I'll be opening the Autumn 'Danish Natural History Society' lectures season, September 3th at the August Krogh Bygningen, Auditorium 1, University of Copenhagen. 

The full programa and abstract is available at: http://snm.ku.dk/…/…/DNF_m_deprogram_efter_r-2015__Final.pdf

The Natural History Museum of Barcelona (Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona) is organizing the 3rd Subterranean Biology Iberian Meeting (“III Encuentro Ibérico de Biología Subterránea”), which will take place in Barcelona (MCNB) from the 2nd to 5th of October 2013.

This event is preceded by the first meeting organized in 2009, in the Natural History Museum of Valencia (Spain) and the second, organized in 2011 in the University of Aveiro (Portugal). All under the auspice of the International Society for Subterranean Biology.


"Background of the event in the MCNB

Arthropod collections of the MCNB have more than 1.500.000 specimens, with almost 4.000 type specimens, from which a considerable proportion are cave-dwelling fauna. In this sense, the collection of cave-dwelling fauna play an essential role in the collections, because of its historical and scientific value, representing more than one century of research in caves. Although other research lines and by extension collections have suffered fluctuations, the research line of cave-dwelling fauna has remained quite stable on time. This collection was initially started by Zariquiey family (1930s), Dr. Francesc Español curator and head of the Museum, kept on working on that research line, which was followed by Oleguer Escolà (Curator of Arthropod Collections until 2009) and the current technician team. For all of these reasons, the MCNB has decided to take it a further step and organizing the next 3rdSubterranean Biology Iberian meeting “III Encuentro Ibérico de Biología Subterránea”, which will take place in Barcelona (Blue Museum, MCNB). This meeting is specially addressed to Subterranean Biology in the Mediterranean context and hopefully will offer a space of collaboration in order to share experiences and learn a lot about other colleagues projects." * Information provided by the organizers.

Official website of the congress: http://3eibs.museuciencies.cat, Blog of the Museum

October 24th, 2012
Departamento de Biologia da Universidade de Aveiro

14h40
From dragons to master genes. A journey through the ideas on the evolution of cave animals
Prof. Dr. Xavier Bellés, CSIC

15h25
Las islas Canarias, punto caliente de biodiversidad subterránea
Prof. Dr. Pedro Oromí, ULL

16h05
Biodiversidade em espaços hipógeos
Dr. Luís Mendes, IICT

17h00
Conservação de artrópodes subterrâneos em ilhas: o caso dos Açores
Prof. Dr. Paulo Borges, UAç

17h30
Sin poder salir de la obscuridad: la biodiversidad del medio subterráneo
Prof. Dr. Alberto Sendra, UAH

18h00
O que realmente sabemos sobre fauna subterrânea de Portugal e como está ameaçada?
Dr. Ana Sofia Reboleira, UA


More info: Workshop website

The 21st International Conference for Subterranean Biology took place in Košice (Slovakia), between 2-7 of September.  Organized under the auspices of the International Society for Subterranean Biology by the Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice and State Nature Protection of the Slovak Republic - Slovak Caves Administration, Liptovský Mikuláš.

A very interesting conference with a complete social program. Many thanks to the organizers.

Sofia participated with the following communications:

Reboleira A.S.P.S., Gonçalves F., Oromí P. & Culver D.C. (2012). Biodiversity patterns and conservation of subterranean fauna from Portugal. 92-93 pp. In: Kováč L., Uhrin M., Mock A. & Ľuptáčik, P. (Eds.) Abstract Book of the 21th International Conference of Subterranean Biology. Published by Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia.  [pdf, video]

Reboleira A.S.P.S. & Sendra A. (2012). Is there a vertical limit for the distribution of subterranean arthropods? 93 pp. In: Kováč L., Uhrin M., Mock A. & Ľuptáčik, P. (Eds.) Abstract Book of the 21th International Conference of Subterranean Biology. Published by Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia. [pdf, video]

Oromí P., Reboleira A.S.P.S. & López H. (2012) Hotpot within hotspot: subterranean biodiversity of the Canary Islands. 81 pp. In: Kováč L., Uhrin M., Mock A. & Ľuptáčik, P. (Eds.) Abstract Book of the 21th International Conference of Subterranean Biology. Published by Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia.  [pdf, video]

