E-mail: kjartan.ostbye@hihm.no
Phone: +47 62430896
Fax: +47 624030851

 

Mailing address:
Hedmark University College
Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences
P.O. Box 400
NO-2418 Elverum
Norway

Research interests:

I am interested in several aspects of freshwater fish diversity and their management and conservation. Here, an important issue relates to the harvesting of natural populations and sustainability in order to not unduely prevent the act of natural selection. Another issue regards the potential of increasing the quality of fish populations for both human recreation and food. 

Moreover, I am interested in why- and how allopatric and sympatric populations diversify as well as the timescale of adaptations. Such diversifications may ultimately lead to speciation scenarios given time.

I have interest in the application of population genetics in applied- as well as in basic evolutionary research in fish. However, my research is not limited to fish only as I find it likely that mechanisms behind population differentiation may be general across different taxa.

I have currently focus on three main research projects where I (and K. Langdal) can offer thesis for master students (see also more detailed information online):

1. The invasion of smelt ( Osmerus eperlanus ) into Lake Storsjøen – effects on the local fish community?
2. Fish species integrity – hybridization and genomic introgression and the definition of management units.
3. Polymorphism within fish species – evolution and management challenges under harvesting regimes.

Finally, the students themselves are invited to suggest interesting topics that may be discussed for a thesis.

 

Teaching:
Current Topics in Applied Ecology (C6SU312)

 

Publications:

Kahilainen, K. K., K. Østbye, C. Harrod, T. Shikano, T. Malinen & J. Merilä. 2011. Species introduction promotes hybridization and  introgression in Coregonus: is there sign of selection against hybrids? Molecular Ecology 20: 3838-3855.

Gregersen, F., L. A. Vøllestad & K. Østbye. 2011. Temperature and food-level effects on reproductive investment and egg mass in vendace, Coregonus albula . Fisheries Management and Ecology 18: 263-269. 

Le Rouzic, A., K. Østbye, T. O. Klepaker, T. F. Hansen, L. Bernatchez, D. Schluter & L. A. Vøllestad. 2011. Strong and consistent natural selection associated with armor reduction in sticklebacks. Molecular Ecology 20: 2483-2493.

Davison, J., S. Y.W. Ho, M. Korsten, E. Vulla, M. Hindrikson, U. Saarma, S. Bray, J. Austin, K. Østbye, E. Østbye, S.-E. Lauritzen & A. Cooper. 2011. Late-Quaternary biogeographic scenarios for the brown bear ( Ursus arctos ), a wild mammal model species. Quaternary Science Reviews 30: 418-430.

Bjærke, O.,  K. Østbye, H.M. Lampe & L.A. Vøllestad. 2010. Covariation in shape and foraging behavior in lateral plate morphs in the three-spine stickleback. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 19: 249-256.

Bernatchez, L. S. Renaut, A. R. Whiteley, D. Campbell, N. Derome, J. Jeukens, L. Landry, G. Lu, A. W. Nolte, K. Østbye, S. M. Rogers, J. St-Cyr. 2010. On the origins of species: insights from the ecological genomics of whitefish. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 365: 1783-1800.

Østbye, E., T. Breiehagen, I. Mysterud & K. Østbye. 2009. Occurrence and habitat choice of waders in a high mountain sedimentation flat on Hardangervidda, South Norway. Ornis Norvegica 32: 74-90.

Klepaker, T.O. & K. Østbye. 2008. Pelvic anti-predator armor reduction in Norwegian populations of the threespine stickleback: a rare phenomenon with adaptive implications? Journal of Zoology 276: 81-88.

Østbye, E., O. Hogstad, K. Østbye, L. Lien, E. Framstad & T. Breiehagen. 2007. Structure and dynamics of a high mountain vader community in South Norway: a 19 year study of passerines. Ornis Norvegica 30: 4-20.

Sandlund, O.T., J. Museth,  T. Taugbøl & K. Østbye. 2007. Population characteristics of whitefish ( Coregonus lavaretus ) in a 30 year old river reservoir: Løpsjøen, SE Norway. Archivum für Hydrobiologia Special Issues in Advanced Limnology 60: 205-212.

Østbye, K., P.-A. Amundsen, L. Bernatchez, A. Klemetsen, R. Knudsen, R. Kristoffersen, T.F. Næsje & K. Hindar. 2006. Parallel evolution of ecomorphological traits in European whitefish Coregonus lavaretus (L.) species complex during postglacial times. Molecular Ecology 15: 3983-4001.

Østbye, E., Lauritzen, S.-E., K. Østbye & Ø. Wiig. 2006. Holocene brown bear, Ursus arctos , from Norwegian caves. Boreas 35: 296-316.

Schulz M., J. Freyhof, R. Saint-Laurent, K. Østbye, T. Mehner & L. Bernatchez. 2006. Evidence for independent origin of two spring-spawning ciscoes(Salmoniformes: Coregonidae) in Germany. Journal of Fish Biology 68: 119-135 (Suppl. A).

