The 6th International Congress on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber
Byblos – Lebanon
14th- 18thApril 2013
Significance of the Congress’s logo:
The Lebanese flag with its famous cedar combined with a piece of amber with insect inclusion.on the left, written from right to left, a transliteration of “Fossil x III” in Phoenician, which is the first phonetic alphabet in the World and origin of all phonetic alphabets, invented in Byblos: the Congress city. The colour of the transliteration is purple, like the dye manufactured in classical Antiquity from the spiny murex in the city of Tyre in ancient Phoenicia (present day Lebanon). This colour symbolisesroyalty.
SECOND CIRCULAR
During the 5th International Conference on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber which was held in Beijing (China) from 20-25 August 2010, Lebanon was voted to host the 6th International Congress on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber, in April 2013.
The choice was based on the following justifications:
- Lebanon is endowed with numerous outcrops (more than 400) of Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous amber deposits, among which 23 with the world oldest biological inclusions in amber.
- The inclusions in Lebanese amber correspond to a very crucial period for the study of the Evolution, as during the Lebanese amber formation (i.e. the Lower Cretaceous) occurred the advent then radiation of the Angiosperms (flowering plants). This event changed drastically the environment from the old to the modern one with all the resulting co-evolution between flowering plants and insects.
- Amber outcrops in Lebanon are not yet officially protected against possible vandalism. Their destruction or defacement would indeed be a great loss to the human heritage, and to the scientific knowledge they can yield. Hostingthe Congress could spark the Lebanese people and government to create protecting laws.
- The 6th International Congress on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber, could serve as the beacon to herald the establishment of the Lebanese National Museum of Natural History, which will hold and curate the amber of Lebanon as well as the other natural artifacts discovered and present in Lebanon.
The 6th International Congress on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber
Lebanon - April 2013
CONGRESS ORGANIZERS
Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences II, and Municipality of the city of Byblos.
Co-organizer
International Palaeoentomological Society.
HOST
Lebanese University
Byblos Municipality
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Prof. Adnan EL-SAYYED HUSSEIN (President of the Lebanese University)
Prof. Ali MOUNAYMNE (Dean of the Faculty of Sciences in the Lebanese University)
Dr Georges RAHBANI (Director of the Faculty of Sciences (section II) in the Lebanese University
Eng. Ziad Hawat (President of municipal council of the city of Byblos)
ORGANIZING COMMITTEES
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE FOR THE CONGRESS
Dr Bruce ARCHIBALD (Simon Fraser University, Canada)
Dr Antonio ARILLO (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain)
Dr Olivier Bethoux (Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, France)
Prof. Denis BROTHERS (University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)
Prof. Xavier DELCLÒS (Facultat de Geologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain)
Prof. Michael ENGEL (Natural History Museum,University of Kansas, USA)
Dr Romain GARROUSTE (Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, France)
Prof. David GRIMALDI (American Museum of Natural History, USA)
Prof. Edmund JARZEMBOWSKI (Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Dr Ewa KRZEMINSKA (Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland)
Prof. Conrad LABANDEIRA (National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D. C., USA)
Dr Mikhail MOSTOVSKI (Natal Museum,Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)
Dr André NEL (Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, France)
Dr Julian F. PETRULEVICIUS (Museo de La Plata, Argentina)
Prof. AlexanderPONOMARENKO (Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia)
Prof. Alexander RASNITSYN (Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences,
Moscow, Russia)
Prof. Dong REN (Capital Normal University, Beijing, China)
Dr AndrewROSS (National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh, UK )
Prof. Jes RUST (Institut fur Palaontologie, Universitat Bonn, Germany)
Dr Jacek SZWEDO (Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland)
Prof. Di-ying HUANG (Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
LEBANESE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
- Prof. Dany Azar
- Dr Raymond Gèze
- Dr Mohammad Hamdan
- Dr Hassane Makhlouf
- Dr Georges El-Rahbani
- Mr. Malek El-Khoury
- Mr. Fadi Acra
- Mr. Kamil Ziadeh
- Mr. Pierre Abi Saad
- Mrs. Najwa Bassil
- Mr. Ayoub Bark
- Mr. Georges Hneineh.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The 6th International Congress on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber will be held in Byblos, Lebanonfrom 14 to 18 April, 2013. This congress will take place in the city that gave alphabet to the World, the antic biblical and the oldest continuously inhabitedcity: Byblos. Nothing is more relaxing and enjoyable than spending the day in this beautiful city classified by the UNESCO as a World Heritage site,as itis a masterpiece of history, tradition and nature at its best. Byblos offers a full day of activities such as discovering the ruins from past centuries, enjoying the intricate architecture, taking a ride on a fisherman’s boat, swimming, shopping in the souks for handmade items, souvenirs, paintings or eating a delicious lunch in the midst of the historical city or overlooking the sea on the ancient mythological port from which the alphabet went to the World.
