Evolution of the Invaders (Ep 111)

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How do small, founding populations establish and thrive in new places? What is biocontrol, and how is it carried out responsibly?

In this episode, we talk with Ruth Hufbauer, a Professor of Applied Evolutionary Ecology at Colorado State University about the ways that organisms successfully establish new populations in new places. Ruth uses lab experiments on Tribolium flour beetles to understand how evolution facilitates or impedes the founding of populations. In our conversation with Ruth, we discuss range expansions, species invasions, and biocontrol among other topics. Biocontrol is of particular interest to Ruth, as it can be an effective way to control pests, but also comes with some risks that the control agents themselves get out of control. We also explore the genetic paradox of invasion, and talk about many potential mechanisms that could help populations to quickly spread to a new place.

Cover art: Keating Shahmehri. Find a transcript of this episode on our website.