESCent, For more information, please visit website at roadshow.nescent.org. The but also to a new Triangle-based synthe- nescent.org/science/proposals.php. deadline to apply for the 2015 Graphic Design and Layout: Vanessa DeJongh sis center that will, in a sense, carry the Roadshow is November 21, 2014.. 4 | FALL 2014 FALL 2014 | 5

The inaugural K-12/Citizen Science Poster climate and the population size and “Social network research may boost NESCent was thrilled to co-host Session was first envisioned by NESCent geographic range of these birds, as prairie dog conservation efforts” the Evolution 2014 conference in Assistant Director of Education and well as their ancient relatives. (EurekAlert!) As particularly “chatty” downtown Raleigh from June 20 Outreach Jory Weintraub who has ties to In the Ironically, these wing-propelled divers mammals, prairie dogs are well-known Congrats to the winners of the to 24. Here’s a brief rundown by the various school systems in the Triangle. enjoyed the greatest diversity during for being social creatures. A new study the numbers: 2014 Evolution Film Festival “It was an experiment, but one that a relatively warm period. http://bit. used statistical tools to better under- Media ly/1pcsRvm stand hidden aspects of these complex The votes are in! Nearly 200 people Registered Attendees: 1,958 worked very well,” Weintraub said. He noted that it was the first time a large social networks. Former NESCent viewed and voted on their favorite short Presentations: 1,014 number of K-12 students have participated “Open data for evolutionary postdoc Jennifer Verdolin and N.C. videos at the 2014 NESCent Evolution Film synthesis: an introduction to Festival in Raleigh on Saturday, June 21. Posters: 436 in a poster session. Because the location State researchers hope these results the NESCent collection” can be used to decrease the spread of This was a very competitive year with Lightning Talks: 64 of the Evolution conference changes annually, it can be difficult to reach local (Scientific Data)NESCent’s bubonic plague among prairie dog more than 30 submissions— the most open-data policy coupled we’ve ever had— and the voting for the Symposia and Special Lectures: 62 educators and students each year. colonies. http://bit.ly/1w8zUcA Nevertheless, the success of this year’s with the wealth of data stored final 12 was unusually close because there Booth Exhibitors: 26 in Dryad has now led to the “Evolution experts convene at Raleigh were so many great finalists. (Every video event could serve as the jumpstart “A canary for climate Average registration cost: $378.93 needed to establish a regular program. change” (EurekAlert!) NESCent Collection in the newly Convention Center” (News & got at least one first place vote!) launched Scientific Dataplatform. This Observer) Evolution 2014 featured A successful and stimulating “It worked so well that we’re going to The old adage about When the votes were counted, the canaries in coal mines collection, which already has four Data nearly 2,000 attendees from 38 winner was “Drift,” submitted by Lauren conference: PRICELESS advocate to make it a part of Evolution Descriptors, will expand on a rolling countries with highlights including K-12 and grow it each year,” Weintraub said. might hold true for another type of bird: Anderson, Monique Boileau, Zach Evolution 2015 is already set for June Puffins, auks, and other relatives are the basis. Todd Vision and Karen Craston research presentations, a genome Boudreau, Sarah Jezierny, Julia 26 to 30 at the lovely Casa Grande N. C. State researcher Lea Shell, who species to watch when it comes to discuss the importance of such reposito- software school, and a public lecture on Hotel Resort in São Paulo, Brazil. Visit Kunberger, and Will Ryan of Florida State collaborated with Bedell, furthered the environmental changes. NESCent ries for data that do not fit the the relationship between evolution and University. The runner-up was “Dinosaur,” http://sbg.org.br/Evolution2015/ for outreach mission of the K-12/Citizen traditional publication model. http://bit. science. http://bit.ly/1zdtVJ9 more details! researchers Adam Smith and Julia a song written, composed, and performed Science Poster Session with their poster, Clarke find a strong correlation between ly/1rAb40H by Lori Henriques of Portland, OR with “Citizen Science: Engaging Students in video animation by Joel Henriques. “The overwhelming sentiment was that of Authentic Scientific Research.” The The first- and second-place winners will passionate, intelligent people who love poster detailed how to introduce citizen receive a travel allowance of up to $1,000 their work and have so much fun doing it science to learners ranging from pre-K and $500, respectively, for travel expenses that it seems the lines of life and work are to adults. to attend the scientific meeting of their blurred,” Jasmine Cope wrote in a Students from the School of Science and choice. Thanks to our filmmakers for some post-conference e-mail. “It was also a Math also worked together to present PUBLICATIONS fabulous videos! Watch this year’s finalists great insight into the life of an evolution- their own posters. The topics ranged from at filmfestival.nescent.org/2014-entries ary biologist.” genetic drift of eye color in common fruit and check the website (filmfestival. The conference offered these students flies to cancer-related genes in signal Recent publications & products by NESCent authors nescent.org) in early spring for info on and educators unfettered access to transduction