Objective
How tetrapods (vertebrates with digit-bearing limbs) became terrestrial is one of the most transformative yet enigmatic
events in vertebrate history that set the stage for the diversification of tetrapods thereafter. Being on land imposes physical
demands on the musculoskeletal system and weak bones can severely limit the capabilities of animals, yet the importance of
bone strength in the evolution of terrestrial locomotion is not well understood. The proposed research integrates innovative
approaches on the limbs of an early stem tetrapod, Ichthyostega, in order to: 1) quantify how well the limb bones in an early
stem tetrapod could support locomotion on land, 2) compare the differences between the fore- and hindlimb bone
mechanics, and 3) test the prevailing hypothesis that early stem tetrapods walked like extant salamanders. An
interdisciplinary synthesis of cutting-edge techniques in engineering, 3D biomedical imaging, palaeontology, and
biomechanics will be used to test the structural integrity of fossil limb bones in silico. Bone strength will be quantified with
high-resolution μ-CT scans and finite element analysis, an engineering approach to estimate stresses and deformations in
complex structures in response to physical demands. This novel dataset will address the ability of Ichthyostega to move on
land, and what types of locomotor behaviours were not possible for an early stem tetrapod on land. Simultaneously, training
and research activities in state-of-the-art engineering and 3D technology, evolutionary biomechanics, and public outreach
will foster the development of the Experienced Researcher (ER) into an innovative and broadly trained researcher and
science communicator. At a broader scale, tracing back the evolutionary steps to becoming terrestrial yields powerful
insights into the tetrapod body plan, informing how ecological transitions influence functional innovation and how human
anatomy is influenced by our ancestry from aquatic tetrapods.
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 evolutionary biology
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences palaeontology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2015
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
NW1 OTU London
United Kingdom
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.