October 12th, Ummat Somjee
Animal Weapons: The evolution of horns, tusks, antlers and other signals
We invite you to join us for our October SUTS event, where we’ll feature Dr. Ummat Somjee, a Stengl-Wyer Scholar from the Department of Integrative Biology at UT Austin. Dr. Somjee will illuminate the fascinating realm of animal weaponry found in nature, discussing their diverse manifestations, evolutionary origins, and the captivating reasons behind their existence.
Our evening kicks off at 7 pm with engaging activities at our natural history and kids’ activities tables. At 7:15 pm, there will be a guided tour of the Brackenridge Field Laboratory, offering you a unique glimpse into the ongoing field research. The main event begins promptly at 8 pm with Dr. Somjee’s talk, followed by an interactive Q&A session. We are keeping our fingers crossed for clear skies this time around! Hope to see you there!
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Elephant tusks, giraffe weevil heads, elk antlers and rhinoceros horns are all examples of animal weapons. Animals use these structures to fight, leading to some of the most extreme and elaborate structures in nature. These animal weapons can be large and conspicuous; they draw our attention and capture our curiosity. However, weapons are not always what they seem, animals have developed complex rituals around fighting and competition, many of which still remain a puzzle in the field of animal behavior. The more we study these structures, the more we find that there is so much more going on than we can actually see. What are the unexpected parallels between human boxing matches and the ritualized fights in tusked weevils? Why are some weapons sometimes so large they seem no longer functional in fights? Why are some weapons also dazzling and beautiful? Why do some weapons appear invisible? These are just some of the questions that arise during our tour of weapons in the natural world.
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September 14th, Callen Inman
The natural history of central Texas: Past, present, and future of a unique biodiversity hotspot
Join us for our first talk of Fall 2023 featuring Callen Inman, a PhD candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at UT Austin. He’ll delve into the captivating natural history of central Texas and unveil why it’s an exceptional hotspot for biodiversity. As usual, kid’s activities and the natural history table will start at 7pm, and the BFL tour will start promptly at 7:15pm. The talk will officially begin at 8pm, followed by a Q&A session.
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Central Texas lacks the dense rainforest, verdant mountains, and reef-lined coasts we typically associate with biodiversity. Yet this region teems with life, supporting a unique mix of organisms associated with eastern forests, western desert, and central grassland. Habitats mere miles apart look like they could be in different countries. In central Texas, organisms survive and even thrive in the face of variable rainfall, persistent summer heat, and volatile winter weather. This talk discusses central Texas biodiversity: how it came to be, why it is important, and what challenges it faces. Beyond the highway overpasses, manicured lawns, and glass skyscrapers of this fast-developing region is a surprisingly intact, but rapidly shrinking, ecosystem found nowhere else on the continent.
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Fall 2023 Schedule
It’s Fall 2023 and we hope you are ready for our upcoming talks! Please mark your calendars for our four splendid speakers presenting topics on science and nature on the second Thursday of every month:
- September 14: Callen Inman – The natural history of central Texas: Past, present, and future of a unique biodiversity hotspot
- October 12: Ummat Somjee – Animal Weapons: The evolution of horns, tusks, antlers and other signals
- November 9: Nikunj Goel – Fighting climate change with mathematics
- December 14: Dominique Gallery – Beneath the waves: Exploring coral reefs’ vital ecological role and community-led conservation
Here’s the schedule for the events:
- 7:00 pm: Kid’s activities and natural history displays related to the talk
- 7:15 pm – 7:45 pm: Guided tour of the Brackenridge Field Lab (wear sturdy shoes and bring water)!
- 8:00 pm: Settle in, because the talk begins now!
- 8:45 pm: Q&A with the speaker
Science Under the Stars is a free public outreach lecture series in Austin, Texas. Events are held outdoors at Brackenridge Field Laboratory, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703. We will post the precise schedules and links for each event in a separate, event-specific post. Subscribe to this blog, our Instagram, Twitter, YouTube channel, Facebook page, or send us emails to get event notifications.
May 11th, Damla Cinoglu
Mysteries from the Neotropics: Trees, lianas and others
IMPORTANT: Daylight Savings Time Change
Our SUTS talks are now back to 8pm! Kids’ activities and the natural history table will start at 7pm, and the BFL tour will start promptly at 7:15pm.
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The Neotropics are covered in mysteries that fascinate us. Are trees and lianas friends or enemies? Why do plant seeds and fruits vary so much in seed shape and size? Why does the three-toed sloth only eat leaves? Together, we will get excited about what is so special about tropical forests and think through how they are impacted by us.
Please join Damla Cinoglu at 8pm, May 11, to learn about plants in the Neotropics!
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April 13th, Erik Iverson
How animals adapt to climate change, and how kids can help them
IMPORTANT: Daylight Savings Time Change
Our SUTS talks are now back to 8pm! Kids’ activities and the natural history table will start at 7pm, and the BFL tour will start promptly at 7:15pm.
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As our planet becomes hotter and places such as Texas become drier, many people are worried about the effect on native wildlife. Current climate change impacts can be frightening, from out-of-control wildfires to mass mortality of animals. However, animals have a variety of ways they can adapt to our changing climate, from altering their behavior to changing their physiology and even evolving over time to cope. In this talk, we’ll discuss some of the mechanisms animals have for dealing with rising temperatures and explain why there is still plenty humans can do to help them, even in the face of constant pessimistic predictions.
Please join Erik Iverson at 8pm, April 13, to learn about strategies you can implement in your home or yard, and projects kids can help with, to ensure your local wildlife are going to survive and thrive even on the hottest days of the year.
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Science Under the Stars is now on Instagram and Twitter! Please give us a follow for information on upcoming events and event photos!
Science Under The Stars 