pathways to the effects of how to submit your own video for the 2015 symposia, contributed talks, and special UV radiation with and without DNA-repair Conner, J. et al. (2014). “Patterns of Kuester, A., J. Conner, et. al. (2014). “How Smith, N.A. and J.A. Clarke (2014). Film Festival. events including the NESCent Evolution mechanisms. phenotypic correlations among morphologi- weeds emerge: a taxonomic and trait-based “Systematics and evolution of the Pan- Film Festival and Super Social at the In addition to meeting scientists from all cal traits across plants and animals.” examination using United States data.” New Alcidae (Aves, Charadriiformes).” Journal of North Carolina Museum of Natural around the world and presenting his Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Phytologist 202:1055-1068 doi: 10.1111/ Avian Biology. doi: 10.1111/jav.00487 Evolution 2014 welcomes the Society B: Biological Sciences 369:20130246. nph.12698. next generation of scientists Sciences. Additionally, the participants poster, Carson Cope received a collection Tree of Sex Consortium (2014). “Tree of presented at the first poster session, of textbooks from several science publish- Conner, J. and R. Lande. (2014). “Raissa L. Maherali, H. (2014). “Is there an association sex: a database of sexual systems.” Scientific As in years past, Evolution 2014 attracted which was held Saturday, June 21. ers when he visited their sponsor booths. Berg’s contributions to the study of pheno- between root architecture and mycorrhizal Data. 1:140015 doi:10.1038/sdata.2014.15. researchers, university scholars, evolution typic integration, with a professional growth response?” New Phytologist. doi: NESCent covered the cost of conference Just a week after the conference con- Verdolin, J. et al. (2014). “Key players and educators, science journalists, and policy biographical sketch.” Philosophical 10.1111/nph.12927. registration fees for all the K-12 and cluded, he had already whirled through hierarchical organization of prairie dog social makers from around the world. But for the Transactions of the Royal Society B: Citizen Science participants as a way of several chapters and completed a Moghe, G. et. al. (2014). “Consequences of networks.” Ecological Complexity, 19: 140 doi: first time, this year’s meeting included Biological Sciences 369:20130250. reducing barriers to their attendance. guidebook. whole-genome triplication as revealed by 10.1016/j.ecocom.2014.06.003. activities specifically designed to welcome Conner, J. et al. (2014). “Artificial selection comparative genomic analyses of the wild Upon their arrival at the Raleigh Vision, T. and C.K. Cranston (2014). “Open members of the K-12 community and His mother Jasmine noted that the value on anther exsertion in wild radish, Raphanus radish Raphanus raphanistrum and three Convention Center, they received a data for evolutionary synthesis: an introduc- of his Evolution 2014 participation reaches raphanistrum.” Scientific Data 1:140027. other Brassicaceae species.” The Plant Cell citizen scientists. These special guests personal greeting and welcome from tion to the NESCent collection.” Scientific far beyond books and presentations. doi:10.1038/sdata.2014.27 26:1925-1937. included 18 high school students from the NESCent Director and head conference Data. 1:140030 doi:10.1038/sdata.2014.30. North Carolina School of Science and Govindaraju, D. (2014). “Opportunity for Plooij, F. (2014). “Longitudinal recordings of organizer, Allen Rodrigo. “It took an abstract love and passion that Vogan, P. and H. Maherali (2014). Math and two teacher chaperones; selection in human health.” Advances in the vocalizations of immature Gombe was being sustained by museum visits, “Increased photosynthetic capacity as a Carson Cope presented “Phenotypic Genetics Vol. 87, Academic press. chimpanzees for developmental studies.” Orange County, NC elementary school documentaries, and books and turned it mechanism of drought adaptation in C3 Plasticity of the Pharyngeal Jaw in the Scientific Data. 1:140025 doi: 10.1038/ teacher Kristin Bedell; the elementary into a tangible reality,” Cope wrote. “Not Harnik, P., et al. (2014). “Phylogenetic plants.” International Journal of Plant Parachromis Managuensis Cichild Fish” sdata.2014.25. school-aged daughters of organizing only can he ‘practice’ his love for the field, signal in extinction selectivity in Devonian Sciences, in press (to appear Dec. 2014) committee members Karin and David along with professor and research mentor terebratulide brachiopods.” Paleobiology Ramírez, M. (2014). “The morphology and but he can see that the profession is an Zehr, S., et al. (2014). “Life history profiles Brian Langerhans. Carson volunteers at 40:675-692. doi: 10.5061/dryad.8mc3s. phylogeny of dionychan spiders (Araneae: Pfennig; and Wake County middle school- attainable reality.” for 27 strepsirrhine primate taxa generated Langerhans’s evolutionary ecology lab at Araneomorphae).” Bulletin of the American aged student Carson Cope along with his Hofmann, H. (2014). “An evolutionary using captive data from the Duke Lemur N.C. State and was able to parlay his Museum of Natural History, 390: 1-394. doi: mother Jasmine. framework for studying mechanisms of Center.” Scientific Data. 1:140019 doi: 10.1038/ 10.1206/821.1. research on the freshwater fish into a social behavior.” Trends in Ecology & sdata.2014.19. well-received poster. Evolution. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2014.07.008. 10 years of 10 years of 6 NESCent NESCent 7

What has NESCent meant to you?

