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This master project is linked to the Artsdatabanken-funded project Challenging taxa of gelatinous zooplankton (CHANGEZ). While a commonly observed dominant midwater hydromedusa in Arctic surveys, the trachymedusa Sminthea arctica (Hartlaub, 1909) is currently listed as a taxon inquirendum in the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). This is problematic, as the uncertain status of the species precludes it from being included in diversity assessments using WoRMS as the taxonomic backbone. This project will review the validity of the species Sminthea arctica, with the goal of resolving its status.

This MSc project includes:

  • taxonomic detective work on genus Sminthea
  • learning techniques in the DNA lab (DNA barcoding) and the morphology lab (identification and taxonomy)​
  • Phylogenetic and molecular species delimitation analysis
  • opportunitites to participate in field work
  • presenting in academic events and potentially being part of ​a peer-reviewed publication
  • inclusion in the Manet Team research group 🪼

Contact Aino Hosia, Luis Martell or Joan J. Soto-Angel to learn more about the project!

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    Several species of calycophoran and physonect siphonophores are considered bipolar (Arctic and Antarctic). Pics by Joan J. Soto-Angel

    According to the literature, some siphonophore species occur in both polar regions and their corresponding neighbouring waters, but are they really the same species or not? How similar/related are they?

    This MSc project includes:

    • Sampling opportunities in the Arctic​
    • Learning techniques at the DNA lab (DNA barcoding) and the morphology lab (identification and taxonomy)​
    • Phylogenetic and molecular species delimitation analysis
    • Joining activities for outreach and science popularization​
    • Presenting in academic events and potentially being part of ​a peer-reviewed publication
    • Participation in European Project POLE2POLE (Horizon2020)​

    ​Interested? Contact Luis Martell, Joan J Soto Angel, or Aino Hosia

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    Supervisors: Nataliya Budaeva, Dimitar Dimitrov

    Background:

    Nothria conchylega, Photo by: N. Budaeva (UiB)

    Nothria conchylega is a large and peculiar bristle worm with unique lifestyle. The worms live inside their tubes which they build of sediment particles or shell fragments and carry along almost like trichopteran larvae. The species is very abundant and has an extremely large geographical distribution in the Arctic, the North Atlantic and the North Pacific. Despite being a common species, little is known about the population structure of Nothria conchylega. The project aims to analyze the mitochondrial genomes and several nuclear markers obtained from the specimens sampled across the whole geographical range of the species and to study the mechanism supporting the gene flow within its large circumarctic geographical range.

    The project supervisors already have data available for the analysis which makes the students work focused more of the data analysis. However additional data can be generated to learn the wet lab techniques. The project is a great opportunity for a student to become familiar with the bioinformatic tools, learn how to analyze large datasets and address complex questions in the Arctic species phytogeography. A motivated student will have an opportunity to join field work in Svalbard or Finnmark (depending on the time frame of the Master project and availability).

    The project will include:

    • Examination of specimens of Nothria conchylega from the University Museum of Bergen collection
    • Sampling tissues for Illumina sequencing
    • DNA extraction and library preparation (optional)
    • Basic bioinformatic training and handling data in a terminal, learning bash commands
    • Basic training on how to work on a remote computer cluster
    • Mt-genome and nuclear RNA cluster assembly, BLAST
    • Annotation of assembled mitochondrial genomes
    • Phylogeographic analysis of the obtained data
    • Presenting results on a conference
    • Participating in a publication in a peer-reviewed journal

    Contact: Nataliya Budaeva