Minisymposium	POLYPLOIDIZATION, PLANT FITNESS AND TROPHIC INTERACTIONS	Joint
Date	Sep 07-08, 2009
Organisers	Heinz Müller-Schärer, Patrik Mraz, Louis-Felix Bersier (UniFr)
Site	University of Fribourg, Dep. Biology, Unit Ecology
Theme	The evolutionary success and potential selective advantage of genome duplication through polyploidy is a widespread evolutionary phenomenon and a common speciation mechanism in plants. Recent studies indicate an association of polyploidy with successful weeds and plant invaders. Little is yet known about the manifold underlying mechanisms, and the relative importance of auto- vs. allo-polyploidisation, the latter including hybridization. Surprisingly, ecological and evolutionary effects of polyploidy on shaping interspecific interactions within natural communities are largely unknown, although changes in plant traits related to polyploidy have been exploited in agriculture to produce crop varieties that are also more resistant to natural enemies. In this conference, we will bring together scholars from both ecology and evolution, and from plant and animal biology to discuss concepts and new developments in this yet greatly under-researched, but highly promising field.
Requirements	Submissions of short abstracts by PhD students (possibly also Pre- and Post-Docs) for talks or poster presentations are welcome. Deadline for submission of contributions: 1 July 2009 (decision by 15 July) Registration: Patrik Mraz (patrik.mraz@unifr.ch) Département de Biologie/Ecologie & Evolution Université de Fribourg/Pérolles, Chemin du Musée 10 CH-1700 Fribourg, SWITZERLAND Deadline registration: 1 August 2009
Deadline	Aug 31, 2009
Comments	More information here.	Go to registration

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