Project description
Extra insight into the theory of sexual selection
Over the years, species have evolved reproductive strategies that secure their ability to mate. This natural selection of physical characteristics or behaviours aim to enhance attractiveness to the opposite sex or improve competition advantage. Despite the importance of sexual selection, it remains one of the most debated areas of evolutionary biology. A key reason is that many theories are disconnected from the gametes, the basic biological level where sexual differences begin. The ERC-funded CAUSEX project aims to reconnect sexual selection theory with its biological roots. Researchers will create a shared framework that links models to gamete-level mechanisms, hoping to provide insights into mating strategies and reproductive evolution.
Objective
Sexual selection and sexual strategies include some of the most fascinating and widely-studied phenomena in evolutionary biology. Yet they are also among the most debated and disputed topics. Our ability to understand causal relationships and to fully engage with disagreements and controversies is limited by the disjointed nature of theory, which does not typically engage with the gamete level where central concepts are defined. CAUSEX will seek a common causal and mathematical structure that applies across models of sexual selection and sexual strategy, and engages explicitly with the defining aspects of sexes and sexual selection. This common foundation will be used to bind together and reconstruct central aspects of classical sexual selection theory, to scrutinise relationships between modelling methods, and to develop new models. In doing so, we will also develop biophysical models (fertilisation functions) which explicitly link gamete level processes to fitness. The overall aim is a conceptually and causally coherent theory which is clearly linked to the gamete level. The unification of a disjointed and controversial field will address unresolved challenges and clarify empirical predictions, and will be a major breakthrough in evolutionary biology.
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Keywords
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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
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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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-COG
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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
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