Objective
The divergent selective pressures experienced by females and males often lead to the evolution of dramatic morphological, physiological and behavioural differences. Social insects hold a special place for understanding the evolution of phenotypic differences, because one sex at least is subdivided into morphologically distinct reproductive and non-reproductive (worker) castes. This research program will investigate the molecular mechanisms governing the evolution of sex (male vs female) and caste (queen vs worker) differences by studying the remarkable longhorn crazy ant Paratrechina longicornis. This species has evolved an unusual genetic system, whereby queen, male and worker phenotypes do not only result from gene expression differences, but also possess different genetic makeups. Under this system, the genomes of queens and males no longer recombine and evolve as separate entities similar to sex chromosomes. Queens are clones of their mother, males are clones of their father, and sterile workers are produced sexually through the union of queen and male genomes. The MELCA project proposes to take advantage of this double-clonal system to study how selection shapes the evolution and expression of genes involved in phenotypic differences. We will sequence the genomes and transcriptomes of double-clonal queens, males, and workers, and link patterns of gene expression with changes in rates of molecular evolution to test predictions regarding the nature of selection acting on genes involved in sex and caste differences. First, we will investigate the effects of the double-clonal system on patterns of sex-biased and allele-biased gene expression. Second, we will determine if this system leads to differences in rate of evolution for genes with sex or caste functions.
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 zoology entomology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology molecular evolution
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1015 LAUSANNE
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.