The Respiratory Physiology of
Developmentally Amphibious Insects
PhD opportunity
The Matthews Lab in the Zoology Department at UBC (Point Grey Campus, Vancouver) is looking to recruit a
highly motivated PhD student to pursue NSERC-funded research into the respiratory and acid-base physiology
of developmentally amphibious insects. The position can be taken up anytime in 2017, and will remain open
until filled. You can learn more about the Matthews Lab here: http://www.matthewslab.zoology.ubc.ca/
Insects provide an exciting opportunity to further our understanding of the respiratory challenges facing
amphibious animals as they move between water and air. Insects are a terrestrial group of animals that have
repeatedly re-invaded the aquatic environment. Numerous insect orders have independently evolved a juvenile
aquatic life-stage, and the physiological adaptations necessary to live underwater. The physiological changes
that these insects undergo as they develop from aquatic juveniles to terrestrial adults will form the basis of the
research program. Potential projects include (but are not limited to):
The dynamic control of air and fluid within the tracheal system:
Insects breathe using a system of air-filled tubes: the tracheal system. The tracheal tubes of embryonic insects
are completely filled with a fluid that is rapidly drawn out and replaced with gas shortly before or after hatching.
In many insects this process occurs without access to ambient air, either while the insect is immersed in the
serosal fluid of the egg or submerged in water, and even in insects with non-functional spiracles. Furthermore,
some aquatic insects appear to regulate the volume of air in their tracheal system against changes in
hydrostatic pressure. How do submerged insects generate the gas necessary to drive the fluid from their
tracheal system? And in later life, how do they actively regulate the air/fluid volumes within their tracheal
system? A range of aquatic and terrestrial insects will be used to investigate these phenomena.
Changes in respiratory sensitivity across development:
Air-breathing animals tend to display a more pronounced
hyperventilatory response when exposed to high levels of CO2 than do
water-breathing animals. While a developmental shift in respiratory
chemosensitivity has been shown to occur in amphibians as they move
from water to air, it is not yet known whether developmentally
amphibious insects also undergo similar changes. This question will be
examined across a range of independently evolved aquatic insect
orders.
The successful applicant will have the following:
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MSc in comparative physiology, biomechanics/biophysics, or
other biology-related field
Demonstrated excellence in scientific achievement and
publication
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Experience with animal physiology would be advantageous
Adult and nymph darner dragonflies
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email the following to Dr Phil Matthews
([email protected]): 1) a letter indicating background and research interests, 2) a current CV, 3) a
copy of your academic transcript, 4) the names and contact information of at least two referees. Outstanding
candidates should consider applying for funding: http://www.zoology.ubc.ca/graduate-studies/funding
To learn more about the graduate program at UBC please go here: http://www.zoology.ubc.ca/graduatestudies/whycome