Modelling the metapopulation of the southern African common hippopotamus

The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) is one of a handful of extant African megaherbivore species. Unlike other megafauna, hippo are relatively understudied. For example the distribution of hippo subpopulations across southern Africa is not well known, and neither is the genetic relatedness between these sub-populations or the extent of isolation. The capacity for hippo dispersal across subpopulations has not been quantified, and the genetic and demographic outcomes of subpopulation connectivity/isolation has not been modelled.

The student will use low-coverage whole genome sequencing to estimate hippo subpopulation structure, reconstruct past population demographic history and employ population models to simulate the population genetic and demographic outcomes of different conservation strategies. Together this will allow us to understand how the current genetic composition of hippo populations has been shaped by environmental processes and anthropogenic factors, and the implications of future hippo conservation actions.

The student will preferably have a background in genetics, genomics and/or bioinformatics. The student will work closely with both Dr Traill (expertise in large mammal ecology and conservation) and Dr Goodman (expertise in population genetics and conservation), and with southern African collaborators. There may be opportunity for field work.

The student will have access to skills development through the YES-DTN, and will be part of two research groups in the School of Biology at Leeds. Academic skills gained will include GIS-based spatial analysis, modeling in R and population genomics.