Conference/workshop on “The evolutionary consequences of unintended artificial selection on population viability” in the Swiss Alps; Aug 12-15, 2025 Where: in a remote but well-equipped hotel (https://www.fafleralp.ch/) in the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn UNESCO World Heritage. Invited faculty: - Shawn Narum (University of Idaho & Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, USA) - Katja Räsänen (University of Jyväskylä, Finland) - Jérôme Goudet (University of Lausanne, Switzerland) - Yngvild Vindenes (University of Oslo, Norway) - Madhav (Maddy) Thakur (University of Bern, Switzerland) - Tamás Székely (University of Bath, UK) - Claus Wedekind (University of Lausanne, Switzerland) The conference/workshop is open to PhD students, postgraduate students, postdocs and other academics from all universities worldwide, but the number of participants is limited. Abstract: Wild populations are shaped by natural selection, sexual selection, and (mostly unintended) artificial selection. The latter include, for example, a decline of the mean breeding value for horn size in response to trophy hunting, or reduced individual growth rates in response to size-selective fishing. Previous research in this context has concentrated on the evolutionary responses in the specific traits under selection. The effects of unintended artificial selection on population viability are still largely unclear. For example, artificially changed selection regimes can increase the genetic load of natural populations, either by directly selecting against individuals of high breeding value for fitness (e.g., if fast growth is an indicator of low genetic load) or by relaxing natural and sexual selection and hence reducing purifying selection (e.g., in supportive breeding programs). We will discuss such problems in the context of current environmental changes and the potential of rapid evolution. Application is open now. Participants are expected to present some of their work (talk or poster). Please send a title and abstract before July 1st, 2025. Further information & registration: https://www.cuso.ch/activity/?p=1128&uid=7680 Claus Wedekind Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. Tel. +41 21 692 42 50 https://www.unil.ch/dee/wedekind-group Claus Wedekind (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)