School of Animal Biology

Project

School of Animal Biology

PhD

Project Portfolio

2014

School of Animal Biology

Portfolio

Welcome,

This is a list of PhD projects currently (Updated 05 2014) available in the School of Animal Biology. If you are interested in the project please contact the potential supervisor to determine whether the project is suitable/available and the round of applications appropriate for you. Domestic i.e. Australian and New Zealand Permanent Residents/Citizens, are eligible for APA/UPA funding; International applicants can be funded either through scholarship programs from their own country or through competition for International Scholarships at UWA.

Domestic applications:

Domestic students have to meet eligibility criteria.

In Brief:

Domestic applicants must be Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents in

Australia.

Domestic students must have obtained or be expected to obtain an upper division second

class honours degree or equivalent.

Other criteria apply.

International applications:

In Brief:

International applicants should assess their own eligibility requirements in the first

instance.

International (IPRS and SIRF) students must have completed an undergraduate degree

and attained First Class Honours or the equivalent; e.g. hold a Masters degree.

IPRS and SIRF competition is intense - there are 20 across UWA - most of the successful

applicants in the Sciences have degrees from universities equivalent in world rank to the

Group of Eight in Australia (Top 300 in Academic Ranking of World Universities) and

publications in ISI listed journals (the better your university and your degree classification

the less publications become important).

UWA has guidelines for applicants regarding English proficiency.

Other criteria apply.

If you have any further questions please dont hesitate to contact me.

Prof Joe Tomkins & W/Prof Leigh Simmons

joseph.tomkins@uwa.edu.au leigh.simmons@uwa.edu.au

School of Animal Biology Postgraduate Co-ordinators

PhD Project: Targeted nanoparticles to deliver novel combinatorial treatments for secondary degeneration following neurotrauma

Primary Supervisor: Assoc Prof Lindy Fitzgerald lindy.fitzgerald@uwa.edu.au

Co-supervisor: Dr K. Swaminathan Iyer swaminatha.iyer@uwa.edu.au

Injury to the central nervous system is exacerbated by the progressive secondary degeneration of residual tissue beyond the original injury site. Secondary degeneration is characterised by disruption to myelin and loss of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), associated with excess calcium (Ca2+) flux, oxidative stress and loss of function1-4. We have demonstrated that three Ca2+channel inhibitors in combination prevent structural changes to myelin and successfully restore function in an in vivo model of secondary degeneration in rat optic nerve5. However, two of the inhibitors must be administered directly to the site of injury by osmotic mini-pump, significantly reducing the clinical translation potential of the combination.

In this project, the student will generate nanoparticle based therapies to deliver combinations of Ca2+ channel inhibitors directly to OPCs, critical for maintaining myelin in tissue vulnerable to secondary degeneration following neurotrauma. We will specifically functionalise the nanoparticles to localise to the injury site for short-term treatment or cross the blood brain barrier for long-term treatment, allowing intravenous rather than direct administration. The student will compare short and long-term efficacy of the resulting nanoparticle therapy systems in our rat in vivo partial optic nerve transection model of secondary degeneration and thereby optimise the therapeutic system.

1. Payne, S. C., Bartlett, C. A., Harvey, A. R., et al. 2011. Chronic swelling and abnormal myelination during secondary degeneration after partial injury to a central nervous system tract. J Neurotrauma, 28, 1077-88.

2. Payne, S. C., Bartlett, C. A., Harvey, A. R., et al. 2012. Myelin sheath decompaction, axon swelling, and functional loss during chronic secondary degeneration in rat optic nerve. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 53, 6093-101.

3. Payne, S. C., Bartlett, C. A., Savigni, D. L., et al. 2013. Early proliferation does not prevent the loss of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells during the chronic phase of secondary degeneration in a CNS white matter tract. PLoS One, 8, e65710.

4. Szymanski, C. R., Chiha, W., Morellini, N., et al. 2013. Paranode Abnormalities and Oxidative Stress in Optic Nerve Vulnerable to Secondary Degeneration: Modulation by 670 nm Light Treatment. PLoS One, 8, e66448.

