Research team
Taxonomic turnover in terrestrial and aquatic diatom communities: integration of macroecological, morphological, phylogenetic-evolutionary and ecophysiological approaches.
Abstract
The current proposal aims at contributing to a better understanding of the relationship between historical-evolutionary, ecological and neutral mechanisms and observed patterns in endemism, latitudinal diversity gradients and regional species turnover in terrestrial and lacustrine diatom floras. We will therefore (1) construct the first global, intercalibrated, species-level taxonomic dataset for these diatoms; and (2) using our extensive culture collection, and for a selection of representative genera and species(complexes), investigate (i) to what extent phylogenetic history can explain the geographical variation in diversity patterns at the population, species and genus level and (ii) how these patterns correlate with variation in life history characteristics and ecophysiology amongst and within species.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: De Smet Willem
Funding
- FWO
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Micro- and macro-evolution of the threatened endemic giant Opuntia cacti: conservation genetics on the Galápagos archipelago.
Abstract
This project will study micro- and macro-evolutionary processes (changes in allele frequencies, genetic drift, gene flow, hybridisation, introgression, changes in DNA sequences) within the threatened giant Opuntia-cactusses on the Galápagos islands. Therefore we will combine several recently developed, genetic techniques (microsatellites, DNA sequencing), studying a unique, already available collection of samples.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: De Smet Willem
Funding
- BOF
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Abstract
Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Beyens Louis
- Co-promoter: De Smet Willem
Funding
- VL.WET.BEL
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Biodiversity and spread of the Belgian Rotifera and Tardigrada.
Abstract
Biodiversity, dispersion and population composition of the Rotifera and Tardigrada of Belgium in relation to fysico-chemical, biological, morphometrical and other parameters of the habitat.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: De Smet Willem
- Co-promoter: Van Rompu Elsa
Funding
- WERKING
- WERKING
Project type(s)
- Research Project