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Evolutionary ecology

Bea, the guppy doctor

Beatriz Diaz Pauli, or Bea as we know her, was awarded PhD degree after a good debate with the opponents. EvoFish congratulates!

Beatriz Diaz Pauli with opponents Anne Magurran and Esben M. Olsen
Beatriz Diaz Pauli with opponents Anne Magurran and Esben M. Olsen

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In her thesis, Bea has used experimental approaches to study fisheries-induced evolution as well as tools that are used to fisheries-induced evolution. The thesis consists of a synthesis as well as five chapters:

  • The importance of social dimension and maturation stage for the probabilistic maturation reaction norm in Poecilia reticulata
  • Do personality types differ in vulnerability to fishing gear?
  • Ecological and evolutionary consequences of fishing. The candy fish experiment as an educational tool
  • What can selection experiments teach us on fisheries-induced evolution?
  • Phenotypic changes in growth and maturation and dynamics of exploitation of experimental populations of guppies (Poecilia reticulata)

The defence started with a splendid presentation where Bea summarized her PhD thesis "Contemporary evolution caused by fisheries. Contributions from experimental studies". After the presentation, Bea faced questioning by the opponents, Professor Anne Magurran (University of St. Andrews) and Dr. Esben Moland Olsen (Institute of Marine Research, Flødevigen). Some questions were tricky, but Bea solved the challenges wonderfully!

Summary in Norwegian.