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Connectivity of Shark Populations

Project

Project Details

Program
Marine Science
Field of Study
​Population Genetics
Division
Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Faculty Lab Link
https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/study/faculty/michael-berumen
Center Affiliation
Red Sea Research Center

Project Description

​Ongoing research conducted by the Reef Ecology Lab and its collaborators have generated a diverse collection of shark and ray genetic samples. Analysis of these samples could provide insight into both elasmobranch biogeography and population ecology. Specific projects include investigating broad population genetics of hammerhead sharks in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf or looking at fine-scale differences between reef shark sub-populations within the Red Sea. Undergraduate research will mostly focus on lab work, performing DNA extractions, running PCRs, and analyzing our existing collection of genetic samples. There may also be opportunities for fieldwork, including fish market surveys and catch-and-release sampling trips.​

About the Researcher

Michael Lee Berumen
Professor, Marine Science
Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division

Affiliations

Education Profile

  • Ph.D. Marine Biology, James Cook University, Australia, 2007
  • B.S. (summa cum laude), Zoology, University of Arkansas, 2001

Research Interests

Larval connectivity and dispersal of reef fishes Movement ecology of reef organismsBiodiversity and evolutionary biology of Red Sea fauna

Selected Publications

  • Berumen, M & M Pratchett. Recovery without resilience: Persistent disturbance and long-term shifts in the structure of fish and coral communities at Tiahura Reef, Moorea. Coral Reefs 25: 647-653, 2006.
  • Almany, G, M Berumen, S Thorrold, S Planes, & G Jones. Local replenishment of coral reef fish populations in a marine reserve. Science 316: 742-744, 2007.
  • Berumen, M, G Almany, S Planes, G Jones, P Saenz-Agudelo, S Thorrold. Persistence of self-recruitment and patterns of larval connectivity in a marine protected area network. Ecology and Evolution 2: 444-452, 2012.
  • McMahon, K, M Berumen, S Thorrold. Linking habitat mosaics and connectivity in a coral reef seascape. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) 109: 15372-15376, 2012.
  • Almany, G, R Hamilton, M Matawai, M Bode, T Potuku, P Saenz-Agudelo, S Planes, M Berumen, K Rhodes, S Thorrold, G Russ, G Jones. Dispersal of grouper larvae drives local resource sharing in a coral reef fishery. Current Biology 23: 626-630, 2013.
  • Berumen, M, W Bass, J Bouwmeester, D Catania, J Cochran, A Hoey, M Khalil, S Miyake, M Mughal, J Spaet, P Saenz-Agudelo. The status of coral reef ecology research in the Red Sea. Coral Reefs 32: 737-748, 2013.

Desired Project Deliverables

​Depending on the results, the student researcher may also contribute to a scientific publication detailing the work and findings. 
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3-6 months
Internship period
100+
Research Projects
3.5/4
Cumulative GPA
310
Interns a Year