Objective
Most organisms inhabit environments that vary in time and space, often showing dramatic seasonal variation. Consequently, organisms have evolved mechanisms that enable them to track the variation in their environment and exploit critical resources effectively.
The timing of reproduction in birds, which varies considerably within populations and is often under strong natural selection, is an excellent model for studying individual responses to the environment. Individual timing within years is dependent on a range of environmental factors in addition to having an additive genetic basis.
In vertebrates, an increasing amount is known about the molecular basis for variation in biological timing. For example, the Clock gene includes a variable poly-glutamine ('po ly-Q) repeat influencing behaviour and physiology. Recent work in birds and insects has demonstrated associations between Clock genotype and latitude, which match latitudinal variation in breeding time.
The aim of this study is to address the within-population fitness consequences of variation of clock genes in wild bird populations, with particular reference to the timing of reproduction.
The main hypothesis is that within populations, clock gene variation should be under stabilising selection, but that the form of selection will depend upon specific features of the environment, such that variation within populations is maintained by spatial and temporal heterogeneity.
The project thus matches detailed molecular genetic work with well-characterised ecologic al models, and the work has potential implications for our understanding of the maintenance of genetic variation in populations, local adaptation, and adjustment to changing environments.
The fellows profile and the hosts expertise complement each other very well, since they match molecular genetic and ecological approaches to variation in wild systems. Thus, this project is offering a high degree of interdisciplinary and international interaction.
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 zoology ornithology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology entomology
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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.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
See other projects for this call
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
OXFORD
United Kingdom
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.