Reboleira A.S.P.S., Gonçalves F., Oromí P. & Abrantes N. (2012). Acute toxicity with stygobiont Proasellus: can wide environmental conditions tolerance be a key factor in groundwater colonization?, pp. 91-92. In: Kováč L., Uhrin M., Mock A. & Ľuptáčik, P. (Eds.) Abstract Book of the 21th International Conference of Subterranean Biology. Published by Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia. [pdf]

de Figueiredo D., Gonçalves A.M.M., Reboleira A.S.P.S., Marques C., Gonçalves F. & Abrantes N. (2012). Molecular approaches to study the underground bacterial assemblages – a case study from a Portuguese karst aquifer. 46 pp. In: Kováč L., Uhrin M., Mock A. & Ľuptáčik, P. (Eds.) Abstract Book of the 21th International Conference of Subterranean Biology. Published by Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia. [pdf]

Reboleira A.S.P.S., Gonçalves A., Bessa M., de Figueiredo, D., Gonçalves F. & Abrantes N. (2012). Quality assessment of groundwater and sediments of the Iberian Peninsula largest karst aquifer. 90-91 pp. In: Kováč L., Uhrin M., Mock A. & Ľuptáčik, P. (Eds.) Abstract Book of the 21th International Conference of Subterranean Biology. Published by Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia. [pdf]

Sendra A., Ortuño V.M., Reboleira A.S.P.S., Gilgado J.D. & Teruel S. (2012). Colonization of hypogenic caves by terrestrial arthropods: consequences in the biodiversity patterns of subterranean species. 99-100 pp. In: Kováč L., Uhrin M., Mock A. & Ľuptáčik, P. (Eds.) Abstract Book of the 21th International Conference of Subterranean Biology. Published by Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia.  [pdf]

II Encontro Ibérico de Biologia Subterrânea, Logo: Nuno Farinha

The II Iberian Meeting on Subterranean Biology took place in the University of Aveiro in Portugal. The first held in Valencia in 2009, will focus on the underground biology, ecology and conservation of caves in “different regions of the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands, on the volcanic areas of the archipelago, including Canary, Azores and Madeira, and also on other subterranean habitats along the Ibero-Macaronesic scope.”

Organization:
Ana Sofia Reboleira, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Fernando Gonçalves, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Alberto Sendra, Museum of Natural History of Valencia, Spain
Pedro Oromí, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain
Paulo Borges, University of Azores, Portugal

Program:
Friday, 2nd September 2011

Local: Anfiteatro do Departamento de Biologia da Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal

Registration of participants and delivery of documentation

10h Cerimónia de abertura
Intervenção do Senhor Reitor da Universidade de Aveiro
[Opening Ceremony]

Comunicações orais
Moderator: Fernando Gonçalves
10h30
Gabriel R., Jennings L., Pereira F., Amorim I.R., Homem N. & Borges, P.A.V. Briófitos das cavidades vulcânicas dos Açores.
10h45
Mendes L. Tisanuros (Zygentoma: Insecta) anoftálmos – Um grupo de artrópodes pré-adaptados à vida subterrânea. 
11h15
Riquelme C., Hathaway J.M.M., Louvado A., Coelho M., Dapkevicius M.L.N.E. & Northup D.E. Microbial diversity in Azorean lava tubes.

11h30 Guided visit to the campus of the University of Aveiro

12h30 Lunch at the University of Aveiro

Comunicações orais
Moderadora: Pilar Rodriguez
14h30
Rodrigues L., Zahn A., Raínho A. & Palmeirim J.M. Influência do clima e dos recursos alimentares na definição de épocas críticas para morcegos: o caso do morcego-rato-grande (Myotis myotis) no sul e centro da Europa.
15h00
Reboleira A.S.P.S., Gonçalves F. & Oromí P. Fauna cavernícola do carso de Portugal.
15h15
Sendra A. Dipluros subterráneos de la Península Ibérica: nuevos hallazgos y descubrimientos.

Break

Comunicações orais
Moderadora: Glória Masó
15h30
Pérez-Gonzalez S., Muñoz D. & Zaballos J.P. Asimetrías en la serie umbilicada de Typhlocharis (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechinae).
15h45
Barranco P. Soluciones alares en grillos del género Petaloptila: amor a mordiscos.
16h00
Borges P.A.V., Pereira F., Amorim I., Gabriel R., Constância J.P., Nunes J.C., Barcelos P., Costa P., Dapkevicius M.L. Planning the conservation of Azorean caves based on its arthropod fauna.

