Obiettivo Phenotypic plasticity is a core concept of evolutionary biology and there is ample evidence for adjustments to environmental conditions in a row of life history traits in a wide variety of living organisms. Also, environmentally induced changes in chemical defences form the basis of a large research field in plants. However, we know startlingly little about similar plasticity in chemical defences of animals, despite its potential significance for ecology, evolution and conservation, through effects on individual fitness, interspecific interactions, demography and speciation.We will test whether tadpoles of the common toad (Bufo bufo) adjust the production of toxins to the presence and abundance of predators, competitors or pathogens. Furthermore, we will examine whether environmentally induced changes in the production of toxic skin gland secretions lead to elevated fitness of tadpoles and, hence, these plastic responses can be considered adaptive. Finally, we will investigate if the expression of inducible defences carries costs that are immediately visible or appear in the long term.We will perform outdoors- and indoors experiments and validate experimental results by sampling natural populations in collaboration with world leading experts.Our results will have implications for evolutionary biology, chemical ecology, behavioural ecology and conservation biology. Because our project targets biogenic and bioactive chemicals, results may also provide new impulses towards agriculture, medicine or pharmacology. Thus, our project is likely to spark basic and applied research, potentially also resulting in economic revenues. Campo scientifico social sciencessociologydemographynatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesevolutionary biologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiological behavioural sciencesbehavioural ecologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacy Programma(i) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Argomento(i) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Invito a presentare proposte FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG Vedi altri progetti per questo bando Meccanismo di finanziamento MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinatore AGRARTUDOMANYI KUTATOKOZPONT Contributo UE € 100 000,00 Indirizzo BRUNSZVIK STREET 2 2462 Martonvasar Ungheria Mostra sulla mappa Regione Dunántúl Közép-Dunántúl Fejér Tipo di attività Research Organisations Contatto amministrativo Bernadette Bódi Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato
