Research Simon Baeckens

Abstract

In this project, I will compare ects of cognition and personality and their evolutionary trajectories in mainland and island lizards (Podarcis erhardii). Islands differ considerably from mainland habitats in a series of biotic and abiotic factors, and organisms often respond to this variation with striking phenotypic change. Because populations on different islands evolve independently, archipelagos offer unique opportunities for testing ideas concerning phenotypic plasticity and genetic evolution. The effects of insularity on the morphology, physiology, and life history of organisms have been studied extensively in many species. Changes in cognition and personality have received far less attention. Yet, such changes seem highly probable; as islands typically harbour less predators, competitors, and prey, I expect adjustments of cognitive capacity (high vs. low intelligence), cognitive style (speed vs. accuracy) and personality (fast vs. slow). By measuring these variables in individuals of several mainland and island populations, and by raising individuals with varied provenance in common garden set-ups, I hope to acquire insight into the plasticity and evolutionary flexibility of cognition and personality. To test the generality of these findings, I will extend the island-mainland comparison to other Podarcis species inhabiting isolated archipelagos.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Damme Raoul
• Co-promoter: Baeckens Simon
• Fellow: Gavriilidi Ioanna

Research team(s)

• Functional Morphology

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Because they constitute the interface between the organism and its environment, biological surfaces play a vital role in many processes. Recently, new imaging techniques have uncovered that bio-surfaces sport a vast variety of microscale and nanoscale structures that are thought to tailor their interfacing functions. However, exactly how they do that, and why surface ornamentation can differ so dramatically among species, remains heavily unexplored. Using lizard skin as a study model, this project will investigate the functional significance and evolutionary trajectory of fine surface structures using the following integrative approach: (1) Quantifying the structural characteristics of a large number of species facing disparate environmental challenges. (2) Conducting in vivo performance measurements and behavioural observations combined with ex vivo mechanical and optics test to retrieve information on the physical properties and functionality of distinct structural arrangements. (3) Reconstructing the evolutionary history of fine surface structures of lizard skin and assessing the relative importance of convergent versus idiosyncratic evolutionary solutions. The project will combine cutting-edge bio-imaging and functional morphological technology with recent computational and phylogenetic tools. This will be achieved through multilateral interinstitutional collaboration.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Damme Raoul
• Fellow: Baeckens Simon

Research team(s)

• Functional Morphology

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The Research Council Prizes of the University of Antwerp are awarded every two years at the expense of the Special Research Fund University of Antwerp. They aim to honor a successful young postdoctoral researcher for a special contribution to his/her scientific field. Simon Baeckens is a laureate in the exact and applied sciences (Prize Frans Verbeure).

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Baeckens Simon

Research team(s)

• Functional Morphology

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In this project we will compare aspects of cognition and personality of mainland and island lizards, Podarcis siculus. Islands differ considerably from mainland habitats in a series of biotic and abiotic factors, and organisms often respond to this variation with striking phenotypic change. Because populations on different islands evolve independently, archipelagos offer unique opportunities for testing ideas concerning phenotypic plasticity and genetic evolution. The effects of insularisation on the morphology and life history of organisms have been studied extensively in many species. Changes in cognition and behavioural syndromes have received far less attention. Yet, such changes seem plausible; as islands typically harbour less predators, competitors and prey, we expect adjustments of cognitive capacity (high-low intelligence), cognitive style (speed-accuracy) and personality (fast-slow), e.g. By measuring these variables in individuals of several mainland and island populations, and by raising individuals with varied provenance in common garden set-ups, we hope to acquire insight into the plasticity and evolutionary flexibility of cognition and personality.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Damme Raoul
• Co-promoter: Baeckens Simon
• Fellow: Gavriilidi Ioanna

Research team(s)

• Functional Morphology

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The skin surface of lizards carries spectacular ornamentations, which vary in multiple aspects even among closely related species. In recent years, new imaging techniques have revealed that the variability of skin surface structures at the macroscopic level is dwarfed by the structural variation at the micro- and nanoscopic level. Some of these fine structures have received ample attention, such as the nanostructures on the feet of geckos responsible for the animals' remarkable adhering capacities, which have inspired the super-adhesive biomaterial Geckskin™. However, in most cases, the exact functions of fine surface structures and the evolutionary and ecological reasons why they vary so dramatically among species remain unexplored. To fill in this hiatus, this project will visualize and compare the fine surface structures of the skin of a large number of lizard species facing a range of different environmental challenges. Biomechanical and optical experiments will be conducted to assess the physical properties of skin with different fine structures, which will enable us to link structure with function. This will further allow us to reconstruct the evolutionary history of fine surface structures, and ultimately, unravel whether species evolved similar skin features to adapt to similar environments. The integrative approach of this project will be achieved by several interinstitutional and transdisciplinary collaborations and with the use of cutting-edge tools in bio-imaging.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Damme Raoul
• Fellow: Baeckens Simon

Research team(s)

• Functional Morphology

Project type(s)

• Research Project