International Conference (fwd)

[Peter Rauch]

Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 09:24:20 +1100 (EST)
From: Ian Metcalfe <imetcalf at metz.une.edu.au>
Subject: International Conference

I would be most grateful if you would please bring the following
International conference to the attention of those on the TAXACOM list.
Many thanks,
Ian Metcalfe
---------------------------

UNE ASIA CENTRE
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Where Worlds Collide:
Faunal and floral migrations
and evolution in
SE Asia-Australasia

to be held at
The University of New England,
Armidale, Australia
29 November-1 December, 1999

FIRST CIRCULAR AND CALL FOR PAPERS

INVITATION:

The Organizing Committee cordially invites you to join your colleagues at
the international conference Where Worlds Collide: Faunal and floral
migrations and evolution in  SE Asia-Australasia, to be held at The
University of New England from 29 November - 1 December, 1999. The
conference will form a contribution to IGCP Projects 411 and 421.

OBJECTIVES:

SE Asia is in many respects a unique natural laboratory for studying the
effects of geological and tectonic processes, and in particular continental
terrane movements, orogenesis and continental collisions, on migration and
evolution of a wide variety of animal, plant and insect groups.  Waxing and
waning physical (geological) and biological (biogeographical) interactions
between SE Asia and Australasia go back more than 500 million years and one
of the main aims of this conference is to improve our understanding of
these relationships both temporally and spacially. Some tantalising
questions remaining to be answered include:

* Why is Wallace's Line so well defined and what dictated its position?

* Cretaceous placental mammals in Australasia: ancesters of  some northern
hemishere groups?

*What role(s) did the continental "Arks" of India and Australia play in
determining distribution and evolution of organisms in the  SE Asian region?

* How have tectonics and terrane movements influenced migrations and
evolution in SE Asia-Australasia and the present-day biogeographic patterns
of the region?

* What do we know about human dispersals, culture contacts and cultural
change in the region ?

This conference is designed to provide a forum for answering such questions
and to discuss the interaction between physical (geological and tectonic)
processes, sea level fluctuations, climate changes, and patterns of
migration and evolution in the SE Asian-Australasian region.

THEMES:

The conference will be structured into themes. Some preliminary suggested
themes are:
*       Palaeozoic/Mesozoic geology and biogeography.
*       Cenozoic geology and biogeography.
*       Primate evolution and biogeography.
*       Hominoid migration and dispersal.
*       Plant evolution and dispersal in the region.
*       Wallace's Line.
*       Human dispersals, cultural contacts and change.

PAPERS AND POSTERS:

The organizing Committee now calls for titles, abstracts and papers from
intending participants. Abstracts may be up to three A4 pages in length
(illustrations and references included) and will be required on disc or by
e-mail plus hard copy by 1 July, 1999. These will be published in an
abstracts volume with an ISBN number. Posters are also welcomed.

FIELD EXCURSION:

A one day excursion will be organised for 1 December to examine local New
England geology, fauna and flora. Details will be provided in the Second
Circular.

PUBLICATIONS:

Selected refereed and accepted papers will be published as a book;
negotiations are proceeding with potential publishers. All other papers,
following peer review and acceptance, will be published in electronic form
as a collection of UNEAC Papers on the Internet via the UNEAC Web Page and
on a CD ROM.

REGISTRATION & ACCOMMODATION:

Registration fee for the Conference (including abstracts volume, and
morning and afternoon teas) will be A$200 (A$150 if by 1 August, 1999) and
A$75 for students. Accommodation will be in student colleges (approximate
cost for single room, shared bathroom will be A$40) and in Motels in
Armidale (approximate cost for a single room with continental breakfast
will be A$80). Details will be provided in the Second Circular.

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE:

Covenor and Chairman:
A/Prof. Ian Metcalfe, Asia Centre, UNE

Other Members:
Prof. Kevin Hewison, Director, Asia Centre, UNE
Prof. Iain Davidson, Head, School of Human and Environmental Studies, UNE
Dr. Mike Morwood, Archaeology & Palaeoanthropology, UNE
A/Prof. N. Prakash, Botany, UNE

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Prof. Robert Hall, Royal Holloway, London University will present a keynote
paper on Cenozoic plate tectonics and distribution of land and sea in SE
Asia.

Ms Penny van Oosterzee, author of the Eureka prize winning book "Where
Worlds Collide: The Wallace Line" will present an evening public lecture.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

December, 1998: Release of First Circular

15 February, 1999: Deadline for receipt of pre-registration

1st April, 1999: Release of 2nd Circular and Registration Form

1 July, 1999: Deadline for submission of abstracts

1 August, 1999: Deadline for registration

29 November, 1999: Deadline for receipt of full papers


Pre-Registration for:

International Conference
Where Worlds Collide: Faunal and floral migrations and evolution in SE
Asia-Australasia

Please e-mail to:  imetcalf at metz.une.edu.au

Name:

Address:

Telephone:

Fax:

Email:

My attendance at the Conference is

Definite
Probable
Possible

I am interested in attending the excursion:

Yes
No

I plan to present a paper/poster entitled:


I wish to suggest additional themes or organise a session on a related topic:


Please send all correspondence to:

A/Prof Ian Metcalfe
Convenor, Where Worlds Collide Conference
Asia Centre
University of New England
Armidale NSW 2351
AUSTRALIA

Tel & Fax: 61-2-67733934
Email: imetcalf at metz.une.edu.au

-------------------------------------------

______________________________________
Dr Ian Metcalfe
Asia Centre
University of New England
Armidale NSW 2351
Australia

Secretary, IUGS Subcommission on Carboniferous Stratigraphy
Co-Leader, UNESCO IGCP Project 411

Tel & Fax: 02-67733934 (within Australia)   +61-2-67733934 (international)
E-mail: imetcalf at metz.une.edu.au