🔬 University of Arizona Researchers Uncover The Colorful Evolution of Nature

Vibrant Hues Serve Key Purposes for Animals and Plants

Nov 19, 2024

🙊 Notable quotes from the show

Dr. John Wiens: "They're signaling to animals, 'look at me, come eat me, move me around.'" - discussing how vibrant colors attracted pollinators and seed dispersed.
Morgan Murphy: "Connections are everything." - reflecting on the importance of networking during her internship.
Dr. Ed Ackerley: "I can say we sell 30-second radio commercials... that's not really what I do for a living. I'm in the relationship business." - emphasizing the importance of relationships in his work.

😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
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The Jump In Tucson show talked about how bright colors in nature help animals find friends or warn others to stay away! A special guest, Dr. Wiens, explained that animals have gotten colorful over a long time. Another guest, Morgan, shared how she loves studying marketing in college and how important it is to make friends when doing business. The host, Dr. Ackerley, helps her learn this in his advertising company, where they help people connect!

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🗝️ Takeaways

🎨 Colors have evolved in the animal kingdom mainly for sexual signaling and warning displays.
🎓 The Master of Marketing program at Eller College emphasizes analytics and creativity in real-world applications.
⚙️ Building connections and relationships is crucial in marketing and business fields.
🌱 Research in evolutionary biology can help us understand environmental changes and how species adapt.

📻 What They Discussed

The Jump In Tucson show on Monday, November 18, 2024, featured a discussion on the wonders of research happening at the University of Arizona.

The host, Dr. Ed Ackerley, was joined by co-host Sixto Molina and guests Dr. John Wiens, a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, as well as Morgan Murphy, a graduate student in the University of Arizona's Master of Marketing program.

🎨 The Evolution of Color in Nature

The conversation began with Dr. Wiens discussing his recent study on the role of color in the animal kingdom.

He explained how colors have evolved over millions of years to serve purposes like sexual signaling, warning displays, and camouflage. Wiens noted that while animals have had the ability to perceive color for nearly 500 million years, the most "explosion" of vibrant colors in nature has occurred just in the last 100 million years.

He shared examples like the peacock's elaborate feathers and the bright colors of coral snakes and poison frogs, which are used to attract mates or warn off potential predators. Wiens also touched on how plants and fruits have evolved colorful displays to attract pollinators and disperse seeds.

"They're signaling to animals, 'look at me, come eat me, move me around,'" he said.

🎓 Studying at the Eller College of Business

The conversation then shifted to Morgan Murphy's experience as a graduate student in the University of Arizona's Master of Marketing program at the Eller College of Business.

Murphy, a first-generation college student, explained how she initially pursued neuroscience as an undergraduate before discovering a passion for marketing. "I just met with different teachers and students and trying to figure out what I wanted to do because I had a very creative side of me and that is where I landed in marketing."

Now in the master's program, Murphy appreciates the focus on analytics and creativity and the real-world, case-study-based approach.

"The teachers are teaching us with case studies and real-world things, which is awesome because a lot of times you wonder if you're actually going to use things that you learn, and it's definitely applied," she said.

⚙️ Internship and Lessons at Ackerley Advertising

In addition to her studies, Morgan Murphy has been interning at Ackerley Advertising, the marketing firm owned by her host, Dr. Ackerley.

Murphy shared some key lessons she's learned, particularly about the importance of building relationships and connections. "Connections are everything," she said.

"Watching you [Dr. Ackerley] talk to everybody and make connections and use those connections later on and connect other people with other connections, it's crazy."

Ackerley emphasized that being in the "relationship business" is core to his work, rather than just selling advertising. As Murphy looks ahead to her 230-hour externship at Ackerley Advertising in the spring, she is eager to develop these networking and client relationship skills further to complement her marketing expertise.

👯 People Mentioned

Dr. Ed Ackerley: Host of Jump In Tucson, emphasizes relationship-building in business.
Sixto Molina: Co-host, shares personal insights on mentorship and relationships.
Dr. John Wiens: Professor at the University of Arizona, discusses the evolution and significance of colors in nature.
Morgan Murphy: Graduate student and intern at Ackerley Advertising, on her journey in marketing and the importance of connections. "I had a very creative side of me and that is where I landed in marketing."