Higher Degree by Research Application Portal

Termites are blind and avoid open areas, yet they are able to determine the size of their wooden food by nibbling on it, distinguish conspecifics from other termite species from the way they chew on wood, and identify ant predators from their footsteps alone.  They do this using vibration signals. However, how they detect and interpret vibration signals is unknown.

Biologists and engineers at UWA, UTS and UNSW are collaborating to understand just how termites are able to detect and distinguish vibro-acoustic signals.  Researchers at UWA are focussed on the biological systems, and are looking for PhD students to investigate the sensory abilities of termites through electrophysiological and behavioural, and anatomical means.

There are many research questions that could form the basis of a PhD project.  Termites have the standard insect vibro-acoustic sense organs in their antennae and legs, yet their capacity is highly developed, suggesting adaptations for sensitivity.  The morphology, relative size, number and placement of nerves in sense organs are poorly known.  How these compare to insects that do not rely on vibro-acoustic signals is similarly poorly known.  Working closely with engineers, that will help with stimulus generation, you will learn a range of methods to explore and describe the sensitivity of these animals to vibratory and acoustic signals and how this sensitivity interacts with substrate properties. 

A scholarship will be available for a strong applicant

2024/GR000685 - Unlocking the mechanisms of vibro-acoustic communication in termites

jan.hemmi@uwa.edu.au 

theo.evans@uwa.edu.au 

We are seeking applicants with a background in neuroethology, neurophysiology, or in animal behaviour (but with strong interest in neurophysiology)
More than 1 position may be available