Project description
Scorpions possess a highly specialised body plan in which the head section (prosoma) houses sensory, neural, and locomotory structures, while the chelicerae (small pincer like structures) play a critical role in food processing and prey manipulation. Despite their importance to scorpion biology and evolution, the degree to which these structures evolve together—or as semi-independent modules—remains poorly understood. This project will investigate patterns of morphological integration and modularity between scorpion prosomae and chelicerae using high-resolution three-dimensional data. The student (Masters) will generate and analyse 3D models from modern scorpion specimens using geometric morphometric approaches to quantify shape variation and covariation across species with differing ecologies and feeding strategies. By integrating evolutionary theory with functional morphology, the project will test whether particular regions of the scorpion body exhibit coordinated evolution linked to biomechanics, predation, or sensory performance. Outcomes will provide new insights into the evolution of arthropod body organisation, the origins of morphological specialisation, and the broader principles governing modularity in animal evolution.
Note: You need to register interest in projects from different supervisors (not a number of projects with the one supervisor).
You must also contact each supervisor directly to discuss both the project details and your suitability to undertake the project.