Undergraduate Program :: URAP (Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program)

Research Projects in the Department of Zoology

Prairie vole behavioral ecology
Contact: Dimitri Blondel, dblondel@zoology.ufl.edu, Carr Hall 614
Faculty supervisor: Dr. Steven M. Phelps

A volunteer is needed for an integrative research project studying the behavioral ecology of the prairie vole.  The project foci include molecular neuroscience, behavioral endocrinology, and social behavior.  This position requires a minimum commitment of 6 hours volunteer work per week, and involves both field and lab components.  Volunteers must be able to provide their own transportation, as some of the work will take place at our field site 9 miles northwest of campus.  The fieldwork includes monitoring voles in semi-natural outdoor enclosures.  The volunteer will initially be responsible for taking measurements and health status of voles in the field, and eventually (in the Fall term) monitoring behavior via radio-tracking, live-trapping and artificial nest-box surveys.  The lab work initially includes hormone assays and genetic analysis examining evidence of past selection, using PCR and other methods.  Preference will be given to those individuals interested in volunteering long-term ( minimum through Spring semester). No experience is required; however, applicants should feel comfortable working with small animals.  There are also educational opportunities (weekly lab meetings that include discussion of behavior-related journal articles and research), and independent research opportunities for long-term volunteers.

Life history patterns of horseshoe crabs at Seahorse Key
Contact: Dr. Jane Brockmann hjb@zoology.ufl.edu, Bartram Hall 320, 352-392-1297
www.zoology.ufl.edu/Faculty/brockmann.html
Faculty supervisor: Dr. Jane Brockmann

We are conducting a study on the population biology, life-history patterns and morphometrics of horseshoe crabs at the UF Marine Laboratory at Seahorse Key (near Cedar Key on the Gulf coast). Horseshoe crabs that are living in the Gulf of Mexico are known to be physically and genetically different from those living on the Atlantic coast, but nothing is known about differences in their life-history patterns. We will conduct a cohort analysis on juvenile horseshoe crabs from Seahorse Key. I am seeking one student to help with measuring and collecting horseshoe crabs during the summer and fall (minimum 3 hours per week). No experience is necessary, but the student must be interested in field work, attentive to details and comfortable with computers. Please week. The hours are very flexible.

What does it take to eat wood? Digestive physiology in wood-eating catfishes (Loricariidae)
Contact: Donovan P. German, dgerman@ufl.edu
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. David H. Evans

We are seeking an undergraduate assistant to aid in animal husbandry for two feeding trials that are underway with wood-eating catfishes.  Duties will primarily be centered around tank maintenance (water changes, assessing water quality) and feeding of fishes.  If performance is noteworthy, the selected undergraduate may transition into a laboratory position utilizing various techniques, including biochemical assays of digestive enzyme activities, and histological analyses of gut tissue.  Interested individuals should contact Donovan German.

Florida manatee photo IDs and some tracking of tagged animals (Field Work).
Contact: Dr. Iske Larkin, LarkinI@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu, 392-4700 ext5168
Faculty supervisor: Dr. Iske Larkin

I study reproduction in Florida manatees, both captive and wild. We are currently focusing on collecting photo IDs from wild manatees, and monitoring behavioral and hormonal data from tagged manatees that inhabit Kings Bay, Crystal River throughout different seasons. I have room for 2 students, to work as a team, who would have a full day available for field work each week, week day or weekend, with a limited number of weeks off. The study would include taking photographs of manatees with identifiable scar patterns for photo IDs and some tracking of tagged manatees around Kings Bay. Please be prepared by packing food, proper sun protection (i.e. sunglasses, sun block, and hat), and appropriate clothes to keep warm and dry. Conducting field work would include using a kayak or canoe and willingness to provide your own travel out to Crystal River, Florida (~1 hr 30 min drive from Gainesville) once a week. I need a minimum 2 semester commitment, 3 semesters preferred. Any boating and/or field experience a plus. Please contact Dr. Larkin via e-mail, office phone or cell: 494-1742.

