Promoter: Leonard Dewaele
Co-promoter: Sam Van Wassenbergh
Supervisor: Tim De Ridder
Subject: Mustelids (weasels & allies) are a diverse clade of carnivoran mammals with a wide array of ecologies. This ecological and morphological range offers a unique opportunity to study locomotor adaptations, as this family includes species in most major locomotor niches: terrestrial, fossorial, arboreal, and semi-aquatic. Specifically within aquatic adaptation, there is a complete spectrum of species ranging from fully terrestrial all the way to almost fully aquatic – a unique instance in extant mammals. In all major semi-aquatic mammal groups (pinnipeds, whales etc.), fully terrestrial species are only known from the fossil record.
Modern mustelids thus offer a unique opportunity to study this transition from land to water within a phylogenetically constrained group; this may be achieved by comparing morphology and locomotion in species across this aquatically-adapted spectrum. Swimming poses very different functional requirements due to the higher density of water (than air) and the resultant effect on other biomechanical parameters, such as drag. Studies of the bones and muscular anatomy of mustelids show that specific changes in morphology are indeed correlated with the different locomotor niches; however, the exact functional mechanisms behind these differences are yet to be uncovered. This master’s thesis will focus on limb kinematics across mustelids, and provide a basis to identify what differences in locomotion are present, shedding light on the functional drivers of morphological adaptations to aquatic locomotion in this group.
For this project, the student will join on a data gathering trip in a European zoo and process the resulting data. A multi-camera high-speed video setup will be used to track the limb movements of different mustelid species along a spectrum of aquatic adaptation: ferrets, European mink, Asian small-clawed otters, and the European otters.
In this project, the student will: (1) gain insight and experience with the biomechanics of mustelid locomotion; (2) collect data from zoo animals and learn how to work with a high-speed camera setup; (3) measure kinematic parameters using semi-automated (machine learning) software, and (4) investigate the differences in locomotion linked to the species’ level of aquatic specialisation and what is known of their morphological differences.
Student profile: interested in biomechanics, form and function, and evolution. Ideally someone who is patient and ready to put in the work, whether it is video recording in the zoo, or computer work (data processing). Guidance in all methods and software will be provided, no prior knowledge is required. Familiarity with the R statistical environment would be beneficial. Having followed or planning on following the biomechanics course would be beneficial.
