Summary
Attempts to understand and explain speciation date back to Darwin’s seminal work on the origin of species (1859). Yet, even today, almost 150 years later, questions about how genetic, geographical, ecological, evolutionary, and nvironmental factors interact to create species remain at the forefront of research. Classical theories of speciation emphasize geographical isolation and often relegate ecological factors to the background, whereas modern theories tend to emphasize, in addition, ecological interactions and sexual conflict. Many other issues, concerning the roles of spatial structure, natural and sexual selection, hybridization, genetic drift, pleiotropy-based constraints, mate choice, and environmental change are also still unresolved. The aim of the Research Networking Programme FroSpects is to facilitate bridge-building between disparate approaches to speciation research, by bringing together young and senior European speciation scientists around a number of conferences, workshops, and schools. A major promise of the programme is to strengthen Europe’s position in speciation research through the cross-fertilization and integration of empirical and theoretical approaches.
Duration
Five years, from the first Steering Committee meeting May 2008 - ending date May 2013.
External Website
More information is available on the external website.
Brochure