s the 10-year mark approaches and NESCent!” –Randy Nesse, Working “The NESCent Working Group on I consider my time at NESCent both within worked with each other and shared those interact with colleagues at NESCent has ANESCent prepares to close our doors Group participant and President of the body size evolution gave me the chance Working Groups and as a short-term visitor activities through scholarship, outreach, been instrumental not only in our creation next summer, we’ve begun to reflect on Foundation for Evolution, Medicine, & to meet and work with a wonderful as mini-sabbaticals. The productivity of art, and journalism. It was tremendously of an individual-based database from the community—how it has grown and Public Health group of colleagues in paleontology and our working groups would not have been rich and I am grateful for my time at the long-term studies of seven species of wild continues to evolve even in the final year. ecology very early in my career. It was a possible if attempted from afar; we needed Center.” –Paul Harnik, former Postdoc primates, but also in the development Former participants, ongoing partners, ”Our recent Catalysis Meeting on Venom wonderful opportunity to quickly build chunks of time during which we could and Assistant Professor at Franklin & of comparative analyses that advance and veteran collaborators have used their Evolution was one of the most stimulating up a group of professional colleagues all justifiably unplug from the rest of our Marshall College our understanding of the evolution and time and connections forged at NESCent scientific gatherings I’ve ever attended. and personal friends due to the intimate academic endeavors and focus deeply on ecology of primate life histories.” –Karen to do extraordinary things. We asked them The intellectual buzz of having about 25 atmosphere at NESCent. It also sparked a few topics. I consider the collaborations Informatics B. Strier, Working Group Leader, Vilas to share their experiences: smart accomplished people all focusing on several research ideas regarding body size forged after sitting together for long hours “NESCent makes exciting things happen: It Research Professor of Anthropology at the same topic for three days nonstop was evolution that I am continuing to pursue, as lifelong and transformative.” –Rebecca is like a supercollider for biologists. NESCent University of Wisconsin-Madison Science energizing, enlightening, and already has often in collaboration with Working Safran, Short-term visitor, Working invested heavily in the Fossil Calibration “NESCent has been instrumental in spawned all sorts of collateral activities Group colleagues.” –Jon Payne, Working Group Leader, and Associate Professor at Database and helped us push it across the “NESCent gave me the opportunity to developing the new field of evolutionary which we are now sorting through. It was Group and Catalysis Leader and Associate University of Colorado finish line, and brought together 30 separate summarize the insights and results of a medicine. Thanks to its early support via amazing!” –Lisle Gibbs, Catalysis Leader, Professor at Stanford University perspectives on the avian brain for a meeting major portion of my career; review and several Working Groups, support for a and Professor at Ohio State University “My experiences at NESCent, both as co-PI that synthesized dinosaurs, cell layers, and scan the most important experimental summer course, and a current Working “Our NESCent Catalysis Meeting on the of a working group and as a postdoctoral 300 endocasts into an exciting story. There is data of my former professor, Thomas Group developing curricular materials, “I have been to NESCent as a Catalyst genetics of adaptation to high altitudes scholar, shaped my current research simply no place that matches what NESCent Park; and the opportunity to participate in NESCent has brought together scientists Meeting organizer, a Sabbatical Scholar, resulted in a new collaboration and a program in too many ways to enumerate; does, and I will never forget the experience, several Working Groups on cutting-edge and clinicians who have created the a Short-Term Visitor, and a Working publication that transformed the field.” isolating any single project doesn’t do the people, and the science.” –Dan Ksepka, topics. The NESCent Sabbatical fellowship International Society for Evolution, Group Leader. It has been an essential part –Cynthia Beall, Catalysis Leader and it justice. NESCent’s legacy in my work former Postdoc and Curator of Science at opportunity allowed me to finish one Medicine, & Public Health to move the of my career and research and I mourn Distinguish Professor at Case Western and that of others is that it provided the the Bruce Museum book manuscript (due out in fall 2015, field ahead for the long run, starting with its passing.” –Roy Plotnick, perennial Reserve University food for interdisciplinary engagement University of Chicago Press) and begin an inaugural meeting March 19-21 in NESCentian and Professor at University by supporting a dynamic community of “Co-leading the Primate Life History another and to publish two papers from Arizona. See http://evolutionarymedicine. of Illinois at Chicago “NESCent has offered the luxury of time individuals from across the biological Database Working Group has been a workshops and another two with a faculty org for more information. Thanks, and space to think and work collaboratively. sciences who challenged, taught, and unique experience. The opportunity to member at Duke University. The best and

HIGHLIGHTS | 13 10 years of 10 years of 8 NESCent NESCent 9

“interdisciplinary exchange” “Without the four months at NESCent my project would not have seen the light of day. Period.” “intellectual buzz” “...the chance of a lifetime” “...a vital foundation” “...huge impact”

most productive sabbatical of my 39-year Informatics team. We simply could not have Bertie Early College High School with the Caribbean Examination Council “Attending the NESCent Working Group “Ever since I started in 2006, as the first career!!” –Mike Wade, Sabbatical Scholar gotten to where we are now without their and the University of the West Indies, Jory ‘Communicating the Relevance of Human faculty member specializing in evolutionary and Professor at Indiana University support. As evidence of this the NESCent’s “NESCent has been pivotal in the Museum’s and the team spent three years (2011- Evolution’ and Catalysis Meeting, “Reporting Biology at a small, historically black informatics team has worked to build a effort to bring attention to the fascinating 2013), exposing high school and university Across the Culture Wars: Engaging Media on college like Spelman, both my students “It is no exaggeration to state that my web-portal that will serve as the interface and complex world of evolution and teachers to central concepts regarding Evolution” have been pivotal to the aspect of and I have benefitted tremendously from Sabbatical at NESCent was the chance for D-PLACE, a new global database evolution outreach by partnering with us to biological evolution. Specifically, NESCent