Promoter: Leonard Dewaele
Supervision: Tim De Ridder
Subject: Mustelids (weasels & allies) are a diverse clade of carnivoran mammals with a wide array of ecologies. This ecological and morphological range offers a unique opportunity to study locomotor adaptations, as this family includes species in most major locomotor niches: terrestrial, fossorial, arboreal, and semi-aquatic. Specifically within aquatic adaptation, there is a complete spectrum of species ranging from fully terrestrial all the way to almost fully aquatic – a unique instance in extant mammals. In all major semi-aquatic mammal groups (pinnipeds, whales etc.), fully terrestrial species are only known from the fossil record.
Modern mustelids thus offer a unique opportunity to study this transition from land to water within a phylogenetically constrained group; this may be achieved by comparing morphology and locomotion in species across this aquatically-adapted spectrum. Swimming poses very different functional requirements due to the higher density of water (than air) and the resultant effect on other biomechanical parameters, such as drag. Studies of the bones and muscular anatomy of mustelids show that specific changes in morphology are indeed correlated with the different locomotor niches; however, the exact functional mechanisms behind these differences are yet to be uncovered. This project will be a detailed comparative morphology study on the limb musculature across mustelid species (ferret, European mink, Asian small-clawed otter and European otter) and provide a basis to identify how these species adapt to an aquatic lifestyle.
In this project, the student will: (1) gain insight and experience with the anatomy of mustelid limbs; (2) measure predetermined muscle architectural properties in three or four extant species from 2D images provided; (3) assist in the dissection and data gathering for one cadaveric specimen of the previously mentioned species; (4) investigate the differences in muscle architecture linked to the force and speed potential of a muscle and thus infer nuanced morphological differences linked to locomotion.
Student profile: interested in the relationship between form and function and thus evolution and anatomy. Ideally someone who is patient and capable of doing precision work (detailed dissection work in small mammals and digital measurements). Guidance in methods and software will be provided, no prior knowledge is required. Familiarity with the R statistical environment would be beneficial. Willingness to take part in a limb dissection (on Campus Drie Eiken, under supervision) will be desirable, but not essential.