A research assistant position is available for durations of one to two months (within the period from August 1st to November 31th 2017) in the Biological Interactions Lab (www.biointeractionslab.com) in the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Work will be based in Namaqualand during the annual spring mass- flowering displays. Namaqualand is a semi-desertic area of astonishing plant diversity which is part of the Succulent Karoo Biodiversity hotspot. We will conduct pollinator observations, in Situ experiments, and collect DNA material and plant trait measurements on the unique long- tongued fly pollination systems across a large area (300km long). Long- tongue flies are unique to southern Africa, many are undescribed as yet, but still they are key-stone species as over 250 species of plants rely on them for reproduction. The plant species we focus on are from the Iridaceae and Geraniaceae families. Candidates need to be hard-working, naturalist-minded, willing to spend long hours in the field and spend most nights camping. A previous experience in pollination biology will be an advantage. Such fieldwork is highly rewarding to the naturalist-minded persons. Namaqualand is a unique ecosystem, and new discoveries are plentiful. Food, accommodation, and a small stipend will be provided. Travel costs to South-Africa are not included. Please direct any questions and applications to me: florent.gren...@ens.fr I can also provide email addresses of former fieldwork assistants if you want extra feedback. Deadline: June 4th 2016 / florent.gren...@ens.fr Florent Grenier PhD candidate Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution Université de Montpellier FRANCE and Department of Botany and Zoology Stellenbosch University South-Africa http://www.biointeractionslab.com/ florent.gren...@ens.fr cell phone : +33 6 76 48 10 30 Some pictures of Namaqualand plants are on this flickR album : https://flic.kr/s/aHsk58wtjH A few pictures of the fieldwork conducted in 2016 : https://www.flickr.com/gp/89472795@N05/J3125K References on the study systems Manning, J. C., & Goldblatt, P. (1996). The Prosoeca peringueyi (Diptera: Nemestrinidae) pollination guild in southern Africa: long- tongued flies and their tubular flowers. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 67-86. Manning, J. C., & Goldblatt, P. (1997). The Moegistorhynchus longirostris (Diptera: Nemestrinidae) pollination guild: Long-tubed flowers and a specialized long-proboscid fly pollination system in southern Africa. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 206(1-4), 51-69. Florent GRENIER florent.gren...@ens.fr