A series of scientific sessions including plenary and special sessions, and special group meetings, in addition to mid-conference and post-conference field excursions will be organized. Social events and programs will also be arranged.
PLACE OF THE CONGRESS
The conference venue and opening ceremony will be in the ontoch(monastery) of Saint John-Mark (built in 1766),Byblos city.The closing ceremony will be held in the Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences II, Fanar.
LANGUAGE OF THE CONGRESS
The official langue of the congress is English.
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE
April 14: Registration and Opening Ceremony, meeting of the International Palaeoentomological Society
April 15: Congress symposia andgeneral sessions, meeting of the International Palaeoentomological Society.
April 16: Mid-social program and congress excursion.Congress banquet.
April 17: Congress symposia and general sessions, meeting of the International Palaeoentomological Society.
April 18: Congress symposia and general sessions, workshops, closing ceremony.
April 19-20: Post- conference field excursions.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
All abstracts for oral presentations and posters should be submitted by e-mail before February 15th, 2013. Abstracts must include the following information:
Title of the presentation
Author’s name (if oral presentation speaker name underligned)
Author’s affiliation
Address
Abstract (500 words or less).
Presentation preference (oral or poster)
The following is an example for abstract.
Jurassic Amber in Lebanon (Times New Roman, bold 14)
Youssef Nohra1, 2, 3, Dany Azar1, Raymond Gèze1, Sibelle Maksoud1, Antoine El-Samrani1, 2 & Vincent Perrichot3(Times New Roman, 12)
1- Lebanese University; Faculty of Sciences II; Department of Natural Sciences; Fanar - Matn; PO box 26110217; Lebanon
2- Lebanese University; Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology - PRASE; Hadath, Lebanon.
3- Geosciences Rennes (UMR CNRS 6118), Université de Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, building 15, 263, avenue du General-Leclerc, 35042 Rennes cedex, France.(Times New Roman, italic 11)
Amber predating the Lower Cretaceous are extremely rare. During the past two decades, records of discoveries of amber sites have increased considerably worldwide. We report herein the discovery... (Times New Roman, 12)
Presentation: oral
PUBLICATION
Selected papers that have been already submitted for the Congress, will be published by Brill intwo different journals [Insect Systematics Evolution (ISE); Terrestrial Arthropod Reviews (TAR)] and a special edited book that will contain papers dealing with geology, chemistry and taphonomy of amber and fossil insects outcrops, at no charge to authors.As most of papers were directly submitted to ISE and due to the limited space of this latter, it is rather impossible for ISE to publish all the accepted papers in one issue, therefore we are obliged rather to transfer some papers to TAR and the special edited book to be able to publish all the accepted papers. Please note that the selection is made on the basis of the length of each paper in order to fit the maximum of possible papers for the ISE. A notification will be sent individually to corresponding authors to have their consent for a possible transfer to TAR or the edited book
PROPOSED FIELD EXCURSIONS
1. Mid-Conference social program:
Byblos archeological sites, Jeita cave: One day, including hotel pick-up and drop-off, air- conditioned coach, English speaking guide, lunch, all admission tickets, Gala Dinner
Date: April 16
Byblos Phoenician harbor
Jeita cave
2. Post-congress Excursion:
* Visit of the amber Lower Cretaceous outcrops of Mdeyrij-Hammana Central Lebanon, and Jezzine, Southern Lebanon.
Date: April 19
Contents: Historically the first amber outcrops studied for their inclusions are respectively those of Jezzine and Mdeyrij-Hammana.
Mdeyrij-Hammana outcrop
Jezzine area
* Visit of the amber Late Jurassic outcrops of Aintourine, Nouthern Lebanon, and Ehden forest.
