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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