Diversity and evolution of wasps and bees along an altitudinal gradient
Altitudinal gradients can incorporate extreme environmental heterogeneity over relatively
short distances. They are therefore useful for understanding processes that generate and
maintain biodiversity. Gradients in variables such as temperature can also indicate species’
likely sensitivity to future climate change. This project will measure altitudinal trends in the
diversity of bees and wasps (Hymenoptera) in the tropical Ecuadorian Andes, comparing
primary and secondary forest at each altitude. The work will additionally investigate the
adaptive value of critical life-history traits. Bees and wasps provide vital ecosystem services
such as pollination, parasitism and predation, and include almost unparalleled life-history
diversity, from solitary parasitoid wasps to the most advanced insect societies. Individual
species often have multiple habitat requirements (e.g. nest site, specific prey type, nectar
source), making them particularly sensitive to changes in climate and land use.
Key aims will be to:
(1) Measure the diversity of bees and wasps along an established altitudinal gradient from
0-3500m a.s.l. in NW Ecuador. A variety of sampling methods will be used (e.g.
flight interception traps, net-sampling, trap-nests), and abiotic variables will also be
measured. Some other taxa show diversity peaks at low or mid-altitudes, but little is
currently known about Hymenoptera.
(2) Investigate how the frequency of particular life-history traits varies with altitude, such
as sociality and cuckoo parasitism. Most previous work has focussed on temperate
gradients, and research in the tropics can provide critical tests of key hypotheses.
(3)
Investigate variation in abundance, resource use and life-history traits for a small
number of species that occur throughout the gradient.
The work will involve spending two or three periods of 2-4 months each in Ecuador sampling
wasps and bees, conducting experiments and observing behaviour. Sample identification and
data analysis will be carried out mainly in the UK. The project will be co-supervised by Dr
Mika Peck and Professor Jeremy Field (see http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/pecklab/ and
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/fieldlab/ for further details of our friendly research groups).
The student will receive the benefits of an exceptional (on a world scale) concentration of
research expertise at Sussex that focuses on ecology and evolution, particularly in wasps and
bees. The student will attend UK conferences and at least one international conference.
REQUIREMENTS: we seek a well-motivated student with an interest in ecology and
evolution, who enjoys and is capable of fieldwork. Applicants must have or expect to receive
at least a 2:1 degree and be UK citizens. A driving licence is essential and an ability to speak
Spanish would be useful, as would previous experience with fieldwork and/or insect
identification.
References (related to the research topic)
PECK M.R., MADDOCK S.T., MORALES J.N., OÑATE H., MAFLA-ENDARA P.,
AGUIRRE PEÑAFIEL V., POZO-RIVERA W.E., CUEVA-ARROYO X.A., TOLHURST
B.A. (2013). Cost-effectiveness of using small vertebrates as indicators of
habitat. Conservation Biology (in press)
CRONIN, A., BRIDGE, C. & FIELD, J. (2011). Climatic correlates of temporal demographic
variation in the tropical hover wasp Liostenogaster flavolineata. Insectes Sociaux 58:23-29.
PECK M.R., TIRIRA D., THORNE J. BAIRD A. & KNIVETON D. (2011). Focusing
conservation efforts for the critically endangered brown-headed spider monkey (Ateles
fusciceps) using remote sensing, modelling and playback survey methods. International
Journal of Primatology 32:134-148.
LEADBEATER, E., CARRUTHERS, J.M., GREEN, J.P., ROSSER, N.S. & FIELD, J.
(2011) Nest inheritance is the missing source of direct fitness in a primitively eusocial insect.
Science 333:874-876.
FIELD, J., PAXTON, R.J., SORO, A. & BRIDGE, C. (2010). Cryptic plasticity underlies a
major evolutionary transition. Current Biology 20:2028-31
Please email a CV and covering letter, explaining your suitability for the post, to both Mika
Peck (m.r.peck@sussex.ac.uk) and Jeremy Field (j.field@sussex.ac.uk). The CV should
include:
1. Contact details (including e-mail addresses) for the applicant and 2-3 referees who would
be available to provide references during Feb 2014.
2. The applicant's availability for interview at Sussex University during Feb 2014.
3. Statement of whether the applicant (a) has a driving licence; (b) speaks Spanish at any
level.
For any further queries contact Dr Mika Peck (M.R.Peck@sussex.ac.uk) or Prof.
Jeremy Field (J.Field@sussex.ac.uk)
Application process:
To be considered for a place you will need to complete our online application which can be
found at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/applying/
Apply for 2014 entry, September start. Mention the name of the supervisor in “suggested
supervisor” section. In funding section mention sponsored or seeking funding. In Award
details mention School of Life Sciences funded studentship.
Documents required: A brief statement of interest in the project (upto 2 pages), full CV, two
academic references, UG/PG transcripts and IELTS/TOEFL results if you are residing in EU.
Funding: The studentship is for 3.5 years (and includes full fee waiver for 3.5 years, stipend
Research Council equivalent rate, £13,726 in 2013; and 50 hours teaching as part of
studentship). Only full time students will be accepted.