Date: April 20
Contents: New Jurassic outcrops have been recently discovered, Aintourinebeing the richest one. Horsh (Forest) Ehden is a Nature Reserve located in North Lebanon, it contains a particularly diverse and beautiful remnant forest of the Cedar of Lebanon, making the reserve a very important part of the country’s cultural and natural heritage. Located on the northwestern slopes of Mount Lebanon and pampered by mist and relatively high precipitation, a multitude of rare and endemic plants that flourish in it (Over 1,058 plant species have so far been recorded in the reserve, accounting for nearly 40% of the plant species in Lebanon; 212 species (20%) are rare and another 126 species (12%) are considered threatened. 115 plant species are endemic to Lebanon, and 10 are endemic to Horsh Ehden. 78 plant species are recognized as medicinal plants). Stands of cedars are bordered by a mixed forest of juniper, fir, and the country's last protected community of wild apple trees. On a peaceful hike through the forest, the lucky visitor might spot an endangered Eastern imperial eagle or Bonelli's eagle, a Gray wolf, or a wildcat. The reserve's beautiful valleys and gorges, with their wild orchids, brightly colored salamanders, mushrooms, and other flora and fauna, are sure to soothe even the most harried visitor.
Horsh Ehden
Excursion Leaders:
Prof. Dany Azar (Lebanese University)
Dr Raymond Gèze (Lebanese University)
Dr Jean-Claude Paicheler
Dr Isabelle Veltz
Number of participants: Minimum 15 persons
Fees: US$250, including meals forApril 19-20, bus transportation, tour sites and the guidebook for the field trip.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel:
Special congress accommodation rates have been arranged in several hotels in Byblos. Details for reservation will be given verysoon. Hotels offers a wide range of reasonably-priced standard single, double, or triplerooms with central air-conditioning, satellite television, direct domestic and international phone call. The discounted prices (including breakfast) will range between75US$ and 200US$ per night for a standard single or double room.
Restaurants and Daily Meals:
Daily meals are served with buffet in the Congressvenue with the exception of the banquet dinner.
Obtaining a visa to Lebanon:
All visitors to Lebanon require a visa. Participants from European countries, Australia, USA, can obtain visa directly in the Hariri International Airport (Beirut). Other nationalities will need to contact Lebanese Embassies in their country. Passport validity must not be less than 6 months and they must not contain any Israeli stamps. We will send an official invitation letter to participants who need to apply for a visiting visa.
Weather conditions:
The temperature in Byblos in April varies from 15-25°C, sea water temperature 18-22°C. Temperature in mountains is fresher especially in the evenings and nights. April in Lebanon equals spring, thus aside the nice sunny days, an umbrella is useful in case of rain, especially for the field excursions.
REGISTRATION
Registration Fees
Professional participant: 400US$
Student: 250US$
Accompanying person: 300US$
The registration fees cover expenses of meeting resources and support, congress publication (congress special issues, abstract volume and program, not provided for accompanying members), conference bag, tea and coffee breaks, and all lunchesduring the congress, as well as the mid-congress social program to the Jeita Cave,the Congress Banquet, and thewelcome and closing ceremonies.
Notes
1. Payment: A down-payment for the meeting and field trips will be requested soon, payable in US$,Euros, or Lebanese Pound.
2. Outstanding students and distinguished retired palaeoentomologists may apply for limited financial support (waiving of theregistration fee). All applicants should give an oral presentation and contribute an original manuscript to PROCEEDINGSfor Organizing Committee evaluation.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
From the airport to the congress venue:
By air to Rafic Hariri International Airport, Participants may take the airport taxi to Byblos (45 km, about 40 minutes if there is no traffic jam) and the cost is approximately75-100 US$). A taxi service and shuttles could be assured by the congress upon request for less expenses (recommended).
REPLY FORM
The 6th International Congress on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber
(Byblos, Lebanon, 2013)
Surname (last name): / First name:Title: / Nationality: / Male □ Female □
Address:
City: / Post Code: / Country:
E-mail: / Tel: / Fax:
Institution name:
I plan to register as a Professional Participant □ or Student □ with Accompany □
I am interested in giving a presentation □ or poster □ with the title:
My suggestions of an alternative or additional theme(s) to the formal sessions are:
I am interested in participating inPost-congress Excursion( ).
Other suggestions:
Participants are requested to complete the attached registration form and return it by e-mail to the Conference Organizing Committee before February 15th 2013.
CONTACT DETAILS
Prof. Dany Azar
E-mail:
Tel: +961-3-793638
IMPORTANT DATES
February 15th, 2013: Deadline for returning the Reply Form from the 2nd circular.
February 15th, 2013: Deadline for registration, abstract submission.