Description du sujet de thèse

What are the behavioral and physiological causes of phenotypic aptitude differences between immigrants and residents in seabirds?

Dispersion is an essential driver of ecological and evolutionary patterns. It presents costs in terms of selective value and the short-term costs incurred during the active phase of dispersion are well documented. However, although essential because of their major demographic and evolutionary consequences, knowledge about the selective value of immigrants (individuals having dispersed between populations) are incomplete, and the behavioural and physiological mechanisms underlying the selective costs in immigrants are poorly understood. In this context, the PhD project aims to understand the behavioural and physiological mechanisms through which the selective value of immigrants and residents differs. In order to clarify this question, the doctoral student will assess : 1) whether there are differences in food niche and feed performance between immigrants and residents, 2) whether there are differences in foraging habitats between immigrants and residents, 3) whether there are phenological and reproductive investment differences between immigrants and residents, 4) whether there are physiological (telomeres) and phenotypic (biometrics, personality) differences between immigrants and residents. The doctoral student will use phenotypic data, biologging data (GPS, GLS), stable isotope measurements (nitrogen, carbon) and molecular measurements (telomeres), advanced analytical methods and modelling techniques, as well as unique long-term databases on seabird demography (e.g., snow petrel, large albatross).

Contexte de travail

The thesis project will be carried out within the framework of ANR ECOMIGR within the Marine Predators team in collaboration with other researchers and engineers. The ECOMIGR project funded by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche develops an integrative approach to understand demographic mechanisms, behavioural and physiological differences in phenotypic aptitude between immigrant and resident individuals in seabird populations. The candidate will be hosted at the Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), based in Deux-Sèvres. The project will be supervised by Dr. Christophe Barbraud and Dr. Frédéric Angelier.

Contraintes et risques

Candidates will have a strong background in evolutionary and population ecology, a strong interest in behavioural ecology, ecophysiology, and seabirds. They have experience in programming (R) and modelling, and are motivated to acquire a good level of statistics, especially spatial analysis (biologging data). Candidates will be highly motivated, enthusiastic and independent individuals with a passion for science. Excellent communication and writing skills in English, good work ethic and a creative mind are required. Medium-term travel for field missions in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. Taste for field work in difficult conditions.