my career that has focused on education and NESCent’s outreach activities. Students of a lifetime. Besides the ever-present linking data on peoples, languages, first, celebrate Darwin’s bicentennial with has allowed me to organize and facilitate outreach around human evolution. Aside from from my lab have been able to travel to the expertise, the high level of communication cultures and ecology to help empower a a lecture series. Our partnership deepened workshops in my hometown thus bridging creating and sustaining my growing network Evolution meetings, present their work, and interdisciplinary exchange enabled new line of research in cultural evolution.” with the creation of our annual Darwin Day, the gap between my background as a of like-minded scientists, educators, and and seek graduate mentors through the me to achieve even more than planned. –Mike Gavin, Working Group Leader which brings together Museum researchers teacher and more recently, science education others and two publications in the American undergraduate diversity programs run by Without the four months at NESCent my and Associate Professor at Colorado State and educators, as well as organizations researcher/curriculum consultant.” –Elvis Biology Teacher, one of the ideas generated NESCent each year. Additionally, I too have project would not have seen the light of University and researchers from around the state, Nuñez, NESCent collaborator and Learning in the working group led to my successful been benefitted from traveling to Evolution day. Period.” –Carola Borries, Sabbatical to strengthen the public’s understanding Specialist at Manu Kai Educational Services NSF DRK-12 grant creating materials for AP on a travel award for minority-serving Scholar and Research Associate Professor Education & Outreach of evolution and celebrate Darwin’s Biology classrooms that use human examples institution faculty and more recently as a at Stony Brook University “I feel that NESCent has had a huge impact contributions to science. NESCent’s real “NESCent’s efforts to increase the diversity to teach evolution. We are now in the third long-term Sabbatical Scholar at NESCent. on evolution education outreach though its contributions as a true partner were not of the undergraduate participation in the year of the project, and preliminary results These have gone a long way in helping “I have been a PI of two different NESCent workshops, programs like Darwin Day, site only the genesis of this successful event, but Evolution conference provided me with indicate that our materials increase students’ me network with the rest of the evolution Working Groups: linguistic diversity and visits and the many publications that it had a keystone for its continued success.” –Kari an opportunity to present my work to understanding of, acceptance of, and interest community and forge new collaborations. cultural evolution. NESCent has been a to offer to educators. I know that I and many Wouk, NESCent collaborator and Senior researchers throughout my field. I received an in evolution. These exciting outcomes are just In sum, it would be hard for me to imagine vital foundation for all of our projects, other educators from across the state learned Manager of Educational Collaborations at employment opportunity and was recruited one example of what I know will be related what my career trajectory would have by providing the opportunity to bring enormous lessons from our involvement with N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences into a Ph.D. program as a result of my ideas, collaborations, and efforts that shape been like without NESCent’s efforts to together a diverse set of people from the NESCent staff and also from many of the participation in Evolution 2013. This would my career path—all starting with my time at reach MSI faculty and students!”–Aditi multiple disciplines and countries to seek visiting researchers and their work. Losing “NESCent has been instrumental in the never have happened without NESCent and NESCent!” –Briana Pobiner, Working Group Pai, Sabbatical Scholar and Professor at ways to synthesize methods and theories the program will leave an unfortunate void curriculum reform process and training Jory Weintraub in particular!” –Jay Bundy, and Catalysis participant and Research Spelman College l from diverse disciplines. Critical to this in the education community.” –Bruce Boller, of teachers in the Caribbean as it pertains Undergraduate Diversity participant and Scientist at the Smithsonian Institution process has been the support of NESCent’s Working Group participant and Teacher at to biology. Through a collaborative effort current BEACON/Michigan State researcher 10 years of 10 years of 10 NESCent NESCent 11 Will rappel for fossils Rediscovering an unconventional voice in Former NESCent postdoc accesses a wealth of megafauna data in Natural Trap Cave evolutionary biology

or five years, journalists-in- not getting credit for her ideas. Fresidence have produced an Other scientists were unwit- impressive body of work dur- tingly crediting themselves for ing their tenure at NESCent, ‘discovering’ one or more of but only one has helped solve a her three seminal theories.” nearly decade-old case. A decade earlier, Martin’s Mike Martin came to NE- reporting had helped rectify a SCent in fall 2011 to research similar case of neglected credit and write about Margie Profet, involving Canadian physicist an evolutionary biologist who John Moffat. But whereas was the science “it” girl of Moffat was actively engaged in the early 1990s. Without a setting the record straight, Pro- Ph.D. or quantitative data, fet was nowhere to be found. Julie Meachen (above center and at right) and team descended she theorized a number of “A NESCent fellow who at- 85 feet to examine and collect mammal fossils from the most evolutionary explanations for tended my talk put it this way: recent Ice Age irksome biological functions Margie has been gone for so including morning sickness, long, out of the spotlight, not ormer NESCent post- Catalysis Meeting, “Integrating menstruation, and allergies. In at conferences or places like This picture of Profet accompanied Martin’s story in Psychology datasets to investigate mega- Fdoc Julie Meachen has addition to receiving a MacAr- this, so no one is around to Today, which precipitated the reunion with her family faunal extinction in the late reached new depths— quite thur Genius Fellowship, Profet defend her 20-year-old work; quaternary.” including one led by a neurobi- with her family. literally— with her research wrote three notable papers in remind people where it came “Alan Cooper, the co-PI, ologist-evolutionary biologist “If I could summarize my on late-Pleistocene mam- academic journals and two from; or even that it exists in was also in the Catalysis team at Cornell University. experience at NESCent, I’d say mals. This summer Meachen instructive books targeting the first place,” Martin wrote. group,” Meachen said. “He In 2008, Paul Sherman it led to the rediscovery—in and a team of paleontolo- mothers-to-be. Her unconven- The second surprising rev- came up with the idea