5. Savigni, D. L., O'hare Doig, R. L., Szymanski, C. R., et al. 2013. Three Ca channel inhibitors in combination limit chronic secondary degeneration following neurotrauma. Neuropharmacology, 75C, 380-390.

PhD Project: Overcoming the barriers to clinical translation of red/near-infrared irradiation therapy for treatment of neurotrauma

Primary Supervisor: Assoc Prof Lindy Fitzgerald lindy.fitzgerald@uwa.edu.au

Co-supervisor: Assoc Prof Nathan Hart nathan.hart@uwa.edu.au Injury to the central nervous system is exacerbated by the progressive secondary degeneration of neurons and glia in residual tissue beyond the original injury site. We and others have reported that red/near-infrared irradiation therapy (R/NIR-IT) delivered by light emitting diode (LED) array limits the structural and functional loss of secondary degeneration following neurotrauma1-3. Clinical trials are currently underway for use of R/NIR-IT in management of stroke and macular degeneration4, 5. However, while some positive results have been reported, overall outcomes have been disappointing, due in large part to a lack of knowledge regarding the optimal treatment intensity, duration and wavelength to employ. Furthermore, scepticism persists due to uncertainty regarding mechanism and penetrance of the irradiation. Using our highly reproducible and well characterised rat optic nerve cut model, this PhD project features a comprehensive in vivo optimisation study to test the hypothesis that we can define the optimal wavelength, intensity, duration and time of onset of R/NIR-IT delivered by LED array, for effective penetrance and prevention of secondary degeneration. We will then determine the mechanism of action of the optimised R/NIR-IT protocol. The project will provide the necessary pre-clinical evidence for translation of R/NIR-IT to the clinic.

1. Fitzgerald, H., Van Den Heuvel, Natoli, Hart, Valter, Harvey, Vink, Provis, Dunlop 2013. Red/near-infrared irradiation therapy for treatment of central nervous system injuries and disorders. Reviews in the Neurosciences, available online, in press.

2. Fitzgerald, M., Bartlett, C. A., Payne, S. C., et al. 2010. Near infrared light reduces oxidative stress and preserves function in CNS tissue vulnerable to secondary degeneration following partial transection of the optic nerve. J Neurotrauma, 27, 2107-19.

3. Szymanski, C. R., Chiha, W., Morellini, N., et al. 2013. Paranode Abnormalities and Oxidative Stress in Optic Nerve Vulnerable to Secondary Degeneration: Modulation by 670 nm Light Treatment. PLoS One, 8, e66448.

4. Stemer, A. B., Huisa, B. N. & Zivin, J. A. 2010. The evolution of transcranial laser therapy for acute ischemic stroke, including a pooled analysis of NEST-1 and NEST-2. Curr Cardiol Rep, 12, 29-33.

5. Lapchak, P. A. 2010. Taking a light approach to treating acute ischemic stroke patients: transcranial near-infrared laser therapy translational science. Ann Med, 42, 576-86.

Sensory ecology: the bioacoustics of plants

Supervisor: Dr Monica Gagliano

monica.gagliano@uwa.edu.au Like animals, plants have evolved a range of adaptive strategies to exploit sound waves or vibrations in their environment. However, we have no information on the mechanisms through which plants detect and respond to sound and its information content. This research is designed to experimentally investigate the capacity of plants to detect and use sounds. By capturing signals emitted by plants under different environmental conditions and applying to plants experimental techniques that are widely used in ecology, this research explores the ecological significance of different sounds to potential communication among plants and between plants and other organisms. Background reading

Gagliano, M. 2013. Green symphonies: a call for studies on Behavioral Ecology 24(4), 789 Gagliano, M., Mancuso, S., Robert, D. 2012. Towards understanding plant bioacoustics. Trends in Plant Science 17, 323

Gagliano, M., Renton, M., Duvdevaniout of mind: alternative means of communication in plants. PloS ONE 7(5), e37382. Gagliano, M., Renton, M. 2013. Love thy neighbour: facilitation through an alternative

signalling modality in plants. BMC Ecology 13, 19. Gagliano, M., Renton, M., Duvdevani, N., Timmins, M., Mancuso S. 2012. Acoustic and magnetic communication in plants: is it possible? Plant Signalling and Behavior 7, 1346 1348.

