Month: January 2017

Experimental demonstration of an Allee effect in microbial populations

Every population has a basic set of requirements needed to survive, like having at least two individuals: a male and female. The concept of a minimum number of individuals needed for population survival or an Allee effect applies beyond reproduction. For example, meerkats cooperate to detect predators. More meerkats means individuals can spend more time foraging, taking care of young, etc. There are many examples for large species, but what about bacteria? We demonstrate that an Allee effect can also impact asexual bacterial populations, which were previously thought to be exempt. This will impact how scientists manage harmful and helpful bacterial populations.

Read the full article at https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0070

R. B. Kaul, A. M. Kramer, F. C. Dobbs, and J. M. Drake. Experimental demonstration of an Allee effect in microbial populations. Biology Letters, 12(4) Apr. 2016. ISSN 1545-7885.

Community 5k in remembrance of John K. Spencer

The OSE Graduate Student Organization is organizing a 5k run/walk this month to honor John Spencer, and to have an opportunity to come together to remember our friend and colleague.

The run will take place Sunday, January 15th, starting at 9:00 a.m. (end time 10:30 a.m.). The race will start at the S16 parking lot adjacent to the Coverdell Building (~552 DW Brooks Drive, Athens), and the course will wind through the UGA campus. See the 5k Run Flyer with Map for more details.

As this is an informal, community 5k, there is no entry fee. However, we recommend a participant donation of $10. Funds raised will be donated to the Upper Oconee Watershed Network in John’s name to promote the protection of urban streams that he was passionate about.