Louie Rombaut, PhD
@zoological.bsky.social
Interested in evolutionary theory and phylogenetic comparative methods. Cat enthusiast!
Pinned
🌿 Hi Bluesky! I'm fresh out of doing a PhD in evolutionary biology and I'm starting a science YouTube channel sharing new research in ecology and evolution for people who never grew out of their enthusiasm for science. I'm excited. Follow for updates! 🌿
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
Wel, no surprise that Coyne used his blog (whyevolutionistrue) to argue with the SSE/SSB/ASN letter about definitions of sex. I'm not going to engage deeply with the letter here. Like any committee-drafted text it reflects compromises; I agree with some phrasing but some could have been clearer 1/N
February 11, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Wel, no surprise that Coyne used his blog (whyevolutionistrue) to argue with the SSE/SSB/ASN letter about definitions of sex. I'm not going to engage deeply with the letter here. Like any committee-drafted text it reflects compromises; I agree with some phrasing but some could have been clearer 1/N
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
Letter from the SSE/SSB/ASN councils on the scientific understanding of sex and gender, pls RT
Letter to the US President and Congress on the Scientific Understanding of Sex and Gender
President Donald J Trump Washington, DC Members of the US Congress Washington, DC February 5, 2025 RE: Scientific Understanding of Sex and Gender Dear President Trump and Members of the US Congr...
www.evolutionsociety.org
February 7, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Letter from the SSE/SSB/ASN councils on the scientific understanding of sex and gender, pls RT
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
NEW: We obtained the directions NSF program officers are following to review all grants for compliance with the Trump EOs and the turmoil it has created in an agency mandated to broaden STEM participation. Our story: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: how NSF is scouring research grants for violations of Trump’s orders
The US National Science Foundation has unfrozen grant funding, but it continues to scrutinize research projects, sowing turmoil.
www.nature.com
February 3, 2025 at 11:05 PM
NEW: We obtained the directions NSF program officers are following to review all grants for compliance with the Trump EOs and the turmoil it has created in an agency mandated to broaden STEM participation. Our story: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
Complacency about the Musk/Trump administration has been a self-defeating prophecy open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Trump Is Doing Exactly What He Said He Would. Who Could Have Predicted That?
Maybe the oligarchs deserve what’s coming. But the rest of us don’t.
open.substack.com
February 3, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Complacency about the Musk/Trump administration has been a self-defeating prophecy open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
February 3, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
Read the accompanying Research Briefing here: rdcu.be/d79gV
January 31, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Read the accompanying Research Briefing here: rdcu.be/d79gV
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
Why do some birds incorporate shed snake skin in their nest? Rohwer et al. suggest that the evolution of this unique but wide spread behavior is dependent upon nest morphology and most commonly observed in cavity nesting species. Read now ahead of print!
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
The Evolution of Using Shed Snake Skin in Bird Nests | The American Naturalist
Abstract Many species of birds use shed snake skin in nest construction, but this behavior remains poorly understood. Ecological context is likely key for understanding how this unusual, but widesprea...
www.journals.uchicago.edu
January 28, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Why do some birds incorporate shed snake skin in their nest? Rohwer et al. suggest that the evolution of this unique but wide spread behavior is dependent upon nest morphology and most commonly observed in cavity nesting species. Read now ahead of print!
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
This morning our petition has passed 52,000 signatures. We're halfway to 100k, when we can secure a debate.
We think driven grouse shooting should be banned. If you do too, please add your name and share:
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
We think driven grouse shooting should be banned. If you do too, please add your name and share:
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
January 28, 2025 at 10:06 AM
This morning our petition has passed 52,000 signatures. We're halfway to 100k, when we can secure a debate.
We think driven grouse shooting should be banned. If you do too, please add your name and share:
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
We think driven grouse shooting should be banned. If you do too, please add your name and share:
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
Sea spiders (Pycnogonida) are an ancient Class of chelicerates with a fascinating evolutionary tale. A new study we just published on the EJLS uncovers their evolutionary history! 🧵 #Evolution #TheLinneanSociety #SeaSpiders #Arthropoda
academic.oup.com/evolinnean/a...
academic.oup.com/evolinnean/a...
