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Saturday, January 23, 2010

UK: Coral Reef Fish Ecology and Physiology PhD Studentship at The University of Exeter

Overview

Project title: The effects of changing predation pressure and habitat quality on coral-reef fish physiology

Primary supervisor: Dr Alastair Harborne
Secondary supervisor: Dr Rod Wilson

Project summary:

This studentship will use a combination of laboratory work in Exeter and aquarium and field experiments in the Pacific and the Caribbean to test the following hypotheses:

H1: increased risk of predation significantly increases stress levels of fishes. The primary targets of fishers are top predators that do not predate on new settlers, but do reduce the feeding rates of "middle-ranking" mesopredators. Therefore, removal of the top predators by modest fishing pressure actually increases predation pressure on newly settled reef fish. Stress responses of tropical species in aquaria with and without predators and under field conditions will be examined.

H2: decreased microhabitat quality increases stress levels of fishes. Decreased microhabitat quality can reduce feeding opportunities for fishes and the number of refuges used for predator avoidance, nesting, and sheltering from high water flow. Fishes will be sampled from a range of microhabitats of varying quality to build a predictive model of the effects of habitat quality on fish stress.


H3: fish stress levels vary among reef habitats, and inside and outside marine reserves. Reef fish population dynamic models typically consider demographic rates, such as reproduction, to be equivalent among habitats. Fishes from a range of habitats with varying characteristics will be sampled to establish their physiological status. By sampling fish from inside and outside a marine reserve, this project will also conduct one of the first studies on the effects of marine reserves on fish physiology.

Further project information is available on the School of Biosciences website.

For informal enquiries contact Dr Alastair Harborne at a.r.harborne@exeter.ac.uk

Application criteria:

Applicants should posses at least a 2:1 Honours degree in Biological Sciences, and preferably have a relevant MSc. Experience of research on coral reef fishes and/or fish physiology on reefs or in other ecosystems is advantageous. Applicants should also have experience of statistical analyses of ecological data sets. The PhD will involve extensive periods of international fieldwork and applicants must be able to SCUBA dive, or willing to undertake the necessary training.

This award covers fees at the UK/EU rate. International students can apply, but will need to be able to cover the additional fees (£9700 for 2010/11) from their own funds or other sources.

How to Apply

In order to apply you will need to complete an online web form (opens in new window) where you must submit some personal details and upload a full CV, covering letter, and contact details for two academic referees. Your covering letter should outline your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake this project.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 23 March 2010.


For general enquiries please contact Sarah Mudge at BS-PGadmissions@exeter.ac.uk

Summary:

Funded by: School of Biosciences
Application Deadline: 12th February 2010
Number of Awards: 1
Value: Three-year studentship: tuition fees (UK/EU rate only) and annual stipend at current research council rate
Duration of award: per year
Contact: Sarah Mudge BS-PGadmissions@exeter.ac.uk


Please kindly mention Scholarization.blogspot.com when applying for this studentship


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