Determining the optimal hatching conditions of ostracods under differing environments
Student Name: Davis Xu. UCD Department: Evolution and Ecology. UCD Mentor: Jay Stachowicz.
The research currently being conducted in the lab can be divided
into two main parts: first, ostracod eggs collected from vernal
pools around California are being hatched under varying
conditions (i.e. to mimic natural seasonal changes). The
conditions that yield the highest hatching rates will be studied
more extensively to determine factors that contribute to such
rates. The second part of the project relates to a study of the
biological diversity in vernal pools (pools that are created and
disappear annually) and how abiotic and biotic factors play a
role in such diversity.
