Explore the genetic adaptations of species within rockpools, with a focus on the beadlet anemone.

Join us for a coffee morning with guest speaker Abhiraj Chakraborty, University of Aberdeen PhD student, at the Greyhope Bay Centre.

Rockpools are some of the most extreme habitats in the world. Animals living here experience big changes in their environment, sometimes within just a few hours. At low tide they can be exposed to the air, heating up in the sun and drying out. Then a few hours later the tide comes back in and they’re underwater again in cold seawater. This has forced these animals to evolve very specific adaptations like a shark that learnt to walk, and the sea anemones that use specialised stinging cells to fight off intruders. In this talk Abhiraj will highlight the extreme adaptations that enable these species to thrive in such challenging conditions and highlight how genetic research is revealing the true extend of evolution driving these adaptations, as well as talking about the interesting lives of his PhD study species- the beadlet anemone Actinia equina.

Please note, the Cafe is closed on Tuesdays, however filter coffee, tea and herbal tea will be available from our lovely volunteers. Donations are welcome!

Description supplied by the event organiser.