and and Janet Shellman-Sherman more ways than one—of a fas- gists began exploring Natu- tional approach and theories elation from Martin’s research asked if anyone wanted to join. took Profet’s theory further cinating and brilliant mind in invited equal parts praise and at NESCent was the prolifera- ral Trap Cave in Wyoming, I jumped up and was like, ‘Me! when they examined 50 years- evolutionary biology,” Martin criticism. By the late 1990s, her tion of experiments supporting which may house one of the I want to participate!’” worth of studies to pinpoint a wrote. “Margie Profet’s family star was fading as she became Profet’s cancer-allergy con- best preserved collections of The team also includes mechanism by which allergies rediscovered her after she had more isolated from professional nection. Given the enthusiasm Ice Age megafauna in North another NESCent connection: expelled carcinogens. Unlike vanished as completely as any- The descent into this sink- Meachen said. Already the and personal networks. Profet for the topic, especially within America. It is the first time former postdoc Jenny McGuire many contemporaries, the one could and still be among hole can be daunting: Meachen team has identified several slowly vanished from her life oncology, Martin was able to who has studied paleontologi- husband-wife team made a the living.” in 30 years that scientists and other paleontologists species of megafauna includ- between 2003 and 2005. do another feature: this one cal extinction in the context point to credit Profet. Following her return, Mar- have been granted access. enter through a 15-foot-wide ing the wooly mammoth, dire Martin had already com- focusing more on Profet’s sci- of modern ecological threats. Such studies have continued tin heard from her friends and The team, which performed mouth to rappel down 85 feet. wolf, American lion, American pleted a story for Psychology entific legacy for theJournal of Meachen became the PI for the since Martin wrote his article colleagues the world-over who its inaugural field season in Cooper, who has extensive cheetah, and short-faced bear. Today on Profet’s unconven- National Cancer Institute. project, and they submitted in early 2012. As recent as were both grateful and relieved late July and early August, is in experience descending such Some of the collected speci- tional career trajectory and “I pitched a story […] tying their first NSF grant proposal this past March, researchers at to learn that she was well. At search of ancient mammalian caves, even wrote an article, mens are housed at DMU while subsequent disappearance all this together and effectively in 2012 while she was complet- Virginia Commonwealth Uni- the same time, Profet’s theories DNA. Using morphological, “How do you get 10 scientists others with viable collagen for when he arrived at NESCent. re-introducing Margie—then ing her postdoctoral work. versity published a paper in the enjoyed a revival. biogeochemical, and genetic (safely) down a 100 ft. vertical DNA extraction have been sent He had interviewed friends, missing for nearly seven “NESCent actually helped Journal of Leukocyte Biology “Science also rediscovered techniques, the researchers shaft?” for his host institu- to labs for testing. family, and former colleagues. years—to the wider scien- me get the stuff together,” that linked allergies to cancer Profet and is now doing experi- hope to shed light on the tion, the Australian Centre for Although the 2014 field sea- While at the center, he con- tific community,” Martin ex- Meachen said, noting that Asso- and demonstrated an evolu- ments that are validating her relationship between climate Ancient DNA at the University son has ended, Meachen says tinued the investigation by plained. “I wrote the piece and ciate Director Susan Alberts was tionary advantage to histamine ideas,” Martin wrote. “Now change and genetic variation in of Adelaide. they will be visiting Natural reading about two dozen aca- they published it, and ‘Margie especially helpful with feedback response. rather than other scientists mammal species. Researchers speculate that Trap Cave for at least another demic papers related to Profet’s Profet’ was back on the map.” and encouragement during the In addition to reviving Pro- mistakenly taking credit or Now an assistant profes- the cave is so rich in Pleisto- two years. In November she theories and receiving feedback In the article, Martin process. Following two earlier fet’s name and legacy among failing to give credit for her sor at Des Moines Univer- cene-Holocene era herbivores will present findings from the related to the resident scientific revisits Profet’s 1991 paper proposals, the most recent grant the scientific community, his work, she is cited.” sity, Meachen studied skeletal and carnivores because of its first field expedition at the Soci- community. that purported allergies as the application was accepted this other article for Psychology As of his last correspon- morphology within living and small and somewhat obscured ety of Vertebrate Paleontology “I found two surprising naturally evolved “last line of past May and formal awards Today precipitated another dence with the family, Martin extinct groups of mammalian opening that does not expand annual meeting in Berlin. things about Margie’s research defense” against carcinogens. were conferred in October. The happy outcome. Less than is pleased to report that Profet carnivores while at NESCent. until farther down. Until the next field season, while at NESCent,” Martin He also pointed to a number first field season was funded a month after the story was is now back at home in Cali- Her current project in Natural “There won’t be a short- she has plenty of fossils to wrote in an e-mail. “Firstly, in of recent or ongoing studies by Des Moines University and published, Profet was reunited fornia and doing well. l Trap Cave originated from the age of fossils on this trip,” l several recent papers, she was that supported her hypothesis, National Geographic. examine. 10 years of 10 years of 12 NESCent NESCent 13 New science center focuses on evolutionary medicine ‘NESCent Collection’ houses decades-old chimpanzee calls

