Intraspecific distribution of fiddler crabs according to the content of organic matter in the sediment: a matter of preference?

• Grant number: 15/10421-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: August 01, 2015
• End date: September 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Animal Behavior
• Principal Investigator: Tânia Marcia Costa
• Grantee: Fernando Rafael de Grande
• Supervisor: Martin Wiggers Skov
• Host Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista. São Vicente , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Bangor University, Wales
• Associated to the scholarship: 14/00456-7 - Intraspecific distribution of fiddler crabs depending on the organic matter content of the sediment: a question of preference?, BP.MS

Abstract

The understanding of ecological functionality of estuaries depends on research to evaluate both the effect of environmental factors on organisms and the effect promoted by those organisms on the environment. The objective of the BEPE scholarship request is to evaluate the techniques of experimental design, collection of samples and statistical analyzes used to describe the interference of biotic and abiotic variables of the sediment on the distribution of estuarine macroinvertebrates. During the internship period, the candidate will (1) monitor the collection of sediments in a salt marsh bank, (2) present a summary at a congress in the area with the preliminary master's dissertation project data and (3) review and discuss the data obtained in Brazil about the interference of organic matter on the distribution of fiddler crabs which will contribute to the writing of the thesis. The internship will be of great relevance to the professional and academic formation of the student and can provide partnerships for future studies with international researchers.