Theo Bakker
@tcmbakker.bsky.social
I am Co-Editor-in-Chief for Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology and retired professor of Animal Ecology, University of Bonn
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Watson – who won the Nobel Prize for his role in divining the structure of DNA; was instrumental in initiating and propelling the Human Genome Project; and who became notorious for his history of racist and sexist comments – has died at 97
Read the full story: go.nature.com/47NJ6wy
Read the full story: go.nature.com/47NJ6wy
November 8, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Watson – who won the Nobel Prize for his role in divining the structure of DNA; was instrumental in initiating and propelling the Human Genome Project; and who became notorious for his history of racist and sexist comments – has died at 97
Read the full story: go.nature.com/47NJ6wy
Read the full story: go.nature.com/47NJ6wy
Reposted by Theo Bakker
I am recruting a #postdoc for a project investigating the evolution of avian heat tolerance in @erc.europa.eu project #HotLife. Fieldwork over broad latitudinal gradients, common-garden experiments, and more. Read more and apply👇
shorturl.at/WA1Qa
Would appreciate a re-post!
@evoldir.bsky.social
shorturl.at/WA1Qa
Would appreciate a re-post!
@evoldir.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 8:38 AM
I am recruting a #postdoc for a project investigating the evolution of avian heat tolerance in @erc.europa.eu project #HotLife. Fieldwork over broad latitudinal gradients, common-garden experiments, and more. Read more and apply👇
shorturl.at/WA1Qa
Would appreciate a re-post!
@evoldir.bsky.social
shorturl.at/WA1Qa
Would appreciate a re-post!
@evoldir.bsky.social
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Boom erneuerbarer Energien:
#China schafft in sechs Monaten doppelt so viel Solarkraft wie Deutschland in 25 Jahren
Die Volksrepublik bricht beim Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien diverse Rekorde. Eine gute Nachricht für das #Weltklima.
Von Claus Hecking
#China schafft in sechs Monaten doppelt so viel Solarkraft wie Deutschland in 25 Jahren
Die Volksrepublik bricht beim Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien diverse Rekorde. Eine gute Nachricht für das #Weltklima.
Von Claus Hecking
November 4, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Boom erneuerbarer Energien:
#China schafft in sechs Monaten doppelt so viel Solarkraft wie Deutschland in 25 Jahren
Die Volksrepublik bricht beim Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien diverse Rekorde. Eine gute Nachricht für das #Weltklima.
Von Claus Hecking
#China schafft in sechs Monaten doppelt so viel Solarkraft wie Deutschland in 25 Jahren
Die Volksrepublik bricht beim Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien diverse Rekorde. Eine gute Nachricht für das #Weltklima.
Von Claus Hecking
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Fotos ohne jeglichen Erkenntnisgewinn aber schön anzusehen.
Cyclopoider Ruderfußkrebs:
Cyclopoider Ruderfußkrebs:
November 2, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Fotos ohne jeglichen Erkenntnisgewinn aber schön anzusehen.
Cyclopoider Ruderfußkrebs:
Cyclopoider Ruderfußkrebs:
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Scientists point to a long list of findings that emerged out of fundamental research, the type of studies the US government is cutting, and went on to change the world. Nature lists a few of their examples. 🧪
7 basic science discoveries that changed the world
Ozempic, MRI machines and flat screen televisions all emerged out of fundamental research decades earlier — the very types of study being slashed by the US government.
go.nature.com
November 1, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Scientists point to a long list of findings that emerged out of fundamental research, the type of studies the US government is cutting, and went on to change the world. Nature lists a few of their examples. 🧪
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Carnivorous 'Death-Ball' Sponge Among 30 New Deep-Sea Weirdos Discovered In The Southern Ocean
Carnivorous 'Death-Ball' Sponge Among 30 New Deep-Sea Weirdos Discovered In The Southern Ocean
Just wait until you see this thing...