Kahilainen K. & K. Østbye. 2006. Morphological differentiation and resource polymorphism in three  sympatric whitefish Coregonus lavaretus (L.) forms in a subarctic lake. Journal of Fish Biology 68: 63-79.

Østbye, E., S.-E. Lauritzen, D. Moe & K. Østbye. 2006.  Vertebrate remains in Holocene cave sediments: faunal succession in the Sirijorda cave, northern Norway. Boreas 35: 142-158.

Østbye, K., L. Bernatchez, T.F. Næsje, M. Himberg & K. Hindar. 2005. Evolutionary history of European whitefish ( Coregonus lavaretus L.) as inferred from mtDNA phylogeography and gillraker numbers. Molecular Ecology 14: 4371-4387.

Østbye, K., T.F. Næsje, L. Bernatchez, O.T. Sandlund & K. Hindar. 2005. Morphological divergence and origin of sympatric populations of European whitefish( Coregonus lavaretus L.) in Lake Femund, Norway.  Journal of Evolutionary Biology 18: 683-702.

Ødegaard, F., O.H. Diserud & K. Østbye. 2005. The importance of plant relatedness for host utilization among phytophagous insects. Ecology Letters  8: 612-617.

Østbye, E., O. Hogstad. K. Østbye, L. Lien & E. Framstad. 2002. Structure and dynamics of some high mountain bird communities of South Norway: a 19 year study of passerines. Ornis Norvegica 25: 19-48.

Ugedal, O., T.F. Næsje, R. Saksgård, O.T. Sandlund & K. Østbye. 2002. Do commercial gill-net fisheries impact polymorphic European whitefish in Lake Femund, Norway? Archivum für Hydrobiologia Special Issues in Advanced Limnology 57: 563-567.

Sandlund, O.T., T.F. Næsje, R. Saksgård & K. Østbye. 2002. Gillraker development in juvenile polymorphic whitefish ( Coregonus lavaretus L.) in Lake Femund, Norway. Archivum für Hydrobiologia Special Issues in Advanced  Limnology 57: 553-562.

Lydersen, E., S. Øxnevad, K. Østbye, R.A. Andersen, F. Bjerkely, L.A. Vøllestad & A.B.S. Poléo. 2002. The effects of ionic strength on the toxicity of aluminium to Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) under non-steady state chemical conditions. Journal of Limnology 61: 69-76.

Poléo, A.B.S., K. Østbye, S.A. Øxnevad, R. Andersen & L.A. Vøllestad. 1997. Toxicity of acid aluminium-rich water to 7 freshwater fish species: a comparative laboratory study. Environmental Pollution 96: 129-139.

Østbye, K., S. Øxnevad & L.A. Vøllestad. 1997. Developmental stability in perch ( Perca fluviatilis L.) in acidic aluminium-rich lakes.  Canadian Journal of  Zoology 75: 919-928.

Lien, A.M., K. Østbye & E. Østbye 1996. Life cycle and morphology of an epigean and a hypogean population of Gammarus lacustris G.O. Sars (Amphipoda) in South Norway. Karst Waters Institute Special Publication 2: 97-100.

Poléo, A.B.S., S.A. Øxnevad, K. Østbye, R. Andersen & D.H. Oughton. 1995. Survival of crucian carp, Carassius carassius , exposed to a high low-molecular weight inorganic aluminium challenge. Aquatic Sciences 57: 350-359.

Poléo, A.B.S., S.A. Øxnevad, K. Østbye, R. Andersen, E. Heibo & L.A. Vøllestad. 1995. Body morphology of crucian carp Carassius carassius in lakes with or without piscivorous fish. Ecography 18: 225-229.

Øxnevad, S.A., K. Østbye & L.A. Vøllestad. 1995. Year class variation in fluctuating asymmetry in perch ( Perca fluviatilis L . ) from an acidic aluminium rich lake. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 4: 131-137.

Østbye, E., C.E. Engh, L. Lien, I. Mysterud, K. Østbye, Ø. Pedersen & A. Semb-Johansson. 1994. Regional distribution of lemmings ( Lemmus lemmus ) during cyclic highs in the Hallingdalen valley, southern Norway 1966-1985. In N.C. Stenseth & R.A. Ims ( Eds .): The biology of  Lemmings. Linnean Society Symposium Series 15: 187-195.

 

Television appearence (NRK):

• Stickleback mating behaviour ( http://www.nrk.no/magasin/natur/1.6191705 )
• Norwegian cave living crustacean ( http://www.nrk.no/magasin/natur/1.1467506 )

 

I also work at the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis at the University of Oslo where I work with the threespine stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus ) with regard to functional genomics ( http://www.cees.uio.no/about/staff/frida/202708.xml ).