Plant and animal interactions
Contact: Silvia Lomáscolo, slomascolo@yahoo.com
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Douglas Levey

I am interested in evolutionary and ecological aspects of plant-animal interactions.  Specifically, my Ph.D. research aims at answering a long-stading question in the field of fruit-frugivore interactions:  how important are seed dispersers in the evolution of fruiting plants?  I focused on the plant genus Ficus (commonly known as figs), an incredible diverse and interesting group of plants, and in all the animals that eat their fruits and disperse their seeds (mainly flying foxes, birds, marsupials, in my system).  Fieldwork for my dissertation took place in Papua New Guinea, where I collected data on fruit characteristics such as odor, color, size, location on the tree, and degree of synchrony in fruiting for over 40 species of figs, as well as information on who eats what species. I am now back in the lab and I need help on recording fruit consumption data from videotapes filmed in the field. The student would also have some data entry duties.  

Mockingird breeding ecology
Contact: Gustavo Londono, galondo@ufl.edu
www.zoology.ufl.edu/gustavo/research.html Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Douglas Levey

This is a field based project, ideal to get experience in different avian field techniques and hypothesis testing. This project will take place on the UF campus from May to July 2007. I am interested in the factors that affect parents’ behaviors during the nesting period (incubation and nestling). The basic data will be collected in this project include incubation behavior (e. g., time on nest, number of trips to and from the nest, among others), food provisioning by the parents to the nestlings and nestling growth and survival. The basic field techniques will be: capturing birds (using mist-nets and traps), collecting blood samples, the use of thermal sensors to obtain incubation behavior, and gathering behavioral data. I would like the volunteers involved in the projects to collect all the data mentioned above, but also to have their on independent project, which they can use to write manuscripts for publications. This summer two undergrads from the pervious field season will be doing their independent projects, Judit Ungvari-Martin jungvari@ufl.edu “The effects of clutch size on incubation behavior, nestling growth and survival”, and Monique Hiersoux gatrgurl@ufl.edu “Why do parents eat the nestlings’ fecal sacs?”. Please feel free to contact them and ask them about their experience. If you want to work in this project please contact me, and visit my web page www.zoology.ufl.edu/gustavo/research.html to see more details.

Reproductive behavior of Sailfin Mollies exposed to sewage effluent
Contact: Krista McCoy, kristam@zoology.ufl.edu
Faculty Supervisor: Colette St Mary

Estrogenic chemicals from household products, and birth control are present in sewage effluent, and can be prevalent in lakes or streams associated with sewage treatment plants. The goals of this study are to investigate whether sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna) living in habitats containing sewage effluent exhibit altered reproductive traits, and whether females find males from waters containing sewage effluent less attractive. Specifically, we will test the hypothesis that males caught in habitats where sewage effluent occurs will engage in courtship displays less frequently, which will translate into a decreased preference for these males by females. We are also interested in determining whether females from contaminated sites have lower fecundity and altered reproductive behavior. We are interested in attracting highly motivated students who are willing to work independently, and can dedicate at least 4 hours a week in the laboratory or field. Talented students will have opportunities to work on independent projects and publish their results.

Comparitive behavior of dendrobatid frogs
Contact: Seabird McKeonmckeons@ufl.edu
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Gustav Paulay

I'm looking for a motivated, responsible undergraduate to help with a comparative behavioral project with Dendrobatid frogs.  The initial project will be the set up and maintenance of the frog breeding program, so prospective students can expect a lot of  practice with the husbandry of frogs and fruit flies.   Good attitude, and responsibility most important.  Students who have taken animal behavior, ecology, evolution, systematics and vertebrate zoology classes, OR can demonstrate genuine excitement and interest in these fields, preferred.  If the right person comes along, I'd consider developing an independent project with the goal of publication.  If interested, please send a cover letter, CV, and the names of two Zoology professors who will provide verbal references when I ask.

Differential fecundity of coral symbionts
Contact: Seabird McKeonmckeons@ufl.edu
Faculty supervisor: Dr. Gustav Paulay

I'm looking for a motivated, responsible undergraduate to help with a study of coral ecto-symbionts- mostly coral guard crabs of the genus Trapezia and Alpheus lottini,  a large snapping shrimp.  The position will entail a lot of counting.  Quite a bit of scope time as well.  This would be a good project for students with interests in ecology, biodiversity, or marine biology.  Good attitude, and responsibility most important.  If the right person comes along, I'd consider developing an independent project with the goal of publication.  If interested, please send a cover letter, CV, and the names of two Zoology professors who will provide verbal references when I ask.

