Objective "Why individuals cooperate is an evolutionary puzzle. One longstandingtheory is that nutritionally poor environments reduce individuals’chances of breeding independently, forcing cooperation with otherindividuals. The proposed project will focus on testing this in thefield, using socially plastic species - insects that can be social orsolitary: Acacia thrips (Thysanoptera) and Halictine bees(Hymenoptera). Working with Stephen Simpson at the University ofSydney, a pioneer in nutritional approaches to ecological questions,and Jeremy Field, at the University of Sussex, a world leader insocial evolution research, in field populations of both insect groupsI will test firstly whether social behaviour occurs more often onnutritionally imbalanced food plants, and secondly whetherexperimentally imbalancing the nutritional composition of food causespreviously independent breeders to decide instead to cooperate. Ifsuccessful, this will open up a paradigm that has been theorized butnever rigorously tested, representing a major contribution to socialbiology." Fields of science natural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyentomology Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IOF - Marie Curie Action: "International Outgoing Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IOF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IOF - International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) Coordinator THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX Address Sussex house falmer BN1 9RH Brighton United Kingdom See on map Region South East (England) Surrey, East and West Sussex Brighton and Hove Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Tina Lehmbeck (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data
