Miniaturisation in fishes: evolutionary and ecological perspectives

About the project

Bony fishes are the most diverse group of vertebrates in terms of both species richness and body sizes, with over 30,000 species ranging from 8mm to 10m long and from <0.001g to 2,300kg. Large fishes may seem charismatic, but the smallest fishes in ecosystems may be the most important from ecological and biodiversity perspectives.

For example, on coral reefs, the average size of adult fishes is just 45mm long, yet these small fishes form the foundations of critical food webs which support ecosystem functions. These “miniaturised” fish species are found worldwide, among numerous phylogenetic lineages and ecosystems, from tropical river systems to the deep sea. Although widespread among fishes, the evolution of miniaturisation appears to be a relatively demanding and recent process.

This project will explore the benefits and costs of miniaturisation by using 2D and 3D micro-CT data to compare the functional morphologies of miniature fishes with their larger relatives. By collaborating with the Natural History Museum and using their collections, it will be possible to apply this technique across multiple extant and fossil lineages, allowing us to reveal how miniaturisation has affected the ecological roles of fishes and how it may have shaped their evolution.

For full project details visit the Inspire project page .

Supervisors

• Dr Christopher Goatley (University of Southampton)
• Dr Nic Bury (University of Southampton)
• Dr Phillip Fenberg (University of Southampton)
• Mr James Maclaine (Natural History Museum)

Dr Christopher Goatley

• Fish ecology, evolution and biogeography
• Impact of sediments on coral reef ecology
• Palaeoecology of reef ecosystems

Dr Nic Bury

• Nic Bury's research integrates molecular, physiological and toxicological techniques with computational methods to understand and predict how aquatic organisms respond to, and are affected by, natural and man-induced stressors.

Entry requirements

A 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent , in one of these subjects:

• any numerate discipline
• biology
• marine biology
• zoology

Fees and funding

INSPIRE studentships are funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC, part of UK Research and Innovation, UKRI). The stipend is in line with UKRI standard levels, including the recent cost of living increase.

All studentships are fully funded for 3.5 years.

How to apply

To make an application, visit the how to apply section of the INSPIRE website .

Contact us

For questions about the project, contact Dr Mario Ferraro.

Email: C.Goatley@soton.ac.uk

For questions about the application process, contact the graduate school office.

Email: gsnocs@soton.ac.uk

Research areas