Sensory ecology: the bioacoustics of plants

Supervisor: Dr Monica Gagliano

monica.gagliano@uwa.edu.au

animals, plants have evolved a range of adaptive strategies to exploit sound waves or vibrations in their environment. However, we have no information on the mechanisms through which plants detect and respond to sound and its information content.

is research is designed to experimentally investigate the capacity of plants to detect

By capturing signals emitted by plants under different environmental conditions and applying to plants experimental techniques that are widely used in animal ecology, this research explores the ecological significance of different sounds to potential communication among plants and between plants and other organisms.

Gagliano, M. 2013. Green symphonies: a call for studies on acoustic communication in plants. Behavioral Ecology 24(4), 789-796.

Gagliano, M., Mancuso, S., Robert, D. 2012. Towards understanding plant bioacoustics. Trends in Plant Science 17, 323325.

Gagliano, M., Renton, M., Duvdevani, N., Timmins, M., Mancuso, S. 2012. Out of sight but not out of mind: alternative means of communication in plants. PloS ONE 7(5), e37382.

Gagliano, M., Renton, M. 2013. Love thy neighbour: facilitation through an alternative nts. BMC Ecology 13, 19.

Gagliano, M., Renton, M., Duvdevani, N., Timmins, M., Mancuso S. 2012. Acoustic and magnetic communication in plants: is it possible? Plant Signalling and Behavior 7, 1346

animals, plants have evolved a range of adaptive strategies to exploit sound waves or vibrations in their environment. However, we have no information on the mechanisms through which plants detect and respond to sound and its information content.

acoustic communication in plants.

Gagliano, M., Mancuso, S., Robert, D. 2012. Towards understanding plant

, N., Timmins, M., Mancuso, S. 2012. Out of sight but not out of mind: alternative means of communication in plants. PloS ONE 7(5), e37382.

Gagliano, M., Renton, M. 2013. Love thy neighbour: facilitation through an alternative

Gagliano, M., Renton, M., Duvdevani, N., Timmins, M., Mancuso S. 2012. Acoustic and magnetic communication in plants: is it possible? Plant Signalling and Behavior 7, 1346

Learning ability and memory in plants

Supervisor: Dr Monica Gagliano

monica.gagliano@uwa.edu.au Can plants, like animals, learn and remember? The conventional belief is that learning, remembering and recalling former experiences are unique adaptive feats of animals. Recent evidence, however, suggests that plants can learn and remember too, and they can do it all without a brain. This is an experimental investigation aimed at characterizing plant learning and specifically, how plants obtain and make use of information about their environment through learning. Specifically, we will conduct experiments in the laboratory to examine both nonlearning, such as habituation and associative learning, such as classical Pavlovian conditioning in plants. Ultimately, this project will offer a novel perspective on the capacity of plants to adapt (through learning) to variable natural environments. Background reading Karban, R. 2008. Plant behaviour and communication. Ecology Letters 1 Rankin, C.H., Abrams, T., Barry, R.J., Bhatnagar, S., Clayton, D.F. et al. 2009. Habituation

revisited: an updated and revised description of the behavioural characteristics ofhabituation. Neurobiology Learning and Memory 92, 135

Eisenstein, E.M., Eisenstein, D., Smith, J.C. 2001. The evolutionary significance of

habituation and sensitization across phylogeny: a behavioural homeostasis model.Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science 36, 251

Chamovitz, D., 2012. What a plant knows: a field guide to the senses. One world

Publications, UK.

Gagliano M, Renton M, Depczynski M & S Mancuso (2014) Experience teaches plants to learn faster and forget slower in environments where it matters. Oecologia in press (DOI 10.1007/s00442-013-2873-7).

Learning ability and memory in plants

Supervisor: Dr Monica Gagliano

monica.gagliano@uwa.edu.au

Can plants, like animals, learn and remember?

The conventional belief is that learning, remembering and recalling former experiences

unique adaptive feats of animals. Recent evidence, however, suggests that plants can learn and remember too, and they can do it all

This is an experimental investigation aimed at characterizing plant learning and specifically,

obtain and make use of information about their environment through learning. Specifically, we will conduct experiments in the laboratory to examine both non-associative learning, such as habituation and associative learning, such as classical Pavlovian

ditioning in plants. Ultimately, this project will offer a novel perspective on the capacity of plants to adapt (through learning) to variable natural environments.

