In my PhD project I continue what with the same line of work I did for my MSc project. I’m continuing the study of the coevolving interaction of Vincetoxicum hirundinaria and its specialist herbivores, the larvae of the folivorous moth Abrostola asclepiadis and tephritid fly Euphranta connexa. Specifically I’m interested in how the effects of inbreeding, levels and distribution of genetic variation, and third trophic-level interactions influence plant-herbivore co-evolution. I am focusing on local adaptation in these antagonistic trophic interactions, because ongoing local adaptations can be considered an essential starting point for co-evolutionary dynamics. During my work in this project I will address several specific questions related to the impact of inbreeding on species interactions and their evolution. Through the study of the effects of inbreeding on species interaction we will be able to better understand how habitat fragmentation and other processed affecting species distributions will affect natural systems.
In my master thesis I studied local adaptation of Vincetoxicum hirundinaria to its specialist herbivores, pollinators and the environment. I also investigated the causes and constraints that cause variation in local adaptation of this plant.
This page was updated 23.5.2012