Several ESB members recently attended the biannual International Society of Behavioral Ecology (ISBE) Congress in Melbourne from September 29 to October 4, where each gave a talk or poster presentation (from left to right in the picture):
Sandra Winters presented on selective trade-offs and the evolution of warning signal diversity, Katja Rönka on the role of species interactions in delineating the reed warbler breeding range, Cristina Ottocento on the evolution and ecological drivers of variation in chemical defenses in the wood tiger moth, Theo Brown on testing flash coloration in wild avian predators, Melanie Brien on linking the genetics of behavioral, chemical and life-history traits in color morphs of the wood tiger moths, Johanna Mappes on predator selection on phenotypic variability of cryptic and aposematic moths, Deryk Tolman on whether social interactions can rescue “lost” behavioral defenses in an allopatric host of cuckoos, Rose Thorogood on how behavioral defenses against enemies evolve, Eetu Selenius on density-dependent sexual selection in a polymorphic moth, and Raphael Ritter on the benefits of cooperation and sources of variation in a collective chemical defense.
In addition to giving and attending presentations, we had the chance to participate in social events. We could enjoy the guided early morning bird-watching tours, explore Melbourne's botanical gardens to watch more birds, flying foxes and possums. There was also a great mentorship program to support early-career scientists as well as social events such as the conference dinner and an LGBTQI+ trivia night, where one of us even won a prize.