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The 2nd International Symposium of Integrative Zoology
was Held in Beijing
 The 2nd International Symposium of Integrative Zoology, organized by the International Society of Zoological Sciences (ISZS), hosted by Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and sponsored by International Bureau of Chinese Academy of Science, was held in Beijing from December 8 to December 10, 2007. Over 150 experts and scholars from 24 countries were invited to attend this symposium, including Professor John Buckeridge, the Chairman of International Society of Zoology Committee (ISZS) and Chairman of International Union of Biological Science (IUBS); Professor Zhibin Zhang, Vice Chairman of ISZS, and Director of IOZ; Professor Jean-Marc Jallon, Vice Chairman of ISZS; and Professor Jeffrey A. McNeely, the Chief Scientist of International Union of Protection of Nature (IUCN).
 At the opening ceremony, the honorary chairman of ISZS, Vice-president of CAS, Professor Jiayang Li brought forward the proposal of harmonious coexistence of the animals, human beings, and the environment and declared that CAS would further enhance the cooperation with ISZS and offer more important supports to the establishment of secretariat of International Society of Zoological Sciences and its journal office in Beijing. Chairman John Buckeridge from ISZS emphasized the importance of education and international cooperation in the development of integrative zoology. Chief Scientist Jeffrey A. McNeely from IUCN pointed out that international cooperation was very important when facing the challenges of climate change and crisis of energy resources. He submitted the application to ISZS  on behalf of the IUCN, the IUCN applying for joining the ISZS with group membership. Vice-chairman of ISZS, Director Zhibin Zhang, extended his welcome to all the guests and introduced the development of ISZS in the past three years. The official journal <Integrative Zoology> and website of ISZS were specified by Dr. Yan Xie, the Secretary of ISZS. After the coffee break, another Vice President of ISZS, Prof. Jean-Marc Jallon simply introduced the 20th International Congress of Zoological Sciences, which will be held in Paris next August.
Ten reports of plenary sessions and over 60 session reports were made on the symposium from December 8 to December 10, 2007. These reports involved many zoology related fields, including molecular biology, microbiology, integrative methodology, conservation biology, evolutionary biology, systems biology, biodiversity, ecology, taxology, and ethology. Professor Edwin Cooper from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), made the first report in the plenary session, entitled Comparative Immunology: From ASZ to ISZS, an International View. He introduced his research in comparative immunology on the basis of looking back his research experiences in UCLA in 42 years and the achievements. Professor Yi Rao from the School of Life Sciences, Peking University, delivered a lecture about the molecular mechanism research of the animal social interaction in the model of drosophila. Professor John MacKinnon from UK made a report about the species richness and adaptive capacity in animal communities. Professor Xing Xu from Institute of  Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, CAS, introduced the recovering phylogenetic signals from subtle morphological variations. Doctor Daiqin Li in National University of Singapore made a report entitled UV vision and reflectance in sexual selection of jumping spiders. The Greek professors, Rosa Maria Polymeni and Sophia Rhizopoulou, introduced their research in the field of art imitating nature. Professor Michael Schmitt from Germany gave a lecture entitled Carl Linnaeus - systematist between Aristotle and Willi Hennig. All the experts and students attending the symposium listened to the vivid reports with great interests. Buckeridge and Prof. McNeely respectively gave their presentations on bioethics and conversation biology on plenary session of 10th, which embodied the long-term goals of the Integrative Zoology and even ISZS: not only to integrate all the branches of Zoology or Biology, but also to enlighten people to think about the enormous impacts of human activities on earth and then try to find out solutions.
The 8 presentation and discussion sessions were divided as following topics: Organelles, Development and Environment; Integrative Approach and Methodology; Protected Area Action Plan in the East Asia Region; Role of ISZS in linking zoological societies cross the world; Animal Ecology; Biodiversity and Conservation; Evolution and biodiversity; And Behavior and Reproductive. Every session was hosted by two well-know experts. The presentations can be either researches on specific species in the countries or regions of speakers, or innovative researches on some common creations, the speakers can be either renowned professors or PhD students, and applauses were everywhere. In the end of each session, one best speaker was elected and granted a honorary certificate by President Buckeridge in the Close Ceremony.
The closing ceremony was held in IOZ on December 12, 2007. Vice Chairman of ISZS, Director Zhibin Zhang announced the TOP 10 downloaded papers published in INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY in recent two years. Chairman John Buckeridge of ISZS announced the student prizes and the best poster. Over 30 committees and institutions, such as IUCN, IOZ and China Zoological Society, became the new members of ISZS.
In recent years, ISZS had an increasing influence in the world. The joint efforts of all the ISZS members would ensure a better development of the ISZS and INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY.
© 2004-2008 International Society of Zoological
Sciences
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