lthough NESCent will be closing its Many of the funded topics rans Plooij’s recordings of sub-adult Adoors in June 2015, plans are under- Fchimpanzees were among the first Data way to create a new center, this one special- will have relevance globally, Descriptors in the NESCent Collection of izing in Evolutionary Medicine. TriCEM, and also locally, such as the newly launched Scientific Data. The or Triangle Comparative and Evolutionary open-access, peer-reviewed publication Medicine Center, will encourage collabora- the evolution of resistant from the Nature Publishing Group now tion among evolutionary biologists, physi- microbes in farm animals offers a unique platform for presenting cians, veterinarians, public health experts, results that might not fit the parameters of and more. The emphasis will be on research in North Carolina or wildlife traditional print journals, including Plooij’s initiatives, meetings, and collaborations in reservoirs of infectious more than 10 hours of chimpanzee calls the Triangle, yet TriCEM will also wel- and the accompanying metadata. come collaborations with participants from disease in our region. “I tried four years ago, and journals outside the area, including international simply weren’t interested,” said Plooij, who researchers. has visited NESCent as a short-term visitor Charles Nunn, Professor of Evolutionary in 2010 and 2014. “Things got rolling this Anthropology at Duke University and head year because it’s the idea that you publish How do you plan to balance a variety of of the TriCEM planning committee, offers an article and a database.” Charles Nunn local and international participants? a glimpse into the future of evolutionary science and synthesis in the Triangle. TriCEM will be funded initially by the local Among other insights, the Why focus on evolutionary medicine? institutions in the Triangle, and working recordings could serve as a What topics will groups and scholars Evolutionary medicine is a rapidly growing groups will aim to bring together faculty study through TriCEM? field of interdisciplinary research that seeks from different universities and from differ- helpful tool in studying the ent schools within those universities. Our Evolutionary medicine is a big topic with to improve our understanding of human emergence and evolution of connections to many areas of research that health through the application of evolution- region has many outstanding opportunities people might not immediately think of. We ary and ecological principles. It involves for interdisciplinary research among world human language. anticipate funding interdisciplinary groups both understanding disease—such as past class ecologists and evolutionary biologists, to study cancer, the evolution of antibiotic selection pressures that make humans prone doctors, veterinarians, experts in public As the current president of the Interna- resistant microbes, emerging infectious to obesity and heart disease—and treating health and public policy, environmental tional Research-Institute on Infant Studies, diseases in humans and animals, and the disease, including new solutions to halt the scientists, and even nurses and dentists Plooij is perhaps best known for his work in rise of autoimmune diseases in developed evolution of drug-resistant pathogens and (with two schools of nursing and one of human development including The Wonder nations. We also aim to engage teams of the creation of novel cancer therapies. Evo- dentistry!). Weeks, a book and online resource for the researchers who are interested in evolution- lutionary perspectives are vital to tackling While we envision great new opportuni- earliest weeks of infancy. At NESCent, he ary approaches to mental health, including our most urgent global health challenges, ties locally, we also see important possibili- has revisited his previous work, namely the depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. including the emergence of new infectious ties for experts from outside the Triangle audio recordings he and his late wife Hetty The metadata for more than 10 hours of chimpanzee calls recorded by Frans Plooij Many of the funded topics will have agents, increases in autoimmune diseases, to participate in working groups and to van de Rijt-Plooij collected in Gombe Na- and Hetty van de Rijt-Plooij is now in the open-access platform Scientific Data. relevance globally, and also locally, such as threats to food safety, and nutritional needs provide perspective, methods, or data that tional Park, Tanzania in the early 1970s. PHOTO COURTESY FRIEDRICH BÖHRINGER, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS the evolution of resistant microbes in farm of growing populations. are important for a particular working The audio data were already stored in the group. We anticipate that many proposals animals in North Carolina or wildlife res- Macaulay Library at Cornell University, but “We focused on the infants [in the kind of feeling that you ought to do some- will identify outside experts to participate ervoirs of infectious disease in our region. What awards will TriCEM confer? Dryad offered a rare opportunity to store Scientific Data paper] because that was thing with it, and it’s a unique collection. in working groups, and we will be looking Many of these topics are related to the idea The main funding mechanism will involve the metadata. Plooij translated and tran- finished four years ago and the adults were I don’t think anybody would ever record for teams to identify external expertise. of “One Health,” in which the health of working groups that are composed of scribed the field notes from Dutch to English not,” Plooij said. “Now that this paper is chimpanzee babies because it requires a humans is interconnected to the health of during his first visit to NESCent. He also out of the way, I might as well finish this close distance.” faculty from the local institutions that will How soon do you anticipate TriCEM other animals and the environment. Ge- worked with Anne Pusey, chair of the Evo- whole thing.” Among other insights, the recordings initially support TriCEM. Working groups activities will begin? nomics, phylogenetics, and computational will be required to meet at least monthly, lutionary Anthropology department at Duke Plooij completed the second half during could serve as a helpful tool in studying We expect that TriCEM will begin activities biology will likely also play a large role in and they will be given start-up funds to University, to include demographic data on his second stay in Durham this fall and the emergence and evolution of human in early 2015 with a first call for working funded projects, as will global and public spend over one year for research activities. Gombe National Park chimpanzees. plans to publish it as “part two” in the language. And given the adversity faced by group proposals by the end of this year or health and conservation biology. These funds can also be used to fly in other “The idea was that it should have been NESCent Collection. Although the data are chimpanzees and other primates, including beginning of next year. It takes time to pull In short, TriCEM will be very open- team members. In addition to working finished then, but I was far too optimistic, more than 40 years old, Plooij was com- loss of habitat, poaching, and trafficking, together the funds and build the collabora- minded about the types of projects that groups, we anticipate hosting catalysis as always,” Plooij said. In 2010, he com- pelled to complete the translation sooner open access to such data is especially time- tive agreements among universities, yet the are funded with an emphasis on taking meetings, invited speakers for seminars pleted the transcription for the sub-adult rather than later. sensitive. great potential for interdisciplinary research novel, interdisciplinary approaches to apply and interaction with working groups, chimpanzee recordings but not the adult “It is something that I felt obliged to “Assuming that the species will die on evolutionary medicine in the Triangle