Models for the consequences of climate change alone predict the loss of
at least 10% of all species this century, unless they can evolve to
occupy novel habitat. Models for evolution at geographical range margins
explore under what conditions such adaptation should be prevented, so
determining the position of geographical limits. According to these
models, geographical limits should be associated with steep ecological
gradients and/or increased dispersal, and should be reflected by a
decline in abundance from the centre to the edge of local or regional
distributions. Evolutionary processes will generate these patterns at
small spatial scales, which should then contribute to ecological

patterns at regional scales. As yet however, these predictions remain

untested by empirical data.

This studentship, conducted in collaboration with Kate Jones and Ben
Collen at Zoological Society of London, will integrate evolutionary
models with ecological and phylogenetic analyses to test how well they
explain distributional limits in time and space. When can local
adaptation prevent declines in abundance? How does this vary between
taxa, at different spatial and temporal scales, and among species with
differing life histories? In particular, are the distributions of
tropical species more confined by steep ecological gradients than
temperate species? Is this an effect of population genetics, or of
constraints imposed by phylogeny? Initial analysis will focus on
high-resolution datasets on spatial abundance in butterflies, birds and
bats, data on ecological gradients, as well as on trait variation within
species.

Deadline: Monday 2nd March

Details: http://www.bio.bris.ac.uk/admiss/pgrad/studentships.htm

Contact: jon.bridle@bristol.ac.uk

The Zoological Society of London is incorporated by Royal Charter
Principal Office England. Company Number RC000749
Registered address:

Regent's Park, London, England NW1 4RY

Registered Charity in England and Wales no. 208728