Seminar by Prof. Davide Spatafora "Natural laboratories provide valuable insights on the potential mechanisms for fish adaptation and acclimation in the face of changing ocean conditions”

Marine Climate Change (Ravasi) Unit would like to invite you to the seminar by Prof. Davide Spatafora on November 12 (Thursday).
 
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Date:   November 12, 2026
Time:  14:00-15:00
Venue: L4E01 (Level E, Lab 4)

Zoom link:

Meeting URL:     https://oist.zoom.us/j/99603806465?pwd=Iv4WjasIXfvTFDmCOchWdjvE1AgiHD.1
Meeting ID:     996 0380 6465
Passcode:    508742

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Speaker:

Prof. Davide Spatafora
Assistant professor at the Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life
Hiroshima University

Title:

Natural laboratories provide valuable insights on the potential mechanisms for fish adaptation and acclimation in the face of changing ocean conditions

Abstract:

Worldwide, sources of high CO2 in nature such as shallow volcanic CO2 vents and seep sites are being used as natural laboratories that can provide a more ecologically realistic assessment of the impact of climate change, ocean acidification, and other stressors on marine organisms and ecosystems. I will first provide an overview of research conducted at Mediterranean CO₂ seep systems in Italy, highlighting key ecological and evolutionary responses to long-term ocean acidification. I will then present the main findings from two studies on reef fishes conducted in Japan and Palau, using laboratory and field-based approaches, respectively, to investigate cross-level responses, from behaviour and habitat use to physiology and gene expression, under multiple environmental stressors. A deep understanding of the mechanisms underlying organismal responses in both laboratory and natural ecosystems is essential not only for predicting the impacts of future ocean conditions, but also for developing effective conservation strategies to mitigate the effects of human activities on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

Biography:

Davide is an assistant professor at the Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life. Davide’s research interests focus on understanding the impacts of environmental changes on marine communities. Currently, he is particularly interested in predicting the potential for fish behavioural, physiological and molecular local adaptation to projected future ocean conditions at CO2 seeps.

Host:
Prof. Timothy Ravasi