Age-related change in cognition and memory in a fish aging model
Cognitive decline and memory loss are symptoms accompanying aging and associated neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, there is a desire to develop appropriate methods and use novel model organisms to deepen our knowledge about age-related loss in cognition and memory. One of the recently established model organisms in aging is the extremely short-lived fish Nothobranchius furzeri, where age-related cognitive decline has already been observed. Nonetheless, behavioral tests were conducted only in experimental arenas, which can be stressful for fish and consequently may affect behavioral outcomes. The proposed thesis will investigate age-related learning abilities and memory by employing demand feeders, which avoid the necessity to transfer fish for testing purposes and may provide more reliable outcomes than traditional behavioral assays.
If interested, please contact Jakub Žák – zakja@mail.muni.cz, University Campus Bohunice: A32/311
The role of nutritional density on food intake regulation and performance of the extremely short-lived fish
It has been known for decades that the volume of food is not the sole factor regulating the satiation of organism. Understanding the relationship between nutrient dilution and food intake regulation is becoming increasingly important, especially as highly processed foods low in fiber become more frequent in the Western diet. Our taste for highly processed foods may be explained by our evolutionary-rooted taste for the nutritionally dense foods with few indigestible components including fiber. To test the universality of this assumption, we will utilize a newly introduced model in nutritional research: the extremely short-lived African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri). The proposed thesis aims to investigate the role of nutrient dilution by two ecologically relevant bulk ingredients – cellulose and chitin, in the feed intake regulation, nutrient utilization and fish performance. The thesis results will elucidate changes in food intake in response to increased nutritional density and explore how trophic cascades may be impacted by these changes.
If interested, please contact Jakub Žák – zakja@mail.muni.cz, University Campus Bohunice: A32/311
Depth stratification of foraging behaviour in a fish from shallow ephemeral pools
The way predators acquire their food has a considerable top-down effect on the whole ecosystem. Surprisingly, even fish from extremely shallow waters do not hunt their prey throughout the water column but seem to prefer hunting in a relatively narrow range of depth strata. This thesis will investigate, through a series of laboratory experiments, the depth preference of foraging behavior in turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri), which inhabit periodically desiccating savanna pools. The outcomes of this thesis will shed light on the most vulnerable prey types in habitats inhabited by this unique fish.
If interested, please contact Jakub Žák – zakja@mail.muni.cz, University Campus Bohunice: A32/311
Hibernační chování vrápence malého (Rhinolophus hipposideros) / Hibernation behaviour of the lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros)
Bats have to cope with various ecophysiological constraints during hibernation. Therefore, during hibernation they alternate between periods of torpor and normothermic activity. However, previous studies have found that bats can use other types of activity than purely normothermic and are able to move at much lower body temperatures. Individual bats enter hibernation at different weights and the course of hibernation (ratio of torpor and activity periods) must be adapted accordingly. The question is therefore whether the different types of activity and torpor phases have an innate pattern or are altered by the individual’s experience. The student will participate in field research on hibernation sites and analysis of data already collected. The student will compare the locomotor activity of datalogger-tagged bats with respect to their thermal profile and individual characteristics.
If interested, please contact Tomáš Bartonička – bartonic@sci.muni.cz, University Campus Bohunice: A32/308
Prostupnost silničních staveb pro letouny / Permeability of road constructions for bats
The student will participate in field research to extend the knowledge necessary to evaluate the impact of road construction and operation on bat assemblages. Birds are important bioindicators in many ways. Optimization of conservation measures to reduce traffic impacts on their populations is therefore highly desirable. The student will compare the permeability of different types of underpasses in different landscape contexts. Experimentally determine whether known protective measures from the literature actually reduce the risk of collisions with vehicles (overpass, underpass, modification of surrounding vegetation, etc.).
If interested, please contact Tomáš Bartonička – bartonic@sci.muni.cz, University Campus Bohunice: A32/308
Note: You can also contact any member from Vertebrate Research Group and discuss other possibilities regarding the topics of bachelor’s theses matching your research interests.