Coping with climate change in European Lobsters
Ph.D Position at University of Liverpool. UK
The marine environment has been subject to environmental
perturbations due to climate change and this may have a negative impact
on animals through stress. Further, commercially important species such
as lobsters are also vulnerable to over-fishing
which may mean these species are at risk. This project seeks to
understand how the European lobster is affected by temperature and
associated reduced oxygen in the environment. This studentship will
involve observational and experimental approaches to study
the behaviour of these fascinating marine animals. Firstly, the growth
and behavioural and physiological profiles of these animals shall be
investigated when offspring are subject to environmental variation. This
will allow us to determine not only how climate
change affects these lobsters but will also inform the optimal
conditions for growth.
Secondly, the project will analyse which hormones are produced
during stress and how these are linked to behavioural measures such as
aggression. Contemporary screening technology, proteomics, can be used
to identify hormonal changes during changes in
environmental conditions. The project will also explore whether
non-invasive measures of physiology can be used via collection of
water-borne hormones.
Finally, this studentship will explore some of the factors which may enhance survival of larval and juvenile lobsters, improve how quickly they grow, and make sure that by the time of release they have the necessary behaviours to survive in the wild. Field studies will determine how well lobsters survive upon release into the wild. By collaborating with the Anglesey Sea Zoo the student will work with an important stakeholder to inform the development of a sustainable breeding that will negate the need for collection of wild animals thus conserving lobster populations.
This PhD project will suit a student with interests in marine biology, animal conservation, behavioural ecology and/or the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity.
To apply, please visit: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/
Please upload your cover letter when asked for your personal statement; For this application only a research proposal is not required.
Finally, this studentship will explore some of the factors which may enhance survival of larval and juvenile lobsters, improve how quickly they grow, and make sure that by the time of release they have the necessary behaviours to survive in the wild. Field studies will determine how well lobsters survive upon release into the wild. By collaborating with the Anglesey Sea Zoo the student will work with an important stakeholder to inform the development of a sustainable breeding that will negate the need for collection of wild animals thus conserving lobster populations.
This PhD project will suit a student with interests in marine biology, animal conservation, behavioural ecology and/or the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity.
To apply, please visit: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/
Please upload your cover letter when asked for your personal statement; For this application only a research proposal is not required.
Supervisors:
Dr Jack Thomson (contact jthomson@liverpool.ac.uk)
Dr Lynne Sneddon
Dr Kate Arnold, University of York