MERTOLA EVOLUTION CONFERENCES- 2026 EDITION: NATURAL SELECTION IN THE WILD 17 - 19th of April 2026, Mertola, Portugal !!!!! Abstract submission is closing on the 6th of March!!!!! Dear Colleagues, It is a pleasure to announce that the registration for the second edition of Mertola Evolution Conferences (MECs), which will occur in the Spring at the beautiful historical town of Mertola, Southern Portugal, is now open. Do not miss this opportunity and submit your abstract asap! 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 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 2026 edition, entitled "Natural Selection in the Wild". It counts with prominent speakers in the field: Rosemary Gillespie (University of California, Berkeley, USA), Jeremy Searle (Cornell University, USA), Matthew P. Hare (Cornell University, USA), Silvia Matesanz Garcia (Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Spain) Jose Melo-Ferreira (University of Porto) The conference programme will be announced next week and includes a Bird Watching Tour in the last day of the conference around Mertola, where an enormous variety of species can be observed. Important information Venue and date: Cineteatro de Mertola, April 17th to 19th 2026 Abstract submission deadline: 6th of March 2026 Registration deadline: 13 of March 2026 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/gGWuWpgWs4Ak2fDj7 Participation is free of charge for BIODIV Students (M BGE & PhD) & CIBIO's TwinLabs (If applicable, payment will be made to Associacao BIOPOLIS - VAT No. 516033727). Fees: 60 euros (other students and Biopolis non-students) | 120 euros (other participants). The organizing committee, Jeremy Searle Miguel Carneiro Rui Faria Paulo Celio 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 https://sites.google.com/biopolis.pt/littorina/winklewatch Rui Faria (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)