phone: +32 (0)2 650 22 67

e-mail: Edouard.Duquesne@ulb.be

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termites – ecology – biodiversity – biological invasions

PhD research project

Urbanization, termite assemblages and population genetic structure - the case of an invasive species (Heterotermes tenuis)

Supervisors: Denis Fournier

Urban areas create novel conditions that can drive rapid evolution of species. It goes hand to hand with alterations of natural habitats leading to the extinction of native species and the establishment of non-native species. In a context of rapidly increasing rate of biodiversity loss, assessing how species react to the expansion of cities seems of primary importance. Termites are interesting models for studying the impact of urbanization: they are particularly abundant in sub- and tropical ecosystems and are ecosystem engineers, by decomposing organic matter and recycling nutrients. Furthermore, some termites are responsible for billions of damages annually, mainly in crops and structures. Among them, Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen, 1858) is a major pest species of crops and a minor structural pest in South and Central America while also being an invasive species in the Caribbean islands. In this context, we aim to:

1. 1. Investigate the consequences of urbanization on termites’ communities.
   

2. 2. Understand the consequences of urbanization on genetic and phenotypic variabilities of an invasive species (Heterotermes tenuis).
   

3. 3. Study the genetic and ecological differences of an invasive termite between its native and invaded range.
   

4. 4. Predict the potential current and future distribution of invasive termites using socioeconomic variables in a species distribution modeling.
   

Master thesis

Analysis of the edge effect on termite communities in French Guiana

Supervisor: Yves Roisin (Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium)

Educational background

1. •2022 - ongoing: PhD thesis, Université libre de Bruxelles (Belgium)
   

2. •2020 - 2022: Master in Biology of Organisms and Ecology, Université libre de Bruxelles (Belgium)
   

3. •2017 - 2020: Bachelor in Biology, Université libre de Bruxelles (Belgium)