Background
Coastal ecosystems harbor most of the marine life on the planet, but they are under increasing pressure from urbanization, industrialization, pollution, and overfishing. This, along with the effects of climate change, leads to the degradation and loss of coastal habitats, with dramatic declines in biodiversity and changes in ecosystem functioning.
The Norwegian coastline spans over 100,000 kilometers, with rocky shores dominated by macroalgae being the most common coastal biotope. MACROCOP focuses on a largely overlooked group in the macroalgae habitat, namely phytal copepods, which are tiny crustaceans closely associated with macroalgae. Unlike pelagic copepods, phytal copepods, small crustaceans which cling onto seaweed, remain largely unexplored. They do, however, likely play a large role in the coastal food web, since pilot experiments revealed a large quantity on almost every macroalgae strand. As part of the NFR-funded projects MACROCOP (https://www.mn.uio.no/ibv/english/research/sections/aqua/research-projects/macrocop/) and POICE, the students will use an array of different techniques and approaches to find out more about phytal copepods.
Project idea 1: Predation pressure by fish on phytal copepods (Jan Heuschele, Alexander Eiler, Josefin Titelman)
In this project, the student(s) will use in-situ underwater imaging, metabarcoding, and eDNA approaches to describe the potential predation pressure of small fish on phytal copepods.
The students will be able to combine collected samples and videomaterial, but also collect their own data in the Oslofjord and potentially other places along the Norwegian coast. The specifics of each master project will be catered to the students’ own interests.
Project idea 2: Feeding behavior and carbon transfer from macroalgae to phytal and pelagic copepods. (Jan Heuschele, Josefin Titelman, Kristina Kvile(NIVA))
To shed light on the ecological role of copepods associated with macroalgae habitats, we will investigate the trophic links between algae and copepods. We still know next to nothing about how phytal and pelagic copepods use macroalgae as food or shelter. To uncover these links, we will use a combination of a) feeding experiments, b) videography, and c) metabarcoding of field samples.
Project idea 3: Algae-specificity and environmental drivers of phytal copepods, with a special emphasis on native, invasive, and nuisance algae (Jan Heuschele, Kristina Kvile, JosefinTitelman)
The student(s) will determine whether phytal copepods prefer certain species of macroalgae, and whether invasive and nuisance algae have a similar community composition compared to native habitat-building seaweed such as Fucus. The data will be partly collected by the student in the Oslofjord themselves and will be supplemented with data already collected from other places in Norway. The community will be described primarily by automated imaging (using the planktoscope) and traditional counting techniques. In addition, there might be the possibility to use metabarcoding later in the project.
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Additional projects in combination with the project POICE
Parasites often have devastating impacts on their host, including increased mortality, behavioral modifications, sterility, and death. These effects on individuals have consequences for population and ecosystem dynamics.
Project idea 4: The disease dynamics in phytal copepods (Titelman, Heuschele)
Copepods are vital in pelagic ecosystems and central in pelagic food webs where they act as a trophic link between primary producers and larger carnivores. Despite that both copepods and parasites are considered important by themselves, parasites of copepods are not well studied. Pilot studies during the POICE project revealed that phytal copepods have more epibionts compared to pelagic copepods. In this master project, we will delve deeper into the seasonal dynamics and transmission mechanisms of both copepod host and epibionts, and experimentally quantify the costs of epibionts for the host.
Learning outcomes
In addition to critical thinking and report writing, the student will develop skills in experimental design and laboratory work, DNA metabarcoding, bioinformatics, and modern statistical analysis. The project includes laboratory work at UiO and potential work visits to NIVA. The project will include occasional trips to Dr?bak field station and other sampling sites along the Norwegian coast.
What we offer
All projects are a collaborative effort. We will plan the project details together, including the sampling regime, methods, and specific questions. The hands-on experience will equip the students with practical skills and allow them to develop critical thinking to become well-rounded marine ecologists. They will also gain solid knowledge of the plankton biodiversity in Norwegian waters. We offer a supportive learning environment where students will be part of a larger group working on different aspects of pelagic ecology.
If you have any questions please send us an email or come by our offices (note that JH is in the field from 10-29.6).
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