Constructing a tidal phase response curve in the marine isopod Eurylana

Project purpose
To investigate the mechanisms controlling the timing of behaviour of the marine isopod Eurylana (the sea louse) over the tidal cycle and to collect preliminary data on the phase responsivenessof the tidal clock to artificial tides.

The programme of work to be carried out
The project will measure the effect of simulated tidal pulses given at different times in the spontaneous tidal rhythm in individuals that are not being given regular tidal signals. The pulses are expected to advance or delay the tidal rhythm depending on the phase of the tidal rhythm at which the pulses are given. Through our on-going work we have identified that the lunar clock is likely generated or at least influenced by the interaction of the tidal and circadian clocks. However there is a lack of data about what the mechanism or range of entrainment might be for the tidal clock.

The programme of work will be carried out in our controlled environmental cabinets in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. The skills that the intern will be taught are experimental design, data handling and analysis. Note that no ethical approval is required for experiments involving invertebrates.

Day to day nature of the work
The successful applicant will be responsible for the collection of animals and the day to day maintenance of these animals in the laboratory under controlled conditions. The student will establish and implement the experimental design, collect, plot and analyse the data, and report on the results.

Skills the student will learn
1. Experimental design
2. Data handling and analysis.
 

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