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Evolutionary ecology

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Bird and fish

Evolutionary Ecology is a research group working on fundamental and applied eco-evolutionary biology.


We have a tradition for combining the two main questions of evolutionary ecology: studying the ecological causes of evolution within populations, and establishing how these are currently changing due to human activities.

We study animal populations, both in the wild and via models combined with lab experiments. Our current projects focus on fisheries-induced evolution and evolutionary parasitology, which we study experimentally using guppies and salmon lice, respectively. We address central aspects of animal ecology such as life history evolution, behavioural ecology, and host-parasite interactions – and whenever relevant, use this knowledge to address challenges resulting from human activities.

Evolutionary Ecology has been in existence in a form or another since the reorganization of BIO in 2004. Evolutionary Fisheries Ecology (EvoFish) was established in 2007 with a grant from the Bergen Research Foundation. In 2013, the original EE and EvoFish merged. To reflect the breath of our research we took Evolutionary Ecology as the official group name. The accronym EvoFish survives in informal use.

Master project
A person catching fish from a tank

Endre is studying variation in escape response of guppies

Endre has started his master project where he is studying differences in the escape response of guppies.

New publication
Microscope image of a parasite attached to fin of a fish

Size-selective harvesting affects immunocompetence of guppies

New study shows how different size-selective harvesting regimes can influence susceptibility of guppies to an ectoparasite.

New publication
Female pied flycatcher

Extra-pair paternity facilitates cooperation in pied flycatchers

New study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that infidelity can promote cooperation among male pied flycatchers.

News
Female pied flycatcher

Extra-pair paternity facilitates cooperation in pied flycatchers – discussion arising

The paper published earlier this year showing that infidelity can promote cooperation among male pied flycatchers has sparked some discussion.

Public outreach
Red brick façade of a school building

Collaboration with the International School of Bergen

Beatriz Diaz Pauli joined forces with 8th graders from the International School of Bergen and their teacher Lars Haugen Aardal to become reviewers for the Frontiers of Young Minds journal.

Master with Evolutionary Ecology?

We can offer a range of projects related to fish behaviour and life histories, fish dynamics, salmon louse and other parasites, etc., that are relevant for the Master programmes in Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology, Marine Biology, Aquaculture Biology, and Fisheries Biology and Management.