*NERC E3* The Genetic Basis of Kin Interactions in Blue Tits.

Interested individuals must follow Steps 1, 2 and 3 at this link on how to apply
http://www.ed.ac.uk/biology/prospective-students/postgraduate/pgr/how-to-apply

Project background: An individual’s development early in life is often affected by the behaviour of parents and siblings. When these behaviours are heritable, then early life traits depend not only on an individual’s own genes, but also those genes expressed in that individual’s parents and siblings. These types of ‘indirect’ genetic effect are probably very common and can fundamentally change the outcome of evolution. However, they have rarely been studied. Using long-term data on a population of Blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), together with new manipulative experiments, the project aims to understand the genetic basis of parent-offspring interaction and sibling co-operation and competition.

Key Research Questions:

1) Blue tit parents differ in how fast their offspring grow. Are the differences between parents due to the effects of genes or the effects of the environment?

2.) Our ongoing work shows that genes that make an individual grow fast are also responsible for promoting the growth of siblings. Is this because genes exist for manipulating parents to provide more resources?

3.) Many nests have a subset of very small individuals (runts). Is natural selection mainly removing runts, and is runting primarily due to genetic or environmental factors?

Methodology:

Field work: Field work will be carried out from April-June each year in a monitored population of blue tits close to the city of Edinburgh. Hours can be long during May and the work requires a reasonable level of physical fitness. Some experience handling small birds would be advantageous but not necessary.

Lab work: Microsatellite genotyping of parents and their offspring will be necessary in order to determine maternities and paternities. The laboratory work is reasonably straightforward and training will be provided.

Computer work: The empirical data will be analysed and interpreted in a statistical framework developed by the supervisor. The student will be trained by the supervisor in this respect and can expect to achieve a high-level of proficiency in statistical, mathematical and computational methods.

Training: A comprehensive training programme will be provided comprising both specialist scientific training and generic transferable and professional skills. The first year will include an intensive one-semester course on theoretical population genetics, quantitative genetics and statistics that will provide a basis for the theoretical and statistical work.

Requirements: A first class undergraduate degree or MSc in ecology or evolution is desirable, and you will need to have an aptitude for statistics.