PhD opportunity β Snowshoe hare predation risk assessment Snowshoe hares have been studied for 30+ years in our southwestern Yukon study site. A recent study by Sherriff et al. (J. Anim. Ecol. 78:1249- 1258) found that a predator-induced increase in baseline stress levels affected the reproductive rates of hares, with highly-stressed females producing fewer litters of young and generally smaller and less robust leverets. These findings imply that predators may have important sublethal effects on snowshoe hares, which could translate to predators having an even more important role than previously thought on the snowshoe hare population cycle. In collaboration with Dr. Stan Boutin (University of Alberta) and Dr. Rudy Boonstra (University of Toronto), the PhD project will build on the previous study and assess whether sublethal effects of predators have demonstrable effects on hare behaviour and survival. Using a variety of methods, we will monitor relationships between hare activity patterns, habitat selection, energy expenditure, and survival rates, relative to baseline stress levels. We predict that individual variability in stress levels will reflect local predation risk, and thereby be manifest in risk-sensitive behaviour among putative high-risk individuals. The intent is to follow up the observational study with experimental manipulation of perceived risk to induce further changes in free-ranging hares. Finally, the study will involve modeling tradeoffs between energy acquisition versus predation risk avoidance, and possibly include modeling the potential sublethal effects of predators on hare population cycles.
Application Procedures Applicants should hold an MSc in ecology or a related area as well as good field and quantitative skills. The successful applicant also will require demonstrated publishing success. Candidates should submit a letter of application, curriculum vita, and names and contact information for three references to: Dr. Dennis Murray, Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON Canada K9J 7B8 (email: dennismurray βatβ trentu.ca, web page: http://www.dennismurray.ca). Applications will be reviewed immediately and the position will close as soon as a suitable candidate is found. The successful applicant will receive a full graduate stipend including waiver of any foreign tuition fees.
