Population consequences of individual-level mechanismsthrough dynamic energy budgets

Tjalling JagerDept. Theoretical Biology

What is DEB?

Quantitative theory for metabolic organisation; ‘first principles’

• time, energy and mass balance

Life-cycle of the individual• links levels of organisation: molecule

ecosystems

Kooijman (2000)

Kooijman (in press)

Metabolic organisation

food faeces

reserves

assimilation

structure

somatic maintenance

1-

maturitygametes

maturity maintenance

Traits:- growth curve- age at 1st repro- repro rate with age- feeding rates- …

?

for embryos …

reserves

structure

somatic maintenance

1-

maturity

maturity maintenance

Traits:- egg size- hatching time- hatchling size- …

Scope of PhD project

How do effects at energy budget propagate to population level?• emphasis on embryonic development

Organism: the pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis) Not specific for regulatory framework or chemical

Project structure

Proposed modelling approach:• individual model: DEB3 model in Matlab• population model: start with Euler-Lotka equation …

Experimental work:• start from existing data at individual level• additional experiments performed at INRA, France

Validation of population effects?• not foreseen …

Practical application?• demonstrate population consequences based on lit. data• collaborate in DEB-2 project (INRA, France) with EDs

VacanciesStill looking for a CREAM PhD student …

CoursesInternational DEB Tele Course 2011

Symposia2nd International DEB Symposium 2011 in Lisbon

More information: http://www.bio.vu.nl/thb

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