www.iflscience.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Carnivorous 'Death-Ball' Sponge Among 30 New Deep-Sea Weirdos Discovered In The Southern Ocean
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Nuclear weapons tests by country:
🇺🇸 USA: 1,032
☭ USSR: 727
🇫🇷 France: 215
🇬🇧 UK: 88
🇨🇳 China: 47
🇰🇵 North Korea: 6
🇮🇳 India: 3
🇵🇰 Pakistan: 2
🇺🇸 USA: 1,032
☭ USSR: 727
🇫🇷 France: 215
🇬🇧 UK: 88
🇨🇳 China: 47
🇰🇵 North Korea: 6
🇮🇳 India: 3
🇵🇰 Pakistan: 2
October 31, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Nuclear weapons tests by country:
🇺🇸 USA: 1,032
☭ USSR: 727
🇫🇷 France: 215
🇬🇧 UK: 88
🇨🇳 China: 47
🇰🇵 North Korea: 6
🇮🇳 India: 3
🇵🇰 Pakistan: 2
🇺🇸 USA: 1,032
☭ USSR: 727
🇫🇷 France: 215
🇬🇧 UK: 88
🇨🇳 China: 47
🇰🇵 North Korea: 6
🇮🇳 India: 3
🇵🇰 Pakistan: 2
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Myself and Alastair Wilson wrote an updated version of our 2016 primer to quantitative genetics in the wild: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti.... Happy to share a copy if interested. It is also on research gate
Quantitative Genetics in Natural Populations
Phenotypes evolve under natural selection if, and only if, they are genetically variable. While evolutionary ecologists have long studied natural sele…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Myself and Alastair Wilson wrote an updated version of our 2016 primer to quantitative genetics in the wild: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti.... Happy to share a copy if interested. It is also on research gate
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Check out this fascinating special edition of the Journal of Fish Biology @thefsbi.bsky.social focussed on how we study cognition in fishes- led by lab alumnus @nickarjones.bsky.social
🐟 Our special issue "Measuring Fish Cognition: Empirical-based Guidance for Designing Cognition Assays" is out! From acclimation protocols to automated tracking, these studies tackle a range of methodological issues. Check it out: tinyurl.com/vdprfbf4 #FishCognition #AnimalBehaviour
Special Issue: Measuring fish cognition: Empirical based guidance for designing cognition assays: Journal of Fish Biology: Vol 107, No 4
The <em>Journal of Fish Biology</em> is a leading international ichthyology journal, addressing all aspects of fish biology, their exploitation and importance to human society.
tinyurl.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Check out this fascinating special edition of the Journal of Fish Biology @thefsbi.bsky.social focussed on how we study cognition in fishes- led by lab alumnus @nickarjones.bsky.social
Reposted by Theo Bakker
An electronic eye implant has restored vision in people with blindness caused by age-related macular degeneration
go.nature.com/48JVwrv
go.nature.com/48JVwrv
People with blindness can read again after retinal implant
An electronic eye implant has restored vision in people with blindness caused by age-related macular degeneration.
