PhD Offer on demography ! (not with GEDA)

Contact : champagnon@tourduvalat.org

 

New publication on amphibians !

Sánchez-Montes, G., Rotger, A., Caballero-Díaz, C., Tavecchia, G., Gutiérrez-Rodríguez, J. and Martínez-Solano, Í. 2026. The Wonder Years: A Demographic Approach to Revisit the Age-at-Size Conundrum in Amphibians. Integrative Zoology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.70086

 In a shell: This study shows that long-term capture–mark–recapture data combined with growth models can reliably estimate age from body size in amphibians, overcoming limitations of traditional methods. By applying this approach across multiple species, we improved understanding of age structure, maturity timing, and recruitment patterns, highlighting its value for amphibian conservation and demographic research.

Abstract: Characterizing age–structure patterns in amphibian populations is crucial to unravel the drivers of their demographic dynamics and implement biologically informed conservation management. Consequently, accurately assessing the age of individuals in wild populations is of utmost importance in the face of the current amphibian crisis. However, age estimation in amphibians has so far remained elusive due to the difficulty of lifetime tracking, especially during the terrestrial juvenile stage, and to the uncertainty associated with alternative methods like skeletochronology. 

 

Here, we illustrate the usefulness of long-term monitoring programs based on capture–mark–recapture to address age estimation from body size data. Specifically, we combined repeated body size measurements of marked individuals of unknown age throughout their adult life with growth records of individuals marked as postmetamorphic juveniles and recaptured years later as sexually mature adults, focusing on 10 amphibian species in central Spain. Growth models fitted to mark–recapture data provided robust estimates of size-at-age, supported by data on individuals of known age for five of the study species. For three additional species, known age records disproved mark–recapture models, but rendered enough data to build alternative growth models. The inferred consensus size estimates allowed discerning first- and second-year age classes in some species, contributing to assess the age at maturity of individuals and population-specific patterns of recruitment. Consequently, our demographic approach provided multi-evidence information to address age-at-size estimation in amphibians, thus demonstrating the value of long-term mark–recapture programs to fill pervasive gaps in our knowledge about amphibian demographic dynamics.

GEDA at the 11F day (2) !

Dr. Ana Sanz-Aguilar met the students of the IES Llorenç Garcías i Font in Artá duirng the 11F day 

 

New Publication on Humour at Scientific Conferences!

 Mammola, S., [..], Santangeli, A. ,[...], Stout, V. 2026. Statistically significant chuckles: who is using humoir at scientific conferences?  Proc Biol Sci 1293 (2067): 20253000. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.3000

 In a shell: Humour can significantly enhance engagement in scientific talks, but its use and effectiveness are shaped less by joke style and more by social dynamics—such as gender and language background—revealing underlying biases in who feels able to use humour and who is rewarded for it. 

Abstract: We’ve all been there: 11.47, swamped by a long stretch of dense scientific talks at a conference. Six slides into a hyper-technical presentation, the speaker suddenly cracks a joke. The room erupts. Shoulders relax. Minds re-engage. Humour is a powerful but underused tool in scientific communication, often sidelined by academic norms that view levity as unprofessional. Social biases can further shape who feels safe joking without risking credibility. 

 

At 14 biology-related conferences, we collected data on humour use across 531 talks. Jokes clustered at the beginnings and ends of talks, with an extra bump in successful jokes midway through. Most jokes (66%) earned only polite chuckles. Humour success was unrelated to the type of joke or form of delivery; however, male speakers told about 0.35 more jokes per talk, and both male and native speakers had a 10% higher probability of eliciting laughter. This suggests how social dynamics influence who feels comfortable using humour and whose jokes resonate with the audience. Until academia reckons with these biases, humour will remain a privilege. Still, for those brave enough or granted the social licence, a well-placed zinger can turn a forgettable talk into one people actually remember—and perhaps even enjoy. 

GEDA hits the news!

Form: CambridgeCoreBlog

The article by Santangeli et al. 2025 in Bird Conservation International hits the news at the Cambridge Core Blog. 

Read the entry here.

 

New Publication on Strorm petrel and parasites!

Payo-Payo, A.,  Rotger, A., Picorelli, V., Viñas Torres, M., Cardona, E., Martínez, O., and Sanz-Aguilar, A. 2026. “ Temporal and Spatial Heterogeneity in Dispersal and Demography of a Long-Lived Philopatric Seabird.” Ecosphere 17(2): e70547. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70547

In a shell: The study shows that habitat selection of Mediterranean Storm Petrels across spatial and temporal scales strongly affects fitness, fidelity, and population dynamics in a colony with contrasting habitat quality driven by parasite infestation.

