jstgerlach.bsky.social
Biologist. Director of Studies at Peterhouse, University of Cambridge.
Interested in evolution, ecology, species discovery & conservation: particularly for the overlooked (especially snails etc)
islandbiodiversity.com/jg.htm
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Thanks to those who attended and all who took part, including @charlottewright.bsky.social, @hugofleming.bsky.social, @a-dsantos.bsky.social tos.bsky.social, @jamesimcc.bsky.social, @dylanflicker.bsky.social
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Very envious of you getting to that part of Aldabra. It was never possible on the several occasions when I tried.
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That was the edition I had, such an image - only outdone by the text. Now I'm going to have to track down my copy (although ideally it needs a good snowfall, not a soggy Cambridge winter)
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Agreed, and that was what I said to the review. I'm sceptical that it will go in that direction but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised
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3/3 - Universities are frustratingly slow to change their degrees but I do what I can to encourage students to help save the world. GCSE Natural History would have been a useful starting point.ππ«π
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2/3 - This ecological literacy has gone from GCSE and A-level. Biology degrees are now totally dominated by molecular biology, following the big research money. But in an era of global change professional and citizen ecological literacy are essential.
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Good for you. It's a remarkable place in every way.
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Could you add me please?
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That's very useful; could I be added please
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Always good to be prepared
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Those are all from Moorea, French Polynesia
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I'm Justin, I spend most of my time teaching biology undergraduates & when I can, working on species conservation. I've done loads of stuff but keep coming back to snails: especially conserving Polynesian Partula tree snails. Saving species, understanding ecology and conveying that to students.ππππ¦€
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As with anywhere in Spain, the Sierra de las Villas has great reptile life. Despite appearances this Lataste's viper was not dead, a very convincing act!
And the lammergeier were fantastic: amazing views, and seen every day too
ππππ¦π¦
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The Brigands Inn at Mallwyd where Darwin stayed on 29 August 1831, the very next day he returned home to find the letter inviting him to join the Beagle. He never collected British beetles after that.
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Darwin often climbed Diffwys behind Barmouth; his beetles probable came from the wooded slopes (I didnβt find any on the tops)
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Barmouth at the Mawddach Estuary β a remarkable range of habitats which made for great beetling for Darwin.
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Cader Idris was visited by Darwin several times; there are far more walkers there nowadays.
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Charles Darwinβs early beetle collections: βDarwinβs Beetle Boxβ and the Down House Box
in Journal of Natural History
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He did indeed, in 1828