Diversity and evolution of burrowing frog visual systems

Project overview

The evolution of burrowing ecologies has occurred in almost every major vertebrate group and often coincides with eye reduction and inactivation of vision-related genes.

Anuran amphibians (frogs and toads) have evolved a variety of distinct ecologies, including in subterranean environments. Among burrowing anurans, eye reduction has occurred in multiple families and is especially prevalent in narrow-mouthed frogs (Microhylidae).

Most fossorial microhylids reproduce on the surface and have aquatic larvae (tadpoles) that are diurnal. Thus, many species with reduced adult eyes may have larvae that benefit from photopic vision and an ontogenetic shift in spectral environment may constrain the evolution of visual protein networks. However, other tadpoles develop in scotopic environments and some species reproduce via direct development lacking a tadpole stage altogether.

Quantifying nonfunctionalization in species with similar and contrasting larval-adult spectral ecologies will provide crucial insight into the role of ontogeny in vertebrate visual system evolution.

Using gene capture data, the student will conduct analyses including presence/absence/functionality of vision genes along with rates and selective regimes of molecular genetic evolution. There should also be the opportunity to generate and analyse novel RNA-seq data, phylogenetic hypotheses, and eye-size/visual trait data from the extensive NHM amphibian collection.

Project Specific Training

One-to-one training by supervisory team: The supervisory team has expertise in phylogenetics, amphibian biology, molecular evolution and sensory biology and will create a robust training environment for the student. Based primarily at the Natural History Museum and secondarily at University College London, the studentship will offer dynamic one-to-one instruction at both a public-facing research institution (NHM) and a major research university (UCL). The supervisory team has extensive experience working together to mentor and train postgraduate students. Dr David GOWER at the NHM will act as an additional co-supervisor to the student.