 

Systematics and evolution of sea cucumbers
Contact: Dr Gustav Paulay, paulay@flmnh.ufl.edu
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Gustav Paulay

Holothurians, or sea cucumbers, are echinoderm worms, pushing the limits of echinoderm body plan. They are also among the most common and conspicuous marine organisms around the world. This project focuses on the systematic revision and phylogenetic study of holothurians. We are collaboratively revising the largely tropical families Holothuriidae and Stichopodidae, and many small projects exists within this broader initiative. These smaller projects involve the following potential components: morphological study of one or more species, determining their names based on the literature and available type specimens, describing species that are new, generating sequence data on selected markers, constructing morphological and molecular phylogenetic hypothesis, and examining evolutionary changes in morphology, ecology, life history based on resulting trees.

Reproductive tactics and female mating behavior in the banana spider
Contact: Clare Rittschof, critts@zoology.ufl.edu
Faculty Supervisor: Jane Brockmann

I am looking for a student to assist me in the beginning stages of my research project on male reproductive tactics and female mating behavior in the local banana spider, Nephila clavipes.  No experience is necessary, and I will be working side by side with the student.  The primary task will be to assist in field data collection.  Other tasks may include cage building and spider care.  Time demand will vary over the course of the summer and early fall (June-September), but will average about 3-5 hours a week.  Hours are flexible, and will change depending on the project stage.

Bibliography of crocodilian biology
Contact: Kent Vliet, kent.vliet@zoology.ufl.edu, Carr Hall B-15
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Kent Vliet

I am working on an extensive bibliography of crocodilian biology. I need assistance in library work and data base entry of reference material. Assistants will also have some opportunity to work with captive collections of crocodilians at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.

Diversity and conservation of tropical Andean butterflies
Contact: Dr. Keith Willmott, kwillmott@flmnh.ufl.edu Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Keith Willmott

The tropical Andean region contains the richest and most poorly known butterfly fauna in the world. I am involved in a long-term study of the diversity, distribution and conservation of the butterflies of Ecuador, as well as a new project on the butterflies of the tropical Andean region, from Venezuela to Bolivia. Our goals are to compile distribution data and analyze them to test biogeographic hypotheses and identify priority areas for conservation. The Florida Museum of Natural History contains one of the largest collections of Andean butterflies but much work remains to be done to extract information from specimens and make them available. Potential activities for assistants include helping with identification of specimens and curation of the collection, databasing information from specimen labels and literature using a Microsoft Access database, photographing examples of each species to provide images for a web archive, and preparing dried, papered specimens for incorporation into the collection. Since each of these activities involves a significant period of training, students should be committed to working for a minimum of 4 hours per week for the summer semester, though hours are flexible. Students can expect to learn a variety of techniques used in museum curation as well as gain a broader understanding of neotropical diversity, and there is the potential for receiving research credits and developing independent projects. PLEASE NOTE that no standard laboratory work or field work is involved. Students should be hard-working, careful, prepared to work alone after training, have experience in working with computers and have a keen interest in zoology. Some knowledge of biological classification and Spanish would also be helpful.

Zoology research projects in other departments

Urban stream ecology: the role of road crossings on small streams
Contact: Marcus Griswold, marcgris@ufl.edu
Faculty supervisor: Dr. Thomas Crisman

We are currently examining the role of road crossings on upstream and downstream dynamics in small headwaters streams, using macroinvertebrates, sediment distribution, and metals as indicators of the type and magnitude of disturbance. Laboratory work involves sorting and identification of invertebrates, particle size analysis, data input, and basic analysis. In addition we will have two sampling periods in the spring smester which will involve stream profiling, habitat assessment, macroinvertebrate, and sediment sampling. The volunteer would need to commit at least 4 hours a week. No prior training is required. Please contact by email if interested.