Karban, R. 2008. Plant behaviour and communication. Ecology Letters 1

Rankin, C.H., Abrams, T., Barry, R.J., Bhatnagar, S., Clayton, D.F. et al. 2009. Habituation revisited: an updated and revised description of the behavioural characteristics ofhabituation. Neurobiology Learning and Memory 92, 135-138.

Eisenstein, E.M., Eisenstein, D., Smith, J.C. 2001. The evolutionary significance of habituation and sensitization across phylogeny: a behavioural homeostasis model.Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science 36, 251265.

plant knows: a field guide to the senses. One world

Gagliano M, Renton M, Depczynski M & S Mancuso (2014) Experience teaches plants to learn faster and forget slower in environments where it matters. Oecologia in press (DOI

7).

will offer a novel perspective on the capacity of plants to adapt (through learning) to

Karban, R. 2008. Plant behaviour and communication. Ecology Letters 11, 727-739.

Rankin, C.H., Abrams, T., Barry, R.J., Bhatnagar, S., Clayton, D.F. et al. 2009. Habituation revisited: an updated and revised description of the behavioural characteristics of

Eisenstein, E.M., Eisenstein, D., Smith, J.C. 2001. The evolutionary significance of habituation and sensitization across phylogeny: a behavioural homeostasis model.

plant knows: a field guide to the senses. One world

Gagliano M, Renton M, Depczynski M & S Mancuso (2014) Experience teaches plants to learn faster and forget slower in environments where it matters. Oecologia in press (DOI

Fish recruitment dynamics in the Kimberley

Supervisors: Dr Monica Gagliano (monica.gagliano@uwa.edu.au) & Dr Martial Depczynski (m.depczyski@aims.gov.au) Critical to marine ecosystem processes and current indigenous food security and management plans, stable fish populations represent a fundamental part of marine biodiversity and food webs by linking the very bottom of food chains (i.e. primary productivity) right through to consumption by humans. Currently, we know next to nothing about what, where, when and how fish replenishment processes operate in the Kimberley marine region. This project will concentrate on understanding two key aspects of Kimberley fish replenishment processes; 1) the seasonal timing of fish recruitment, and 2) the relative contribution of key marine habitats in providing safe nursery grounds for juvenile fish growth. The project will achieve this through a carefully considered selection of 4-6 fish species that represent; 1) ecologically important species (i.e. those that play a disproportionate role in ecosystem health such as herbivores or high-tiered predators), and 2) species of indigenous significance by virtue of their status as a primary food source and/or their cultural and symbolic status to indigenous communities.

The evolutionary implications of environmentally determined paternal effects in broadcast spawning marine invertebrates

Supervisor: Jon Evans jonathan.evans@uwa.edu.au Recent studies on birds, insects and marine invertebrates have unveiled remarkable levels of phenotypic plasticity in sperm traits. Together these studies suggest the expression of many of these traits (e.g. sperm length) are tailored according to local conditions (e.g. Immler et al. 2010). More recent work has shown that in broadcast spawning marine invertebrates, environmental effects on sperm phenotype can influence offspring performance (Crean et al. 2013). This PhD project will seek to determine the possible evolutionary implications of these effects in marine broadcast spawners. The project will determine whether sperm traits from locally abundant broadcast spawning marine invertebrates (sea urchins, mussels, etc.) are similarly labile, for example in relation to variation in adult spawning densities (e.g. modulating the level of sperm competition) and/or changes in the physical ambient environment (temperature and pH). The project will then test whether these environmentally determined paternal effects influence offspring traits to explore their fitness implications. Finally, the use breeding designs will determine whether environmental paternal effects have the potential to contaminate standard quantitative genetic parameters (heritability/evolvability), thus addressing their evolutionary implications. Crean AJ, Dwyer JM, Marshall DJ (2013) Adaptive paternal effects? Experimental evidence that the paternal environment affects offspring performance. Ecology, 94: 25752582 Immler S, Pryke SR, Birkhead TR, & Griffith SC (2010) Pronounced within-individual plasticity in sperm morphometry across social environments. Evolution 64: 1634-1643

