Science at UM [S02-ep05]: From Invasive Fish to the Sensory Analysis Lab
This week on *A l’UM la science*, Rodolphe Gozlan, a researcher atISEM, talks to us about invasive species, with a particular focus on freshwater fish. In the second half of the program, Eric Picou gives us a tour of the sensory analysis lab at the Sciences pour l’œnologie laboratory. Finally, Sylvie Rapior will tell us about the Mushroom and Autumn Plants Fair.
Today we’re telling you the story of a spectacular escape. We’re in Paris in the 19th century. The capital is buzzing with excitement over its status as the capital of an empire. Great explorations and colonization are opening France up to the world. Scientists, naturalists, and the general public are enthralled by the animal and plant species brought back from the four corners of the globe to fill museums and botanical gardens. At the National Museum of Natural History, a fish from North America is causing a sensation because of its funny whiskers, which make it look like a cat. Just the appearance? Not really, because like any self-respecting feline, the catfish is a freedom-loving creature that doesn’t let itself be confined so easily, and it was simply through the sewer system that this non-native species eventually made its way into the Seine. A century later, our escapee proved to be more invasive than it seemed, and this indomitable creature now finds itself classified as a pest.
As you’ve probably guessed, today we’re talking about invasive species, and more specifically, freshwater fish. Our guest is a researcher at the Institute of Evolutionary Sciences in Montpellier. He co-authored a review on the subject published in the *Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics*.
Recommended reading
Freshwater Fish Invasions: A Comprehensive Review
In the second half of the program, we head to the Gaillarde campus, where we join Eric Picou for a tour of the sensory analysis lab at the Sciences for Oenology laboratory. Here, a panel of experts is trained to measure and assess the organoleptic characteristics of wines. These include floral, fruity, oaky, toasty, or smoky notes, and this research supports the objectives of numerous oenology research programs.
Finally, Sylvie Rapior, a researcher at the Center for Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, will be our last-minute guest, and she’ll tell us about the Fall Mushroom and Plant Fair, which will be held this Saturday and Sunday at the School of Pharmacy.
At UM Science, you’ve got the program—let’s get started!
Co-production: Divergence FM / University of Montpellier
Host: Lucie Lecherbonnier
Interview: Aline Périault / Lucie Lecherbonnier
Reporting: Aline Périault
Editing : Bruno Bertrand
Director: Adeline Floc’h
Tune in to the show “A l’UM la science” on Divergence FM 93.9
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