All organisms are members of complex biological communities whose members have interacted constantly over evolutionary time. These interactions and the adaptations underlying them have shaped organismal fitness and have shaped general community structure in every habitat and environment on Earth. However, the free movement of organisms across the landscape that defines most biological communities makes the examination and understanding of complex community structure, and how multiple community members interact with one another simultaneously very challenging. A better understanding of real community interactions, how these interactions contribute to community modulation, and what adaptations are necessary to promote coexistence can be established with a closed biological community with easily identifiable members representing various ecological roles whose fitnesses can be readily quantified. 

In this talk, Dr. Van Goor will discuss the utilization of one such community to address key issues in ecology, evolution, development, and beyond. Using the closed community comprised of figs (Ficus spp.) and their numerous community associates, he will first describe work that he has conducted over the past decade, mostly focused on the previously unexpected role of nematodes (Parasitodiplogaster spp.) on community modulation. He will then discuss current projects within the Van Goor laboratory group, which have come to connect community ecology to agriculture through the examination of pathogenic fungus (Fusarium spp.) within cultivated and wild fig species. He will then discuss future projects within the laboratory, which seek to use external funding to examine the role of microbes in community dynamics in both the field and in greenhouse settings. Through the study of the fig community, the Van Goor Lab hopes to further establish a multi-faceted research program capable of addressing pertinent issues to both applied and basic biological research.