On Tuesday, 6 October 2026, the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a general lecture titled “Adaptation in Endangered Butterflies and Divergence in Taiwanese Carabus”. The event took place at the Tropical Biology Auditorium (Auditorium Biologi Tropika), Faculty of Biology, UGM, and featured Dr. Lan-Wei Yeh and Bo-Cheng Wang from Tunghai University, Taiwan, as invited speakers. The lecture ran from 09:30 to 11:30 WIB and was attended by students, lecturers, and researchers from the Faculty of Biology, UGM. This event was organized through a collaboration between the UGM Faculty of Biology and the UGM Faculty of Biology’s Student Genetics Research Forum (Formasigen).
The event began with a welcome to the speakers by the faculty leadership: Prof. Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, S.Si., M.Sc.; Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D.; and Matin Nuhamunada, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. This was followed by opening remarks from the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, UGM, Prof. Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, S.Si., M.App.Sc. The Dean expressed his appreciation for the speakers’ presence and his hope that the event would serve as an effective means of knowledge transfer, enhancing academic competence, stimulating creativity in research, and strengthening the Faculty’s tangible contribution to the advancement of science.
In their presentation, Dr. Lan-Wei Yeh and Bo-Cheng Wang discussed how endangered butterfly species adapt to environmental pressures, as well as the processes of evolutionary divergence in Carabus beetles in Taiwan. The talk offered participants insights into the role of adaptation and diversification in shaping biodiversity, and into why this understanding is important for conservation efforts.
The event also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The discussion of adaptation in endangered butterflies and divergence in endemic beetles is closely tied to SDG 15 (Life on Land), particularly in the preservation of biodiversity and the protection of threatened species. Meanwhile, the participation of speakers from Tunghai University, Taiwan, reflects SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening international academic and research collaboration.
The session was highly interactive, with enthusiastic participation from the audience. The lecture was followed by an active discussion, reflecting strong interest in evolutionary biology, genetics, and biodiversity conservation. This academic activity is part of the Faculty of Biology UGM’s ongoing commitment to broadening scientific knowledge and strengthening its international academic network. Through scientific forums such as this, the Faculty aims to bring the latest scientific developments to the academic community while opening opportunities for research collaboration with partner institutions abroad.
