Systematics is the study of biological diversity and its origins. It focuses on understanding evolutionary relationships among organisms, species, higher taxa, or other biological entities, such as genes, and the evolution of the properties of taxa including intrinsic traits, ecological interactions, and geographic distributions. An important part of systematics is the development of methods for various aspects of phylogenetic inference and biological nomenclature/classification.

The objective of the Society of Systematic Biologists is the advancement of the science of systematic biology in all its aspects of theory, principles, methodology, and practice, for both living and fossil organisms, with emphasis on areas of common interest to all systematic biologists regardless of individual specialization.

Books recently reviewed in Systematic Biology, or written by members of the Society.

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When: Tuesday, 2nd December 2008, 9 am

Where: Flett Lecture Theatre, Natural History Museum, London, UK

The annual Young Systematists’ Forum represents an exciting setting for postgraduate students and young postdoctoral researchers to present their data, often for the first time, to a scientific audience interested in taxonomy, systematics and phylogenetic inference. This well-established event provides an important opportunity for budding systematists to discuss their research in front of their peers within a supportive environment. Supervisors and other established systematists are also encouraged to attend.

The Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position starting at the rank of Assistant Professor. We are searching broadly for an interactive scientist who addresses fundamental questions in evolutionary biology via analysis of large-scale gene sequence and/or expression data sets. Applications from those who can take advantage of UCSB’s world class marine facilities and international standing in marine biology are especially encouraged. The successful candidate is expected to develop an internationally recognized research program and to teach graduate and undergraduate students in his or her area of expertise. The successful applicant will have a PhD and clear evidence of research productivity.

View articles in this issue online

Data sets and supplementary material for articles this issue can be downloaded here. Files are (typically) in NEXUS, Word, or HTML formats. Note that the authors may also have deposited their data in GenBank and TreeBASE, or have additional data on their own web sites.

Optimal Data Partitioning and a Test Case for Ray-Finned Fishes (Actinopterygii) Based on Ten Nuclear Loci

View articles in this issue online

Data sets and supplementary material for articles this issue can be downloaded here. Files are (typically) in NEXUS, Word, or HTML formats. Note that the authors may also have deposited their data in GenBank and TreeBASE, or have additional data on their own web sites.

Maximum Likelihood Inference ofSynonymous Substitutions Substantially Improve Evolutionary Inference from Highly Diverged Proteins

The University of Copenhagen has a number of positions are available within a cross-disciplinary research program aiming at 'explaining distribution of life on Earth'. Candidates should have a strong publication record, relevant analytical and data handling skills, and an ability to communicate within a research team. Competitive salary offered.
Full description and more details on the individual postdoctoral positions within eight themes are given at http://www1.bio.ku.dk/om/jobs/macroecology/.

Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) invites applications for a tenure-track position at the assistant professor level in biology with expertise in plant systematics, starting Fall 2009. We seek an enthusiastic botanist who is committed to excellence in teaching at a predominately undergraduate institution such as ours and is dedicated to establishing a research program that engages students. Teaching responsibilities will include: a field-based botany course, introductory biology (majors or non-majors) and an upper division course in one’s expertise. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research utilize phylogenetic methods to answer fundamental questions in botany, and might additionally use genomics tools. An interest in helping to maintain our herbarium is desired. Opportunities also exist for faculty to participate in courses in the first-year experience program, global education, environmental studies or other interdisciplinary programs.

The "Spida of Love" segment from The Colbert Report, featuring Jason Bond is below.

You can purchase items (t-shirts etc.) featuring Aptostichus stephencolberti or the August SB cover, which shows the spider advancing on the California coast. 100% of proceeds go to graduate student programs.