The evolution of wing shape and flight in mimetic butterflies at University of York on FindAPhD.com

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Prof K Dasmahapatra, Dr Nicola Nadeau, Dr Owen McMillan No more applications being accepted Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

York United Kingdom

About the Project

The evolution of flight is one of the main drivers of insect success and
diversification. Wing shape is important for aerodynamic performance, but may
also evolve in response to non-aerodynamic factors such as sexual selection,
thermoregulation, intra and/or interspecific signaling (e.g. mimicry). In this PhD
project you will study the evolution of wing shape and flight in ithomiine
butterflies, thought to be the main drivers of several mimicry rings in the
Neotropics.

This is a multidisciplinary project involving tropical fieldwork, high-throughput
sequencing, and the analysis of video and morphometric data using a
phylogenetic framework, offering high training value. Fieldwork will be carried
out in Panama at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, with the
possibility of additional work in Ecuador and/or Colombia.

Funding Notes

This is a NERC ACCE DTP studentship fully funded for 3.5 years in the first instance, and students must complete their PhD in four years. The studentship covers: (i) a tax-free annual stipend at the standard Research Council rate (£15,009 for 2019-2020), (ii) research costs, and (iii) tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. You can extend your funding period for up to 3 months by applying for an industrial placement.

References

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Students with, or expecting to gain, at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. The interdisciplinary nature of this programme means that we welcome applications from students with backgrounds in any relevant subject that provides the necessary skills, knowledge and experience for the DTP, including environmental, biological, chemical, mathematical, physical and social sciences.

ELIGIBILITY: This studentship is only available to UK/EU students who have been residing in the UK for at least three years continuously prior to the start date of the PhD.

Interviews expected to take place on a date to be confirmed in February 2020.

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Where will I study?

University of York

A prestigious Russell Group university with a global reputation for inspirational and life-changing research

The evolution of wing shape and flight in mimetic butterflies

University of York Department of Biology