Master Projects - Eco-Ethology Instituto Superior Psicologia

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Master Projects - Eco-Ethology (m/f)(28-01-10)

ISPA - Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada

The Eco-Ethology Research Unit from ISPA (Lisbon) (www.ispa.pt/ui/uie/ibbg) is offering master projects in the following topics:


Project 1 - “Functional genomics of reproductive behaviours and male alternative reproductive tactics in the blenny Salaria pavo”

The project will focus on how variation in gene expression regulates reproductive behaviours and
male alternative reproductive tactics in the blenny Salaria pavo. In this species male alternative
reproductive tactics have been described where large males adopt nests and court females while
small males mimic the female’s morphology and courtship displays in order to approach the nests
of larger males and parasitically fertilize eggs. These alternative reproductive tactics are sequential as parasitic males later develop into nesting males. The project will focus on the changes that take place in gene expression in relevant tissues (brain, secondary sexual characters) during the transition and aims to contibute for the understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying plasticity in sex-related morphological and behavioural traits in fish. The candidate will be based, and conduct the majority of the laboratory work at ISPA, in Lisbon, under the direct supervision of Dr. David Gonçalves. A suitable candidate should have relevant laboratory experience in molecular biology. Candidates should send a copy of their CV’s and a motivation letter to davidg@ispa.pt.


Project 2 - “Neuroendocrine control of reproductive behavior in the Mozambique Tilapia: mechanisms and effects of the social environment”

This project aims to identify the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying the expression of reproductive
behavior and how these are affected by social factors in the Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus.
In the first part of the project, the neural and endocrine mechanisms involved in the control of reproductive
behavior will be identified by a combination of behavioral, neuroendocrine and molecular methods. These
include identifying the brain areas underlying the expression of reproductive behaviours using immediate early genes as markers of neuronal activation and testing the effect of hormones and neuropeptides on behavior and on neuromodulatory pathways. In the second part of the project the modulation of androgens by the social environment and its effects in the neural circuits underlying reproductive behaviors will be tested. In particular, the effects of social status and social stability on circulating androgen levels and on the expression of brain steroidogenic hormone receptors, steroidogenic enzymes, neuropeptides such as AVT and IT and monoamines will be characterized. The candidate is expected to participate in part of these tasks. The candidate will be based, and conduct the majority of the laboratory work at ISPA, in Lisbon, under the supervision of Dr. Rui Oliveira. Candidates should send a copy of their CV’s and a motivation letter to ruiol@ispa.pt.


Project 3 – “Neuroendocrine modulation of cooperative behaviour – the effect of exogenously administrated hormones on individual cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus behavioural decisions”
The main goal of this project is to study how neuroendocrine mechanisms modulate cooperative behaviour by analyzing how the Indo-Pacific bluestreak cleaner wrasses L. dimidiatus respond to endocrine manipulation, while in their natural habitat and while interacting with real clientele. Observations to cleaner wrasses behaviour will be made before and after each treatment. All cleaner manipulation, from catching to hormone injections will be done underwater and at each cleaner’s territory. The candidate is expected to conduct some laboratory work at Lisbon’s Oceanario possibly prior and after the field work season. However, the core of this project will be field based, at Lizard Island Research Station (Great barrier Reef, Australia), for at least 2 months (middle July to middle September 2010) while diving during the entire research period, under the supervision of Dr Marta Soares. The suitable candidate is thus expected to have at least some minimum diving experience (and boat handling) and, ideally some relevant behavioural ecology background. Candidates should send a copy of their CV’s and a motivation letter to msoares@ispa.pt.