Research team
The impact of heavy metal pollution on fitness-related characters in snails and its implications for the population genetic structure and genetic diversity (FWO. Vis. Fellowship, Joris KOENE, Nederland)
Sexual selection in hermaphroditic land snails (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Succineidae).
Abstract
This project uses the land snail Succinea putris to test several recent hypotheses on sexual selection and sperm-trading in hermaphroditic animals: 1) individuals assess the quality of their partner even during copulation, 2) individuals change the physiology of their partner to enhance their fertilization chances, 3) individuals allocate more to male structures at higher population densities and 4) reciprocal sperm-transfer not necessarily implements reciprocal fertilization.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Leirs Herwig
- Fellow: Jordaens Kurt
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
The biological effects of metal contamination on organisms, at the individual level and at the population level.
Abstract
To study the biological effects of metal contamination on organisms, at the individual level and at the population level: does pollution affect fitness-related characters in snails and isopods? To what extent does the pollution with metals affect the population genetic structure and genetic diversity in the different invertebrate taxa and species?Researcher(s)
- Promoter: De Wolf Hans
- Co-promoter: Jordaens Kurt
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Mating conflicts in the hermaphroditic land snail Succinea putris (Gastropoda, Pulmonata).
Sexual selection in hermaphroditic animals: an example of the land snail Succinea putris (Mollusca, Pulmonata, Gastropoda).
Abstract
This project uses the land snail Succinea putris to test several recent hypotheses on sexual selection and sperm-trading in hermaphroditic animals: 1) individuals assess the quality of their partner even during copulation, 2) individuals change the physiology of their partner to enhance their fertilization chances, 3) individuals allocate more to male structures at higher population densities and 4) reciprocal sperm-transfer not necessarily implements reciprocal fertilization.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Jordaens Kurt
- Co-promoter: Backeljau Thierry
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Phylogeography of hermaphroditc terrestrial snails in Europe (Mollusca, Gastropoda).
Abstract
Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Backeljau Thierry
- Co-promoter: Jordaens Kurt
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
RAFO-equipment fund: grant for the acquisition of two climate chambers.
Genetical and ecological influences on phenotypic plasticy for phally polymorfism in the land slug Deroceras laeve (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Stylommatophora)
Systematics, phylogeography and population genetics of introduced and autochtonous populations of the hermaphroditic land slug Arion subfuscus (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Pulmonata).
Abstract
The hermaphroditic land slug Arion subfuscus is a complex of several taxa, some of which are serious pest species. This project aims at delimiting the systematic status of, and assessing the phylogenetic relationships among, these entities using molecular and morphometric techniques. This species has also been introduced by men into Central-Asia, North-America and Venezuela. These introductions are well documented and offer opportunities to study fundamental evolutionary processes such as speciation and adaptive radiation.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Jordaens Kurt
- Co-promoter: Backeljau Thierry
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Ecological and genetical determinants of phally-polymorfism in land gastropods
Abstract
Hermaphroditic animals are able to rperoduce by outcrossing as well as uniparentally. The evolutionary meaning of several reproductive methods is far from clear although the reproductive mode has a strong influence on how genetic variation is created, maintained and structured. In this project we investigate the evolutionary meaning of differrent reproductive methods in a pulmonate, hermaphroditic land gastropod.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Jordaens Kurt
- Co-promoter: Backeljau Thierry
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
The genetical and environmental determination of phally polymorphism in hermaphroditic land gastropods (Stylommatophora).
Abstract
The evolution and maintenance of sexual polymorphisms is well-studied in plants but studies on animals are scarce. In this project, I investigate the evolution and maintenance of a polymorphism in the male genitalia (phally polymorphism) in hermaphroditic land snails using genetic markers (allozymes, random amplified polymorphic DNA, DNA-sequencing) and behavioural experiments.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Backeljau Thierry
- Fellow: Jordaens Kurt
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Genetic differentiation in uniparental terrestrial slugs (Stylommatophora).
Abstract
In this project, I will investigate the taxonomy of two land gastropod species complexes, Carinarion spp. and Arion intermedius and study the evolutionary significance of the interaction between self- and cross-fertilization in the colonizing capacity, the phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships among populations and genetic strains, the genetic differentiation and the genetical/morphological diversity in both complexes.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Backeljau Thierry
- Co-promoter: Jordaens Kurt
- Fellow: Geenen Sofie
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project