Current Research
My M.Sc. project, conducted in the laboratory of Dr. Lauren Chapman, investigates fitness consequences of adaptive divergence in the field. East african papyrus swamps and their connected streams show a very steep oxygen gradient ranging from hypoxic swamp waters to well-oxygenated stream waters. This gradient has been shown to play a role in a morpho-physiological divergence of the small cyprinid fish Barbus neumayeri. One example of adaptation driven by oxygen level is the comparatively larger gill size in swamp-dwelling fish relative to their stream-dwelling conspecifics, which should facilitate oxygen uptake in hypoxic waters. In my current research, I am asking if these adaptations allow individuals from high- and low- oxygen environments to reach a similar performance in their respective habitats, using specimens captured in Rwembaita swamp and a connected stream, located in Kibale National Park, Uganda. I'm also quantifying dispersal rates between habitats seeing as how these divergent oxygen environments are connected together on a short physical distance. Preliminary results show lower fitness-related traits in swamp populations (condition, reproductive traits), suggesting an overall fitness cost to life in low-oxygen. However, low dispersal rates from low- to high- oxygen environments suggest a competitive disadvantage when moving to the alternative habitat.