Maarten De Brauwer

Depictions of evolution where a phylogeny often has humans on the far right or top can give an impression of evolution being progressive of leading to ‘increased complexity’ when it does not. Top figure shows such a phylogeny which can look the same as ‘the March of progress’ depiction most commonly used to depict evolution (showing monkey to man erroneous march of evolution) - instead swiveling some nodes on a phylogeny where humans are shown closer to the center (which doesn’t change relationships) can lead to better ‘tree thinking’

New post by me on #MITPressReader @mitpress.bsky.social

On the 100th anniversary of the #ScopesMonkeyTrial
the ways we depict #evolution can still give an erroneous progressive view (that evolution leads to humans or ‘increased complexity’).

thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/is-our-pictu...

Honestly, when will unis and other research orgs collectively say enough is enough, and invoice them for all our unpaid labour that drives publishers MASSIVE profits?

The Money in Scientific Publishing danielroelfs.com/posts/the-mo... @danielroelfs.com

#KnowledgeSlavery

Joel sure loves organising conferences 😄

Looking forward to #ASFB2026 !

Advancing ecological assessment: towards the integration of eDNA metabarcoding into an estuarine fish index In the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures on estuarine ecosystems, methods to efficiently and reliably assess their ecological status are esse…

Happy to share our new publication exploring how eDNA fits into estuarine ecological indices.Our results show why it’s not a simple swap—and what needs to change.
#eDNA #environmentalDNA
@drangelborja.bsky.social @naiarare.bsky.social @azti.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

To add context, part of why there were so many more applicants is because they moved DECRA back six months, effectively skipping funding the scheme for a year. They had to extend eligibility as a result, so this was essentially two years in one. But with no adjustment to number of grants awarded.

ShoalBase | Join, Explore, Contribute Now ShoalBase offers a global database on fish social behaviour, supporting research, conservation, and ecology through community contributions and visual data mapping.

🧵1/9 There are 35,000+ fish species, but we have formal social-behaviour classifications for a tiny fraction. Most knowledge lives in the experience of researchers, fishers, divers, aquarists, naturalists, and Indigenous communities, but almost none of it is centralised. So we built ShoalBase.org.

We have no answers from our institutions as to why Go8 universities endorsed BCA's regressive EPBC recommendations

But 90 of us have signed an 'Independent statement on the Group of Eight’s position on EPBC Act reforms'

🙏 Prof Justine Bell-James for writing & coordinating the independent statement

Fab talk from @megcevans.bsky.social about government trying to use capitalism (for profit model) to attempt to solve problems created by capitalism (environmental damage and biodiversity loss).
But $2bn to solve biodiversity crisis isn't much compared to many other publicly funded things.
#esa2025

Former #ANU Vice-Chancellor, Genevieve Bell, will receive remuneration of more than half a million a year for the next five years - despite taking 12 months off.

For context, that's more than ANU hoped to 'save' annually by disestablishing the School of Music. 🫠 @nteunion.bsky.social

Our new @azti.bsky.social paper on Advancing ecological #assessment: towards the integration of #eDNA #metabarcoding into an estuarine #fish index is out.
#Research
#MarineEcology
#GES4SEAS

Free download here:

authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...

Now there's a good -if rather depressing- point!

As someone who's never had a stable job in science, this is so disheartening...

VLIZ is hiring: PhD researcher "Immune effects of sea air". Join the VLIZ research group Life's Roots & Rates and unravel the mechanistic links between marine microbial diversity, endotoxin composition & human immune responses. Apply no later than Tuesday, December 9th 🔗 www.vliz.be/en/jobs/vliz...

CSIRO to cut up to 350 research jobs in major overhaul After 440 positions were slashed last year, the CSIRO has announced more staff cuts across the country in a bid to remain financially viable.

“CSIRO has announced it will slash up to 350 jobs as the national science agency grapples with long-term financial challenges … with current funding failing to keep pace with the rising costs of running a modern science agency.”

Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡

CSIRO to cut up to 350 research jobs in major overhaul After 440 positions were slashed last year, the CSIRO has announced more staff cuts across the country in a bid to remain financially viable.