Reproductive and behavioural ecology of guppies

Supervisors: Jon Evans & Clelia Gasparini

jonathan.evans@uwa.edu.au clelia.gasparini@uwa.edu.au The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is a well established model for studies of sexual selection. We are offering PhD project(s) that focus on both pre- and postcopualtory sexual selection and their potential interactions within a number of contexts. Some ideas of the sorts of topic that could be considered include: (1) an examination of classic sexual selection theory, including the evaluation of Batemans principles in the light of behavioural and molecular approaches for studying mating and reproductive success; (2) sperm competition and pre- and postcopulatory trade-offs, where male reproductive investment strategies will be explored across a range of environmental and social environments; (3) offspring fitness in relation to sperm ageing, where the fitness implications of sperm storage and ageing are explored; (4) condition-dependence in females, where traditional approaches to study condition-dependent expression of sexual traits are turned on their head by exploring these effects in females. These and/or other topics can be merged into a successful PhD program.

PhD opportunities at the Centre for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER)

For a general overview of CIBER see www.ciber.science.uwa.edu.au or contact

Supervisor: Boris Baer boris.baer@uwa.edu.au Honeybees are of central importance for human food production, as they pollinate more than 80 crops of agricultural interest. About a third of what you eat depends on bee pollination, with an estimated value of 4-6 bn A$ annually for the Australian agricultural sector. The pollination services of honeybees for agricultural crops and ecosystems have largely been taken for granted but we currently face a dramatic worldwide decline in bees, and spreading parasites contribute towards these losses. Australia has so far been spared major losses of honeybees, although they are declining as well and catastrophic losses caused by newly invading pathogens are expected to occur in the coming decade. The Centre for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER) is a cross disciplinary team of scientists that conduct research to better understand honeybees and to provide support for the honeybee industry to overcome present and future problems. What we need is to breed better bees that are capable to cope with the challenges. Consequently we need to study the reproductive biology and immunity of honeybees. To do this we use an approach that is referred to as evolutionary proteomics, where we want to understand evolutionary dynamics such as the functioning of the immune system or sexual reproduction on the molecular scale. To do this we use genomic, proteomic and metabolomics approaches.

Research Projects: For a latest update of potential PhD projects available see: http://www.ciber.science.uwa.edu.au/studentprojects.html.

Molecular warfare in honeybees:

1. Sexual warfare on the molecular level

Our research has shown that molecules that males transfer to the female as part of their ejaculate have a fundamental influence on paternity success. These molecules are part of the seminal fluid and are amazingly efficient in keeping sperm alive. Furthermore, proteins within the seminal fluid seem effective agents against parasites and can therefore combat sexually transmitted diseases. Finally, proteins within the seminal fluid are also agents of sexual warfare. In honeybees for example, seminal fluid proteins are able to recognize sperm of competing males and kill it, a process known as sperm incapacitation. We are interested to identify those proteins or

proteomic networks that are involved in sperm survival, defense and competitiveness and to understand their functioning.

2. Honeybee molecules combatting Parasites

Honeybees are hosts to a large number of parasites and they maintain an immune system that is able to recognize and combat infections. The immune system of honeybees has often been referred to as more basal or rudimentary, because bees seem to have fewer immune genes compared to other animals as they lack a specific immune response towards parasites or a immune memory as known from vertebrates. We are interested to identify and study immunoproteins and -peptides within the blood (haemolymph) of honeybees and to understand their

functioning, especially their specificity towards specific pathogens.

