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Uncovering determinants of animal personalities using movement data

Objective

The field of animal personality links consistent behavioral variation among individuals to simultaneous differences in life history strategies and fitness. The relative contribution of genetics and developmental processes, such as maternal or individual learning on personality are however poorly understood. The proposal suggests to link animal personality to the field of movement ecology as a new source of data for behavioral studies that allows access to behavioral long term data on long lived wildlife species that was formerly unavailable. Using a unique dataset of multigenerational GPS-relocations, genetic, and dietary data of European brown bears, this research proposal will quantify 1) which portion of personality is determined by genetics and which part by maternal learning, 2) to what degree an animals personality is stable throughout life, and based on that 3) whether behavioral traits measured at earlier stages in life can be used to predict behavior later in life. This will be particularly useful to develop a predictive model of how environmental conditions, maternal behavior and relatedness determine the movement and dispersal behavior of young bears. These behaviors are directly linked with resilience to anthropogenic disturbances as well as population connectivity. In light of expanding carnivore populations across Europe, understanding which individuals are most likely to disperse through anthropogenic landscapes will be critical to successfully mitigate conflicts. The ER will use the latest advances in the field of movement ecology to quantify individual differences in movement strategies among bears. The ER’s experience with the study system, in combination with the supervisors excellence in the field of movement ecology, and the high relevance of the topic for the foreseeable recolonization of parts of Europe by brown bears makes this project of utmost priority.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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.

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.

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.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017

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Coordinator

SENCKENBERG GESELLSCHAFT FUR NATURFORSCHUNG
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 159 460,80
Address
SENCKENBERGANLAGE 25
60325 Frankfurt
Germany

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Region
Hessen Darmstadt Frankfurt am Main, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Other
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Total cost

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.

€ 159 460,80
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