Hello, I'm a recent BSc graduate starting a Masters in the coming weeks. My interests lie in the areas of woodland fragmentation and, more specifically, carrion and Silphid ecology. My undergrad dissertation looked at species abundance and richness in different woodland sizes using baited non-lethal pitfall traps. My question, if it is appropriate to ask, relates the choice of topic/design for my Masters thesis. Of course, I haven't started with the university yet, but I thought it would be good to get some preliminary input.
I collected a good amount of sources (around 40-50) on Silphid ecology and I have a decent grounding, at least at BSc level, of the issues that Silphids face in relation to their changing environments. I just wonder how I might elevate my studies further and employ 'Masters level' techniques.
My study was limited in that it used only 4 woodlands (2x ' large', 2x 'small') and did not take into account any environmental factors. It was essentially a comparison between the Silphid composition of the large and small fragmented woodlands set apart by 2 miles (out of olfactory detection rage). Recurring individuals were noted by non-toxic marking paint applications each sampling session.
I suppose if I were to ask a more concrete question: what would you say would be a good and achievable Silphid research paper/experimental design? I have a few ideas on how to elaborate on my original work, for example by including more advanced woodland metrics, increasing the sample size of woodlands, accounting for canopy density (something which may impede Silphids), etc. but I would like to tackle a real and genuine problem. We know already that Silphids are affected by fragmentation. I like the idea of using real carcasses to assess interment rate as I'd be able to show more clearly the effect on the ecosystem service, but I don't think that would add much to the literature as we know carcasses are less prevalent where mesopredators are abundant, e.g. edge. I wonder if I could use micro satellites? That may beyond my skill set at the moment though.
Put simply, is anyone able to provide a definite question they would like to be answered about Silphids? It would be very helpful. A lot of the papers I read recently were quite above my level and involved genetic analysis, so it's hard to gauge which sort of research question may be appropriate for me.
Dear Taylor,
Perhaps a metapopulational approach could provide a good frame to your project. See papers by Hanski.
Keep in touch
Best,
Guy
Thanks for the comments. I do have an interest in identifying in a more concrete way whether fragmentation is affecting these beetles on a population level. I've read papers that suggest matrix permeability is low despite their long flight durations and strong olfactory adaptations. Interestingly, a 2017 paper found that N. vespilloides has limited gene flow, for example. Silphids appear to exhibit great mobility yet may be tied to resource-rich woodlands either because of matrix barriers or unwillingness to leave good habitat. Silphids seem at once tied with resources but also capable of great mobility, at least from what I've seen. They present interesting case studies for landscape-scale study.
The issue is I don't have the knowledge yet concerning the techniques I could use to study something like this. I assume it'd be microsatellites?
Yes microsatellites are usefull tools to investigate the structure of your populations. There are also interesting studies on carabids beetles which unfortunately show less mobility. I could check what techniques were used if you are interested.
Best,
Guy
Hi, Guy. Apologies, this site isn't one of my most frequented. It probably should be. Yes, that would be extremely helpful. I've been doing a bit of research on what the method entails and it looks like this will be covered on the course, so hopefully I get a chance to become familiar with it and will be able to incorporate it into any potential experimental designs. Thanks.
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