A timescale for the evolutionary history of sea spiders (Arthropoda: Pycnogonida)
Abstract. Sea spiders (Arthropoda: Pycnogonida) are an ancient lineage of chelicerates represented by a single living order, Pantopoda, and a patchy fossil
academic.oup.com
January 27, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Sea spiders (Pycnogonida) are an ancient Class of chelicerates with a fascinating evolutionary tale. A new study we just published on the EJLS uncovers their evolutionary history! 🧵 #Evolution #TheLinneanSociety #SeaSpiders #Arthropoda
academic.oup.com/evolinnean/a...
academic.oup.com/evolinnean/a...
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
Bluetorial-A dream and a bit of a nightmare
Serving as Editor-in-Chief at Science was fascinating. I greatly enjoyed working with talented and committed editorial, news, graphics, and production staff. But the inside look into scientific publishing and AAAS was also deeply disillusioning.
Serving as Editor-in-Chief at Science was fascinating. I greatly enjoyed working with talented and committed editorial, news, graphics, and production staff. But the inside look into scientific publishing and AAAS was also deeply disillusioning.
a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
ALT: a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
media.tenor.com
January 21, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Bluetorial-A dream and a bit of a nightmare
Serving as Editor-in-Chief at Science was fascinating. I greatly enjoyed working with talented and committed editorial, news, graphics, and production staff. But the inside look into scientific publishing and AAAS was also deeply disillusioning.
Serving as Editor-in-Chief at Science was fascinating. I greatly enjoyed working with talented and committed editorial, news, graphics, and production staff. But the inside look into scientific publishing and AAAS was also deeply disillusioning.
🌿 Hi Bluesky! I'm fresh out of doing a PhD in evolutionary biology and I'm starting a science YouTube channel sharing new research in ecology and evolution for people who never grew out of their enthusiasm for science. I'm excited. Follow for updates! 🌿
January 15, 2025 at 10:38 AM
🌿 Hi Bluesky! I'm fresh out of doing a PhD in evolutionary biology and I'm starting a science YouTube channel sharing new research in ecology and evolution for people who never grew out of their enthusiasm for science. I'm excited. Follow for updates! 🌿
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
@nature.com is keen to find out how scientists are using @bsky.app and whether it has become their go-to social-media platform. Do you use Bluesky? Has it replaced Xitter? We want to hear from you.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#eXit
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#eXit
Has Bluesky replaced X for scientists? Take Nature’s poll
The research community has flocked to the social-media platform Bluesky. Tell us about your experience.
www.nature.com
January 15, 2025 at 4:17 AM
@nature.com is keen to find out how scientists are using @bsky.app and whether it has become their go-to social-media platform. Do you use Bluesky? Has it replaced Xitter? We want to hear from you.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#eXit
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#eXit
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
I guess I hadn't posted this yet and didn't even know it had come out-- I was interviewed for (and co-wrote w/Daniel Rabosky) a Trends in Ecology & Evolution "TrendsTalk" article on "Disability in ecology and evolution" -- www.cell.com/trends/ecolo... #DisabledInSTEM #academicchatter #academia
Disability in ecology and evolution
In this TrendsTalk series ‘Disability in ecology and evolution’ in Trends in Ecology
& Evolution, we will be hearing from people about their experiences being disabled
or having a chronic condition an...
www.cell.com
January 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
I guess I hadn't posted this yet and didn't even know it had come out-- I was interviewed for (and co-wrote w/Daniel Rabosky) a Trends in Ecology & Evolution "TrendsTalk" article on "Disability in ecology and evolution" -- www.cell.com/trends/ecolo... #DisabledInSTEM #academicchatter #academia
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
Stephen J Gould (1985) talked about the "tiers of time" with macroevolutionary dynamics distinct from short-time microevolution.
But did you know that macroevolution itself shows qualitatively different dynamics at different time scales?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧪 #EvoBio #Paleobio ⚒️ #Geology
But did you know that macroevolution itself shows qualitatively different dynamics at different time scales?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧪 #EvoBio #Paleobio ⚒️ #Geology
January 13, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Stephen J Gould (1985) talked about the "tiers of time" with macroevolutionary dynamics distinct from short-time microevolution.
But did you know that macroevolution itself shows qualitatively different dynamics at different time scales?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧪 #EvoBio #Paleobio ⚒️ #Geology
But did you know that macroevolution itself shows qualitatively different dynamics at different time scales?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧪 #EvoBio #Paleobio ⚒️ #Geology
Let's normalise inviting our scientific colleagues to also draw their personal Bayesian posteriors on paper after seeing evidence, rather than just their verbal take. Respectfully. When it matters.