16h30 Coffee break

Sessão de Posters
Moderador: Pedro Oromí
17h
Achurra A. & Rodriguez P. Groundwater oligochaetes (Annelida, Clitellata) in the northern Iberian Peninsula
Santos L., Maggio I., Brito M.C., Naranjo M., Glasby C.J. & Núñez J. Nereídidos estigobiontes (Polychaeta, Nereididae) de aguas dulces y salobras de Gran Canaria y Fuerteventura (Islas Canarias)
Agulló J., Masó G. & Prieto M. La importancia de la proyección de la colección de artrópodos subterráneos del Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona.
Martínez-Ibáñez Mª D., Pérez-Gonzalez S., Muñoz D. & Zaballos J.P. Importancia de la estridulación como medio de comunicación en entornos edáficos.
Gabriel R., Borges P. A. V., Dapkevicius M. L. E., Amorim I. R., Dapkevicius A., Riquelme C. G., Pereira F., Câmara S., Varela R., Cardoso P., Homem N., Ingham K. & Northup D. Grutas dos Açores: refúgios de biodiversidade.
Zaballos J.P., Pérez-Gonzalez S., Martínez-Ibáñez M.D. & Muñoz D. Lavado de tierra versus embudos de Berlese.
Abrantes N.J., Reboleira A.S.P.S., Pereira R., Marques C., de Figueiredo D., Pereira J., Melo M.T., Rodriguez P., Oromí P. & Gonçalves F.J. Avaliação do risco de contaminação no aquífero do Maciço Calcário Estremenho
Barranco P. El género Petaloptila (Orthoptera, Gryllidae)
Louvado A., Varela A.R., Coelho M.; Riquelme C., Dapkevicius M.L.N.E., Dapkevicius A. Biotechnological potential of microbial isolates from Azorean lava tubes.

19h Typical boat trip through the canals of the Ria de Aveiro (optional)


Saturday 3rd September 2011
Local: Anfiteatro do Departamento de Biologia da Universidade de Aveiro,
Portugal

Comunicações orais
Moderadora: Rosalina Gabriel
10h15
García-Dils S., Sendra A. & Reboleira A.S.P.S. Viagem ao centro da terra – Explorações espeleológicas e biológicas na gruta mais profunda do mundo – Krubera-Voronya (Cáucaso Ocidental).
10h45
Malard F., Eme D., Konecny L., Morvan C. & Douady C. Species diversity and distribution within the genus Proasellus (Isopoda, Asellidae) with special emphasis on the Iberian lineage.
11h15
Zaragoza J.A. Pseudoescorpiones subterráneos Ibério-Macaronésicos con distribución relictual.

12h30 Lunch at the University of Aveiro

Comunicações orais
Moderador: Alberto Sendra
14h30
Fadrique F. Proyecto Bioespeleologia Atlas. Doce años de investigación en Marruecos.
14h45
Gabriel R., Faria M., Correia H., Homem N., Martins B. Silva C.M.M. & Arroz A.M. Locais do inóspito: perspectivas de alunos dos Açores sobre grutas.
15h10
Barranco P. Servicio para el estudio de los invertebrados cavernícolas en Andalucía: resultados preliminares.
15h45
Farinha N. Iconografia Bioespeleológica.


16h30 Coffee break

Comunicações orais
Moderator: Luís Mendes
17h00
Rodriguez P. & Achurra A. Origen diverso de la fauna de oligoquetos acuáticos estigobios.
17h30
Oromí P. La extraña familia: un viaje desde las lavas hacia las cuevas.


18h30 Closing ceremony of the II IMSB by the President of the International Society for Subterranean Biology, Dr. Giuseppe Messana

20h30 Closing dinner of the II Iberian Meeting of Subterranean Biology (optional)

Sunday 4th September 2011

Field trip

8h30
Participants meet in the University of Aveiro
Road trip to the Natural Park of Serra d'Aire e Candeeiros

10h30
Brief explanation about the Estremenho karst massif

11h00
Visit to the Pena Cave, the largest underground chamber in Portugal, presented by the Natural Park of Serra d'Aire e Candeeiros guides

13h00
Lunch (optional)

14h30
Visit the Alviela complex of karst springs and to the Mira-Minde and Alvados Polje’s.

18h/19h
Return to Aveiro

See the photos of the meeting: http://fotos.ua.sapo.pt/sre/playview/276
Abstract Book: Reboleira A.S.P.S. & Gonçalves F. (2011). Livro de resumos do II Encontro Ibérico de Biologia Subterrânea. Universidade de Aveiro, ISBN 978-989-20-2655-8. 53 pp.