[Taxacom] PhD Opportunity at the Natural History Museum, Paris

[Jean-Noel Labat]

Call for applications 2008: PhD Opportunity at the Natural History 
Museum, Paris.

Contact: J.-N. Labat (labat at mnhn.fr), UMR 5202 'Origine, Structure & 
Evolution de la Biodiversité', Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 
Paris, France.

 

*Endemism and speciation in a mega diverse island ecosystem: the 
/Arthroclianthus///Nephrodesmus/ (Leguminosae) species complex in **New 
Caledonia***

* *

_Project summary_

* *

The /Arthroclianthus///Nephrodesmus/ (Leguminosae, tribe Desmodieae) 
species complex, endemic to New Caledonia, displays striking 
morphological and ecological diversities. The distinction between 
within-species and among-species variability is difficult. Twenty-four 
species are currently described, but 42 morpho-species (37 for 
/Arthroclianthus/, 5 for /Nephrodesmus/) have been detected in a 
preliminary survey. Several aspects will be considered:

 

1) Systematics: the student will establish a molecular phylogeny (using 
both organelle and nuclear DNA markers) in order to distinguish the 
major clades, reconstruct the genealogical relationships among taxa, 
estimate the date of appearance and timing of diversification in the 
different clades, and propose a biogeographic scenario.

 

2) Evolution of floral morphology: on the basis of the molecular 
phylogeny, the student will examine the evolution of reproductive 
characters and assess the correlation between reproductive morphology 
and ecology. The two genera differ in their species diversity, which may 
be linked to the apparition of a pollination syndrome in 
/Arthroclianthus/: whereas all other species of the tribe are 
insect-pollinated, these species are suspected to be bird-pollinated. 
The correlation between rapid speciation and bird-pollination was 
previously observed in other genera of the family (e.g. /Chadsia/ and 
/Pyranthus/).

 

3) Genetic diversity: because the species are very closely related, the 
within-species genetic diversity will have to be considered in order to 
delimit taxa and study their relationships. Moreover, events of 
reticulate evolution are stongly suspected and speciation may still be 
on-going. A fine-scale genetic study will therefore be performed within 
small groups of species that will be circumscribed based on the 
molecular phylogeny.

 

4) Taxonomy and conservation : based on molecular data and morphological 
observations, species delimitation will be re-evaluated. The student 
will subsequently use Geographical Information System (GIS) in order to 
characterize the IUCN conservation status of all taxa under study. This 
will be particularly important since the /Arthroclianthus/ and/ 
Nephrodesmus/ mainly occur in sclerophyllous forests, which have suffer 
a drastic range contraction (only 1% of their initial range remains) and 
maquis, which is under huge human pression (mining activity and its 
related urbanization).

 

_Scientific context_

This PhD project will be performed within the broad framework of the 
program "BIONEOCAL: Phylogenetic and population studies of the emergence 
of endemism in New Caledonia", funded by the French National Agency for 
Research (ANR). This project fits the main research areas of the UMR 
5202 'OSEB', and the PhD student will therefore have many opportunities 
to collaborate and share experience with other members of the team.

Co-advisors: Myriam Gaudeul (MNHN) & Jérome Munzinger (IRD, Nouméa)

 

_Selection criteria_

This work will require intensive field work, observations on herbarium specimens, molecular analyses in the lab, statistical treatments and writing publications. We seek for a highly motivated candidate with a solid background in evolutionary biology and systematics, including phylogenetics and population genetics. Molecular skills (DNA extraction, PCR, cloning) will be appreciated. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, organised and be able to work both independently and in collaboration with others.__

 

_Application Process_

A limited number of 3-year PhD fellowships are being opened. Interested 
candidates must first contact J.-N Labat (labat at mnhn.fr 
<mailto:labat at mnhn.fr>) and provide a CV before mid-May 2008. The 
candidate will subsequently have to send a full written application 
before 11 June, and to defend his application orally in front of the 
Doctoral program College (auditions held the 30 June, 1st and 2nd July 
2008).

See in french at : 
http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/front/medias/enSup/13468_sujet_JN_Labat.pdf

About the application process (in french):

http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/foffice/science/science/Enseignement/ecoleDoctorale/somthese/fiche.xsp?ARTICLE_ARTICLE_ID=9200&idx=4&nav=liste 
<http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/foffice/science/science/Enseignement/ecoleDoctorale/somthese/fiche.xsp?ARTICLE_ARTICLE_ID=9200&idx=4&nav=liste>