apolagies for missing subject mattter in earlier post, here it is: Project outline:
Given that top predators are increasingly being lost or over-harvested, understanding their potential impacts on trait variation is particular timely in a world where various forms of change are occurring and when variation is needed for adaptation to these changes. Trait variation, be it behaviour, colour or other traits is required for adaptation and evolution. A few compelling studies show that selective and developmental effects of predation and predation risk seem to encourage behavioural variation and covariance among behaviours, when traditional theory would suggest strong selection should erode variation. This suggests that predation might encourage variation in prey populations that may help them adapt to many selective pressures in addition to predation itself. if so, then predators may play a critical role in ecosystems that are not yet well understood or described. We use experimental evolution in guppies, using multiple small ponds, to study how and why predation might favour maintenance of trait variance and covariance. This represents a first study to manipulate presence vs absence of predators, while controlling for food and density. Traits to be studied include behaviour, morphology, colouration and metabolism, as well as life history traits. We control for food abundance, and density, so that we may estimate the direct impacts of predation on evolution of trait variances and covariances. We are now well into year 3 of fish living with and without predators, and first data are now being collected. Thus, timing is perfect for a student to step in and study how predation affects trait variation. We now know that trait variation is maintained in some traits despite strong numerical effects of predation, and that females have adapted to predation by becoming more shy and growing more slowly. Much more remains to be discovered as we've just started to scratch the surface. Interested students should contact me directly with a brief introduction of their interests and skills, and a CV. Please note that funding would come from a competitive scholarship, paying 25k per year for living expenses and a tuition waiver. But, these are hard to get, so those applicants with one or more publications and some evidence of small-grant success plus excellent grades are encouraged to contact me. We are based near Melbourne, Australia. Please email to pete.b...@deakin.edu.au
