Download Seasonal and size-related changes in the diet of zebrafish

Honours Project for 2017
Seasonal and size-related changes in the diet of zebrafish (Girella zebra)
Short project description & main objectives:
The Girellidae (nibblers) are an important family of predominantly algae grazers on temperate reefs in the
southern half of Australia. Knowledge of the diets of such species is relatively limited in comparison to
other carnivorous species. However, herbivorous species play an important ecological role on temperate
reefs and their influence on ecosystem function is an area requiring further investigation. In southern
Western Australia, the zebrafish, Girella zebra, are a conspicuous member of inshore rocky reefs, over
which they form large schools. The aim of this project is to,
 Determine the volumetric composition of the different prey items in the diet of G. zebra.
 Determine to what extent the diet of G. zebra consists of algae and animal material.
 Examine the extent to which the diet of G. zebra changes with season and increasing body size.
 As marine plants, including algae, are likely to respond quicker than fish to changes in
environmental conditions, investigate whether the dietary analysis of herbivorous fishes be used
to examine the extent to which climate change is influencing temperate environments.
Principal supervisor:
Dr James Tweedley
Other supervisors:
Contact details for further information:
Dr Peter Coulson; Prof. Neil Loneragan
[email protected]
[email protected]
Closing date for applications:
Start & finish date of project:
Available part-time?
Available to international students?
15 December 2016
January 2017 – November 2017
Yes
Yes
Research centre/group:
Desired background of applicants:
Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research
Interest in multivariate statistical analyses.
Ability to work in a laboratory setting with biological material.
Good written English skills.
The stomachs of a large number of fish have already been
collected, so there will be no delay in starting this project. There
is no field work required.
Extra Comments:
School of VLS
31 August 2016