Master thesis topics 2019-2020 - Department of Biology Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics
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Master thesis topics 2019-2020
Department of Biology
Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics
Prof. Flip Volckaert
The VOLCKAERT
Team
Ecology Evolution
Fundamental research at the interface of
ecology & evolution
with applications in fisheries, aquaculture, human biology
and conservation biology
Topics for master
theses
Trophic ecology
of Arctic fish
Adaptation to pollution
in freshwater fish
Parasitology of
freshwater fish
Topics Master in Biology The following five topics can be selected by students following the English taught Master in Biology or Dutch taught Master Biologie. We have also two topics for students in the Master of Sustainable Development.
Patterns of parasite diversity in three riverine
Title
fishes – I and II
Promoter Prof. Dr. Filip Volckaert (Filip.Volckaert@bio.kuleuven.be, 016 32 39 72)
Supervisor Io Deflem (io.deflem@kuleuven.be)
Aim
We’ll study patterns of parasite communities and distribution in three fish
species. Previous studies have shown that parasite diversity and
abundance differ drastically among populations. We will investigate which
factors influence these differences. Low water quality and pollution are
well-known problems in Flemish rivers and affect fish communities in many
ways but do they also influence fish parasite communities? Or does host
diversity play an important role? We will compare the impact between
three fish species: three-spined stickleback, a very tolerant and robust
species, stone loach, a bottom-dwelling and sensitive species and
topmouth gudgeon, a highly tolerant and invasive species, all from the
Demer basin. Practical work will focus on dissecting fish and screening them
for the presence of ecto- and endoparasites. This project is highly flexible
and can be split into multiple subprojects; we aim at two students.
Application
The research fits in a project with the Flemish Environmental Agency to
improve river management.
Patterns of parasite diversity in three riverine
fishes – I and II
Stone loach, three-spined
Sampling locations in the Dijle-Demer basin Sampling stickleback, topmouth
gudgeon
IRO Evolutionary ecology –
Life history traits of Tanganyika sardines:
providing data for sustainable management
Promoter Prof. dr. Filip Volckaert
filip.volckaert@kuleuven.be, tel: 016 32 39 72
Supervisor Els De Keyzer
els,dekeyzer@@kuleuven.be
Aim
You will work with samples of sardines of Lake
Tanganyika in order to understand more of their
population structure and life cycle. This way you help
in providing much needed information to increase
sustainability of the LT fisheries.
You will do lab work, including (geo)morphometrics,
and will be responsible for data collection and
analysis. If the opportunity arises, the project may
involve fieldwork in DR Congo (pending a successful
application for an IRO grant).
Application
The fisheries of Lake Tanganyika are an important food
source for millions of people living near the lake shores.
Almost 60% of the catch consists of two sardine species,
and these populations now threaten to collapse. To
enable effective management, more information about
the biology of the two sardine species is much needed.
Evolutionary ecology –
Life history traits of Tanganyika sardines:
providing data for sustainable management
Relevant for management of Two endemic pelagic clupeids make
an essential food source up most of the fisheries catch
Stolothrissa tanganicae
Limnothrissa miodon
Tanganyika, one
of the oldest and
largest lakes in
(geo)Morphometrics to discover the world
hidden population structure
Adaptation of the three-spined stickleback
to heavy metals
Promoter Prof. Dr. Filip Volckaert
(Filip.Volckaert@bio.kuleuven.be, 016 32 39 72)
Supervisor Anna Kordas (anna.kordas@kuleuven.be, 016 19 42 93)
Aim
Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment remains a
major concern. Fish may survive at sites where toxic substances
exceed lethal levels. So far we have established that certain
populations do seem to survive at higher levels of mercury in the
Scheldt and Meuse basin. To understand if this happens due to
acclimation or adaptation processes, an experiment involving
multi-generational exposure to mercury (Hg) will be performed.
Parents are crossed and their sibs raised in aquaria. The progeny
are exposed to various concentrations of mercury and various
biological end points measured. The findings will help to
understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms. Model
organism is the freshwater three-spined stickleback (TSSB).
Application
The results of your thesis will give a better assessment of the risks
our freshwater ecosystems are facing.
Adaptation of the three-spined stickleback
Title
to heavy metals
This project has three components
http://carinbondar.com/wp-
content/uploads/2010/04/stickleback.jpg
Challenge tests of juveniles
Lab work: breeding
Field work exposed to mercury
of F1 generationEvolutionary
Evolutionary ecology – ecology –
Metabarcoding of
Metabarcoding
polar fish: microbiome ofcomposition
polar fish: in a
microbiome coposition
changing in a changing Arctic
Arctic
Promoter Prof. Dr. Filip Volckaert (filip.volckaert@bio.kuleuven.be, 016 32 39 72)
Supervisor Sarah Maes (sarah.maes@kuleuven,be)
Aim
Climate-induced changes put an increasing pressure on the Arctic ecosystem and
its populations, including the abundant circumpolar fish polar cod (Boreogadus
saida). Changes in the abundance and distribution of this keystone species will
impact the entire Arctic food web. Therefore, good knowledge of polar cod’s
genetics and ecology is essential. Gut microbiota of fish can be sensitive to dietary
changes. Moreover, microbiota diversity and composition can vary among
populations. In this project, we aim to investigate microbiome composition of polar
cod and the link between diet and microbiome.
