“Extreme Weapons: A Natural History” with Dr. Douglas J. Emlen
February 12 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Free
Wisconsin Evolution
J.F. Crow Institute for the Study of Evolution
Darwin Day Lecture
Spring 2026
Extreme Weapons: A Natural History
Dr. Douglas Emlen
Montana Regents Professor of Biology, University of Montana
Every animal has a weapon of one sort or another, but the overwhelming majority of weapons stay small. Yet, sprinkled through the tree of life are species where weapons become extreme. Occasionally, human manufactured weapons also evolve to extremes. Dr. Emlen reveals that the same critical conditions trigger arms races in both cases, and the most crucial prerequisite is duels. A journey that begins with biology becomes the story of all weapons, as Dr. Emlen discusses beetles and battleships, crabs and the Cold War.