3. Sub-lethal effects of chemicals on honeybees

Honeybees are exposed to a wide range of man-made chemicals: Modern agriculture requires an intense use of pesticides and pathogens to protect crops and bees are exposed to these chemicals while foraging and pollinating. Furthermore, a number of chemicals have been developed to treat various honeybee diseases. There are increasing concerns that these chemicals are responsible for major bee losses such as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). We are interested to use some of these chemicals to test whether and

how they influence the physiology of the bee. We are specifically interested to quantify whether these chemicals compromise the functioning of the immune system and their possible effects on male and female fertility. Key References: Baer B., Armitage S. A. O. & Boomsma J. J. (2006) Sperm storage induces an immunity cost in ants. Nature 441: 872-875. Baer B. & Schmid-Hempel P. (1999): Experimental variation in polyandry affects parasite loads and fitness in a bumblebee. Nature 397 (6715): 151-154. den Boer S. P. A., Baer B. & Boomsma J. J. (2006) Seminal fluid mediates ejaculate competition in social insects. Science 327: 1506-1509. Poland, V., Eubel, H., King, M., Solheim, C., Millar, A.H., & Baer, B. Stored sperm differs from ejaculated sperm by proteome alterations associated with energy metabolism in the honeybee Apis mellifera. Mol. Ecol. 20:2643-2654. Baer B., Morgan E. D. & Schmid-Hempel P. (2001): A non-specific fatty acid prevents females from re-mating in bumblebees. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 98 (7): 3926-3928

Two PhD opportunities: Marine and terrestrial invertebrate diversity and evolution in the Pilbara region, Australia

Supervisors: Marine: Nerida Wilson (Nerida.Wilson@museum.wa.gov.au) Jason Kennington (jason.kennington@uwa.edu.au). Those interested in terrestrial invertebrates should contact Joel Huey (Joel.Huey@museum.wa.gov.au) and Raphael Didham (raphael.didham@uwa.edu.au). The Western Australian Museum has secured funding from the Net Conservation Benefits fund (NCB) to undertake a five year project on the Conservation Systematics of the western Pilbara fauna. In this project we are using molecular tools to provide a systematic framework for understanding the diversity, evolutionary relationships, and distributions of marine and terrestrial fauna in the Pilbara region. Included under this broad objective are specific questions pertaining to evolutionary history, understanding the drivers of speciation, species delimitation, phylogeography, taxonomy, and co-speciation. This project has funding to support two PhD projects that broadly align with the NCB project objectives. The PhD projects will be aimed at using molecular markers to investigate biodiversity in invertebrates from the Pilbara region, and surrounds. One project will focus on marine invertebrates (eg, sponges, soft corals, nudibranchs, crinoids, or other groups) and the other will focus on terrestrial invertebrates (eg, trap-door spiders, opiliones, millipedes, or other arachnid or insect groups). The PhD students will be enrolled in the School of Animal Biology at the University of Western Australia, and based jointly at the new Molecular Systematics Unit laboratory, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool, Perth, where the successful applicants will have the opportunity to work directly with specialists in these fields. The specific project aims, questions, design and methods will be developed collaboratively by the students and supervisors. The work will include opportunities for field work in the Pilbara region, and lab costs will be generously supported by the NCB project. Currently, this opportunity is open to domestic students (Australia and New Zealand). Although the position is fully funded, students will be expected to put in an application for an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA or University Postgraduate Award (UPA) (http://www.scholarships.uwa.edu.au/search?sc_view=1&id=341&page=1&q=Australian+Postgraduate+Award&s=1&old_key=0) through UWA. The NCB funding will provide an additional top-up scholarship of $5k per year, bringing the total stipend to approx. $34k per year (tax free). Applications open 2 June, and close 11 July for a 1 Aug 2014 start. However, we encourage any applicants to contact us and begin discussions as soon as possible.

PhD research on vocal communication in the cooperatively breeding Western Australian Magpie

Supervisor: Mandy Ridley amanda.ridley@uwa.edu.au We are seeking a PhD student to conduct research on vocal communication in the Western Australian Magpie. Magpies are incredibly vocally complex, and group members constantly communicate with one another throughout the day. Our previous research on cooperatively breeding species has revealed that group members constantly relay information to one another regarding predator threats, contributions to cooperative behaviour, and the presence of territory threats (non-group members). We have an established population of magpies based in Perth. This population is fully habituated and ringed, and subject to long-term research. We are seeking a student that would be able to conduct sound recordings, acoustic analysis and playback experiments to determine the complexity of communication among group members, what information is conveyed, and how such information benefits group members. We would be interested in students addressing advanced issues such as the possibility of vocal negotiation of cooperation and conflict avoidance among group members.

