Geology Seminar Series - Dr. Johanna Weston - Thriving under pressure: What amphipods can teach us about the ecological and evolutionary dynamics across the hadal zone

Speaker: Dr. Johanna Weston (Newcastle University)

Date/Time: Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Saskatchewan

Title: Thriving under pressure: What amphipods can teach us about the ecological and evolutionary dynamics across the hadal zone

Abstract: The ocean’s deepest ecosystem, the hadal zone, is comprised of at least 47 known features (subduction trenches, troughs, and fracture zones) that extend from 6,000 to ~11,000 meters. While the environmental conditions are extreme, the hadal zone is a hotspot for biodiversity. Amphipods are one of the most widely spread taxa at hadal depths and can be readily brought to the surface using baited landers. They have emerged as one of the best-sampled groups and represent a model taxon for hadal biology. Further, the number of expeditions to both Pacific and non-Pacific Ocean features has increased over the past five years. This talk will focus on advances in hadal biology research, including: 1) An expansion of the described diversity through integrative taxonomy, 2) The sampling beyond subduction trenches to examine how the topography of a non-subduction feature shapes the community dynamics, and 3) A global population genomic study that provides explicit support that hadal features do act as strong genetic barriers that limit gene flow between populations. Together, these findings are beginning to illuminate how changing plate tectonics and paleo-oceanic conditions have contributed to shaping speciation across the hadal zone.