Objective
The spatial resolution of insect eyes has historically been regarded as implausibly poor. Considering only the static optic apparatus of the compound eye, many scholars thought that insects could only see as many pixels as the eye had ommatidial lenses depending on species, some dozen to a few thousand. If true, this would render insects virtually blind to many fine-grained biological signals supposedly directed at them, such as the intricate patterns on many flowers. However, the postdoctoral researcher discovered in field experiments that bees ability in detecting and identifying flowers from a distance far exceeds these theoretical limits. Correspondingly, recent breakthroughs in visual physiology indicate that active-sensing strategies, scanning algorithms and photoreceptor movements can render insect vision an order of magnitude sharper than the optical apparatus suggests. For the first time, we explore such hyperacuity in a real-life setting: the detection and identification of floral colour patterns by pollinating bees, using state-of-the-art laboratory experiments of hyperacuity. The ecological validity will be tested using the colour patterns of iconic food-deceptive orchids and other conspicuously-patterned flowers. This interdisciplinary approach, linking the fellows expertise in wildflower pollination with the hosts track record in insect sensory biology, makes use of cutting-edge methodologies such as lab-based psychophysics experiments, AI based-analyses of insect flight, radar-tracking and motion-sensitive cameras at wildflowers to unravel the enigma of why flowers exhibit the striking fine-grained patterns they often do. The project will generate a major step change in our understanding of biological signalling and interspecies communication, unveiling how
active sensing can generate hyperacute vision, its benefits in the economy of nature, and explaining the evolution and diversity of floral colour patterns.
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.
- engineering and technology materials engineering colors
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors optical sensors
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology entomology
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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-2024-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.
E1 4NS 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.