Evolution of the mammalian baculum

Supervisor: Leigh Simmons

leigh.simmons@uwa.edu.au The baculum or os penis is the most evolutionary divergent bone in the mammalian body(1). Some mammals have a morphologically elaborate baculum while other species lack the bone altogether. Consistent with studies of the evolution of insect genitalia(2), recent work from our lab has demonstrated that sexual selection is responsible for the evolutionary divergence of baculum morphology among populations of house mice(3), although the mechanisms involved are unknown. This PhD project will use cross disciplinary approaches to explore the selective mechanisms acting on the mammalian baculum. The effects of baculum morphology on changes in female reproductive hormone profiles, pregnancy initiation, and embryo development will be examined using the house mouse model. Quantitative genetic approaches will explore genetic variation in baculum morphology and correlated endocrine responses to stimulation during copulation among females, while comparative studies among species of mammal generally will examine macroevolutionary changes in baculum complexity in response to the strength of sexual selection. The project thereby aims to provide a comprehensive view of the proximate mechanisms of selection and its ultimate consequences for evolutionary divergence of this most remarkable bone. For more information the interested applicant should contact W/Prof Leigh Simmons

1. P. Stockley, The baculum. Curr. Biol. 22, R1032 (Dec, 2012). 2. L. W. Simmons, Sexual selection and genital evolution. Austral Entomology 53, 1-17

(2014). 3. L. W. Simmons, R. C. Firman, Experimental evidence for the evolution of the mammalian

baculum by sexual selection. Evolution 68, 276-283 (2014).

The evolutionary genetics of phase change in plague locusts

Joseph Tomkins joseph.tomkins@uwa.edu.au

web site:www.alternativetactics.org In my lab we specialise on the evolutionary genetics of threshold traits, and recently benefitted from the award of an ARC Future Fellowship that will fund the running of this project. Very little is known about the evolutionary genetics of phase change in locusts, but we now have the tools and the opportunity to link studies of quantitative genetics of phase change with gene expression. This project will be at the cutting edge of evolutionary research with the added advantage of having an applied angle. The project is focussed on the Australian plague locust Chortoicetes terminifera a significant pest of crops throughout Australia. There are three parts to the proposed research.

1) A comparison of thresholds to gregarization between populations. 2) Estimates of the genetic variation in the threshold for gregarisation, i.e. estimate the

heritability of the propensity to form plagues. 3) Relate recently documented changes in gene expression using quantitative real-time PCR

to quantitative genetic parameters for this threshold trait. Within the School of Animal Biology you would have access to rearing facilities for the locusts and a state of the art genetics laboratory. The Centre for Evolutionary Biology is a group of world-leading evolutionary biologists and provides a stimulating atmosphere in which to work. Interested candidates should have a background in evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology or genetics. Please contact me for further information.

Experimental Threshold Evolution

Supervisor: Joseph Tomkins joseph.tomkins@uwa.edu.au

www.alternativetactics.org In my lab we specialise on the evolutionary genetics of threshold traits, and recently benefitted from the award of an ARC Future Fellowship that will fund the running of this project. We use male dimorphic mites and single celled algae as laboratory model systems. Both of these species have huge and proven potential for understanding evolution. They have a short generation time and are easy to maintain in large numbers. We have all of the equipment and expertise necessary to conduct this project. The project involves using selection and experimental evolution to understand the evolution of sex ratio, the evolution of conditional strategies and the constraints on threshold evolution. Two large selection/experimental evolution experiments would be conducted alongside shorter term phenotypic or genetic studies. Interested candidates should have a background in evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology or genetics. Please contact me for further information.

Escape responses in fiddler crabs.

