*Master Thesis Research Opportunity: Diet Divergence in Island Endemic
Birds of São Tomé*Are you enthusiastic about island ecosystems, species
interactions, and evolutionary biology? Join our exciting project exploring
diet divergence in São Tomé's endemic birds!

*Why island birds?*Islands are unique environments characterized by limited
resources, fostering distinctive adaptations in species. This often leads
to a broader diet range and reduced interspecies competition compared to
the mainland, but increased intraspecific competition (Blondel 2000, Grant
1965, Sfenthourakis & Triantis 2009, Schoener 2010). Our focus is to
understand how these pressures influence diet specialization between males
and females, which may result in sexual dimorphism (Ebenman & Nilsson 1982,
O'Connell et al. 2019).

*What will you investigate?*In this master's project we aim to compare the
diet of females and males of several endemic birds from São Tomé and answer:
1. Do males and females exploit different food sources?
2. Generalist vs. Specialist Species: Which types of species show greater
diet divergence between sexes?
3. How does diet niche variation relate to morphological traits like bill
shape?

*What will you do?*1. Conduct DNA metabarcoding from previously collected
faeces and blood samples.
2. Use genetic data to identify diet composition and determine the sex of
monomorphic species.
3. Use bioinformatics to analyse diet breadth and niche differences between
sexes.
4. Correlate diet data with morphological characteristics.
5. Fieldwork: Depending on timing and student motivation, an expedition to
São Tomé may be possible for additional sample collection.

*More information*The work will primarily be done at the CIBIO-Biopolis,
Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal. Working periods in partner Research
Institutions may take place.
Duration of the project: 6 months (can be extended depending on the
master's programme)
Expected starting date is early 2025 (February or March). *This position is
not paid but there is a possibility to apply for funding* (Erasmus Mundus,
etc).

*Who should apply?*We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated student
interested in evolutionary biology, ecology, and bioinformatics. Lab and
field experience is a plus, but passion and a willingness to learn are
essential.
Interested candidates should provide: (1) a motivation letter with a
statement of research interests, skills and experience relevant to the
position, (2) a CV, (3) contact details of two referees, (4) copies of
previous degrees transcripts.

*Join Us!*
This is a great opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in
island ecology and evolution. You can check more about our work at
www.islandbirdproject.com
The application call is open between 21/10/2024 and 1/12/2024.
Candidatures or informal queries should be emailed to Raquel Ponti
raquelponti@gmail.com, and Ana Leitão anamvleitao@gmail.com.

References:
Sfenthourakis & Triantis (2009). Habitat diversity, ecological
requirements of species and the Small Island Effect. Divers. Distrib.,
15, 131-140.

Schoener (2010). The MacArthur-Wilson Equilibrium Model. The theory of
island biogeography revisited, 52-87.

Blondel (2000). Evolution and ecology of birds on islands: trends and
prospects. Vie et Mil./Life & Env., 205-220.

Grant (1965). The adaptative significance of some size trends in island
birds. Evolution, 355-367.

Ebenman & Nilsson (1982). Components of niche width in a territorial
bird species: habitat utilization in males and females of the chaffinch
(Fringilla coelebs) on islands and mainland. Am. Nat., 119, 331-344.

O'Connell, et al. (2019). Increased sexual dimorphism in dense
populations of Olive-backed Sunbirds on small islands: morphological
niche contraction in females but not males. Emu 119, 296-307.

Ana Leitão <anamvleitao@gmail.com>

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