Oceanic "hotspot" archipelagoes—such as Hawaii —in which volcanoes have been formed sequentially over extended periods of time, allow us to study a single island as a “snapshot” in time. In this way we can look at how communities of organisms come together and how ecological interactions evolve. Rosemary Gillespie will discuss her research on the evolution and ecology of spiders in the Hawaiian archipelago and why understanding the abundance and interactions of species within ecosystems can provide insights into the forces that shape biodiversity. She will also highlight how this work is relevant to managing invasive species and restoring ecosystems. Evolution Matters Series supported by a generous gift from Drs. Herman and Joan Suit March 22, 2016