Research Stay Tokyo Metropolitan University 2022, Tokyo, Japan

Antragstellender: Mohammed Erbii
Fachbereich, Studienrichtung: FB 13, Doctorate Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity

As part of my recent visit to Japan between November 19th and December 2nd, I had the opportunity to give a seminar at the Tokyo Metropolitan University. The event was incredibly informative and provided me with a wealth of new knowledge and insights. Upon arriving to the university's main campus, I was greeted by a team of friendly members of the Okada research group. The seminar was a hybrid event with in-person as well as online attendees, all of whom were eager to learn and participate in the discussion.

During the seminar, I presented the results from two studies combining population genomics as well as linkage mapping to explore genome dynamics in two ant species with divergent life history traits, the invasive ant Cardiocondyla obscurior and the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex californicus. At the end of my presentation, we then went on to discuss the various challenges and opportunities that I have encountered in my work, and provided some practical tips and advice for those looking to perform similar analyses. Throughout the seminar, there was plenty of opportunity for audience members to ask questions. I found this to be particularly valuable, as it allowed me to clarify any points that were ambiguous for my audience.

After the seminar, I had the opportunity to visit the Animal Ecology Laboratory's research labs and see some of the cutting-edge technology and equipment that they are using in their work. Additionally, I had the opportunity to see some of their fascinating insect (e.g. trap jaw ants and the famous stag beetle) and frog species collection at the Animal Ecology Laboratory's animal breeding facility.

Overall, my visit to the Tokyo Metropolitan University was incredibly beneficial. Not only did I learn a great deal from the exchange with all members of the Okada lab, but I also had the opportunity to see first-hand how some fascinating research is conducted at the Okada lab. I left the event feeling inspired and motivated to continue pursuing my own interests in science.

After attending the seminar at Tokyo Metropolitan University, I traveled to Ishigaki, a subtropical island located in the East China Sea. From November 24th to 27th, I spent four days on the island searching for ants and was able to successfully collect two colonies of the ant species C. minutior. These ants are known for their small size and aggressive behavior. I then traveled to Okinawa, the largest island in the Okinawa archipelago, where I spent another four days from November 28th to December 1st searching for ants. During this time, I was able to collect over 15 colonies of the ant species C. obscurior, which is known for its distinctive appearance and peculiar genome architecture. These colonies will provide valuable insights into the biology and genome dynamics of this particular genus of ants.

After collecting these colonies, I flew back to Germany through Tokyo. The ants arrived safely and are currently being maintained in climate chambers at the Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity (Hüfferstr. 1).

Overall, this fieldwork trip was an incredibly valuable experience. I learned a great deal about the challenges and rewards of conducting fieldwork in a new and unfamiliar environment, and I look forward to continuing my research in this field.

Relevance to the PhD project and my carrier:
The focus of my PhD project is to investigate the genomic changes in the invasive ant species C. obscurior that contribute to its success as an invader. So far, I have studied introduced populations of C. obscurior in Brazil and Tenerife, which have provided valuable insights into its biology. However, in order to fully understand the factors that make this species a successful invader, it is important to also study ants collected from its native range, which is believed to be Southeast Asia. During my research stay in Japan, I was fortunate to collect living ants of this species from Okinawa, which will be included in my next large-scale population genomics study involving over 70 individual genomes of this species. In this study, the fourth and final chapter of my thesis, I will investigate the signatures of selection and the association between population recombination rates and the frequency of structural variants, which are the main factors we believe are driving genome dynamics in this species. The two C. minutior colonies that I collected will also be a valuable addition to a second PhD project that I am partially involved in.

The visit to Japan was not only beneficial in allowing me to complete the final project of my thesis and to graduate, but it also provided a valuable opportunity to present my findings, exchange expertise with members of Dr. Okada's lab, and expand my professional network. As I am planning to submit my PhD thesis in the second half of next year, this visit was a great opportunity for me to make connections with potential postdoctoral advisors and learn about funding opportunities in Japan.

Acknowledgment:
I would like to express my gratitude to the Santander-Mobility Fund and its committee. Your financial support for my research stay in Japan is greatly appreciated, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity. I would also like to thank Linda Dieks for her valuable guidance and support throughout the application process.

Thank you again for your generosity and support. I am truly grateful for this amazing opportunity!