Objective
The interdisciplinary study of chemical communication has developed into a cutting edge field of science that can address key questions on the organization of life at both the cellular and the organismal level. The study of communication in insect societies and their social parasites has played a pivotal role in these developments. However, suitable model lineages with a sufficient number of evolutionary transitions between normal social living and social parasitism are uncommon and even fewer have been thoroughly studied. This proposal intends to make such a key model system available for study in Europe. Megalomyrmex ants are chemical warriors, dispensing volatile venom alkaloids (VAs) by waving their stings (i.e. gaster flagging) as they enter another ant species’ nest or during competition; the former are derived social parasites (parasites of a society), while the latter are predatory species. Both use gaster flagging as a ‘warning shot’, announcing their presence to hosts or competitors. If the host does not allow infiltration, the invader will attack and kill. Infiltration can be accomplished as just described (i.e. chemical weaponry) or through the alteration of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) (i.e. surface chemistry) using chemical mimicry and/or insignificance. I intend to decipher the chemical code of communication and manipulation of Megalomyrmex ants, linking behaviours observed to their chemical ecology. I will 1) test three infiltration strategy hypotheses using behavioural experimentation, 2) identify relevant chemical compounds, and 3) examine the results in an evolutionary context with phylogenetic hypothesis testing. Using a unique model system I pioneered, I will gain focused training in a leading laboratory in Europe which will enhance my job opportunities and future collaboration with Europe, transfer unique knowledge to the EU, and encourage a shift in the research on social parasitism towards a more comparative approach.
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 ecology
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry hydrocarbons
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
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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.
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.
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.
FP7-PEOPLE-IIF-2008
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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.
Coordinator
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
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.