PhD Research Project

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Do bacterial symbionts alter the dynamics of insect communities?

Institution:

University of York

Dept/School/Faculty:

Department of Biology

PhD Supervisor:

Dr J Ferrari

Application Deadline:

No more applications being accepted

Funding Availability:

Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

PhD Research Project

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Many insects carry bacterial symbionts that are typically passed on from mother to offspring. These bacteria have major effects on their hosts: obligate symbionts usually provide nutritional benefits, while facultative symbionts have been shown to confer advantages that are beneficial in certain ecological circumstances. For example, facultative symbionts can increase the aphids’ resistance to natural enemies or heat shock, or alter a number of life-history traits. Many of the insects harbouring symbionts are agricultural pests or vectors of diseases and it is therefore important to understand these hidden players in insect communities.

These bacteria have been well studied in aphids, where phenotypic effects are fairly well understood, but it is far less clear how important these effects on ecologically important traits in an ecological community. It is likely that the symbionts do not only affect the dynamics of the host population, but also that of the natural enemies and other organisms that the host interacts with.

This project will investigate the wider ecological consequences of ecologically-relevant facultative symbionts in aphids and consider the community context. The student will have the opportunity to develop this project according to his/her interests.