Third International Palaeontological Congress (IPC3)

2. Macroevolution and the Modern Synthesis
Keynote speakers: Keith Bennett, Niles Eldredge
Organisers: Erin Saupe, Bruce Lieberman, Corinne Myers, Francine Abe, Wes Gapp, & Curtis Congreve
Sponsor: Paleontological Society

Sixty-five years ago the Modern Synthesis was a major advance in evolutionary thought, combining such fields as ecology, paleontology and genetics. Since then, existing and emerging fields have increased our knowledge regarding cladogenesis, stasis, paleobiogeography, radiations, hierarchy, and selection; transforming our view of evolution. The goal of this symposium is to integrate this body of knowledge into a new synthesis, with emphasis on the role of paleobiology and macroevolution in modern evolutionary theory.

Topics to be covered:

• biogeography and modes of speciation
• phylogenetics and other emerging techniques to investigate macroevolutionary patterns/processes
• evolutionary development
• selection and sorting
• the hierarchical perspective on macroevolution
• rates of evolution and evolutionary radiations
• mass extinctions
• the role of the biotic vs. abiotic environment in macroevolution

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