January 14, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Let's normalise inviting our scientific colleagues to also draw their personal Bayesian posteriors on paper after seeing evidence, rather than just their verbal take. Respectfully. When it matters.
I think there’s a fundamental problem with the way science is taught at school. I loved learning about galaxies, atoms and mitochondria but there was just one page in the textbook devoted to the scientific method. Shouldn’t we spend more time giving people the power to know what’s true?
January 13, 2025 at 11:07 AM
I think there’s a fundamental problem with the way science is taught at school. I loved learning about galaxies, atoms and mitochondria but there was just one page in the textbook devoted to the scientific method. Shouldn’t we spend more time giving people the power to know what’s true?
Happy Perihelion everyone! Today Earth is just 147 million km from our sun. As good a day for solar worship as any! 🌞 <••> 🌍
January 4, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Happy Perihelion everyone! Today Earth is just 147 million km from our sun. As good a day for solar worship as any! 🌞 <••> 🌍
I was shocked to find out that the term that people are using for posts on this platform is ‘skeet’. Please let’s make the alternative ‘flutter’ (like a butterfly) start trending! 🙏 Reflutter this flit if you agree!
December 6, 2024 at 10:53 AM
I was shocked to find out that the term that people are using for posts on this platform is ‘skeet’. Please let’s make the alternative ‘flutter’ (like a butterfly) start trending! 🙏 Reflutter this flit if you agree!
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
Our December issue is now online! A special issue Guest Edited by @masahitotsuboi.bsky.social, Theo Gaboriau and Thibault Latreille:
Inferring macroevolutionary patterns and processes from microevolutionary mechanisms
ow.ly/LHol50UjJql
Artwork by Alberto Garcia Jimenez
Inferring macroevolutionary patterns and processes from microevolutionary mechanisms
ow.ly/LHol50UjJql
Artwork by Alberto Garcia Jimenez
Volume 37 Issue 12 | Journal of Evolutionary Biology | Oxford Academic
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
ow.ly
December 3, 2024 at 9:45 AM
Our December issue is now online! A special issue Guest Edited by @masahitotsuboi.bsky.social, Theo Gaboriau and Thibault Latreille:
Inferring macroevolutionary patterns and processes from microevolutionary mechanisms
ow.ly/LHol50UjJql
Artwork by Alberto Garcia Jimenez
Inferring macroevolutionary patterns and processes from microevolutionary mechanisms
ow.ly/LHol50UjJql
Artwork by Alberto Garcia Jimenez
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
"The incidence of teaspoon loss over the period of observation was 360.62 per 100 teaspoon years. At this rate, an estimated 250 teaspoons would need to be purchased annually to maintain a practical institute-wide population of 70 teaspoons."
November 28, 2024 at 11:19 AM
"The incidence of teaspoon loss over the period of observation was 360.62 per 100 teaspoon years. At this rate, an estimated 250 teaspoons would need to be purchased annually to maintain a practical institute-wide population of 70 teaspoons."
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
Are you an evolution educator? Consider applying for the T. H. Huxley Award, which recognizes and promotes outstanding evolution education resources. The recipient receives funding to present their resource at the Evolution or NABT meeting! Deadline February 3. http://bit.ly/2kP2pPM
November 27, 2024 at 7:22 PM
Are you an evolution educator? Consider applying for the T. H. Huxley Award, which recognizes and promotes outstanding evolution education resources. The recipient receives funding to present their resource at the Evolution or NABT meeting! Deadline February 3. http://bit.ly/2kP2pPM
Reposted by Louie Rombaut, PhD
I was getting more and more annoyed by quotes/refs of Haldane 1955 which were either incomplete or weird.
Not digitised so I bought it. And now can disagree with people over it properly.
Thanks to @arvidagren.bsky.social for pointing out physical things exist. 🧪
Not digitised so I bought it. And now can disagree with people over it properly.
Thanks to @arvidagren.bsky.social for pointing out physical things exist. 🧪
November 27, 2024 at 1:12 PM
I was getting more and more annoyed by quotes/refs of Haldane 1955 which were either incomplete or weird.
Not digitised so I bought it. And now can disagree with people over it properly.
Thanks to @arvidagren.bsky.social for pointing out physical things exist. 🧪
Not digitised so I bought it. And now can disagree with people over it properly.
Thanks to @arvidagren.bsky.social for pointing out physical things exist. 🧪