Schärer Group
Evolutionary Biology
Zoological Institute
University of Basel
Vesalgasse 1
CH-4051 Basel
Switzerland

Elena Finkler

email: elena.finkler-at-unibas.ch

I am a Master student in the Schärer group looking to improve keeping conditions for different Macrostomum species.

Current research

The two flatworm species Macrostomum cliftonensis and M. hystrix live in salt water with highly varying salinities. While they are able to tolerate both high and low salinity levels, this can come at the cost of lower growth and reproduction rates. Since both species are currently subject of research in the Schärer group, it is useful to know the salinities that allow for optimal growth and reproduction in the cultures.
In a first study I measured the body size of worms that grew up in six different salinity levels, including the ones currently used for the cultures. The results showed that both species might benefit from being kept in different salinities. In a follow-up study I am currently looking at the differences in reproduction rates by counting hatchlings of worms that grew up in four of these six salinity levels.

Publications

none yet