Objective
The process of speciation is central to biology because it is responsible for the diversity of life. However, progress in finding general mechanisms for species formation has been slow. One potential solution is ecological speciation, in which adaptation to alternate environments generates reproductive isolation between populations.
Our project will test three key predictions of ecological speciation with stickleback fish from British Columbia, Canada. First, can adaptation to alternate environments generate reproductive isolation? This might occur because their mating systems have diverged, or because hybrids fall between ecological niches. In particular, we will focus on detecting assortative mating between geographically isolated stickleback fish that have adapted to different niches.
Second, are traits that differ between populations under divergent selection? If so, these traits can contribute to reproductive isolation by reducing hybrid fitness: hybrids will be poorly adapted for either parental habitat. We focus on sticklebacks from lakes where two alternately adapted species co-exist (the limnetic-benthic species pairs), and determine whether there is predator-mediated divergent selection acting on the quantitative trait loci responsible for two anti-predator traits. Both experiments will be conducted with Dolph Schluter at the University of British Columbia, Canada.
We will then explore whether divergent selection on these anti-predator traits has been responsible for reducing hybrid fitness in the species pair lakes. This selection will reduce gene flow around each locus, and this should be detectable at the DNA level. As this requires the application of coalescent models of selection and gene flow, I will work with Thomas Lenormand at CEFE in Montpellier, France.
This study will allow me to gain experience with two leading researchers in their respective fields, and will build collaboration between UBC and CEFE in the study of ecological speciation.
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 DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
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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-6
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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.
OIF - Marie Curie actions-Outgoing International Fellowships
Coordinator
MONTPELLIER
France
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.