The Institute of Ecology offers freshmen a possibility to choose between two master’s theses which students must start writing from January 2011. Students interested in this possibility should contact Davit Tarkhnishvili before December 10 of the current year.

CAUCASUS ROCK LIZARDS: GENETIC DIVERSITY AND HYPOTHESIS OF ORIGIN OF RETICULATED SPECIES

 The lizard Darevskia derjugini spread in Georgia is characterized by an unusually high diversity of mitochondrial DNA, with some DNA structures being unidentifiable from the DNA structure of the related species Darevskiamixta. The master’s degree thesis implies the study of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA of both species and determination of the importance of hybridization in the formation of genetic material in Darevskia derjugini.

Supervisors: Davit Tarknishvili and Mari Murtskvaladze

GEORGIA’S SNAIL FAUNA: WHAT DOES THE DIVERSITY OF SPECIES DEPEND ON?

More than 200 land lizard species are known in Georgia. Their vast majority are spread in the woods. The master’s degree thesis involves the study of samples collected in the territory of Georgia, as well as the identification of species and determination of diversity using GIS modeling. The study will also outline the factors defining the number of species as well as diversity indices.  

Supervisors: Davit Tarknishvili and Levan Mumladze

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