Does sperm competition drive paternity in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus?
This is a suggestion for a Degree Project for Bachelor's and Master's levels at the Department of Marine 91̽»¨s. Degree projects at the Department of Marine 91̽»¨s are done independently and must be written and assessed individually.
Subject: Marine Biology
Level: Master's or Bachelor's
Supervisors: Luisa Kumpitsch and Erica Leder
Project Background
We found that sperm competition decreased fertilisation success in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, and that its fertilisation success differs among males when paired with the same female.
To explore how gamete compatibility and female cryptic choice drive paternity, we quantified fertilization success in different P. lividus crosses. After we quantified fertilisation success, we preserved the sea urchin larvae for DNA extraction and paternity analysis.
Project Description
You would perform the DNA extractions and help develop paternity tests for P. lividus. This might give insights into how paternity distribution can be predicted from fertilisation success and develop a method that can be applied for more gamete compatibility experiments in the future.
91̽»¨
Erica Leder
Email: erica.leder@gu.se