Disgraceful & tragic what governments have done to this once science powerhouse! www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

"Federal Science Minister...Tim Ayres said the cuts were aimed at refocusing the efforts of the CSIRO towards research priorities, such as critical minerals, iron & steel...in Australia."

‘Deathly silent’: two out of three corals in world heritage-listed Ningaloo reef have been killed, scientists confirm One expert says she is ‘starting to visualise the point where all we have left of corals and reefs is memories’

I'm so, so tired of reading, reporting on and seeing these results. This was easily one of the prettiest places in the world, forever changed.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

If you haven't registered yet, be sure to put it in your calendar asap!

Cool #eDNA webinar coming up this Friday!

@sednasociety.bsky.social

Job opportunity: Postdoc biodiversity and ecosystem monitoring The Department of Biology at Aarhus University is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher for a 2-year position focused on environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis and ecosystem monitoring. Thi…

🌿 Postdoc Alert!
Aarhus University is hiring a 2-yr postdoc in eDNA analysis & ecosystem monitoring. Work on cutting-edge projects that analyse biodiversity and ecological function across various ecosystems.
🗓️ Deadline: 1 Dec 2025
🔗 More info: tinyurl.com/2dp55uut

Anyone else? 🤔

📑 #NewStudy by Perkins et al. reveals much about a toxic marine microorganism responsible for a serious seafood illness (mostly associated with fish) 🦠☠️🐟

👀 doi.org/10.1016/j.ha...

Job opportunity: eDNA Data Specialist An exciting job opportunity has opened up to work with CSIRO. Link to full job description. Applications close November 30th 2025. Summary: Transform eDNA into powerful biodiversity insights Build …

Another exciting job opportunity provided by CSIRO for an #eDNA Data Specialist! 🧬

Check out the details at the link below:
tinyurl.com/bp6bc7pm

Applications close on 30th November, so don't miss out on this great opportunity. Good luck to all the applicants 🤞

CSIRO in Hobart is hiring an #eDNA data specialist! Great team with wonderfully nice people (I can vouch for that), and what a location
www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/43...

The next SeDNAs webinar will be all about Women in Ocean Science. We have 2 great speakers, Dr Miwa Takahashi (CSIRO / IMOS) & Dr Lara Denis Roy (UTAS). Miwa will talk about the newly launched IMOS eDNA facility, while Lara will be discussing her Australia-wide comparison with visual survey methods.

We're #hiring a new #PhD student - come join @lec-reefs.bsky.social to investigate coral reefs, MPAs, and climate impacts. 🌊 🧪🦑

Details + apply here - www.exageo.org/phd-student-...

Deadline Jan 9th! International applicants encouraged 👍

We're hiring! 🥳 Come and join our team in Lancaster - we're looking for two senior postdocs to work on corporate sustainability and restoration ecology. 🌳 🪸 ♻️ (1 of 2)
@lec-reefs.bsky.social @pentlandcentre.bsky.social @sci-tech-lancaster.bsky.social @lancasteruni.bsky.social

most depressing thing about working in biodiversity: it feels like all we do is finding better ways to measure an ongoing car crash.
most of my research so far translates to 'the car continues to crash, but the video of the crash has more frames now'

Start of the 2025 NSW Coastal Conference, pretty sweet venue with great views over the Richmond River.

Excited to learn more and share some of my own research!

2-years #postdoc #position: #eDNA 🧬🔬for integrated #ecosystem and #biodiversity assessment

apply.refline.ch/673277/1297/...

In the new Eawag/WSL Biodiversity Monitoring Initiative we will strengthen & advance effective and scalable #biodiversity #monitoring methods & implement into practice. 🌐🌳🐟📈

We have TWO post-doctoral fellowships in the Biodiversity Centre at UBC next year! Am happy to chat if you might want to be hosted in my lab. biodiversity.ubc.ca/training-and... Deadline January 15th!

Juvenile humpback whale dies off NSW coast while entangled in shark net It is the first whale to have died out of 15 entangled in shark nets on Australia’s east coast so far this year

Heartbreaking loss: juvenile humpback whale (~8m) entangled & drowned in shark net off NSW coast. Shark nets don’t necessarily do what we assume -- protect beach-goers -- and pose serious risks to sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles, and other non-target animals.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...