Objective
How organisms adapt to different environments and form new species is a central question in evolutionary biology. Cichlid fish of the East-African Great Lakes are the most diverse species assemblage of vertebrates on our planet. Even though they have become a model for speciation research, how and why they reached this enormous diversity remains difficult to explain based on current insights. One theory is that cichlids evolved through habitat diversification (e.g. adaptation to a substrate type), trophic diversification (evolution of different feeding strategies and adaptation to a specific diet) and communication diversification (e.g. evolution of different social interactions including colour- and odour-based mate recognition). However, different habitats, diets and social interactions might also lead to exposure to different parasite communities. Parasites challenge their host’s immune system, and represent strong agents of natural selection. Moreover, parasites might also contribute to sexual selection through immunity-based mate choice (which in cichlids is reflected in brightness and coloration). The combined effect of natural and sexual selection on a trait (in this case the immune system) has the potential to accelerate speciation. Therefore cichlid diversification might essentially be parasite-driven, but this hypothesis has received little attention. Here we address this hypothesis in the Tropheini, an endemic cichlid tribe of Lake Tanganyika, and in its genus Tropheus, which radiated into more than hundred color morphs. Based on state-of-the-art training in genomics and data integration, we aim to obtain an unprecedented view on the potential of parasites to accelerate adaptive radiations at the macro-evolutionary level (Tropheini) and at the micro-evolutionary level (Tropheus). This project will greatly contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying biological diversity, and benefit the societal appreciation of biodiversity.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics
- natural sciences biological sciences evolutionary biology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences planets
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
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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-2011-IEF
See other projects for this call
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
4051 Basel
Switzerland
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.