PRR Project

Summary

The unprecedented rate of Earth’s climate change is disrupting long-established ecological patterns and mechanisms due to steady climatic changes and more frequent extreme climatic phenomena. These changes may induce evolutionary changes, in both its strength and direction with potential impacts on species phenotypic diversity and population connectivity. For example, fish migration encompasses a broad range of behaviors and life history (LH) strategies which includes whether or not to migrate (migration vs residency), migration timing (synchrony vs asynchrony), distance traveled, or movements within a mosaic of habitats with asynchronous availability of resources. Thus, biocomplexity and diversity of LH strategies can be described as a portfolio diversification to increase population stability and resilience, which likely resulted from a successful evolutionary process to maximize individual fitness. This topic was pioneered for anadromous species, and factors influencing survival and growth are expected to determine LH decisions. However, the complexity of the mechanisms responsible for that variability are poorly known and it is unclear if the causes and mechanisms of LH are similar among migratory species.The current position delves into the ecology of migratory species (preferably data-poor species or species of conservation interest) and emphasizes the effects of anthropogenic factors modulating LH strategies and habitat connectivity. The overarching goal is to develop an integrative study that investigates fish LH plasticity, specifically, to investigate the causes and mechanisms involved in the adoption of different LH tactics, evaluate the consequences of each tactic for the growth and reproduction/fitness, and predict how fish will respond to environmental shifts (e.g., temperature, river flow, food availability) in terms of LH strategies and habitat use. The research program will rely on the use of i) ecological tracers (e.g., otolith chemistry, stable isotopes) to investigate migration patterns and habitat use, ii) physiological and molecular tools to identify the main mechanisms involved in LH plasticity (e.g., epigenetics), iii) ecological networks characterization and modeling to understand the impacts of climate change (or other stressors like invasive species) on habitat connectivity, iv) and ecological modeling (e.g., bioenergetic) to predict the consequences of different LHs.The prospective candidate should have a PhD on Ecology or Environmental and Marine Sciences, with a strong understanding in ecosystem connectivity and coastal ecosystems. The candidate must have developed their research career on migratory species ecology with a focus on using ecological tracers (e.g., otolith chemistry, stable isotopes) to investigate fish habitat use and movements, and interspecific interactions. A proven track record on data-poor migratory species or species of conservation interest will be highly valued. The capability of designing and implementing sampling programs oriented to migratory species, and experience in using multiple gears and other sampling methods of migratory fish across aquatic habitats (rivers, estuaries, and sea) is required, as well as experience with different statistical methods, time series analysis, and ecological modelling. Knowledge of histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular techniques is also essential. Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate involvement with student mentoring, science dissemination and outreach.Current conservation and management plans may inadvertently impose selection on certain phenotypes and modify phenotypic and genetic diversity that may be unsuited for future climatic conditions. Thus, recognizing the existence of alternative LH strategies, and the factors responsible for setting it, will enable decision makers to adopt more appropriate conservation strategies and sustainable management measures for migratory species of economic and ecological interest. This is in line with the institution priorities- understand the responses of aquatic ecosystems to changes at local and global scales, and contribute to a sustainable exploitation of ecosystems goods and services. This position is also important for the institution because it has no staff scientists with an international profile with a background in migratory fish ecology or studying the importance of habitat connectivity for those species. Thus, the scientific knowledge generated by this position, will level CIIMAR with top-ranked institutions studying migratory species. Also, it is expected that the prospective candidate will have a combination of skills and knowledge which will enhance collaboration within the institution (e.g., Animal Genetics and Evolution, Coastal Biodiversity, Fish Ecology and Sustainability, or Rivers and Coastal Ecology) and prompt national and international multi-disciplinary projects.