Evolution of reptiles and amphibians from Sulawesi
Jimmy McGuire, Professor
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
Closed. This professor is continuing with Spring 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Fall 2024.
The island of Sulawesi in Indonesia is a hotspot of biodiversity and model system for studying the evolution of organisms. Our lab has conducted numerous expeditions to the island to document its biodiversity and collect samples for genetic analysis. Our lab uses molecular and morphological tools to reconstruct the evolutionary history of reptiles and amphibians in this unique region. We are particularly interested in how lineages have evolved on several mountains we have surveyed on the island, as species have diverged across elevational gradients on several of the mountains we have surveyed. Students will be supervised primarily by graduate students and/or postdocs in the lab.
Role: New URAP students will normally assist in morphological study of MVZ museum specimens, and then once they've gained some experience may progress to the genetic sequencing work. Morphological research will be conducted in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology using preserved museum collections. This will entail counting scales and measuring various characters using digital calipers. The genetic sequencing research will be conducted in the Evolutionary Genetics Laboratory at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley. This work includes lab protocols such as DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, DNA quantification, magnetic bead purification, and preparation of samples for sequencing. Students will learn useful collections skills as well as gain an understanding of molecular genetic methods, depending on which project they are involved in.
Qualifications: Applicants should have an interest in museum collections, evolutionary biology, genetics and lab-work and be well-organized. Previous experience with DNA sequencing desired but not necessary.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Benjamin Karin, Graduate Student
Hours: to be negotiated
Related website: https://mcguire.berkeley.edu/
Biological & Health Sciences Arts & Humanities