The Purcell lab in the Department of Entomology at UC Riverside seeks motivated undergraduate students to contribute to summer research projects. Members of the Purcell lab study the behavioral, ecological, and genetic basis of evolutionary transitions in social organization in insects such as ants. One such project, focusing on division of labor in ants will require an undergraduate research assistant this summer. Division of labor, in which individual members of a society specialize in a single or narrow range of tasks, is a prominent aspect of social insect biology and a major contributor to their ecological dominance. Many social insects have well-defined worker castes, either through age or morphological polyethism. However, ant species of the genus Formica, native to North America and Europe, don’t have distinct worker castes, and the way in which labor is divided within their colonies remains unknown. Mari West, a PhD student in the Purcell lab, is investigating what behavioral, genetic, developmental, and ecological factors act as worker caste determinants within this genus. Her research this summer will consist of conducting behavioral observations and field collections in Kananaskis, Alberta from mid-June to mid-August. Applicants should have prior experience working in field conditions or else an extensive hiking/camping background, be capable of working in a group or independently, enjoy the outdoors, and be willing to work in rugged outdoor conditions that have the potential to change rapidly. No prior entomological experience is necessary, but applicants should be comfortable handling insects, particularly sting-less ants. A successful applicant will gain skills in behavioral observation, mark-recapture, experimental design, and general social insect biology and may have the opportunity to carry out his/her own side project. If interested, please send a brief letter of interest and a resume/CV with at least 2 references to Mari West at [email protected]. Applications will be accepted through April 15th, 2017.
