We are offering projects for motivated Master’s students that will investigate the ecological and genetic basis of colour polymorphism in the shrill carder bee (Bombus sylvarum). This study system is flexible in approach, with the opportunity to combine various topics and methods, including evolutionary ecology, genetics, thermal biology and behavioural biology.
Bumblebees display striking variation in colour patterns, which may influence fitness through thermoregulation, predator avoidance and behaviour. The shrill carder bee is particularly interesting as it occurs in two clearly distinct colour morphs – a light and a dark morph – that show partly different geographic distributions across Scandinavia. Recent work by us showed that the colour polymorphism in the species is bimodal rather than continuous, that the two morphs differ in their geographic distributions, and that a few closely linked SNPs are strongly associated with morph. Together, these findings suggest a simple genetic basis, potentially involving adaptation to local environments or thermoregulation.
Project aims and possible directions
The overall aim is to better understand why and how colour polymorphism is maintained in the shrill carder bee. Fieldwork will take place primarily in July. Depending on your interests, the project may include field sampling in south/middle Sweden, behavioural observations in the field, experiments on thermal biology and heat/cold tolerance, quantitative analysis of colouration, population genetics, or environmental and climate analyses. The exact focus will be defined together with you, allowing substantial scope for independent ideas and project development. The project is suitable as a 30-60 credit Master’s thesis. Applicants should have a background in biology, preferably with courses in ecology, evolution, physiology, or genetics. A driver’s licence is helpful but not essential.
Interested?
If you are interested, please contact any of us to discuss the project in more detail:
Bengt Hansson (bengt.hansson@biol.lu.se)
Andreas Nord (andreas.nord@biol.lu.se)
Simon Jacobsen Ellerstrand (simon.jacobsen_ellerstrand@biol.lu.se)
Katherine Mihalczo (katherine.mihalczo@biol.lu.se)