evolutionary thinking to understand and sabbatical-type research opportunities, and portion. Four years later, an invitation to do because we collected it and never did out—there’s a chance it will happen— it is propelling us forward. Thus, things are improve the health of humans, animals, fellowships for early-career students and return to NESCent and the launch of anything with it because we published the makes it all the more urgent to have it,” and the environment. researchers. coming together quickly! l Scientific Datarevived the project. other data,” Plooij said. “There is this Plooij said. l 14 | FALL 2014 FALL 2014 | 15 NESCent’s longest-serving employee looks back World’s biggest-ever flying bird COMING SOON Long slender wings and soaring ability enabled the creature NABT evolution f you’ve visited NESCent, you undoubted- How is NESCent today different from 10 the most bizarre purchase we’ve ever made: to stay aloft for long distances without flapping its wings symposium focuses on Ily know Barbara Mitchell. Our operations years ago? killer whale, toucan, an Amazon River Evolution in Action manager, who oversees the business side of The growth, the location, the people, the dolphin, a gorilla, an African lion, and a cientists have identified the fossilized re- What: National Association of the center, probably knows NESCent better Great Horned Owl. It is quite different from changes in administration, Smains of an extinct giant bird that could Biology Teachers (NABT) than anyone since she helped open the grant purchasing copy paper and file folders! and the hiring of a lot be the biggest flying bird ever found. With Annual Evolution Symposium in 2004. Back then, NESCent was housed more people. I had no idea What will it be like to close the grant an estimated 20-24-foot wingspan, the crea- above the Cinelli’s 10 years of what form it would take. next year? ture surpassed size estimates based on wing When: November 14, 2014, Pizza (now Vine 12:15 – 4:15 PM Favorite NESCent expe- I feel like it’s a great accomplishment to bones from the previous record holder– a NESCent Sushi & Thai) next riences? be able to see all the meetings that have Where: Cleveland Convention Center, to Whole Foods on long-extinct bird named Argentavis mag- occurred and the people. Working with the Cleveland, OH Broad Street. She started as an administrative I enjoyed the reception we nificens– and was twice as big as the Royal put on for the opening of the center. It was international people has probably been one assistant and today manages the entire finan- Albatross, the largest flying bird today. If you’re planning to attend the fun to bring together all the people who had of the most exciting experiences: to be able cial aspect of the grant. If you ask Barbara Scheduled to appear online the week of July annual meeting of the National to learn about different countries and what what her proudest achievement at NESCent been involved with the facility including the 7, 2014, in the journal Proceedings of the Association of Biology Teachers the people have to say when they come to is, she will probably mention how the center contractors and the science community, for National Academy of Sciences, the findings (NABT) this November in Cleveland, the grand opening. the U.S. l passed two internal audits with flying colors. show that the creature was an extremely OH, you won’t want to miss this year’s NABT Evolution Symposium. We also picked her brain about the Weirdest grant-related purchase? efficient glider, with long slender wings that aloft despite its massive size. The symposium will focus unexpected evolution of an evolutionary [Former graduate fellow] Pinar Yoldas’s helped it stay aloft despite its enormous size. To find out, Ksepka fed the fossil data on Evolution in Action by presenting synthesis center: project. That variety of skulls is probably The new fossil was first unearthed in into a computer program designed to predict scientists from the BEACON Center 1983 near Charleston, South Carolina, flight performance given various estimates for the Study of Evolution in Action, when construction workers began excava- of mass, wingspan and wing shape. P. sand- an NSF Science and Technology AWARDS Center founded with the mission of tions for a new terminal at the Charleston ersi was probably too big to take off simply illuminating and harnessing the International Airport. The specimen was so by flapping its wings and launching itself power of evolution to advance Congratulations to the newest award recipients for 2014 big they had to dig it out with a backhoe. into the air from a standstill, analyses show. science and technology and benefit society. This year’s speakers, who are NESCent is pleased to announce the following new awards: “The upper wing bone alone was longer Like Argentavis, whose flight was described than my arm,” said author Dan Ksepka of by a computer simulation study in 2007, P. all BEACON scientists, work with evolutionary processes in experimen- SHORT-TERM VISITORS Mark Schwartz (New York University in mixed multi-factor meta-analysis the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center sandersi may have gotten off the ground by School of Medicine) Infusing Premedical tal systems, apply evolutionary Lisa Boucher (University of Texas-Austin) and Medical Education with Evolutionary William Cornwell (University of New South in Durham, North Carolina. running downhill into a headwind or taking principles of adaptation and resilien- Landscape and Population Dynamics of the Thinking Wales) Tempo and mode of plant trait Now in the collections at the Charles- advantage of air gusts to get aloft, much like cy in computer science and engineer- Cretaceous Angiosperm Radiation evolution: synthesizing data from extant ing design, or use computational Karen Strier (University of Wisconsin and extinct taxa II ton Museum, the strikingly well-preserved a hang glider. Martin Burd (Monash University) Global -Madison) Evolutionary Ecology of Primate specimen consisted of multiple wing and leg Once it was airborne, Ksepka’s simula- systems in tandem with biological patterns of color evolution of bird-pollinated Life Histories: Ecological and Individual Courtney Murren (College of Charleston) experiments to test complex biologi- flowers Variation Costs of Phenotypic Plasticity and bones and a complete skull. Its sheer size tions suggest that the bird’s long, slender cal hypotheses. The symposium is Adaptation to Novel Environments and telltale beak allowed Ksepka to identify wings made it an incredibly efficient glider. organized and sponsored by NESCent Brian McLoone (University of Wisconsin- Rafael Rubio de Casas (Universidad de Madison) Variable Selection in Causal Granada) Germination and the evolution of Mary Shenk (University of Missouri) the find as a previously unknown species of By riding on air currents that rise up from and BEACON. Models of Evolution environment-dependent life histories Psychological Mechanisms of Human pelagornithid, an extinct group of giant sea- the ocean’s surface, P. sandersi was able to Fertility Change You can find the talks— along