Abstract

Forum in partnership with Cambridge Infectious Diseases.

Reproduction is essential to the survival of the species, and we can observe different life history strategies for growth, reproduction and survival across the tree of life. These strategies are often interconnected, with positive, neutral or negative effects on other organisms and populations. This can be observed at the macroscale – for example, in food chains – or at the microscale, as in the case of infectious pathogens exploiting the resources of their hosts.

In this forum, we will open the discussion with the question: what is my reproductive number? We will examine how mathematicians and biologists use reproductive numbers to model population dynamics and identify the constraints that limit population growth. We will explore biological trade-offs in energy allocation among growth, maintenance, and reproduction, and consider examples in which humans have intentionally altered populations through biological control.

In the second part, we will explore what “success” means for different organisms from an evolutionary perspective. We will discuss why some forms of life evolved complex multicellular structures, and how social organisation can enhance the reproductive success and survival of certain animal species.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS - more to follow!

- Professor Romola Davenport (Geography)

- Professor Julia Gog (Maths)

- Professor Frank Jiggins (Genetics)

- Professor Rufus Johnstone (Zoology)

- Dr Mark Dyble (Archaeology)

Registration open https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/whats-my-reproduction-number-tickets-1983347339282?aff=oddtdtcreator