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Many species of Lagomorphs (hares, rabbits and pikas), particularly those within the same Genus (for example, Lepus) exist in mutually exclusive allopatry. Species ranges rarely overlap with sympatry tending to be a temporally transient phenomenon. Each species, in the absence of another, can inhabit the potential range of its closest geographical neighbours, but upon contact each usually retreats to its preferred optimum habitat. However, demonstrating ecological competition in the wild is notoriously difficult and is usually inferred using broad-scale biogeographical patterns of species occurrence.

This 3 year studentship aims to examine the processes which contribute to the global distribution of Lagomorphs (all 92 species) including biogeography, ecology and interspecific interactions. Ecological niche modelling will be developed to include interspecific interactions and range edge effects.

An additional element of this project will also examine the responses of the Order to climate change and their physical adaptations which contribute to their ecological niche separation. In particular there may be a focus on Arctic species and the likely impact of future land cover changes in the region.

The student will be based at the School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast and supervised by Dr Neil Reid, Dr Alison Cameron and Prof Ian Montgomery. The majority if the work will utilise data from global databases using modelling approaches.

One of the greatest problems facing conservation biology is the spread and establishment of introduced species, particularly on islands. Despite its recent decline across Europe, the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) has naturalised successfully in many countries beyond its former range, including Ireland.

This 3 year studentship aims to assess the current status of the European hare in Northern Ireland and establish its impact on the endemic Irish hare (Lepus timidius hibernicus). Recent work has shown that both species compete for habitat space and hybridise jeopardising the genetic integrity of the native species. This project will examine temporal change in the European hare population since it was first surveyed during 2005. Hares exhibiting a European-like phenotype will be taken for scientific purposes to assess the extent of genetic introgression with the native Irish hare. It is likely that an experimental approach will be used to remove animals with suitable controls to assess the efficacy of any future population intervention. Carcasses (including a limited number of Irish hares) will be used to compare stomach contents (dietary competition), parasite and pathogen burden and reproductive histology. Where possible, GPS and proximity loggers may be deployed in areas of sympatry to examine interspecific interactions.

This work is particularly applied as Northern Ireland has international obligations to address invasive species issues, principally the Convention on Biological Diversity, Bern Convention and the EU Habitats Directive.

The student will be based at the School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast and supervised by Dr Neil Reid, Dr Paulo Prodöhl and Prof Ian Montgomery. Fieldwork will be in Counties Londonderry and Tyrone.