Branching into Branchiopods: Exploring Fairy Shrimp Diversity with Researchers and Citizen Scientists

Zeke Churchin, graduate student in the Weeks lab

Project Description:

The Weeks Lab tackles different questions surrounding Branchiopod Crustaceans. What is a Branchiopod? Branchiopods include Fairy Shrimp (sea monkeys), Clam Shrimp, and Tadpole Shrimp (look them up, they're super cool!). The current project focuses on the systematics of North American Eubranchipus (a genus of Fairy Shrimp). Included in this group are 12 described species of Fairy Shrimp, and multiple undescribed species! The project involves a wide variety of work including but not limited to: collecting fairy shrimp in the wild, raising fairy shrimp in captivity, working with specimens, searching for fairy shrimp eggs, and reaching out to volunteers.

There are a wide variety of roles, and opportunities for undergraduates to do the work that suits them best. The lab is looking for undergraduates who not only want to work with these unique critters, but are driven to work on their own and contribute to the project.

What would you learn?

Students will have the chance to hone a wide variety of skills such as:

• Working with species unknown to science
• Collecting Invertebrates in the field
• Identifying and sorting Fairy Shrimp Vouchers
• Rearing Branchiopods in captivity
• Communicating with Citizen Scientists
• Reading and Citing Relevant literature
• Creating species specific range maps

Highly driven students may have the opportunity to write or be included in a publication.

Commitment:

The lab is looking for 2-3 highly driven students to work an average of 5-10 hours a week. There may be opportunities to work more hours depending on the students’ interest. Occasional obligations on weekends may be necessary (10-15 minutes for feeding), but will be shared with your mentor.