Objective
Invasive species threaten biodiversity in Europe and around the globe. Evolutionary aspects of species invasions have so far received little attention, and consequently we have little ability to predict the invasive or evolutionary potential of introduced populations. This gap in current knowledge has been highlighted as target of research within the European Research Area.
Here I propose to test whether measures of neutral genetic diversity can predict invasive and evolutionary potential, a question over which there is controversy in the literature but few empirical tests. I will first perform a meta-analysis and review of the literature to test the correlation between neutral diversity and additive genetic variance, which reflects evolutionary potential. I will subdivide the dataset to test it invasive populations tend to have higher genetic diversity than non-invasive populations.
I will then empirically test this relationship in a novel way in the laboratory by experimentally increasing genetic diversity through mixing populations and tracking the changes in both neutral and additive variance during artificial selection. This will answer the question of whether there is a causal link between neutral and additive variance. Furthermore, this will be the first study to test if mixing populations followed by artificial selection in a new environment creates a better invader, by competition tests against a native European species.
This research opportunity will provide advanced training in molecular techniques, evolutionary genetics, and research management, and result in numerous high quality publications. This study will provide a timely and original contribution to European research, and will be of practical importance to conservation and invasion biologists and managers in Europe.
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 genetics
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology invasive species
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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.
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.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5
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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
Switzerland
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.