go.nature.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:29 PM
An electronic eye implant has restored vision in people with blindness caused by age-related macular degeneration
go.nature.com/48JVwrv
go.nature.com/48JVwrv
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Most populous countries in 1950:
🇨🇳 China: 554 million
🇮🇳 India: 376 million
Soviet Union: 178 million
🇺🇸 USA: 158 million
🇯🇵 Japan: 82 million
🇩🇪 Germany: 70 million
🇮🇩 Indonesia: 69 million
🇧🇷 Brazil: 54 million
🇬🇧 UK: 50 million
🇮🇹 Italy: 46 million
🇨🇳 China: 554 million
🇮🇳 India: 376 million
Soviet Union: 178 million
🇺🇸 USA: 158 million
🇯🇵 Japan: 82 million
🇩🇪 Germany: 70 million
🇮🇩 Indonesia: 69 million
🇧🇷 Brazil: 54 million
🇬🇧 UK: 50 million
🇮🇹 Italy: 46 million
October 11, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Most populous countries in 1950:
🇨🇳 China: 554 million
🇮🇳 India: 376 million
Soviet Union: 178 million
🇺🇸 USA: 158 million
🇯🇵 Japan: 82 million
🇩🇪 Germany: 70 million
🇮🇩 Indonesia: 69 million
🇧🇷 Brazil: 54 million
🇬🇧 UK: 50 million
🇮🇹 Italy: 46 million
🇨🇳 China: 554 million
🇮🇳 India: 376 million
Soviet Union: 178 million
🇺🇸 USA: 158 million
🇯🇵 Japan: 82 million
🇩🇪 Germany: 70 million
🇮🇩 Indonesia: 69 million
🇧🇷 Brazil: 54 million
🇬🇧 UK: 50 million
🇮🇹 Italy: 46 million
Reposted by Theo Bakker
We are hiring - PDRA position exploring how information access shapes social dynamics in killer whales. Collaboration with @samellisq.bsky.social @drwhale.bsky.social Prof Dan Franks (York) start 1st Nov (or ASAP) end 31st Oct 2028. Apps close on 19th Oct.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOT336/p...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOT336/p...
September 23, 2025 at 6:29 PM
We are hiring - PDRA position exploring how information access shapes social dynamics in killer whales. Collaboration with @samellisq.bsky.social @drwhale.bsky.social Prof Dan Franks (York) start 1st Nov (or ASAP) end 31st Oct 2028. Apps close on 19th Oct.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOT336/p...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOT336/p...
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Awesome faculty position alert! Tenure-track assistant professor position in Evolutionary Biology, with a focus on organismal responses to environmental change.
Please help spread the word!
apply.interfolio.com/173889
Please help spread the word!
apply.interfolio.com/173889
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
September 12, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Awesome faculty position alert! Tenure-track assistant professor position in Evolutionary Biology, with a focus on organismal responses to environmental change.
Please help spread the word!
apply.interfolio.com/173889
Please help spread the word!
apply.interfolio.com/173889
Reposted by Theo Bakker
🔴 PFAS ('forever chemicals') found in wild fish across multiple EU countries!
New EEB report shows that:
🧪 Most samples exceed proposed safety limits
⚠️ Some exceed by 10,000x
🕰️ Member States want to delay action until 2051
Link in comments ⬇️
#PFAS #Environment #PublicHealth #ForeverChemicals
New EEB report shows that:
🧪 Most samples exceed proposed safety limits
⚠️ Some exceed by 10,000x
🕰️ Member States want to delay action until 2051
Link in comments ⬇️
#PFAS #Environment #PublicHealth #ForeverChemicals
September 9, 2025 at 6:15 AM
🔴 PFAS ('forever chemicals') found in wild fish across multiple EU countries!
New EEB report shows that:
🧪 Most samples exceed proposed safety limits
⚠️ Some exceed by 10,000x
🕰️ Member States want to delay action until 2051
Link in comments ⬇️
#PFAS #Environment #PublicHealth #ForeverChemicals
New EEB report shows that:
🧪 Most samples exceed proposed safety limits
⚠️ Some exceed by 10,000x
🕰️ Member States want to delay action until 2051
Link in comments ⬇️
#PFAS #Environment #PublicHealth #ForeverChemicals
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Why are some species widespread while others are found only in small, isolated areas? A study in Nature Communications shows that species with narrow ranges, and thus higher extinction risk, are often island-restricted, poor dispersers, and have evolved relatively recently. #evosky 🧪
Evolutionary age correlates with range size across plants and animals - Nature Communications
Why are some species widespread while others are found only in small, isolated areas? This study shows that species with narrow ranges, and thus higher extinction risk, are often island-restricted, poor dispersers, and have evolved relatively recently.
go.nature.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Why are some species widespread while others are found only in small, isolated areas? A study in Nature Communications shows that species with narrow ranges, and thus higher extinction risk, are often island-restricted, poor dispersers, and have evolved relatively recently. #evosky 🧪
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Why would anyone want to be a scientist?
