Objective
Aposematism is a widespread antipredator defence where prey advertise their chemical defence with warning signals. Previous work has demonstrated high within-species variation in how quickly predators learn to avoid aposematic prey, and this heterogeneity among predators is suggested to play an important role in the evolution of prey defences. This project aims to investigate what maintains the observed variation in predator behaviour by focusing on an unexplored mechanism: a predator’s gut microbiome. Evidence from humans and laboratory animals shows that gut microbiome can influence learning, memory and foraging choices (the microbiome-gut-brain axis), and theoretical models predict feedback loops between gut microbiome, diet and host behaviour. Here, I will translate this to the ecologically relevant context by 1) quantifying how the consumption of prey toxins alters the predator gut microbiome, physiology and foraging behaviour, 2) testing the effect of the early-life gut microbiome on foraging behaviour, and 3) determining the causal effect of the gut microbiome on foraging behaviour. I will use wild great tits (Parus major) as predators and combine several methods that include manipulating birds’ gut microbiome with prey toxins and faecal microbiota transplantation, quantifying gut microbial compositions from faecal samples using 16s rRNA sequencing, and conducting behavioural experiments to test avoidance learning, memory and dietary wariness. The results will address the current knowledge gaps in the predator-prey field by providing insights into the mechanisms that underly variation in predator behaviour. Furthermore, the project will advance our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary consequences of microbiomes for species dynamics. This will complement and broaden the current research of the host and enhance future career prospects of the applicant by providing an opportunity to gain new research skills and expand the fields of expertise.
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.
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine transplantation
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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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.
40100 Jyvaskyla
Finland
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.