iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

🚨 Postdoctoral fellowship in South Africa 🧬 Working on flea phylogeny, taxonomy, microbiomes and pathogen screening at TUT and Stellenbosch University PhD + experience in DNA sequencing and microbiome bioinformatics required. Deadline: 31 September 2026.

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Presenting tomorrow at #IUSSI2026 🐜🐝🪳🐞🦀 We asked 294 specialists to rate social complexity, then turned consensus into the ASCI: a cross-taxa social complexity index. Does it predict invasiveness? Come find out 👇 K8 · S11 · 16h #SocialInsects #Superorganism #SocialComplexity #Freigburg

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Little blog article on my last little expedition. An ongoing work with Barbara van Asch. 🇿🇦

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

High-quality genome assembly of the termite Amitermes hastatus: the Black mound termite, a key decomposer of fynbos biome. Sequenced for the #1KSA project with DIPLOMICS 🧬 #Genomics #Biodiversity #DNA www.1ksa.org.za/species-card...

1ksa.org.za

Amitermes hastatus

Amitermes hastatus plays a significant role in South African biodiversity as a key decomposer in the fynbos biome, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

We organized a workshop on the link between social complexity and invasiveness in arthropods. Lots of interesting discussion. In 2026, we'll review what we've understood and what we've discovered! 🐝🐜🐛 #SocialInsects #Invasiveness #Eusociality #SocialComplexity #Stellenbosch #LifeCycle

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

🌍 Why is the invasion of Vespula germanica in South Africa so slow compared to other regions? We shows that two introduced populations occupy different ecological niches, structuring genetic variation and limiting spread. 🧬 🔗 doi.org/10.1111/mec.... #InvasionBiology #PopulationGenomics #Ecology

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

High-quality genome assembly of Microhodotermes viator: the Southern harvester termite and one of the most influential ecosystem engineers of South Africa’s arid biomes. Sequenced for the #1KSA project with @diplomics.bsky.social. 🧬 #Genomics #Biodiversity #Termites www.1ksa.org.za/species-card...

1ksa.org.za

Microhodotermes viator

The Southern harvester termite is ecologically important in South African arid and semiarid ecosystems, particularly the Succulent Karoo and Nama Karoo biomes.

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

2-year Postdoc at CL•I•M•E Lab (Stellenbosch, South Africa) on thermoregulation & climate adaptation. 🌿 R300k/year (tax-free). PhD + strong R/phylo/meta/Bayesian skills needed. 📊 Info: climelab.net/opportunities/

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

I presented my poster at the #ESEB2025 ! 📢 Call for entomologists🐝 We are looking for Vespula germanica from Europe to further our understanding of the invasion dynamics of the species. Please get in touch!

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Great time at the #IUSSI french section talking about invasivness and social complexity! 🐜🐝🦟 Thanks for organizing this!

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

🪩New article out! It's been over 60 years since the last study of Macrotermes diversity in this country! We analyzed over 170 samples for this article, which I hope is the first in a series to understand their diversity. I'm happy! 🧬 #StellenboschUniversity #GobabebRSH #GoGreen

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

J’aurai l’immense honneur de présenter une conférence sur le rôle de la complexité sociale 🐝et de la structure génétique 🧬 dans le succès invasif de l’espèce Vespula germanica. 😀 #SocialComplexity #Invasiveness #PopulationsGenetics

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

I am presenting a study on #Macrotermes #termites' cryptic diversity at #SSNM2025 😬 Today, 14h40. ⬇️ on live here 🔴🎦 www.youtube.com/live/rED-hHf...

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

🤩Excited to share my latest article, last one of my thesis, in an @entsocamerica.bsky.social journal! We explored soil-feeding Embiratermes termites' evolution using genetic data and propose a biogeographic scenario. 🌎🧬 📄 doi.org/10.1093/isd/... Thanks to all collaborators! #Phylogeography

doi.org

Evolutionary history of soil-feeding Neotropical termites reveals recent divergences linked to geologic-climatic influences

Abstract. The Neotropics harbor a diverse array of flora and fauna shaped by a complex geological and climatic history. It includes marine invasions, pulse

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

🦋🦞🐜 Calling all #Entomologists and #Arthropod enthusiasts! 🌍Help us explore the scientific perspectives on #SocialComplexity in arthropods by participating in our survey. Your answers are very precious! redcap.sun.ac.za/surveys/?s=A... #Science #Sociality #InsectResearch #IUSSI

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Damien Gergonne @damsgergonne.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

An account for the international journal Insectes Sociaux has been created. @insectessociaux.bsky.social Working on social arthropods? Please follow 🙏

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