"Doing good science requires the utmost exertion of body, mind and spirit, yet is consistently filled with failure and rejection."
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
"Doing good science requires the utmost exertion of body, mind and spirit, yet is consistently filled with failure and rejection."
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
September 7, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Why would anyone want to be a scientist?
"Doing good science requires the utmost exertion of body, mind and spirit, yet is consistently filled with failure and rejection."
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
"Doing good science requires the utmost exertion of body, mind and spirit, yet is consistently filled with failure and rejection."
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Reposted by Theo Bakker
🧪 ETHOLOGY: Biases in animal behaviour research are inevitable—but can be identified & mitigated 👀🐒
Winder et al. propose a “knowns & unknowns” framework to help researchers reflect on overlooked assumptions & strengthen science. It's #OpenAccess: 🔗 doi.org/10.1111/eth....
Winder et al. propose a “knowns & unknowns” framework to help researchers reflect on overlooked assumptions & strengthen science. It's #OpenAccess: 🔗 doi.org/10.1111/eth....
September 9, 2025 at 11:19 AM
🧪 ETHOLOGY: Biases in animal behaviour research are inevitable—but can be identified & mitigated 👀🐒
Winder et al. propose a “knowns & unknowns” framework to help researchers reflect on overlooked assumptions & strengthen science. It's #OpenAccess: 🔗 doi.org/10.1111/eth....
Winder et al. propose a “knowns & unknowns” framework to help researchers reflect on overlooked assumptions & strengthen science. It's #OpenAccess: 🔗 doi.org/10.1111/eth....
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Join us tomorrow for the first FINE of the Fall 2025:
2nd September, Andrew Bass, Cornell University (USA)
Title: Crystal Clear Brains: Benefits & Tradeoffs of Miniaturization in Danionella Fishes
When: 2nd September, presentation starts at 11:00 NYC / 17:00 Paris.
2nd September, Andrew Bass, Cornell University (USA)
Title: Crystal Clear Brains: Benefits & Tradeoffs of Miniaturization in Danionella Fishes
When: 2nd September, presentation starts at 11:00 NYC / 17:00 Paris.
September 1, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Join us tomorrow for the first FINE of the Fall 2025:
2nd September, Andrew Bass, Cornell University (USA)
Title: Crystal Clear Brains: Benefits & Tradeoffs of Miniaturization in Danionella Fishes
When: 2nd September, presentation starts at 11:00 NYC / 17:00 Paris.
2nd September, Andrew Bass, Cornell University (USA)
Title: Crystal Clear Brains: Benefits & Tradeoffs of Miniaturization in Danionella Fishes
When: 2nd September, presentation starts at 11:00 NYC / 17:00 Paris.
New preprint: Bakker, T. C. M., Müller, B., Mehlis-Rick, M. "Sexually attractive males produce relatively more sons in a fish with external fertilisation": see www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-7...
Sexually attractive males produce relatively more sons in a fish with external fertilisation
According to the mate attractiveness hypothesis of biased progeny sex-ratio, sexually attractive males should produce relatively more sons. We tested this hypothesis with three-spined sticklebacks Gas...
www.researchsquare.com
August 22, 2025 at 9:59 AM
New preprint: Bakker, T. C. M., Müller, B., Mehlis-Rick, M. "Sexually attractive males produce relatively more sons in a fish with external fertilisation": see www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-7...