Supervisor: Jan Hemmi, Yuri Ogawa, Shaun Collin

jan.hemmi@uwa.edu.au

How do animals decide when to start their escape dash from an approaching predator? Understanding the sensory information animals use when making such decisions, will tell us how they measure risk and how they use visual information to organise their behaviour to avoid being eaten while still being able to feed and find mates. Fiddler crabs are highly visual animals that live under constant threat of predation from birds. Our field experiments have shown that the crabs

eye limits their ability to measure a predators distance and their direction of movement a problem they share with many other small animals. To overcome this deficit, they stage their responses and learn to ignore certain objects. This project will bring fiddler crabs into the laboratory to test their escape decisions under controlled conditions. The combination of behavioural with physiological measurements of visual abilities in the same animals, using Electroretinaogram (ERG) or intracellular electrophysiology, will provide an understanding of the mechanisms underlying visually guided behaviour in these animals. The project will compare field experiments with laboratory experiments and animals will be tested in our artificial mudflat or on a custom made treadmill (How et al 2012) that allows us to record the movements of crabs in response to visual stimulation. There are many possible variations of this project and you will be able to choose in which direction you want the project to evolve according to your interest and ability.

Hemmi JM & Pfeil A (2010) A multi-stage anti-predator response increases information on predation risk. Journal of Experimental Biology, 213 14841489

Hemmi, JM, & Tomsic, D (2012). The neuroethology of escape in crabs: from sensory ecology to neurons and back. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 22, 194200

How et al. (2012) High e-vector acuity in the polarisation vision system of the fiddler crab Journal of Experimental Biology 215, 2128-2134

Greiner et al 2007

Comparative colour vision and spatial vision in ants

Supervisors: Jan Hemmi, Yuri Ogawa, Wayne Davies

jan.hemmi@uwa.edu.au

Ants have some of the smallest brains in the animal kingdom, yet they show a wide range of interesting behaviours, many of them visually driven. Their small size and limited head and eye space has forced them to optimise their visual system in very distinct ways (e.g. Greiner et al 2007). We have recently shown that one of the Australian bull ants, a species exclusively active in the dark of the night, has trichromatic colour vision like humans. As this is the first ant that has been shown to have more than two spectral photoreceptor types, this project will compare ants from different

phylogenetic branches using a range of different techniques in order to understand the evolution of colour vision and spatial vision in ants in general. This project, run in collaboration with researchers from the Australian National University, will use a range of complementary techniques such as behavioural, anatomical, physiological (Electroretinogram and/or intracellular electrophysiology) methods, as well as comparative genetics (standard molecular biology, qPCR and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq)) and UV-vis spectrophotometry. This powerful combination of methods will provide a rich picture of these animals ability to see their world and help us understand how these animals are able to solve such a wide range of visual tasks despite being so small.

Greiner B, Narendra A, Reid SF, Dacke M, Ribi WA, & Zeil J (2007) Eye structure correlates with distinct foraging-bout timing in primitive ants. Current Biology, 17 R879-R880.

The visual world of fiddler crabs

Supervisors: Jan Hemmi, Yuri Ogawa, Wayne Davies

jan.hemmi@uwa.edu.au

Australian fiddler crabs are highly visual animals that inhabit mud and sand-flats. Despite extensive research into their behaviour and visual ecology, we know relatively little about their ability to see different colours and the extent of their ability to see polarised light (How et al 2012). This project will conduct behavioural, physiological and or genetic experiments aimed at measuring the visual capabilities of the crabs eyes, including their ability to see patterns, colour and polarisation. The measurements will show us the extent of fiddler crab vision and help us understand how these animals react to their environment. Experiments will be

conducted using our resident UWA fiddler crab colony. The crabs are housed in a 4 m2 fully functional artificial mudflat with periodic tidal inundation. You will discover how sensory information affects animal behaviour, learn how to probe the visual capabilities of animals and learn genetic (standard molecular biology, qPCR and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) ) and electrophysiological recording techniques, as well as UV-vis spectrophotometry. This project is flexible and allows the combination of behavioural, physiological and genetic techniques according to your interest and ability.

Hemmi, JM, & Tomsic, D (2012). The neuroethology of escape in crabs: from sensory ecology to neurons and back. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 22, 194200

How et al. (2012) High e-vector acuity in the polarisation vision system of the fiddler crab Journal of Experimental Biology 215, 2128-2134

Zeil, J & Hemmi, JM (2006). The visual ecology of fiddler crabs. Journal of Comparative Physiology A 192, 125

Polarisationmonitor Camera

Fiddler crab

Treadmill