rivers as barriers to dispersal

["James at Mizzou1.Missouri.edu Bergdahl at Mizzou1.Missouri.edu, Conservation at Mizzou1.Missouri.edu Biology at Mizzou1.Missouri.edu Center" at Mizzou1.Missouri.edu]

I would like to assess the level of interest of wildlifers in participating in a future symposium focusing on "rivers as barriers to dispersal". Rivers and their riparian habitat zones are commonly considered corridors for dispersal (e.g. the conservation biology literature), yet for some organisms rivers define abrupt boundaries in geographic range. For instance, after many years of field work I have been able to document this phenomena in a few Pacific Northwest carabid beetles, including some semi-aquatic streamside habitat specialists. Some of you may have documented similar distribution patterns you wish to share. Much of the literature I have been able to find on this topic focuses on vertebrate species in the Neotropics, and to some extent North American salamanders, however there must be significant regional literature I am overlooking and certainly much local anecdotal information. 
 
Please send email to me if you are interested. Thanks. 
 
James Bergdahl
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY CENTER
7330 23rd Ave. NE
Seattle, WA  98115
Email:  bergdahl at wolfenet.com
ph:  206.523.0580
fx:  206.523.4314
cell:  206.300.3977