Introduction
Considering animals most people think about vertebrates and thereby especially mammals and birds. These are often considered the most sophisticated and evolutionary successful animals on Earth. However, this is not true taking into account evolutionary history, biodiversity, ecology or biomass. Invertebrates outshine vertebrates in all these categories. Moreover, invertebrates have evolved novel structures and inhabited habitats unoccupied by vertebrates. Hence, invertebrates have much to teach us about evolution in general and in particular. On the other hand, except for a few flagship species and groups, invertebrates are heavily understudied, especially considering marine invertebrates. The latter is especially important as all animals live depends on water and originated from the marine realm. Hence, understanding the evolution of marine invertebrates will help us to understand evolution at much more detailed and complete level.
The topic of this thesis will be part of the ArtsDatabanken-project “MeioSkag - Meiofauna and interstitial fauna of four lophotrochozoan groups of the Skagerrak”. For understanding the evolution of marine invertebrates, we also need to assess their distribution. A substantial part of marine biodiversity occurs in the space between the sand grains, gravel and stones of sediments, the marine interstitium. This biodiversity is also known as meio- or interstitial fauna and such species are part of most animal phyla. They are a crucial link in the ecosystem between the bioproduction and consumption of microfauna such as bacteria and protists to the macrofauna such as larger worms, snails, mussels and eventually fish and other vertebrates at top level of ecological networks. Despite this the knowledge about their taxonomy, distribution and ecology is at best poor both globally and in Norway and in dire need of improvement. Records are often only down to the phylum to family level and rarely the genus or even species level. Additionally, many have unresolved taxonomic issues including cryptic species.
This is why we urgently need to conduct a field inventory and collect species of such taxa in Norway. Given the vastness of this huge knowledge gap, you will target meiofaunal and interstitial species of either Gastrotricha, Gnathostomulida, one of four Platyhelminthes orders or one of the 10 Annelida families, which are part of this project. Globally these taxa comprise about 3,700 species with 31 species documented in Norwegian databases. Moreover, you will concentrate on the Norwegian coastline of the Skagerrak from the foot of the dunes to a depth of 50m. Using morphological and molecular methods like DIC microscopy and DNA barcoding, respectively, you will determine species of your target group and learn more about their distribution (including published reports). This will be complemented by investigation of their association with Norwegian nature types and different sediment types. Therefore, you will also digitize records from existing literature, which is not reflected in databases like Artskart. Through the planned project in general and you thesis specifically, you will contribute to basic biosystematics and species distribution research in general, and more specifically, you will provide much needed baseline data for nature conservation management actions for this important part of biodiversity, which is entirely lacking at present for both Norway and globally.
What you will learn:
You will learn to conduct field surveys, taxonomic identification and distribution mapping. This will include among others molecular barcoding and microscopy. You will apply programs for distribution mapping and conduct statistical analyses of your results.
What we offer:
First and foremost, we offer a friendly and kind mentoring environment. We offer a membership in ForBio (the research school in biosystematics) where you will be able to take courses in several places in Norway. You will potentially be able to attend international courses if they fit with the objectives. You will be able to participate in a national conference (ForBio meeting) and potentially in an international conference depending on funding. If you are interested, we will be able to discuss travel opportunities and a travelling period abroad.
What we expect from you:
Commitment and dedication
Outcomes:
One (or more) scientific publications, conference communication
Supervision and teaching:
You will be supervised by Torsten Struck, Ana Teresa Capucho (both UiO), Chris Laumer (NHM London), Alex Kieneke (Senckenberg Museum) or Katrine Worsaae (University of Copenhagen).
For further inquiries, please contact Torsten Struck (t.h.struck@nhm.uio.no)