The thin surface of the sea is a sharp curtain between the marine and terrestrial worlds. And below this curtain lies a whole stable of amazing species that live in some of the more stressful places on earth. Some need to produce 2 million offspring a year to have any that survive. Others live at incredible pressures or temperatures. Some live their whole lives in a day, whereas others can live for 10,000 years. What are the ways species must be built to thrive in the hottest or the coldest ocean regions? This talk will present the panoply of marine habitats and the species that have uniquely been able to live in them. It will be arranged around scientific knowledge but be presented in narrative story form that concentrates on the conflicts and tradeoffs that all life grapples with.

Stephen R. Palumbi received his Ph.D. from University of Washington in marine ecology. His research group studies the genetics, evolution, conservation, population biology and systematics of a diverse array of marine organisms. Professor Palumbi's own research interests are similarly widespread, and he has published on the genetics and evolution of sea urchins, whales, cone snails, corals, sharks, spiders, shrimps, bryozoans, and butterflyfishes. His work focuses on basic evolutionary questions but also on practical solutions to questions about how to preserve and protect the diverse life in the sea. He has received numerous awards for research and conservation, including a Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation.  

This lecture begins at 7:00pm on the lawn of the Cantor Art Museum.