Project Description: I am currently conducting field experiments on the influence of mutualisms between Morinda citrifolia (Nonu-a plant native to Samoa) and Anoplolepis gracilipes (Yellow Crazy Ant-an invasive insect in Samoa) on (i) the dynamics of the yellow crazy ant invasion of Samoa and (ii) the response of native plant and arthropod communities to the invader.
Duties: include assisting in the set up of plot-level manipulative experiments (including limited vegetation clearing), conducting surveys of ants, plants, and nectar excreting arthropods across the Samoan Archipelago, assisting with short-term behavioral ecology experiments, maintaining long-term field experiments, and collecting and sorting samples of arthropod communities. Dates: Field assistant positions are available, beginning May 13, 2008 and ending December 15, 2008. I request that field assistants commit to work on this project for at least one month. However, this is an ongoing project, so interested applicants can work up to 6 months as a field assistant. Compensation: Field assistants are expected to pay for their own travel expenses. However, I will pay for lodging and meals for all field assistants. Assistants should be comfortable working outside in the sometimes very hot and humid conditions common to tropical islands. Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, CV, and the names of two references to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