Abstract: Individuals make habitat selection decisions at different moments of their life and in heterogeneous habitats. Understanding the links between environmental changes and demographic patterns during the individuals' life is therefore critical to predict long-term eco-evolutionary dynamics and species persistence. However, fitness and persistence consequences of habitat selection are seldom addressed in demographic studies. We used long-term capture–recapture data of Mediterranean Storm Petrels to investigate how habitat-selection decisions are made at different spatial (i.e., among and within breeding zones) and temporal (i.e., natal and breeding fidelity) scales in a colony characterized by significant variation in habitat quality due to contrasting parasite infestation levels. Specifically, we evaluate whether birds hatched in and/or breeding at different zones experience different (1) fitness components (i.e., breeding success and survival) and (2) fidelity (i.e., natal and breeding fidelity). 

In addition, we (3) explore the causes, environmental cues, and consequences of nest fidelity versus dispersal. Finally, we project (4) how these differences influence population dynamics and persistence (i.e., population growth rate). Our findings reveal that habitat selection decisions have synergistic fitness consequences on multiple temporal and spatial scales considered. Specifically, breeders in the lower quality habitat zone (i.e., high tick infestation) exhibited reduced breeding success, local survival, and nest fidelity, but remained within their zone. Breeding success of individuals exhibiting nest dispersal marginally increased. Moreover, natal fidelity was lowest at the zone where fitness was highest. Overall, population growth rate at the colony suggests an annual population decline between 6% and 10%. Individuals seem to base their dispersal decision, but not their habitat selection choices on public information. As a result, birds do not experience increased fitness, indicating the potential presence of an evolutionary trap. Understanding the interplay between synergistic and opposing habitat choices is central to understanding species eco-evolutionary dynamics. Further, our results highlight exciting avenues for future research, when aiming to understand the complex and fundamental roles played by heterogeneity in habitat quality in species demography and eco-evolutionary dynamics, with significant implications for species management and conservation strategies 

GEDA at the 11F day!

Within the framework of the 11F activities, Balma Albalat Oliver visited the IES Quartó de Rei in Santa Eulària des Riu, Ibiza, to give two outreach talks to 120 students aged 12–13 (1st ESO groups).

 She shared her career journey in science, showing students what it’s like to work in field research and the different paths that can lead to a career in science. Participation was encouraged, making science tangible through interactive activities. Students also got a hands-on look at field samples and learned about s tools for sampling. 

The sessions also highlighted the challenges and achievements of women in science, including:

• Recovering the stories of pioneering women in ornithology
• Recognizing the contributions of female scientists today
• Promoting safe and inclusive workplaces
• Encouraging young girls to pursue research in ecology and population studies

By combining science education with stories of personal and professional growth, these activities aim to inspire the next generation of female scientists while raising awareness about ecology and conservation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEDA at the "IX Jornades de Medi Ambient"

GEDA has joined the "IX Jornada de Media Ambient" with several contributions on reptiles and seabirds:

Suàrez, J., Villa, A., Matamales, R., Sanz-Aguilar, A., Igual, J.M., Tavecchia, G., Bassitta, M., Rotger, A., Ramon, C. i Terrasa, B. Variacions temporals en la mida corporal de Podarcis lilfordi (Günther, 1874) i la seva relació amb la cobertura vegetal. In: Pons, G.X., del Valle, L., McMinn, M. Pinya, S. i Vicens, D. (eds.). Llibre de ponències i comunicacions de les IX Jornades de Medi Ambient de les Illes Balears. 599-602. Societat d’Història Natural de les Balears (SHNB) – Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB). ISBN 978-84-09-77838-6.

Suàrez, J., Villa, A., Matamales, R., Sanz-Aguilar, A., Igual, J.M., Tavecchia, G., Bassitta, M., Rotger, A. Estudi biomètric preliminar del dimorfisme sexual de Podarcis lilfordi (Günther, 1874) a vuit illots de Mallorca. In: Pons, G.X., del Valle, L., McMinn, M. Pinya, S. i Vicens, D. (eds.). Llibre de ponències i comunicacions de les IX Jornades de Medi Ambient de les Illes Balears. 603-605. Societat d’Història Natural de les Balears (SHNB) – Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB). ISBN 978-84-09-77838-6.

Sanz-Aguilar, A., Rotger, A., Payo Payo, A., Viñas, M., Cardona, E., Martínez, O., Ramis, M.
i Picorelli, V. Dinàmica de la població de fumarells (Hydrobates pelagicus) a la colònia de s’Espartar.   In: Pons, G.X., del Valle, L., McMinn, M. Pinya, S. i Vicens, D. (eds.). Llibre de ponències i comunicacions de les IX Jornades de Medi Ambient de les Illes Balears. 529-532. Societat d’Història Natural de les Balears (SHNB) – Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB). ISBN 978-84-09-77838-6.

Rotger, A., Reyes, I., De Pablo, F. i Sanz-Aguilar, A. Tendències poblacionals dels vertebrats
terrestres a Menorca: síntesi de dades, patrons emergents i implicacions per a la conservació. In: Pons, G.X., del Valle, L., McMinn, M. Pinya, S. i Vicens, D. (eds.). Llibre de ponències i comunicacions de les IX Jornades de Medi Ambient de les Illes Balears.559-563.Societat d’Història Natural de les Balears (SHNB) – Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB). ISBN 978-84-09-77838-6.