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Stephen Montgomery

@ebablab.bsky.social

2.3K followers 1.2K following 390 posts

Evolutionary Neurobiology and Behaviour www.shmontgomery.co.uk

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Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social · Jun 18

Some personal news, to be filed under “things I did not see coming”…. 1/n

Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge @camzoology.bsky.social · Jun 18

🎉We are delighted to announce that Professor Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social‬ will be the 3rd Prince Philip Professor of Ecology and Evolution.

We look forward to welcoming him next year!

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Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social · 11h

Congrats Alex!

Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Disabled Scientists @disabledscientists.com · 15h

In this episode, I interview Dr Kelsey Byers - @plantpollinator.bsky.social.

It was a joy to record and I hope you enjoy listening to this edit focusing on disability, advocacy, and research into pollinators and floral scents.

🐝 Norfolk bees!

www.disabledscientists.com/2437552/epis...

3. Dr Kelsey Byers - Disabled Scientists

What do EDS, POTS, and floral scents have in common? In this episode, Sofie speaks with Dr Kelsey Byers, a disabled evolutionary chemical ecologist, about developing identity as a disabled person...

www.disabledscientists.com

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Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social · 1d

Lots of interesting evolutionary nuggets in this study, and some we can’t exactly explain!

A great combination of Yi Peng Toh’s patient neuroanatomical work and @fcicconardi.bsky.social’s bioinformagician skills, and another fun collaboration with @dickmerrill.bsky.social

Francesco Cicconardi @fcicconardi.bsky.social · 1d

New paper out! A nice collaboration.
We explore how olfactory brain structures and receptors evolved across this remarkable group, Heliconiini butterflies.

Evolution of the olfactory system during the radiation of Heliconiini butterflies

Abstract. Sensory system evolution plays a crucial role in shaping species’ interactions with their environment, yet the extent to which olfactory system d

academic.oup.com

Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Francesco Cicconardi @fcicconardi.bsky.social · 1d

New paper out! A nice collaboration.
We explore how olfactory brain structures and receptors evolved across this remarkable group, Heliconiini butterflies.

Evolution of the olfactory system during the radiation of Heliconiini butterflies

Abstract. Sensory system evolution plays a crucial role in shaping species’ interactions with their environment, yet the extent to which olfactory system d

academic.oup.com

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Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Márcio Zikán Cardoso @zikan.bsky.social · 2d

Today´s Guardian has an article about our study on butterfly colors, where we compare butterfly colors in native forest to those in eucalyptus plantations. This is study is a partnership between labs from Denmark, Spain, and Brazil.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

As forests are cut down, butterflies are losing their colours

The insects’ brilliant hues evolved in lush ecosystems to help them survive. Now they are becoming more muted to adapt to degraded landscapes – and they are not the only things dulling down

www.theguardian.com

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Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social · 3d

Jeez… Is it too much to ask for a postdoc to know exactly what’s in their PI’s head??

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Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Greg Jefferis @jefferis.bsky.social · 3d

Exciting news for #drosophila #connectomics and #neuroscience enthusiasts: the Drosophila male central nervous system connectome is now live for exploration. Find out more at the landing page hosted by our Janelia FlyEM collaborators www.janelia.org/project-team....

Male CNS Connectome

A team of researchers has unveiled the complete connectome of a male fruit fly central nervous system —a seamless map of all the neurons in the brain and nerve cord of a single male fruit fly and the ...

www.janelia.org

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Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social · 7d

“Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.”

Goodnight Jane, thanks for caring. ✊🏻

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Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social · 8d

Featuring @maxfarnworth.bsky.social!

James Briscoe @jamesbriscoe.bsky.social · 8d

Meet the 2025 cohort of @dev-journal.bsky.social Pathway to Independence fellows

Read about the scientific visions of eight dev bio post-docs entering the academic job market

journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...

Pathway to Independence: a forecast for the future of developmental biology

ABSTRACT. In 2022, Development launched its Pathway to Independence (PI) programme, aimed at supporting postdocs as they transition to their first independent position. In 2025, we welcome our third c...

journals.biologists.com

Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 9d

New from me: a *free* short version of my Political Quarterly piece on universities... The issue is settled now: the massified and accessible Higher Education system we have spent tens of billions building since the 1970s is coming to an end. (1/2)
politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/where-n...

Where now for Britain’s Universities?

UK higher education now faces a very bleak future, retreating in the face of little public sympathy and limited political interest.

politicalquarterly.org.uk

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Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social · 10d

That’s some bachelors thesis! 👏🏻

Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Jerome Beetz @beetzjerome.bsky.social · 10d

Insect spatial memory is thought to be based on panoramic snapshots that are modelled as retinotopic images. This idea won't allow a distinction of landmarks from the scene. Unexpectedly, our data suggest that 🐝 learn 3D-objects as individual landmarks. #neuroethology
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

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Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social · 11d

@pinpilinpauxa-aaa.bsky.social on her @wellcometrust.bsky.social photography competition entry! 👏🏻

www.instagram.com/reel/DO-j2rM...