Application
Next to climate change, also global fisheries are
expanding towards the poles and put increasing pressure
on the ecosystems Solid understanding of local
populations is needed to advance conservation
measures and/or sensible management.Evolutionary ecology – Metabarcoding of
polar fish: microbiome composition in a
changing Arctic
This project involves molecular laboratory techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, gel
electrophoresis) and statistical examination of the gut microbiome composition.
Boreogadus saida
This is a great opportunity for students with interest in marine polar biology & genetics!Good to remember
Our research involves :
- field sampling Trophic ecology
of Arctic fish
- lab work
- collaborative research
- excellent tutoring
Adaptation to pollution
- international contacts in freshwater fish
- societal applications Parasitology of
freshwater fish
For information consult bio.kuleuven.be/eeb/lbeg and
https://wet.kuleuven.be/apps/thesis
Please drop by at our lab for more information!
http://bio.kuleuven.be/eeb/lbegConservation Genetics –
Conservation genetics of the Edwards’s
pheasant (Lophura edwardsi)
Promoter Prof. Dr. Filip Volckaert (filip.volckaert@bio.kuleuven.be, 016 32 39 72)
Co-promoter Dr. Peter Galbusera (Peter.Galbusera@kmda.org
Aim
The pheasant Lophura edwardsi lives in the forests of central Vietnam and is listed Critically
Endangered. The species might be even closer to extinction and more difficult to rescue than
previously thought. Fortunately, representatives of the species are still present in a captive stock
that was set up between 1924 and 1930 and is currently housed in both private collections and at
zoological gardens, with no extra influx from the wild. This population has been proposed to serve
as a source to rescue the species in the wild. Unfortunately the population is derived from 28
individuals of which only 6 to 8 females. Previous mitochondrial DNA analyses showed that
genetic variability within this captive population has seriously declined, most likely due to a severe
bottleneck that occurred between 1942 and 1947. Since analyses have been based on
mitochondrial or maternally inherited DNA, some hybrid birds might have been left undetected.
However, after several back-crosses with pure birds, the chance to discover a hybrid becomes
more and more difficult. Hence a sufficient number of nuclear (microsatellite) markers has to be
used to separate pure from hybrid L. edwardsi. The student will generate detailed insights in the
(relative) amount, spread and optimal management of genetic diversity in the captive
population. Historical samples stored in musea will serve as a reference for the wild population, a
reference that will be of use to further verify for hybridization within this population.
Application
Your results support the conservation of biodiversity and the forest in Central Vietnam.Conservation Genetics –
Conservation genetics of the Edwards’s
pheasant (Lophura edwardsi)
This project involves literature and database research, sample prepation, genotyping
and computational work. Knowledge of numerical computing in R is appreciated.
It is a great opportunity for students with an interest in the management of tropical
fowl. Working place will be Leuven with regular visits to the zoo in Antwerp.Evolutionary ecology – Global Minds
Hybridization of Schistosoma species in Zimbabwe
and South Africa: Implications for animal and human
disease transmission
Co-promoter: Dr. Tine Huyse (tine.huyse@kuleuven.be, 02 769 57 63)
Promoter: Prof. Dr. Filip Volckaert (filip.volckaert@kuleuven.be, 016 32 39 72)
Aim: Man-made lakes are especially prone to the introduction of non-indigenous species,
due to their young age and high niche availability. When these species become
invasive, they can destabilize the ecosystem. Lake Kariba is one of the largest man-
made lakes in the world, but studies on non-indigenous species are scarce. Here we
focus on invasive freshwater molluscs that can host trematode parasites, which are the
causative agent of fasciolosis and other snailborne diseases affecting wildlife and
livestock. The following tasks are planned. (1) 6 weeks of fieldwork, collection of snail
hosts and stool samples from putative wildlife hosts (Zimbabwe)and (2) literature study,
PCR analysis to identify parasite infection, data analysis and reporting at Royal Museum
for Central Africa and KU Leuven (Belgium).
Justification: This study will allow to identify the role of invasive snail species in the
epidemiology of infectious diseases and to quantify the infection pressure for wildlife in
Kariba.Evolutionary ecology – IRO
Hybridization of Schistosoma species in Zimbabwe
and South Africa: Implications for animal and human
disease transmission.
Life cycle Schistosoma Schistosome parasite Bulinus snails shedding experimentsYou can also read
