Topic: Movement patterns and spatial orientation in Neotropical poison frogs (Dendrobatidae)
Period: Fieldwork in French Guiana from mid January to end of March 2017
We are looking for a field research oriented student to join our research on tropical amphibians in French Guiana. We are using telemetry, experimental manipulations, and detailed behavioral observation in the field to study the spatial behavior and the underlying orientation mechanisms of two locally abundant dendrobatid frogs: Allobates femoralis and Dendrobates tinctorius. The student will join a small team of researchers and students from the University of Vienna and Harvard University for fieldwork in a remote nature reserve Les Nouragues (http://www.nouragues.cnrs.fr/) in French Guiana from mid January to end of March 2017.
Strong interest in animal behavior and field research as well as a good physical condition are essential since our research involves long hours of daily fieldwork and long distance walking during rainy season in the tropical rainforest. Good command of English and an interest in spatial and behavioral data analyses are also important.
We will cover the costs of transportation (flight, bus, and boat) and the all inclusive (board and lodging) station fees. We cannot offer a salary but the research intern will be encouraged to participate in all aspects of the project including publishing. Tropical diseases such as malaria and leishmaniasis occur in the research area and while several precautions can be taken, the applicant should be informed and aware of the risk related to these diseases and working in remote areas.
If interested, please write to andrius.pasukonis@univie.ac.at for further information and provide a contact of one reference person.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Andrius Pašukonis
Postdoctoral fellow
Harvard University and the University of Vienna
Project related literature:
Pašukonis, A., Trenkwalder, K., Ringler, M., Ringler, E., Mangione, R., Steininger, J., Warrington, I. & Hödl, W. (2016). The significance of spatial memory for water finding in a tadpole-transporting frog. Animal Behaviour, 116, 89-98.
Pašukonis, A., Warrington, I., Ringler, M., & Hödl, W. (2014). Poison frogs rely on experience to find the way home in the rainforest. Biology letters,10(11), 20140642.
Strong interest in animal behavior and field research as well as a good physical condition are essential since our research involves long hours of daily fieldwork and long distance walking during rainy season in the tropical rainforest. Good command of English and an interest in spatial and behavioral data analyses are also important.
We will cover the costs of transportation (flight, bus, and boat) and the all inclusive (board and lodging) station fees. We cannot offer a salary but the research intern will be encouraged to participate in all aspects of the project including publishing. Tropical diseases such as malaria and leishmaniasis occur in the research area and while several precautions can be taken, the applicant should be informed and aware of the risk related to these diseases and working in remote areas.
If interested, please write to andrius.pasukonis@univie.ac.at for further information and provide a contact of one reference person.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Andrius Pašukonis
Postdoctoral fellow
Harvard University and the University of Vienna
Project related literature:
Pašukonis, A., Trenkwalder, K., Ringler, M., Ringler, E., Mangione, R., Steininger, J., Warrington, I. & Hödl, W. (2016). The significance of spatial memory for water finding in a tadpole-transporting frog. Animal Behaviour, 116, 89-98.
Pašukonis, A., Warrington, I., Ringler, M., & Hödl, W. (2014). Poison frogs rely on experience to find the way home in the rainforest. Biology letters,10(11), 20140642.