https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/effects-of-captive-breeding-on-personality-and-cognition-in-the-north-african-houbara-bustard-psychology-masters-by-research-fees-only/?p107393
Project Description
The University of Exeter’s College of Life and Environmental Sciences,
in partnership with Reneco, is inviting applications for a fees-only
scholarship to commence in May 2019 or as soon as possible thereafter.
For eligible students the studentship will cover UK/EU tuition fees for 2
years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student will be
based in the College of Life and Environmental Sciences at the Streatham
Campus in Exeter. However, fieldwork will take place in Eastern Morocco
(ECWP, Missour). Besides Morocco, the student will also be expected to
spend time at the Reneco HQ in Abu Dhabi, UAE, to conduct data analysis
under the supervision of Dr Enrico Sorato and present research outcomes.
The endangered North African houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata
undulata) has been declining drastically throughout its range due to
overhunting and habitat degradation. Since the late 90s the species has
been the subject of a large-scale captive breeding programme at the
Emirates Center for Wildlife Propagation (ECWP), Missour, with currently
more than 15 000 birds produced annually for release in the wild. The
intention of this rearing and release is to restore wild populations and
supplement hunting grounds for regulated falconry (http://www.houbarafund.org).
However, potential genetic adaptation to captivity may lead to changes
in behaviour and life history traits, which may be detrimental in the
wild.
The successful applicant will investigate the effects of
captive-breeding on personality traits and cognition, by conducting
behavioural tests on captive houbaras throughout ontogeny. By testing
individuals with varying known histories of captive breeding, and by
using quantitative genetics statistical methods, we will assess the
extent of adaptation to captivity and disentangle the relative impact of
additive genetic, parental and environmental effects. This study will
contribute to understanding how selection shapes variation in
personality and cognitive traits, and could help improve breeding
protocols to avoid adaptation to captivity.
This project offers multidisciplinary academic training in
behavioural/cognitive ecology, as well as practical applications for
conservation of an endangered species.
In addition to funding fees at the University of Exeter, Reneco is also
expected to provide the student with research costs, travel,
accommodation and a small stipend for living costs in the field. The
scholarship will be awarded on the basis of merit for 2 years of
full-time study to commence in May 2019. The collaboration with the
named project partner is subject to contract.
This award provides annual funding to cover UK/EU tuition fees only.
Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply but
should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the
international tuition fee
Informal enquiries about the project can be directed to Dr Enrico
Sorato: esorato@reneco-hq.org or to Dr Joah Madden: J.R.Madden@exeter.ac.uk