Objective
Evolutionary developmental biology has provided invaluable contributions to our understanding of the relationship between genotypic and phenotypic change. Similarly, evolutionary ecology greatly advanced our understanding of the relationship between the phenotype and the environment. To fully understand the evolution of the organismal diversity, a thorough integration of these fields is required, and this remains highly challenging. Semi-aquatic insects (Heteroptera, Gerromorpha) have conquered water surfaces worldwide and represent by far the dominating group of insects in these habitats. Their well-understood ecology of adaptation constitutes the necessary foundation for integrative studies.
We will dissect the developmental genetic basis of key morphological adaptations associated with the ecological transition from ground to water surfaces. A morphological character that has been critical to this transition is the evolution of hydrophobic bristles, whose density, morphology, and orientation, allow the trapping of air at the leg–water interface. A second spectacular adaptation, that followed this invasion, is the occupation of running waters by some members of the family Veliidae. This was facilitated by the evolution of a swimming fan on the tarsus of the propelling mid-legs, which greatly enhances their movement on running waters.
The objective of this project is to develop a multi-level approach to study how the interplay between developmental genetic pathways and the ecological environment can drive morphological evolution. We will take full advantage of the unique foundation in terms of ecology, diversity, and technical tractability that water-walking insects offer, combined with the use of next generation sequencing along with assays of gene function and organismal fitness. This approach is a critical step forwards in evo-devo and will provide a coupling of molecular function to concrete measure of fitness associated with the phenotype.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology evolutionary ecology
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology entomology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
69342 Lyon
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.