Objective
Reproduction is central to evolutionary fitness, shaped by selective pressures across levels of organismal function. Abiotic factors, like temperature, strongly influence reproductive timing in many taxa, yet how environmental cues are detected, integrated, and translated into reproductive decisions remains poorly understood. This gap is urgent in the context of climate change, where rising temperatures threaten reproductive success, population stability, biodiversity, and, with aquaculture expanding as a major protein source, affect food security. This project investigates how temperature regulates reproductive physiology and behaviour in teleost fish, using cichlids with contrasting strategies: the seasonal breeder Australoheros facetus and the non-seasonal breeder Astatotilapia burtoni. Objectives are to determine how temperature affects sexual motivation, spawning and endocrine dynamics; to assess long-term effects of early-life thermal exposure on gonadal maturation and neural circuit formation; and to map and functionally characterise temperature-sensitive TRP-expressing neurons, testing their causal role using CRISPR/Cas9 knockouts and temporally controlled transgenic cell-ablation approaches. By integrating behavioural assays, developmental manipulations, hormonal profiling, neural mapping, and genetic interventions, this interdisciplinary project provides the first mechanistic framework for temperature-dependent reproduction in teleosts. Findings will advance understanding of environmental control of reproduction, reveal evolutionary divergence in thermal sensitivity, and improve predictions of species resilience under climate change. The project aligns with the MSCA Work Programme by fostering interdisciplinary research, international collaboration and mobility, and providing advanced training to enhance the fellow’s career, while generating insights relevant to biology, conservation, aquaculture, and climate adaptation, issues central to multiple UN SDGs.
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.
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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.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
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-WIDERA-2025-TALENTS-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.
8005-139 FARO
Portugal
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.