Dr M Symonds
No more applications being accepted
About the Project
Climate influences many aspects of animal biology and diversity, including their body shape. Theory suggests that appendages such as legs, tails, ears etc., will be smaller in animals living in colder environments in order to reduce heat loss (a pattern known as Allen’s rule). In birds, beaks and legs play an underappreciated, but vital, role in regulating body temperature, and there is evidence that the size of both varies with climatic gradients. This project will conduct a global examination of the geographic patterns of inter- and intra- specific variation in the size and shape of bird beaks and bird legs in order to answer the question “Are there global patterns in bird appendage size and are they related climate?” Using comparative morphological, ecological and phylogenetic data, the project will assess whether certain bird lineages exhibit stronger climatic effects on appendage size, and if so, determine what are the ecological attributes (e.g. resource use, habitat, life history) of these lineages that make them more susceptible to these effects.
Related reference:
Symonds & Tattersall (2010) American Naturalist 176: 188-197
Prospective students will need to apply for a research scholarship through Deakin University (http://www.deakin.edu.au/study-at-deakin/scholarships-and-awards/research-degree-scholarships). The deadline for international students is 31st July and for domestic (Australian and New Zealand) students is 31st October. Applicants for the PhD program must have a high first class honours or master’s degree and an excellent academic record with evidence of research experience, publication output and/or student awards. If you are interested in joining my lab, please send me an email expression of interest, explaining your background research interests and including a CV complete with academic transcripts and the names of two referees at the latest by 14th July (international) or 13th October (domestic).
Dr. Matthew Symonds [Email Address Removed]
Webpage: http://symondslab.wordpress.com
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