Project description
Genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of risk-taking in the face of rapid environmental changes
Behavioural variation within populations may serve as the foundational material for natural selection, influencing ecological and evolutionary responses to dynamic environmental conditions. However, our grasp of the genetic underpinnings of these behavioural traits remains significantly incomplete, thus constraining our comprehension of behaviour’s role in moulding the adaptive potential of natural populations. The MSCA-funded riskADAPT project will investigate the genetic and epigenetic foundations of risk-taking behaviour in Anolis sagrei lizards under novel predation scenarios. The work will employ techniques such as restriction site-associated DNA sequencing, whole-genome sequencing and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, alongside analyses including FST outlier scans, selective sweep scans and genome-wide association studies.
Objective
The evolutionary relevance of behavioral traits has been largely debated among biologists. Behavioral changes often constitute the first response to changing environmental conditions. This suggests that behavioral variation among individuals within a population potentially represents the raw material for natural selection, ultimately determining the ecological and evolutionary responses to new selective pressures. However, the genetic basis of behavioral traits remains largely unknown. This uncertainty limits our understanding of the role of behavior in shaping the adaptive potential of natural populations.
In this project I aim to uncover the molecular underpinnings of risk-taking behavior, a key trait associated with survival in the lizard Anolis sagrei under new predation regimes. First, using restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) data, I will characterize the heritability of risk-taking behavior by estimating its additive genetic variance based on multigenerational pedigrees of lizards that have undergone behavioral assessments. I will then search for genomic regions and variants associated with risk-taking behavior by FST outlier scans, selective sweep scans and genome-wide association study (GWAS) with the use of RADseq and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data. Finally, using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) data, I will explore the impact of DNA methylation on the variation in risk-taking behavior to shed light on the role of epigenetic mechanisms in controlling animal behavior. By characterizing the genetic and epigenetic architecture of risk-taking behavior, riskADAPT will decisively advance our understanding of the role of ecologically-relevant behaviors in the evolutionary adaptation to rapid environmental changes.
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 DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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.
08193 BELLATERRA
Spain
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.