Conversation in English language, reading in German language.
December 04th, 2018, 7:00pm
Europe’s urban blackbirds sing at a higher pitch than their rural cousins, to be heard over the din of traffic. Lizards in Puerto Rico are evolving feet that better grip surfaces like concrete and coyotes wait at traffic lights. Nowhere else do animals and plants adapt as quickly to their environment as in a contemporary metropolis. In his new book "Darwin Comes to Town", author and scientist Menno Schilthuizen takes an up-close look at just how stunningly flexible and swift-moving natural selection can be in our uban jungles.
In the course of a conversation as much entertaining as it is informative, Menno Schilthuizen and BIOTOPIA founding director Michael John Gorman will explore mechanisms and examples of this rapid urban evolution. The conversation in English will be interwoven with readings from the book in German language, done by actor Uwe Kosubek. This will be followed by a small reception, which offers an opportunity for further conversations.
Prof. Dr. Menno Schilthuizen is based at »Naturalis«, Netherland's center for biodiversity, and is Professor for Evolutionary Biology at Leiden University. His range of publications comprises numerous academic texts as well as popular science literature. He also writes for journals like >Natural History<, >New Science<, >Science< and the Dutch Trade Journal.
Prof. Dr. Michael John Gorman was appointed BIOTOPIA founding director in autumn of 2015 and is University Professor (Chair) of Life Sciences in Society at Ludwigs-Maximilians-University Munich. Prior to coming to Munich, Michael John created Science Gallery Dublin and Science Gallery International, bringing together art and science in much-noticed exhibitions and events.
Uwe Kosubek is an actor and voice-actor, working for both TV and various theatres.
Event organised by BIOTOPIA in cooperation with dtv-Verlag.
Admission is free, please register at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.