Master theses topics 2018-2019 - KU Leuven

[Pages:25]Master theses topics 2018-2019

Department of Biology

Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics

Prof. Flip Volckaert

The VOLCKAERT Team

Ecology Evolution

Fundamental research at the interface of ecology & evolution

with applications in fisheries, aquaculture, human biology and conservation biology

Topics for master theses

Human Parasites

Marine ecology

Adaptation in Fish

Ocean Connectivity

Topics Master in Biology

The following seven topics can be selected by students following the English taught Master in Biology or Dutch taught Master Biologie.

Promoter

Evolutionary ecology ? Genetic structure of polar cod (Boreogadus

saida): connectivity in a changing ecosystem

Prof. Dr. Filip Volckaert (filip.volckaert@bio.kuleuven.be, 016 32 39 72)

Supervisor

Sarah Maes (sarah.maes@student.kuleuven.be)

Aim

Climate-induced changes put an increasing pressure on the Arctic ecosystem and its populations, including the most abundant circumpolar fish polar cod. As a keystone species, changes in its abundance and distribution will impact the entire Arctic food web. However, intra-specific genetic differentiation could mean that some polar cod populations are at greater risk than others. Therefore, you will investigate the genetic population structure of polar cod in space and time.

Application

Next to global change, also global fisheries are expanding towards the poles, putting more pressure on these ecosystems. Solid understanding of local populations and their genetic make-up is needed, to advance conservation measures and/or sensible management.

Evolutionary ecology ? Genetic structure of polar cod (Boreogadus

saida): connectivity in a changing ecosystem

This project involves molecular laboratory techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis) and statistical examination of the genotypes.

Boreogadus saida

This is a great opportunity for students with interest in marine polar biology & genetics!

Population Ecology

Growth in juvenile European plaice based on daily growth rings of otoliths

Promoter Prof. Dr. Filip Volckaert (filip.volckaert@kuleuven.be)

Supervisor Dr. Kris Hostens (ILVO, kris.Hostens@ilvo.vlaanderen.be) Dr. Ir. Karen Bekaert (ILVO, karen.bekaert@ilvo.vlaanderen.be)

Aim Estuaries and shallow coastal systems are key habitats for many organisms. They function as nurseries for flatfish where the trade-off between growth and survival is related to the abundance of food resources, predation levels and favorable environmental conditions. Habitat quality features thus have the potential to influence recruitment levels. Growth is a proven index to asses habitat quality. You will study juvenile growth on a small spatial scale based on the analysis of daily growth rings in otoliths of juvenile European plaice Pleuronectes platessa. You will track the inter- and intra-annual variation in individual growth by cohort in the Belgian part of the North Sea. The realized growth will be compared with the potential growth based on a Dynamic Energy Budget Model (DEB), which predicts maximal growth in relation to temperature and fish size. The combination of individual growth (otoliths) and population growth (DEB) will provide an unbiased growth analysis.

Application

The results will help to calibrate a biophysical dispersal model for flatfish as developed by Lacroix et al. (2013, 2017) and Savina et al. (2016). They will also contribute to the sustainable management of fish stocks of the North Sea.

Population Ecology

Growth in juvenile European plaice based on daily growth rings of otoliths

Research involves the reading of daily growth rings after polishing, microscopy & image analysis of otoliths, statistical analysis (growth vs. habitat quality parameters) & statistical modeling.

European plaice Pleuronectes platessa

Otoliths in a fish head

Yearly growth rings of otoliths (5 yr old plaice)

Image analysis of daily growth rings in an otolith

Actual length-frequency and simulated DEB growth in juvenile plaice

Some equations used in Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) modelling

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