Our paper Bakker TCM, Hiermes M, Müller B, Martin S, Rennison DJ, Rick IP: "Adaptive variation in opsin expression of sticklebacks from different photic habitats" has now been printed: see link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Adaptive variation in opsin expression of sticklebacks from different photic habitats - Hydrobiologia
We studied phenotypic and genetic adaptation of the visual system of three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, from North Uist, Scotland. We quantified differences in opsin gene expression of...
link.springer.com
August 22, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Our paper Bakker TCM, Hiermes M, Müller B, Martin S, Rennison DJ, Rick IP: "Adaptive variation in opsin expression of sticklebacks from different photic habitats" has now been printed: see link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Theo Bakker
On my way home from the 11th triennial Stickleback conference, which was at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre on Vancouver Island. Had a great time, with lots of fascinating science talks and great conversations with colleagues. Some photos:
adobe.ly/4fieJBD
adobe.ly/4fieJBD
Bamfield Stickleback 2025
adobe.ly
August 2, 2025 at 6:09 AM
On my way home from the 11th triennial Stickleback conference, which was at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre on Vancouver Island. Had a great time, with lots of fascinating science talks and great conversations with colleagues. Some photos:
adobe.ly/4fieJBD
adobe.ly/4fieJBD
Reposted by Theo Bakker
Doe eventjes wat nodig is, teken 'm die oproep: doemee.greenpeace.nl/actie/groen-...
Groen en betaalbaar treinreizen 🚄
Oproep: maak duurzaam treinreizen betaalbaar Treinreizen in Nederland en Europa moet betaalbaar, toegankelijk en klimaatvriendelijk zijn. Op dit moment worden treintickets elk jaar duurder, terwijl vl...
doemee.greenpeace.nl
July 25, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Doe eventjes wat nodig is, teken 'm die oproep: doemee.greenpeace.nl/actie/groen-...
Reposted by Theo Bakker
We are looking for a postdoc to join our group to work on an ERC funded project on avian reproductive microbiomes. nioo.knaw.nl/en/vacancies...
Please RT! #microbes #microbiomes #sparrows #postdoc
Please RT! #microbes #microbiomes #sparrows #postdoc
Postdoctoral researcher: avian microbiomes and reproduction
We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join our team working on avian reproductive microbiomes at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) in the group of Dr. Melissah Rowe. The postd...
nioo.knaw.nl
July 24, 2025 at 12:39 PM
We are looking for a postdoc to join our group to work on an ERC funded project on avian reproductive microbiomes. nioo.knaw.nl/en/vacancies...
Please RT! #microbes #microbiomes #sparrows #postdoc
Please RT! #microbes #microbiomes #sparrows #postdoc
Reposted by Theo Bakker
The Local Organizing Commitee welcomes behavioral ecologists from across the world and of all career stages to enjoy a five-day meeting rich in top-notch science and ample networking opportunities in Turin (Italy), 20-24 July 2026.
June 28, 2025 at 9:24 PM
The Local Organizing Commitee welcomes behavioral ecologists from across the world and of all career stages to enjoy a five-day meeting rich in top-notch science and ample networking opportunities in Turin (Italy), 20-24 July 2026.
Reposted by Theo Bakker
New cover image for Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
Writer: tbakker1
tbakker1
49 minutes ago
1 min read
Starting with the May issue, BES has a new cover image.
See Szala K, Tobolka M, Surmacki A (2025) Behav Ecol Sociobiol 79:66.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Writer: tbakker1
tbakker1
49 minutes ago
1 min read
Starting with the May issue, BES has a new cover image.
See Szala K, Tobolka M, Surmacki A (2025) Behav Ecol Sociobiol 79:66.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
June 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM
New cover image for Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
Writer: tbakker1
tbakker1
49 minutes ago
1 min read
Starting with the May issue, BES has a new cover image.
See Szala K, Tobolka M, Surmacki A (2025) Behav Ecol Sociobiol 79:66.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Writer: tbakker1
tbakker1
49 minutes ago
1 min read
Starting with the May issue, BES has a new cover image.
See Szala K, Tobolka M, Surmacki A (2025) Behav Ecol Sociobiol 79:66.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...