with Carl Rothfels (University of British Michael Gavin (Colorado State University) birds known for bony tooth-like spikes that soar for miles over the open ocean without Columbia) Phylogenomic error and the Arlin Stoltzfus (University of Maryland) activities, websites, and other Explaining cultural diversity: A new evolu- lined their upper and lower jaws. Named flapping its wings, occasionally swooping resources related to this year’s molecular clock tionary synthesis Organizing Scientific Hackathons: Lessons Learned ‘Pelagornis sandersi’ in honor of retired down to the water to feed on soft-bodied symposium—after the meeting Don Dearborn (Bates College) Balancing Jonathan Payne (Stanford University) at nescent.org/media/ Selection and Mate Choice at the Major Jason Hoeksema (University of Charleston Museum curator Albert Sand- prey like squid and eels. Is Macroevolution an Expression of NABTSymposium2014.php. Histocompatibility Complex Macroecology Across Time? A Synthetic Mississippi) A working group to solve ers, who led the fossil’s excavation, the bird “That’s important in the ocean, where Analysis of Animal Body Size Distributions problems in model selection and phylogeny Frank Hailer (Senckenberg Research in mixed multi-factor meta-analysis lived 25 to 28 million years ago -- after the food is patchy,” said Ksepka, who is now Also at NABT: For the third year in Institute & Goethe University) Balancing Courtney Murren (College of Charleston) dinosaurs died out but long before the first Curator of Science at the Bruce Museum in a row, NESCent is collaborating with Selection and Mate Choice at the Major Costs of Phenotypic Plasticity and William Cornwell (University of New South BEACON on the NESCent/BEACON Histocompatibility Complex Adaptation to Novel Environments Wales) Tempo and mode of plant trait humans arrived in the area. Greenwich Connecticut. evolution: synthesizing data from extant Researchers have no doubt that P. sander- Researchers hope the find will help shed Evolution Scholar program. This TRIANGLE SABBATICAL SCHOLAR Mary Shenk (University of Missouri) and extinct taxa II travel award sends enthusiastic and Psychological Mechanisms of Human si flew. Its paper-thin hollow bones, stumpy light on why the family of birds that P. sand- dedicated biology instructors from Julie Horvath (North Carolina Central Fertility Change For more information about these scholars legs and giant wings would have made it at ersi belonged to eventually died out, and and their research projects, please visit high schools and community colleges University) Developing an Evolutionary to the conference to acquire new Medicine Course at NC Central University Arlin Stoltzfus (University of Maryland) http://www.nescent.org/science/awards. home in the air but awkward on land. But add to our understanding of how the giants Organizing Scientific Hackathons: Lessons php. because it exceeded what some mathemati- of the skies managed to fly.l knowledge and pedagogical skills, Learned 5TH WORKING GROUPS cal models say is the maximum body size which they will then share with their students (through classroom Norman Johnson (University of Jason Hoeksema (University of possible for flying birds, what was less clear CITATION: Ksepka, D. (2014). “Flight perfor- Mississippi) A working group to solve mance of the largest volant bird.” PNAS activities) and colleagues (through Massachusetts) Communicating the was how it managed to take off and stay Relevance of Human Evolution problems in model selection and phylogeny professional development activities). 16 | FALL 2014

CLIMATE CHANGE, continued

“When comparing how climate changes have affected puffin and auk populations in the past and present, it is critical to consider that global warming today has largely taken place over a few short decades.” – Adam Smith, NESCent

The results indicate that the Pan- Alcidae clade, including all living auks and puffins as well as extinct species, first emerged about 35 million years ago. Through phylogenetic analyses of fossils and current species, the researchers were able to estimate “ghost lineages,” a method of approximat- ing gaps in the fossil record. By using ghost lineages to extrapolate species diversity over time, the scientists found that pan-alcid species enjoyed the most variety and widespread ranges about 15 This phylogenetic tree illustrates the changes in geographic range of wing-propelled diving seabirds. million years ago during a period that climate scientists refer to as the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum. roughly coincided with changes in ocean plunge from the air, whereas modern “When comparing how climate chang- basin circulation, such as the onset of puffins and auks dive from a floating es have affected puffin and auk popula- Gulf Stream circulation. The results position. By reconstructing the ancestral tions in the past and present, it is critical contextualize contemporary changes in diet, the authors found that early species to consider that global warming today geographic range and decreases in popu- most likely fed on vertebrates close to has largely taken place over a few short lation sizes of seabirds due to global the surface; they hypothesize that alcids decades,” Smith explained. “The warm warming and overfishing. gradually began to dive deeper and hunt periods of the past that had very high “I recently visited Teuri Island, Japan invertebrates such as crustaceans and auk and puffin species abundance, such where normally about 300,000 pairs shrimp, which are included in the diet of as the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum, of Rhinoceros Puffin reproduce each some modern species. took place over millions of years.” summer. Likely because of the unusu- The study elucidates how extinct The researchers found that the ally warm seas off the coast of the island alcids were affected by climate change geographic distribution and population this summer, less than ten chicks were and other environmental pressures—an size of modern alcids are primarily the fledged!” Smith said. area that has been somewhat neglected. result of extinctions corresponding with Smith and Clarke also considered the Smith and Clarke hope that the results climate and ocean shifts over the last evolution of wing-propelled diving—a will strengthen modern conservation ef- 5 million years. As ocean circulation rare behavior found in only one-half per- forts by lending context to the plight of changed and water surface temperatures cent of all birds. Previously assumed to their modern kin and other seabirds. l cooled dramatically throughout a series be a nascent feature of the earliest alcid of ice ages, species diversity bottle- species, underwater diving could have CITATION: Smith, N.A. and J.A. Clarke necked for both Atlantic and Pacific first arisen as an escape tactic rather than (2014). “Systematics and evolution of the Pan-Alcidae (Aves, Charadriiformes).” Ocean species. More than 50 percent of a feeding strategy, according to the study Journal of Avian Biology. species went extinct at this time, which results. Relatives like seagulls and terns