Parasite sucks
Temporary ectoparasites feeding large meals of blood from their hosts undergo large volume changes of their gut and the entire body. Fast changes of the gut volume requires functional adaptations of various organ systems of the body to prevent distortions, disruption or blocking of vessels / tracheae etc. - Ectoparasites evolved in various groups of arthopods (chelicerates, crustacean, insects) on multiple, independent evolutionary pathways. Heads-on students will use various histological methods (light microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy) to document and analyze functional morphological adaptations of arthropods for blood-feeding.
For further information or to apply for the project please contact Prof. Matthias Starck.