Bombus sylvarum is a small bumblebee species which has a melanistic morph in southern Sweden. However, further north in Sweden it can be found as both a melanistic and light morph within the same population. This is in contrast to other parts of Europe such as the UK where it only exists as a light morph. Due to the morph’s discrete nature, we hypothesis that these are controlled by a single or a few loci, which we would like to identify. The student would work with whole genome sequences of individuals from the same population to infer candidate loci. The work can further be complemented with field work in lake Kvismaren were both morphs exist, either to estimate frequency of the two morphs or collect individuals for DNA lab work.
We are looking for a master student to join us in exploring the population genomics of bumblebees and hoverflies. However, we can also offer 15-credit projects involving field and/or DNA-lab work.
About our lab
We are interested in the evolution of sex chromosomes, as well as questions about local adaptation and conservation genomics. We can offer projects giving both experience in the DNA lab, as well as skills in analysing next generation sequencing data. For projects including lab work and population genetic questions we would prefer the student to have taken the course Molecular Ecology and Evolution, or equivalent course. We are also open to students taking an integrative approach, combining genetic methods with other analyses, such as niche modelling and morphometrics.
Interested?
If you are interested in this project in particular, similar projects on morph variation in Volucella bombylans, or projects involving population genomics and sex chromosomes in bumblebees and birds, please do not hesitate to contact us! We would love to set up a meeting to discuss any project in more detail and answer any questions you might have. Please contact both of us in an email:
Simon Jacobsen Ellerstrand: simon.jacobsen_ellerstrand@biol.lu.se
Bengt Hansson: bengt.hansson@biol.lu.se