Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Evolutionary Mechanics of Movement and Communication in the Sea

The 13th annual Paul Illg Lecture series will host Dr. Sheila Patek on June 21 at 7 p.m. at the San Juan Community Theater.


From mantis shrimp hammers to spiny lobster violins, the same underlying principles guide the interplay between evolutionary variation and the rules of physics. Sheila Patek's research program focuses on the biomechanics, behavior and evolution of fast movements and underwater acoustics. Patek's research probes the evolutionary correlations between morphological and acoustic variation and examines the role of stick-slip friction in the diversification of this system. Through the integration of biomechanical analyses and phylogenetic comparative approaches, these systems offer new insights into the fascinating mechanics of extreme predatory movements and acoustic defenses in the marine environment.

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