Symposia

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The EEEF 2008 Proceedings to be published in a special issue of Current Zoology!

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Symposia

Four symposia are proposed:
All symposia are open for oral and poster contributions.
On your abstract submission indicate which symposium you would like to be associated with if you have a preference.
Please see Abstract Submission for instructions.

1. The George Barlow EEEF Commemorative Symposium:
Fish Reproductive Behavior, Mating Systems and Parental Care

This year at EEEF a special symposium will be held to commemorate and celebrate the life work and research accomplishments of Professor George Barlow. George was one of the leading international figures in the study of fish ethology. After studying with both Konrad Lorenz and NikoTinbergen in Europe, he settled down in 1966 at University of California, Berkeley for a long and productive career. His studies covered a wide range of topics and these were based on a great diversity of fish species. Our symposium will concentrate on the themes that George loved best: fish reproductive behavior and most of all parental care and mating systems. We especially welcome talks on these subject areas. We look forward to many excellent presentations and the lively discussions George relished.
George Barlow Obituaries:      UC Berkeley      ABS Feb. Newsletter, pp. 7-10

2. Behavior, Ecology and Evolution of Cichlid Fishes

Cichlids have been important subjects of studies of ecology, ethology and evolution for more than 50 years with several monographs devoted solely to this fish taxon. The cichlids are perhaps the primary example of extreme diversity among freshwater fishes and are major subjects of conservation. They serve as model species for studying species diversification in changing environments. Their morphological and behavioral plasticity have made them the subject of studies in many sub-disciplines for testing how environmental factors influence function, development and evolution. This group includes the tilapias which are among the predominant fish species in tropical aquaculture, and in some cases are introduced species that currently impact native cichlids. We encourage submissions on any aspect of the ecology, ethology or evolution of these fishes. We are honored to announce that Miles Keenleyside, editor of "Cichlid Fishes: Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution”, will chair this session.

3. Brains, Genes and Behavior of Fishes

Fishes are increasingly prominent models for understanding the interaction of genotype and environment as this influences animal phenotypes. This is particularly true in the case of behavior, where the extraordinary diversity shown by fishes both within and between species has become increasingly accessible thanks to advances in genetics, genomics, and neurobiology. This symposium seeks to bring together researchers who focus on fish behavior and use genetic, neurobiological, or neuroendocrine approaches or any combination of these. The goal is to both survey progress and facilitate discussion of promising directions. This symposium should also be of interest to behavioral ecologists interested in following or perhaps incorporating these perspectives into their research programs.

4. The Biodiversity of Fishes: Maintenance, Threats, and Mechanisms

This symposium offers the opportunity to examine fish biodiversity at the organismal, community and ecosystem levels. We welcome contributions that examine factors which directly or could indirectly affect behavior and enable a fish species to persist or diversify. Studies in behavioral, community and evolutionary ecology that may shed light on how species interactions (e.g., predator-prey relationships, competition, mutualism) enhance diversity in undisturbed habitats or decrease fitness in altered habitats are also sought. Papers concerning historic or current trends in fish biodiversity in different ecosystems, anthropogenic threats to fish populations, and exploration of the mechanisms affecting fitness under changing environmental conditions are encouraged. This symposium aims to bring together studies and fish researchers from different fields to facilitate future collaborations, connect ideas from different disciplines, and broaden the knowledge base for conservation efforts.

5. We welcome proposals for contributed sessions on special topics.