Distribution, demography and disease status of cryptic marine mammals: Combining marine strandings with genomic data to inform conservation management

Cetaceans are a key component of marine ecosystems and can provide powerful insights into ocean health and environmental change (Silber et al., 2017). Understanding their distribution, health status and ecology is a statutory requirement for marine conservation management (Pompa et al., 2011). Both Lagenorhynchus species resident in the NE Atlantic and North Sea waters, the white-beaked and Atlantic white-sided dolphin, have recently been listed as priority conservation species; however, significant knowledge gaps remain about their population dynamics and health status (ASCOBANS 2019). This project will take advantage of an exceptional sample collection held by the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) and address both fundamental questions concerning species biology and applied conservation management questions. By combining genomic data with detailed pathology records, the project will focus on the following objectives:

1. To characterize population genetic structure of white-beaked and Atlantic white-sided dolphins and delineate appropriate management units for conservation
2. To assess temporal and spatial variation in population dynamics to understand recent shifts in habitat use
3. To examine associations between disease status and genotype at both species and population levels

The project is a collaboration between the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh and the SMASS unit at SRUC, which houses around 90% of known Lagenorhynchus samples in Europe. The project offers excellent opportunities for the student to gain experience in cutting-edge wildlife genomic techniques within a stimulating international environment with excellent research infrastructure. The student will be based in the Conservation Science Group at the University of Edinburgh and will be co-supervised by the marine veterinary pathology team at SRUC. Here they will have the opportunity to work alongside government scientists and policy makers. We seek someone with a background in population genetics and evolutionary biology, ideally with previous experience in handling genomic data, however full training will be provided.

Other projects available:
We would encourage applicants to list up to three projects of interest (ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice) from those listed with a closing date of 10th January 2020 at https://www.ed.ac.uk/roslin/work-study/opportunities/studentships