Two full-time field assistant positions in behavioral ecology are available late February-early April 2010. The successful applicants will help investigate parent-offspring communication in treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae) at Ordway-Swisher Biological Station (OSBS). Applicants with background and interests in ecology, evolution and behavior are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants should be patient and able to work long hours with good attention to detail. Interested applicants should email Jennifer Hamel at [email protected].
Platycotis vittata are phloem-feeding insects that occur on several species of oaks at OSBS. A P. vittata family develops over the course of about a month on an oak branch. The mother defends her 30-50 offspring from invertebrate predators during this time. Mother and offspring communicate via vibratory signals through the branch, and offspring signals appear to elicit defensive behavior from the mother. The goals of this research include investigating the function(s) of signals produced by the mother after predator encounters and assessing abundance of some known invertebrate predators. The successful applicants will assist a University of Missouri doctoral candidate in all aspects of field research, including locating treehopper families, conducting vibratory playback experiments, and ecological sampling. Research will be conducted in the field at OSBS. Research assistants will be expected to camp at the station, approximately 30 miles east of Gainesville, FL. Camping fees will be covered and a modest stipend provided; hot showers and wireless internet are available at OSBS for campers.
