Thesis supervisor: Miklós Dombos
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Dept. Of Soil Biology, MTA ATK TAKI Abbreviation of location of studies: MTA
Description of the research topic:
Although omnivory is already a well-known phenomenon in soil living, organic matter decomposing invertebrates, there are several questions still unsolved: e.g. how can the enormously high species richness occurring in soils be explained with the lack of the presence of food preference? How common is the broad food preference among microarthropods (Collembola) in soils? What are the consequences of omnivory to food-web stability?
The most limiting factor hindering to answer these questions is their methodological shortness, therefore we apply two absolutely novel methods: we will detect soil microarthropods in the field by using our new Edapholog real-time probes, then we identify their food by DNA metabarcoding. With the help of these two techniques we describe decomposing food chains according to direct seasonal changes by sampling co-occurring and consecutive generations. This research might base the dynamical food-web methodology applying new generation sequencing in soil organic matter decomposition.
The background of the research is provided by projects EU INSECTLIFE (LIFE13 ENV/HU/001092) and the Hungarian TALAJBIOM (GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00056).
Field tests are carried out in long-term, nutrition –manipulation experiments at MTA ATK and laboratory tests are done in the soil-zoology laboratory of MTA ATK TAKI (for further info on soil-zoology research team see: http://www.zoolog.hu).
We are looking for a Biologist interested in the topic; tasks include field tests as well as microscopic and genetic laboratory examinations.
Required language skills: English (at least B2 level) Number of students who can be accepted: 2
Deadline for application: 2017-05-31
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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