Lectures
Topic: Arctic and Alpine Lake Ecosystems as Indicators of Environmental Change
Speaker: Adam Janto, Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences at Technical University in Zvolen, Slovakia, Erasmus+ guest student in IBER-BAS
When: March 5, 2026, 10:00—12:00
Where: National Museum of National History, Sofia, 1st floor, Event room
Resume: Arctic and alpine lakes are key components of high-latitude and high-altitude landscapes, as they contribute to biogeochemical cycling, regional biodiversity, or connect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems through trophic fluxes. Although they occur in geographically distinct regions, these lakes are considered analogous ecosystems because they share many common features. They are characterised by low temperatures, prolonged ice and snow cover, short growing seasons, high ultraviolet irradiation, and generally oligotrophic conditions, all of which result in relatively low productivity and simplified food webs. At the same time, their geographical position and structural simplicity make them highly sensitive to environmental change, including climate warming, pollution, and introduction or immigration of non-native species. Consequently, they are among the most threatened ecosystem types worldwide. Despite their ecological importance for landscape ecology and for monitoring global stressors, significant gaps remain in our understanding of their functioning under changing environmental conditions. In my dissertation, we aim to advance this understanding by examining how these ecosystems respond to rising air temperatures and fish introductions, and how local factors modulate these responses.
Speaker: Adam Janto, Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences at Technical University in Zvolen, Slovakia, Erasmus+ guest student in IBER-BAS
When: March 5, 2026, 10:00—12:00
Where: National Museum of National History, Sofia, 1st floor, Event room
Resume: Arctic and alpine lakes are key components of high-latitude and high-altitude landscapes, as they contribute to biogeochemical cycling, regional biodiversity, or connect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems through trophic fluxes. Although they occur in geographically distinct regions, these lakes are considered analogous ecosystems because they share many common features. They are characterised by low temperatures, prolonged ice and snow cover, short growing seasons, high ultraviolet irradiation, and generally oligotrophic conditions, all of which result in relatively low productivity and simplified food webs. At the same time, their geographical position and structural simplicity make them highly sensitive to environmental change, including climate warming, pollution, and introduction or immigration of non-native species. Consequently, they are among the most threatened ecosystem types worldwide. Despite their ecological importance for landscape ecology and for monitoring global stressors, significant gaps remain in our understanding of their functioning under changing environmental conditions. In my dissertation, we aim to advance this understanding by examining how these ecosystems respond to rising air temperatures and fish introductions, and how local factors modulate these responses.
Topic: Genetic variability of the invasive blue crab in the Mediterranean
Speaker: Petra Savić, Graduate programme of Ecology and nature preservation, Science faculty of University of Zagreb
When: March 5, 2026, 14:00—15:00
Where: National Museum of National History, Sofia, 1st floor, Event room
Resume: The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is listed among 100 worst invasive species in the Mediterranean, posing a significant threat to biodiversity and human activities. The blue crab originates from the west part of the Atlantic and has been introduced to many parts of the world. In her research, Petra Savić collected all available data from the Mediterranean and obtained new samples from Sardinian and Croatian coasts. By further comparison of their genetic characteristics, she tested one popular hypothesis — did all Mediterranean populations come from the Black Sea or was there a secondary introduction event.
Speaker: Petra Savić, Graduate programme of Ecology and nature preservation, Science faculty of University of Zagreb
When: March 5, 2026, 14:00—15:00
Where: National Museum of National History, Sofia, 1st floor, Event room
Resume: The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is listed among 100 worst invasive species in the Mediterranean, posing a significant threat to biodiversity and human activities. The blue crab originates from the west part of the Atlantic and has been introduced to many parts of the world. In her research, Petra Savić collected all available data from the Mediterranean and obtained new samples from Sardinian and Croatian coasts. By further comparison of their genetic characteristics, she tested one popular hypothesis — did all Mediterranean populations come from the Black Sea or was there a secondary introduction event.
Topic: Using natural history museum collections to study evolution
Speaker: Andrew David Foote, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, University of Oslo
When: May 8, 2025, 14:00
Where: National Museum of National History, Sofia, 1st floor, Event room
Resume: Dr Andrew Foote is an evolutionary ecologist with a special interest in adaptation and speciation. Using a multidisciplinary approach that combines ancient DNA, genomics, stable isotopes and behavioural studies, he is following these processes in orcas (Orcinus orca), which are in the process of separating into different forms and ecotypes. The topic “Using natural history museum collections to study evolution” will reveal how museum collections can be key to understanding evolutionary processes. Orcas are found from the Arctic to the Antarctic and in all the waters in between. They have diversified into different ecotypes and morphotypes, some of which have been proposed as new species or subspecies. Dr Foote presents an overview of what we have learned about orca’s biology and putative speciation based on a range of field studies, studies of museum collections and emerging disciplines such as genomics. His research increasingly focuses on molecular approaches to studying evolutionary trajectories. A key interest for him is the integration of paleo- and modern genomics methods to analyse time series data and access the dynamics of interacting demographic and adaptive processes - approaches that Andrew Foote has applied to the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). The research was carried out with funding from the European Research Council.
Speaker: Andrew David Foote, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, University of Oslo
When: May 8, 2025, 14:00
Where: National Museum of National History, Sofia, 1st floor, Event room
Resume: Dr Andrew Foote is an evolutionary ecologist with a special interest in adaptation and speciation. Using a multidisciplinary approach that combines ancient DNA, genomics, stable isotopes and behavioural studies, he is following these processes in orcas (Orcinus orca), which are in the process of separating into different forms and ecotypes. The topic “Using natural history museum collections to study evolution” will reveal how museum collections can be key to understanding evolutionary processes. Orcas are found from the Arctic to the Antarctic and in all the waters in between. They have diversified into different ecotypes and morphotypes, some of which have been proposed as new species or subspecies. Dr Foote presents an overview of what we have learned about orca’s biology and putative speciation based on a range of field studies, studies of museum collections and emerging disciplines such as genomics. His research increasingly focuses on molecular approaches to studying evolutionary trajectories. A key interest for him is the integration of paleo- and modern genomics methods to analyse time series data and access the dynamics of interacting demographic and adaptive processes - approaches that Andrew Foote has applied to the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). The research was carried out with funding from the European Research Council.
Topic: Series of small lectures on the new molecular lab and megabarcoding
Speakers: Dr Alexandra Tokareva and Dr A. Hansen
When: 17—21 November 2025
Where: National Museum of National History, Sofia, 1st floor, Event room
Resume:
Speakers: Dr Alexandra Tokareva and Dr A. Hansen
When: 17—21 November 2025
Where: National Museum of National History, Sofia, 1st floor, Event room
Resume:
“Mass sequencing Era at NMNHS: Launching the new Molecular Lab” — A. Tokareva
“Overview of Megabarcoding with Oxford Nanopore Technologies” — A. Hansen
“DNA barcoding — is it useful? Our experience with Staphylinidae taxonomy” — A. Hansen
“500 specimens sequenced — now what? ONT sequence data management” — A. Hansen