About the Project
About the award
This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP). The GW4+ DTP consists of the Great Western Four alliance of the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the University of Exeter plus six Research Organisation partners: British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Met Office, the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in earth and environmental science. For further details about the programme please see http://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/
Location: Penryn Campus, Cornwall
Project description:
There is growing interest in nongenetic effects (NGEs), where parents influence offspring phenotypes through the transmission of factors other than DNA, such as chromatin modifications, small RNAs or maternal hormones. While interest in NGEs has focused on their role in extended inheritance1,2, their consequences on population dynamics remain contested3,4. Some studies predict that NGEs facilitate rapid adaptation5, by allowing parents to inform young about environmental change6. In contrast, others argue that NGEs enhance extinction rates, as selection carries over to future generations7, resulting in dramatic fluctuations in population size8. To resolve this controversy, the current project aims to use an interdisciplinary approach. First, we will derive novel eco-evolutionary models that add the evolutionary dynamic of nongenetic effects9,10 to influential models of ecological competition and predator-prey interactions. Second, we will use ecological experiments in the tsetse fly model system (UBristol) to assess when and where nongenetic effects result in population extinction.
Project Aims and Methods
While NGEs affect suites of ecologically important traits5,11,12, we lack quantitative tools to predict
when NGEs influence extinction risk. This project fills the gap by using an exciting mix of mathematical modeling and ecological experiments in the tsetse fly system, an important disease vector. We aim to (1) build much-needed ecological theory which includes evolving NGEs, (2) assess how NGEs affect transient responses to ecological perturbations, (3) measure population dynamics of experimental populations with different levels of NGEs and (4) asses how robust these populations are to sudden perturbations. In years 1-2, the student will use expertise at UExeter9,10,13,14 to derive eco-evolutionary models where evolving nongenetic effects influence key ecological processes like intraspecific competition15 and transient dynamics16. These models will be novel in allowing NGEs to evolve: the few population dynamic models including NGEs assume them to be constant8,17,18. In years 3-3.5, the student will work at UBristol19–23 to test predictions in tsetse fly populations, which exhibit strong maternal effects that vary with maternal condition22. Consequently, by manipulating maternal environment, the strength of NGEs can be varied, giving us a powerful tool to investigate consequences on population dynamics and their role in transient responses to sudden environmental shocks.
Candidate
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the project, it is suitable for candidates with a strong experimental background who are looking to grow their analytical skills (mathematics, programming). Additionally, also candidates with a more analytical background fit our profile, particularly if they have an interest in expanding their experimental skills.
Training
During the first 2 years at UExeter, the student will tap into a wealth of postgraduate courses delivered at UExeter’s Penryn campus. The student will take part in a course on Mathematics in Biology and Ecology, which focuses on eco-evolutionary models and computer programming techniques in R and Matlab. In addition, the student will receive regular mentoring on dynamical systems theory, project and data management and analysis on high performance computers.
During the final 1.5 years at UBristol, the student will receive training on data analysis (GLMMs, Bayesian methods), lab techniques (animal husbandry, physiological assays), writing skills and dynamic programming.
Funding Notes
The studentships will provide funding for a stipend which is currently £14,553 per annum for 2017-2018, research costs and UK/EU tuition fees at Research Council UK rates for 42 months (3.5 years) for full-time students, pro rata for part-time students.
References
1. Danchin É, Charmantier A, Champagne FA, Mesoudi A, Pujol B, Blanchet S. Beyond DNA: integrating inclusive inheritance into an extended theory of evolution. Nat Rev Genet. 2011;12(7):475-486. doi:10.1038/nrg3028.
2. Daxinger L, Whitelaw E. Understanding transgenerational epigenetic inheritance via the gametes in mammals. Nat Rev Genet. 2012;13(3):153-162. doi:10.1038/nrg3188.
3. Bossdorf O, Richards CL, Pigliucci M. Epigenetics for ecologists. Ecol Lett. 2008;11(2):106-115. doi:10.1111/j.1461- 0248.2007.01130.x.
4. Verhoeven KJF, vonHoldt BM, Sork VL. Epigenetics in ecology and evolution: what we know and what we need to know. Mol Ecol. 2016;25(8):1631-1638. doi:10.1111/mec.13617.
5. Salinas S, Munch SB. Thermal legacies: transgenerational effects of temperature on growth in a vertebrate: Thermal transgenerational plasticity. Ecol Lett. 2012;15(2):159-163. doi:10.1111/j.1461-0248.2011.01721.x.
Full list of references available on the University of Exeters website.
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