@bristolbiosci.bsky.social 🧪 #Heliconiini #evobio #neuroscience

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

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Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

School of Biological Sciences @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social · 13d

Unlock your potential with a Master's at the University of Cambridge! 🔬 Our MPhil in Biological Sciences offers a unique opportunity for cutting-edge, lab-based research at a world-leading institution.

Explore and apply: www.mphil.bio.cam.ac.uk

#Cambridge #BiologicalSciences #Postgraduate

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Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social · 19d

Very interesting work from @borreroja.bsky.social on the unique foraging behaviours of #Heliconius!

bioRxiv Animal Behavior and Cognition @biorxiv-behav.bsky.social · 19d

Sexual dimorphism in pollen foraging and sensory traits in Heliconius butterflies https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.18.676771v1

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Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 17d

Reform are filth. They represent hatred, extremism, ignorance and irresponsibility. They'd make us a wretched vicious hateful little island. If people don't stand up to this, they won't stand up to anything.

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Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Adria LeBoeuf @adriatica.bsky.social · 18d

If you are from the US and interested in applying for a PhD with me (or anyone else @camzoology.bsky.social @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social), your deadline for the gates scholarship is October 15!
(You’ll need to write a research proposal, so contact PIs now) www.gatescambridge.org/programme/th...

Postgraduate Cambridge University Scholarship | Gates Cambridge

A fully funded graduate education for future leaders committed to improving the lives of others.

www.gatescambridge.org

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Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social · 19d

Very interesting work from @borreroja.bsky.social on the unique foraging behaviours of #Heliconius!

bioRxiv Animal Behavior and Cognition @biorxiv-behav.bsky.social · 19d

Sexual dimorphism in pollen foraging and sensory traits in Heliconius butterflies https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.18.676771v1

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Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social · 19d

Given it will probably just be a fat pigeon, I would go with Nodo myself

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Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social · 20d

Is it possible to register just to attend, not present..? 🙏🏻

Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Tatsuya Amano @tatsuya-amano.bsky.social · 20d

Women, non-native English speakers & those form low-income countries are disadvantaged in science but by how much? We found that women with non-English first languages from low-income countries publish up to 70% fewer in English than their counterparts. 1/5
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
#languagebarriers

Scientific productivity gap based on English-language peer-reviewed papers. Shown are the maximum % differences in the number of peer-reviewed papers published by female native English speakers from a high-income country (-45%), female non-native English speakers from a high-income country (-60%), and female non-native English speakers from a lower-middle income country (-70%), compared to male native English speakers from a high-income country (red flag).

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Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Dr. Ornella Bertrand @ornellabertrand.bsky.social · 20d

Interested in doing your PhD in Spain on 🧠 ? Contact me to discuss projects and apply for this position! www.icp.cat/index.php/en...

Open positions

Predoctoral Researcher 'Miquel Crusafont' - [ICPJA021] POSITION DESCRIPTION Predoctoral Researcher 'Miquel Crusafont' REFERENCE ICPJA021 NUMBER OF POSITIONS 1 AREA / RESEARCH GROUP Dep...

www.icp.cat

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Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Nico Posnien @posnienlab.bsky.social · 22d

Long time no see...But we are back with a real firework 🎆. Join us tomorrow at noon for the first #Goenomix talk of the semester by Cassandra Extavour from Havard University. Talk: "One two three: developmental counting mechanisms in reproductive output and evolution". PM for Zoom details.

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Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Emília Santos @emiliapsantos.bsky.social · 22d

Very proud of this extremely collaborative piece: academic.oup.com/mbe/article/...
Here, we show that divergence in visual systems - in response to differences in the light environment - leads to rapid divergence in sexually selected colour traits. Work brilliantly led by Madeleine Carruthers. 🐟👀🎨

Rapid Divergence of Visual Systems and Signaling Traits to Contrasting Light Regimes During Early Speciation of African Crater Lake Cichlid Fish

Abstract. Sensory adaptation is widely hypothesized to drive ecological speciation, yet empirical evidence from natural populations undergoing early stage

academic.oup.com

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Reposted by Stephen Montgomery

Dieter Lukas @dieterlukas.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 23d

"Overall, the message from this survey is positive– #evolutionary #biologists are readily employable outside of #academia, generally well-prepared for those jobs, and report high levels of satisfaction in their non-academic #careers"

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.19.671061v1

A scientific figure from the linked paper by Betancourt et al. It shows on the left, that most (70%) evolutionary biologists who switched to a career outside of academia felt prepared. The right panel is a graph showing what training individuals would like to have received more of during their academic career, with the top points being related to management skills.

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