Project title:
Novel insights into coral coexistence through early life competition studies
Mentor names:
Sean Connolly, staff scientist, connollys@si.edu
Co-mentor: Carrie Sims, postdoc, simsca@si.edu
Location:
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Townsville, Australia
Project summary and objectives:
Coral reefs, like tropical rainforests, boast incredible biodiversity and contain high species richness of the foundational taxa, making them ideal systems for studying species coexistence. This project explores coral species interactions during their early life stages, a critical period that shapes their survival and growth, with implications for community structure.
Traditional ecological theories struggled to explain what was commonly observed in nature - how similar species coexist without one competitively excluding the other. Our research dives into Modern Coexistence Theory (MCT), which provides a toolkit for quantifying how much a type of ecological interaction can increase intra-specific competition relative to inter-specific competition, thereby promoting coexistence. Such effects prevent any single species from monopolizing the habitat, resulting in increased species diversity in the community. Understanding the processes that maintain high biodiversity is crucial to anticipate community level responses to climate change and biodiversity loss.
Working at the SeaSim facility at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and Orpheus Island Research Station, this project will:
- investigate how intra- and interspecific interactions during early life stages affect settlement success, spatial patterns, and post-settlement survival and growth; and
- determine whether conspecific adults exert a stronger negative impact on the early survival and growth of settlers than interactions with heterospecific adults
Mentorship goals:
The intern will become familiar with experimental, laboratory, and analytical methods in coral ecology, working closely with Carrie Sims and other interns and collaborators on the project.
The intern will have the opportunity to
- apply the theory and skills you have learned while studying in a professional workplace setting
- fully participate in the preparation and development of a controlled aquarium-based experiment
- engage in hands-on aquarium experiments, providing practical skills working with corals, coral husbandry, coral reproduction and larval culturing, and early life stages
- develop coral taxonomy skills for adults and early life stages
- develop team work, communication and organisational skills
- learn essential data collation and management skills, and opportunity to contribute to data analysis
- participate in problem-solving, creative thinking, team discussions
Intern’s role, desired background time commitment and expected products
The majority of work will take place at the AIMS’ world-class National Sea Simulator, south of Townsville at Cape Cleveland.
We are seeking a dedicated intern eager to apply their knowledge into real ecological research. No skills are essential but the following would be useful
- marine science/ecology student
- data collation, analysis, attention to detail
- aquarium skills, knowledge
- coral husbandry or coral reproduction experience
- lab skills: microscopy, sample collection and processing
IMPORTANTLY: The internship is open to anyone able to work in Australia, accommodation will be available for some periods of work (approx. 20th October till 9th November) at AIMS, otherwise the individual would be responsible for their own accommodation at other times as well as their own transport to AIMS (no public transport available). Any individual applying that lives outside of Australia would be responsible for their own airfares to arrive to Townsville.
The work can be strenuous at times, and will require lifting, standing and repetitive tasks.
This is a 10-week internship starting approx. 9 October until approx. 20 December. The weekly hours worked will vary depending on the timing of spawning and thus the project’s main experiments, and will include work on weekend days.
The internship project product would be either a presentation or short report.
A modest stipend will be available.
APPLICATION
Send CV and a short email regarding your interest in the project and pertinent background/skills to simsca@si.edu. Shortlisted people will have a final virtual meeting with Carrie and Sean.
