Dear Colleagues, It is a pleasure to announce the first edition of Mertola Evolution Conferencs (MECs), which will occur in the Spring at the beautiful historical town of Mertola, Southern Portugal. The MECs are annual meetings on Evolutionary Biology (each year a specific topic) for researchers and students to present cutting-edge studies on the field, as well as a forum for informal discussion, fostering new ideas and collaborations among researchers all over the world. Mertola Conferences are promoted by EBM - Biological Station of Mertola, in collaboration with other national and international institutions. Mertola is located in the Southeast Alentejo region of Portugal, near the Spanish border, crossed by the Guadiana river and in the center of the Natural Park of Guadiana Valley. The antiquity of Mertola is attested by the many archaeological remains that prove the continuous human occupation of this territory. Despite being and biodiversity hotspot of Mediterranean ecosystems, the first traces of human presence dating back to the Neolithic period, five thousand years ago, with different civilizations, like Iberians, Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians. More information at https://www.visitmertola.pt/mertola-vila-museu/ The MEC 2025 edition, entitled "Speciation: from field studies to genomics", is focused on speciation research, where we will revisit the origins and come back to look into new genomic data under Charles Darwin eyes. It counts with prominent speakers in the field: Peter and Rosemary Grant (Princeton University, USA), Leif Andersson (Uppsala University, Sweden), Joana Meier (University of Cambridge, UK), Roger Butlin (University of Sheffield), Rui Faria (University of Porto), and Rikard Holmdahl (Karolinska Institute, Sweden). Important information Venue and date: Cineteatro de Mertola, April 5th and 6th, 2025 Abstract submission deadline: 10 of March 2025 Registration deadline: 20 of March 2025 Registration and abstract submission: Among the submitted abstracts, only 8 will be selected for a short oral presentation. For registration and abstract submission, please fill this form: https://forms.gle/fqk8EdBT1f13XM2M9 Fees: 50? (students) | 100? (other participants). Participation is free of charge for BIODIV Students (M BGE & PhD) & CIBIO's TwinLabs (If applicable, payment will be made to Associa??o BIOPOLIS - VAT No. 516033727). We look forward to welcoming you at Mertola! Please, spread the word among your colleagues. The organizing committee, Leif Andersson Miguel Carneiro Rui Faria Paulo C?lio Alves Rui Faria, PhD 1. Researcher and SEAGEN Group Leader CIBIO, Centro de Investiga??o em Biodiversidade e Recursos Gen?ticos, InBIO Laborat?rio Associado BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning Campus de Vair?o Rua Padre Armando Quintas, n? 7 4485-661, Vair?o, Portugal 2. Invited Assistant Professor, Department of Biology Faculty of Sciences at the University of Porto, Rua Campo Alegre s/n 4169-007, Porto, Portugal Webpages: Littorina Research Community https://rmigueldefaria.wixsite.com/farialab-1 ruifaria@cibio.up.pt (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)