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K-State Today

October 12, 2017

Division of Biology presents Emmanuel Frimpong Oct. 13

Submitted by Division of Biology

Emmanuel Frimpong, Virginia Tech, will present "From microhabitat to macroecology: reproductive interactions explain rarity and commonness," as part of the Division of Biology Seminar Series at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, in 221 Ackert Hall.

Frimpong will discuss recognition of the importance of positive interspecific interactions (facilitation–mutualisms and commensalisms) in the dynamics of populations and the structuring of ecological communities has lagged well behind predation and competition, both in general theory development and approaches to conservation. With the exception of a few terrestrial — e.g., plant-pollinator — interactions, even well-studied positive interactions have yet to be integrated into conservation practice. Nest-spawning, cyprinid freshwater fishes of North America represent some of the most fascinating examples of facilitations and their consequences for macroecological patterns. With a combination of field experiments, DNA barcoding of eggs, underwater videography, and dynamic occupancy modeling, a strong influence of reproductive facilitation and opportunism among fishes on local species-abundance distributions and range-wide patterns of rarity and commonness is uncovered in the study system. For conservation implications, the effect of facilitation on the concurrent spread of native and introduced species of the most invaded watershed of the eastern United States will be demonstrated.

If you would like to visit with Frimpong, please contact Garrett Hopper at ghopper@k-state.edu